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IAVM and IAEE: Growing with a New Alliance

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IAVM and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) have joined forces to provide their members with access to online educational content and the opportunity to participate in each other’s annual conferences. IAEE is composed of approximately 1,300 members (organizations) and over 8,000 member representatives (individuals). Over 50 percent of IAEE’s members are directly involved in the planning, management, and production of exhibitions and buyer-seller events. Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, and Chief Operating Officer at IAEE  is excited about the partnership, “When our staffs met to discuss an alliance, several areas were identified where it makes sense for us to partner with one another. IAEE has a philosophy that when two industry organizations can collaborate and it benefits each other’s members, every effort should be made to move forward with the collaboration. We are pleased that this has worked out!” As part of the alliance, the two organizations will cross-market educational programs and networking events and other products developed for their memberships. The alliance will allow for cross-participation at live programs and access to digital resources from both associations. Additionally, both organizations will endorse the certifications offered to their memberships: IAVM’s Certified Facilities Executive designation and IAEE’s Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation. Additionally, the associations will partner to co-support women in leadership roles in the exhibition, event and venue industries. This May, IAEE will host a Women’s Leadership Forum at the Fairmont Hotel, Washington, DC, and IAVM members will be able to register at the IAEE member rate for the event. The program will feature. Hattie Hill as the leadership facilitator. Hattie will lead conversations throughout the day with her philosophy of “Smart People, Smart Choices, Smart Processes.”™ Hattie’s client list includes many Fortune 500 companies in the U.S., and she has facilitated training in more than 40 countries. Hattie Hill will facilitate a panel of chief-executive females who will provide their insights on how they reached the top, how they balance their work life and personal life, and how they overcame the challenges of reaching the top. Panel members include Mary Dolaher, CEO of IDG World Expo and Christine Duffy, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association. Betsy Myers, a senior official in the Clinton Administration will be the featured speaker for the program. As part of IAVM’s efforts to recognize women in leadership roles, IAVM will once again present an Women in Leadership educational session at VenueConnect, July 27-30. IAVM will also host the Women of Influence reception presented by Venues Today magazine, recognizing top women executives in the venue industry during this year’s conference in New Orleans, La. IAVM’s President and CEO, Vicki Hawarden noted, “We are very excited to be able to join forces with IAEE and interact with their membership of highly capable and passionate event and exhibition professionals. Many of IAVM’s goals and our basic mission overlap with IAEE’s. The opportunity to encourage their members to participate in our educational and networking events will truly expand the quality of networking and substantially increase the depth and breadth of expertise found within both organization’s memberships.”

Debunking Common Myths About Mentoring

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These days, most careers take numerous twists and turns. Downsizing, rightsizing, the economic downturn, technological advances and many other factors are adding more transitions to our career paths. Many of these transitions are unexpected and are certainly not part of the plan. Since mentoring can help to ease these transitions, it may be necessary now more than ever. While mentoring has morphed over the years, our collective thinking on mentoring has not and many myths still prevail. When people think of mentoring, they often think of the older, wiser seasoned professional teaching the ambitious, young “go-getter.” The mature leader advises the young professional about career options and pathways, navigating office politics, and the steps necessary to build a successful career. Mentoring has evolved a great deal in recent years and it is time to debunk some of its most common myths. “mentoring significantly contributes to personal and professional development of both the mentor and the mentee.” MYTH #1: Mentors are old and mentees are young. REALITY: Not true! Mentors don’t have to be old and mentees don’t have to be young. Mentors just need to have knowledge and willingness to impart that knowledge. Mentees just need to have a desire to learn, improve their skills, and increase their network. Gone are the days of the young mentee sitting at the feet of the older, wise one. You never know who might be a powerful learning influence. Innovation happens so quickly and personal experience is such a great teacher. Thanks to advances in technology, “reverse mentoring” in which a junior professional advises a more seasoned professional, has become more common. Younger, tech savvy people are often best suited to mentor older peers on topics like new technology, social media, and more. MYTH #2: Mentoring is only needed at the start of a career. REALITY: People at every stage in their careers can benefit from the assistance mentoring offers. Career transitions are an especially good time to seek out a mentor. However, taking a proactive approach, you shouldn’t wait for the transitions to come up. Whether considering a career change, taking on a new role, seeking certification, trying to stay on top of organizational politics, or even trying to keep up with the fast-paced changes occurring around you, advice from someone who has been through the same challenges before can be very helpful. MYTH #3: Mentors are not needed when you are learning from your employer. REALITY: Whether intentional or not, we seek out a variety of advisors we can trust and who will have our best interests in mind. Your spouse, your boss, and family members can all give you a variety of perspectives on issues you are facing. However, when addressing career challenges, advice may be richer and more relevant when it comes from an unbiased professional that knows your industry, understands your goals, and doesn’t have a stake in the outcome. MYTH #4: Mentoring only happens on a one-to-one, face-to-face basis. REALITY: Thanks to modern technology, mentoring can take place anywhere, anytime. IAVM’s mentoring partnerships are flourishing with the use of high tech communication tools that have become vital in our world. Partners meet via email, phone, text, Skype, and sometimes on a one-to-one, face-to-face basis. Crossing various time zones and geographic challenges, partnerships are thriving with the opportunities communications technologies offer. IAVM has provided a platform VenueNet for members to chat online or when possible, partnerships are meeting at conferences, chapter meetings, VenueConnect, specialty meetings and Oglebay. MYTH #5: The mentee is the only one that learns. REALITY: In fact, mentoring is not something anyone can do to someone else. Mentoring is a condition that arises out of an effective relationship. It takes time to build. Mentoring happens when partners trust and feel accepted by each other. We find that mentors often learn a fresh perspective. They learn by teaching. They challenge their own thinking. They re-establish and re-confirm what they already know by sharing with a mentee. Mentors broaden their network almost as often at mentees do. The old adage, “you get what you give” could possibly be amended to “you get more than you give” through mentoring. MYTH #6: Mentoring requires a greater time commitment than professionals can afford. REALITY: In fact, mentoring significantly contributes to personal and professional development of both the mentor and the mentee. Based on the results, it can prove to be a great investment of time and an opportunity one cannot afford to miss. MYTH #7: Mentoring only benefits the participants. REALITY: Mentoring not only benefits the participants, it benefits our association, our industry, and all of us! The image and value of our organization is based on the collective wisdom of our members. Mentoring increases the quality and caliber of our membership. Recognition as experts in the venue management industry benefits the profile and stature of the association and the industry as a whole. In turn, the continued growth and vitality of IAVM enhances the image and value of its members. MYTH #8: Seeking assistance from a mentor is a sign of weakness. REALITY: To the contrary, proactively seeking mentorship may be seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Utilizing all of the tools available to further your career shows drive, determination, motivation, and good common sense. Taking an active role in your continuing education and professional development can be viewed as a positive approach to your career development. So, do you need mentoring? Can you “pay it forward” by volunteering as a mentor? The IAVM Mentor Connector Program is an excellent vehicle to enhance and possibly advance your venue management career. Supported by some of our industry’s best and brightest, the Mentoring Task Force is fortunate to facilitate participants making meaningful connections to further their professional development through the IAVM Mentor Connector Program. Whether navigating through the transitions or just learning something new (social networking, podcasts, or Blogs 101), mentoring just might be the best way to gain the general or specific knowledge you’re seeking. Now that [...]

Fin-ishing Touch? The Funding Battle Behind Miami’s Football Future

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A translation for the Spanish word “fin”  is the end. The Miami Dolphins of the National Football League are affectionately known by their fans as the “Fins.” Coincidence? We think maybe not. Deep in South Florida the sabers are rattling quite loud and clear about the future of a franchise that has still produced the only unbeaten Super Bowl champion in history. At issue as is often the case is funding. In this case, team CEO Mike Dee said that the team will not pay for any renovations to Sun Life Stadium after the Florida Legislature ended its session on May 3 without passing any funding plan for the 26-year-old venue. In essence, you have your basic stalemate that knows no boundaries when it comes to various sports venues. But the cash cow known as the National Football League is one entity where someone seemingly waits on the next street corner to snatch up a disillusioned franchise, one usually disillusioned by its stadium. Want examples? Cue the musical chairs music, because in recent years the St. Louis Cardinals left to become the Arizona Cardinals (new stadium after playing the first few years at Sun Devil Stadium), upon which the Los Angeles Rams left to become the St. Louis Rams (new stadium in the Edward Jones Dome). The Houston Oilers bolted to Tennessee (new stadium in LP Field) but later were granted a new franchise in Houston with the Texans (new stadium in Reliant Stadium). The Baltimore Colts loaded up in the middle of the night to become the Indianapolis Colts (new stadium in Lucas Oil Stadium), only to have the Cleveland Browns depart to put a team back in Baltimore to be known as the Ravens (new stadium in M&T Bank Stadium). Cleveland was later granted a franchise and kept the name Browns and played in a … what, you thought we were going to say the old Municipal Stadium? Correct, they played in the new FirstEnergy Stadium. Notice a common thread here? The team wanted the state of Florida and local reserves to help pay for some $400 million worth of improvements and renovations to the venue that when it was new moved the team out of Miami’s Orange Bowl. “At this time we have no intention of investing more.” Sounding ominous, Dee told television station WFOR in Miami that, “At this time we have no intention of investing more.” The Legislature’s non-action likely speaks volumes as to the city’s ability to garner future Super Bowls, especially for 2016 and 2017 when Miami was prepared to compete with Houston and Santa Clara, California (they are still the San Francisco 49ers, but will be playing in a, yes, new stadium). Interestingly, when the Fins’ stadium opened as Joe Robbie Stadium it was the first of its kind to be constructed entirely with private funds. Twenty-six years later, the battle is quite public.   Photo courtesy of verndogs via photopin cc

Good Things Come to Those Who … Are Early

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While “good things come to those who wait” is a well-known expression, there is also a time and place not to wait. We’ve listed several reasons why, when it comes to registering for VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, you might want to seize the moment. Some are monetary incentives, others are for the sheer fact that if you wait, you’ll be left out. Reason #1 – Early Bird Registration Ends Friday! Registration is underway for IAVM’s annual conference and trade show and early bird registration will save you more than $100 if you register by this Friday, May 10. Reason #2 – Foundation Friday Networking Events Join us for the first social events before the opening of VenueConnect, with the annual Foundation Golf Tournament, presented by MillerCoors and the Foundation Cooking School, presented by Sodexo! In addition to a fun day of networking and fundraising, these events provide sponsors the first opportunity to showcase products and services and get a head start on business in a relaxed atmosphere. Space is limited so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot. Learn more by contacting Sarah Rogers at sarah.rogers@iavm.org. Reason #3 – Leave Behind a Legacy Don’t get left behind – Saturday morning will also be an opportunity to give back to our host city of New Orleans by helping to beautify the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood. Venue managers and allied attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and feel great by participating in this important Legacy Project. Reason #4 – Venue Tours Always Top Out These behind-the-scenes tours, taking place on July 30, the final day of the conference, are hosted by amazing local venues and always fill up fast. With the opportunity to see some of the industry’s leading venues, attendees will certainly gain a fresh perspective and gather new ideas to take back home. This year’s attendees will have access to tours of the Saenger Theater, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Lakefront Arena at the University of New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Reason #5 – Take Advantage of Your Buying Power and Come to VenueConnect for FREE! IAVM is offering a new opportunity to connect our network of Venue Managers and Allied Members. DirectConnect is a one-on-one appointment program that matches prequalified Venue Managers who are actively seeking product or service solutions for their buildings with Allied Members who may meet these distinct needs. Members participating in this program will receive a complimentary registration and a (2) two-night hotel room stay at VenueConnect in New Orleans. DirectConnect participants will attend 10 pre-set meetings on Monday, July 29, 2013. Learn more by contacting Christy Jacobs at Christy.Jacobs@iavm.org. Reason #6 – Save on Airfare and Secure Your Room IAVM members who book travel through American Airlines can get a 5% discount on airfare when they use the promo code 7873BY, and the earlier you book the better the fares. So don’t wait to book your flight and reserve your room at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, which is just steps away from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. REGISTER TODAY for VenueConnect 2013 in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of zoutedrop via photopin cc

St. Charles Convention Center Finds Non-Traditional Revenue in Mother’s Day Brunch

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  Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12, and for the fifth consecutive year the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center will host a brunch to not only celebrate moms but to turn some extra non-traditional revenue as well. “This event provides a great opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Global Spectrum (the venue’s management firm) to the local community and the overall beauty of the space itself,” said Joe Capitanelli, marketing manager at the venue that opened in 2005. “If you haven’t attended a wedding or other meeting or conference here, it’s possible the general public probably hasn’t had a chance to experience what we can do. This event allows the community to enjoy the Center in other ways than just attending public and consumer events.” The idea for the Mother’s Day brunch was hatched by the staff of Shura Garnett, CFE, Global Spectrum’s general manager and regional vice president for the facility. In an interview with Facility Manager in 2009 as she was preparing to take the reins as IAVM’s new chair, Garnett noted that coming up with ideas is just the beginning. “If you come up with the idea, you have to be willing to come up with the marketing plan and business plan for it,” she said. “It’s great cross-training for the staff members because they get to do something they’ve not done before.” Seating times are between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the half-hour on Mother’s Day, and features a customized menu created by the venue’s award-winning Executive Head Chef, Roland Scheller. A local violin trio entertains to create an elegant feel to the event and each mother receives a flower. “Instead of getting into a pity party and wallowing in it, we asked what can we do different?” “Something new this year is that we partnered with a local massage company and a local event publication,” said Capitanelli. “Mothers can sign up to receive the publication online for free and be entered for their chance to win one of seven free massage packages to be given away during each seating time. It’s an effort to differentiate ourselves from the competition.” Capitanelli said that the event typically draws between 350 and 450 people spread out over the seven seating times. Back in those tough economic climate days in 2009, Garnett said that, “Instead of getting into a pity party and wallowing in it, we asked what can we do different?” An event promoted as “An Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Perfect for Any Family of Any Size!” is one loud and successful answer. The extra non-traditional revenue it brings in is icing on the cake, or in the case of one of Chef Scheller’s creations, icing on the Ricotta Cheesecake.

Top 5 VC13 Sessions for Exhibitors: An Inside Look at Your Potential Customers

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VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, is a must-attend event for exhibitors targeting venue managers from the complete range of venue types. Our Allied community probably already knows about most of the benefits and access available to VenueConnect exhibitors, such as the local NOLA entertainment at our one-of-a-kind, high-energy trade show; a QR Code scavenger hunt that brings venue professionals directly to your booth; DirectConnect, a hosted buyer program connecting exhibitors to pre-qualified buyers in one-on-one meetings; complimentary tickets to the Closing Night; and access to the Award Luncheon ($50). We’d like to remind our exhibitors of another VenueConnect benefit, one that is all too often overlooked and available at no extra charge – access to educational sessions. There’s no better way to communicate with your potential venue customers than to be familiar with the new industry challenges and opportunities they face. Take advantage of the complete VenueConnect educational program to keep up with what’s going on in your customers’ world and better speak to their needs. Here are the top 5 VenueConnect sessions exhibitors shouldn’t miss: Session #1: Crowded Markets for Public Venues Attend this session to: Learn about venue managers’ top concerns regarding staying financially sustainable in an increasingly crowded venue market, and consider how you can better speak to those concerns. Session #2: Mission Critical: Creating Goal–Oriented Vendor Partnerships Attend this session to: Understand customers’ expectations for a partnership with an allied company, including their role in producing the best guest experience possible. Refine your vocabulary to ensure you’re talking about how your product or services affects their guests’ experiences. Session #3: Fueling the Sustainable Shift Attend this session to: Gain a better understanding of managers’ expectations and efforts for integrating sustainable products into their venue. Even if it hasn’t happened just yet, the conversation about sustainable solutions will undoubtedly affect your product or service offering. Session #4: small is AWESOME!!! Attend this session to: Determine if there’s an opportunity to expand your sales in the tertiary market…and to make a couple connections with professionals at smaller venues – their next big promotion could be at a larger venue you’ve been trying to get into. Session #5: Improving Event Experiences through Brain Science! Attend this session to: Get inspired and consider how your product or service affects the entire human experience at an event. Click here to view the full VenueConnect program. For your complimentary tickets to Closing Night or to purchase tickets to the Award Luncheon, contact Kelly McDowell, Client Solutions Manager, at kelly.mcdowell@iavm.org or 972.538.1010. For additional sponsorship information, please contact Christy Jacobs, Director or Marketplace Sales, at christy.jacobs@iavm.org or 972.538.1015.

Industry News Weekly Roundup

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IAVM is excited to introduce a new weekly blog post highlighting some of the most important, interesting and entertaining pieces of industry news from the week. We encourage your news submissions; just email your recommendations to Lauren Kubicki, IAVM’s Interactive Marketing Manager. We hope you enjoy! Manchester City FC announces stadium WiFi for fans, with live video & stats streamed direct to mobile -The Next Web One month after Liverpool Football Club became the first top-tier British club to roll-out WiFi in its stadium, Manchester City has announced it too is to start rolling out WiFi, in addition to a real-time mobile-video streaming service. The Manchester, England-based football club has a history of innovating in the digital realm. For example, it has previously partnered with Foursquare, broadcasted fans’ tweets during games, signed a YouTube content deal, and introduced pre-match Google hangouts. St. Charles Convention Center Finds Non-Traditional Revenue in Mother’s Day Brunch -IAVM Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12, and for the fifth consecutive year the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center will host a brunch to not only celebrate moms but to turn some extra non-traditional revenue as well. Top 10 Baseball Stadiums for Craft Beer -FOX News A few weeks ago, you may have seen a photo going around featuring the “Craft Beer Destination,” a concession stand at Yankee Stadium that didn’t actually serve any “craft beer.” Of the four drinks sold at the stand, one wasn’t even beer (it was cider) and all of them were produced by MillerCoors, a giant company whose beer cannot be considered “craft” for several reasons (detailed here.) And Yankee Stadium decided to rename the “craft beer destination” as the “beer mixology destination,” which also makes us cringe — but we digress. AEG, Billionaire Batista to Manage Rio’s Maracana Stadium -Bloomberg Anschutz Entertainment Group Inc., the operator of the Staples Center in Los Angeles and London’s O2 arena, teamed up with billionaire Eike Batista and Brazil’s largest construction company to run Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium for 35 years. The arena, which last month held its first test event after being shuttered for a three-year, $500 million renovation, will host next year’s soccer World Cup final and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Indianapolis Building First Empty-Ballpark Apartments -G0verning Some baseball fans like the sport so much they buy season tickets. But sports junkies in Indianapolis may be able to take their passion even further: Starting this summer, they’ll be able to live in a stadium. In August, workers will complete the process of converting the historic minor league ballpark in Indianapolis into a high-end, 138-unit apartment complex dubbed Stadium Lofts. It’s believed to be the country’s first housing development located in a former ballpark. Symbiotic Relationship: Convention Centers & Hotels -Commercial Property Executive Adam and Eve. Romeo and Juliet. Jack and Jill. Convention centers and hotels. What does that last pairing have in common with the others? Increasingly, it is a natural combination. While once convention centers were built without consideration for the hotels where trade show goers would stay, more municipalities are realizing the importance of partnering with private hotel developers and other amenity providers at the outset to produce a more economically successful venue. San Diego Convention Center Runs Up $31 Million Maintenance Backlog -KPBS The San Diego Convention Center Corp. is developing plans to deal with a $31.1 million backlog of capital maintenance and equipment needs, CEO Carol Wallace told the City Council today. Wallace said recommendations could be ready in about one month and will be presented at a City Council meeting scheduled for July 30. Photo Shoot with Joe Floreano’s Amazing Tie -IAVM We’re proud of our recent story featuring the great Joe Floreano, CFE! For a few of the photos used in our April/May Facility Manager story, we arranged a custom photo shoot that leveraged quite a bit of technology to make it a quick, successful project for everyone involved. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes: We found a great fashion photographer (no other photographer would handle that spectacular tie properly!), Ira Morris, local to Joe Floreano’s homebase, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Photo courtesy of Marooned via photopin cc

Fans Caught Napping in the Outfield, But it’s Okay

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When a baseball player has just been described as “napping in the outfield,” chances are good he has missed what should have been a catchable fly ball. But last Saturday night at The Ballpark in Arlington, home to the Texas Rangers, some 2,000 paying guests actually had an opportunity to grab a night’s worth of z’s in the outfield thanks to a Fan Sleepover event. The team had been heavily promoting this most non-traditional revenue event during its broadcasts on Fox Sports Southwest, and the result was an advance sellout that somewhat surprised but certainly thrilled the team and venue. “We could probably have sold more, but decided to cap it at 2,000,” said Sean Decker, director of sales and operations for Texas Rangers Enterprises, an arm of the team involved in aggressively seeking such non-traditional opportunities when the Rangers aren’t playing at home. It was a decidedly family event as beer was not sold. Doors opened at 6 p.m. and fans were given tours of the stadium. There were games, bounce houses and kids frolicked in the Kids Zone beyond the outfield. Later, fans seated themselves in the stands to watch the Rangers on the jumbo screen take on their in-state rivals, the Houston Astros. Vendors worked the crowds and the concession stands and gift shops were open for business. “We are always looking at ways to keep pushing the needle.” Afterwards, fans headed to the outfield with sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows in tow. Two GoVision screens were set up in the outfield for a 20th anniversary showing of The Sandlot. Before the movie, director, writer and narrator David Mickey Evans spoke to the crowd. Once the movie ended, it was time to turn out the lights for an evening of sleeping under the stars, or trying to sleep under as many stars as a big city will display. The alarm sounded at 7 a.m. on Sunday and the evening’s guests made their way home. “We were trying to make this a place to be utilized for more than just baseball,” said Decker, who emphasized that it was equally important to keep the outfield as pristine as possible with the season in play. “We are always looking at ways to keep pushing the needle.” Decker knows a thing or two about assembling a sleepover as he did a similar event when he worked with the Triple A Colorado Springs team. Rangers Ballpark even hosted a scout sleepover last September. Decker said that a sleepover night would have in the past been directed to the special events arm of the team but that the creation of Texas Rangers Enterprises allows for more aggressive opportunities. Could there be multiple sleepovers during the season? Decker did not dismiss the notion, saying, “It has legs. But I can’t spend the night here all the time. I’ll lose my wife.”

March 2013 Leadership Report

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For this fiscal year, which ended March 31, we had 5 major goals to achieve: - Achieve the operating budget surplus goal of $59,985 - Grow membership to 4,100 and $1,159,000 - Create new digital content - Create a new staff organizational structure - Develop a 5 year capital plan - Support board development of a new governance model I am very pleased to report that thanks to our dedicated volunteers and staff, we have met or exceeded all of those goals. While our CFO, Steve Flamm, tells me we have to wait (and wait) for final audited numbers to report in any detail, we expect to nearly double the operating budget surplus goal. Membership is the true star of the show, as we have achieved a historical high of 4,103 members, up from 3,808 at the end of March last year. We are very grateful to those who helped make this happen, from our membership committee, to the iCommit campaign participants, to the conference volunteer leaders who impressed non-member attendees who in return, joined IAVM. We also surpassed the membership revenue goal of $1,159,000, bringing in $1,250,000. At the time of this writing, we have achieved 85 days of operating expenses in reserves, an increase for the third year in a row. “…we have achieved a historical high of 4,103 members, up from 3,808 at the end of March last year.” Regarding our digital content, we have captured over 43 hours of programming over the last 4 conferences, our on-line learning center has received 1,916 unique visitors, and our total webinar attendance has surpassed 2,733. We believe this kind of on-demand content will help us engage with members who find it difficult to attend live events, or have immediate training issues, and we will continue to grow our library of free and low cost resources in this area. On an interesting side note, I recently read a report shared with me by a volunteer leader, the Convention Center Report 2012, by PwC. In it, IAVM ranked as one of the top 3 most popular membership associations for convention centers and second overall for small and medium venues. Other top rankings went to MPI and PCMA. Congrats to our convention center colleagues for such a strong showing. And last but not least, I’d like to correct an oversight from the February report. I mentioned the tremendous press coverage we received for our Severe Weather Preparedness Program, without acknowledging those primarily responsible for this effort. Our thanks go to Dr. Kevin Kloesel, Director, Oklahoma Climate Survey and Associate Dean of the OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences for engaging the national marketing firm named Gehrung Associates to help garner public attention for this program. Dr. Kloesel approved the attendance of a local reporter and although in 9 cases out of 10, nobody comes, we were all pleasantly surprised when an AP reporter showed up. Thanks to the work of Dr. Kloesel, Gehrung and Associates, and the AVSS SW faculty, we were able to garner the significant number of press stories I mentioned in last month’s report. Next month, I will share with you the goals for the new fiscal year, and our progress against them. Regards, Vicki Hawarden, CMP IAVM President and CEO   Download the complete March 2013 Leadership Update here.

“Education is Not the Filling of a Pail, but the Lighting of a Fire”

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The above title is a quote by William Butler Yeats. His immense contributions to the literary world resulted in a Nobel Prize in Literature, clearly illustrating Yeats’ exemplary efforts to move the literary profession forward. Likewise, many venue professionals and educators take a similar, passionate path when passing down their expertise to the next generation of venue managers. For these individuals, venue education isn’t about filling the pail, but instead, it’s about igniting the passion for all things venue management. Venue education can take many forms and be found in many places, not just at universities, but inside the venues themselves. Some lessons are even delivered through dynamic engagement programs offered by allied members and affiliated corporations. IAVM’s Venue Education Award recognizes the generosity of those outstanding individuals and organizations who strive to pass along their venue knowledge and help others navigate the venue landscape. The Venue Education Award can honor an individual who is actively involved in the education and continuous development of the venue management industry. We recently spoke to Doug Booher, Director of the Indiana University Auditorium, and the winner of the 2012 Venue Education Award. “We were excited about the opportunity to apply for the award and be able to recognize the accomplishments of the students and honor their work in their roles inside our venues.” We hope that you’ll take the time to apply for the 2013 award to be presented at IAVM’s annaul conference in New Orleans on July 29. The Venue Education Award nomination forms are due Friday, May 24th. Please email your completed form to Greg Wolfe at greg.wolfe@iavm.org

Industry News Weekly Roundup

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The Emergence of the Intelligent Venue -Populous Innovation in stadium design is driven in particular by the impact of technology affecting both the venue design itself and the fan experience. Emerging technology is having an all-encompassing impact on stadium design: venues are operationally smarter, they are more sustainable and they ultimately offer a far more engaging, social fan experience. Stadia have to continue to innovate to entice people to gather and share experiences in person at the venue, experiences that they cannot get in the living room at home or at the pub with friends. The continuing competition with the in-home experience is the driving force behind the emergence of the intelligent venue. There is a critical balance between the in-game experience and the remote experience in order for both to coexist. Designers and venue owners are now looking to augment the in-stadium experience through cutting edge technology providing access to unique information and unique experiences. I believe there are three areas in which the stadium of the future can be smarter: Robbers Target Bieber’s S. Africa Concert, Steal $330,000 -Reuters Robbers equipped with ropes, hammers and chisels broke into a strong-room at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium after a Justin Bieber concert and made off with 3 million rand in cash, local media and police said on Monday. An officer from the nearby Booysens police station in the sprawling Soweto township said officials at the stadium, which hosted the final of the 2010 soccer World Cup, only realised the cash was missing on Monday morning. Planned Vikings Stadium Will Have World’s Largest Transparent Roof -Gizmag.com The Minnesota Vikings American football team has announced the final design for a new stadium to built in the Minneapolis city center that will feature the world’s largest transparent roof. This feat will be achieved using state-of-the-art polymer instead of glass to resist the extremes of Minnesota’s climate, while providing views of the city skyline and a sense of openness for fans and players alike. AudienceView Grabs Ticketing by the ‘Long Tail’ -Venues Today New MarketView product mixes white label technology with community driven ticketing Canadian firm AudienceView is planning to roll out a new cloud-based GA ticketing application to compete with tech upstart EventBrite. Titled MarketView, the scalable ticketing system offers stripped down ticketing services for small events and local producers who want to work with a regional ticketing system but can’t afford an expensive enterprise system. Chicago’s McCormick Place Will Use 100 Percent Wind Energy -Trade Show News Network With the WINDPOWER 2013 Conference and Exhibition at Chicago’s McCormick Place this week, it was perfect timing to announce the venue has committed to obtaining 100 percent of its electricity from wind power. “We are committed to having renewable energy as part of our comprehensive efforts to implement environmentally-friendly, sustainable practices,” said David Causton, general manager of McCormick Place. The Best Pace to Watch an NHL Game? Survey Says… -SI.com What’s the best place to watch an NHL game? According to Stadium Journey magazine, Minnesota’s Xcel Energy Center was tops in 2013. The magazine ranked the overall fan experience of attending a game in all of the league’s 30 buildings. Factoring into its decisions were elements such as “food and beverage in the arena, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, the fans, access (which includes parking, traffic, restrooms, and concourses), return on investment, and an extras category for any unique or bonus points.” The History of Baseball Stadium Nachos -Smithsonian.com The smell of freshly cut grass, the crack of the bat, the 30 minutes standing in line at the concession stand. Baseball season is up and running and the experience of going to a game wouldn’t be the same without an expensive beer in one hand and a plastic receptacle of nachos covered in ooey-gooey cheese product in the other. But how did nachos become a stadium standard? In September 1988, Adriana P. Orr, a researcher at the Oxford English Dictionary, was asked to trace the etymology of the word “nachos” and conducted an initial investigation of the nacho story. Secondary Ticketing: Inflating Sport Prices or Useful Service? -BBC From the climax of the European football season and a summer of top-class cricket and tennis events to the Rolling Stones and Who concerts, there never seem to be enough tickets to go round for die-hard followers. At one time that might have meant hanging around outside a venue hoping to buy off a tout, or someone else with “a spare” to sell. However, over the past decade a new phenomenon has arrived on the UK’s shores – the “secondary ticketing” exchanges that allow individuals, sports clubs, and other organisations to legally sell spare tickets – often, but not necessarily, at more than face value. SES 2013 TwitPic: Thanks to the IAVM Foundation and our Global Partners, FREEMAN, Sodexo and Ungerboeck Two Teams, Two Visions Presented for Miami Beach Convention Center Redevelopment -The Miami Herald In their first fully fleshed-out presentations on Tuesday, the developers competing to redevelop the Miami Beach Convention Center area described a vibrant new urban district of interconnected green spaces and cultural opportunities anchored by cutting-edge designs — even as they crossed swords over which plan would yield more benefits to the city at a better cost.

Infographic: Snapshot from IAVM’s 2012 Safety & Security Report

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Every day, public venues around the nation assume responsibility for the safety of tens of thousands of people who walk through their doors to experience exciting live entertainment, events and conferences. While safety planning is not a revenue driver for venues, the results of the efforts, if put to the test, have huge implications. This information from a recent IAVM VenueDataSource report serves as a benchmark for venues assessing safety and security activities and opportunities. The complete report can be purchased here. For venues unable to commit a significant amount of time and money to safety planning, developing a comprehensive action plan may seem like a daunting task. IAVM has numerous safety and security resources available to venues, such as conferences, courses, webinars, and reports. IAVM strives to help keep venues informed and connected, and we hope the information provided here is valuable to our member venues. Infographics

Good Things Come to Those Who … Are Early

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While “good things come to those who wait” is a well-known expression, there is also a time and place not to wait. We’ve listed several reasons why, when it comes to registering for VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, you might want to seize the moment. Some are monetary incentives, others are for the sheer fact that if you wait, you’ll be left out. Reason #1 – Early Bird Registration Ends Friday! Registration is underway for IAVM’s annual conference and trade show and early bird registration will save you more than $100 if you register by this Friday, May 10. Reason #2 – Foundation Friday Networking Events Join us for the first social events before the opening of VenueConnect, with the annual Foundation Golf Tournament, presented by MillerCoors and the Foundation Cooking School, presented by Sodexo! In addition to a fun day of networking and fundraising, these events provide sponsors the first opportunity to showcase products and services and get a head start on business in a relaxed atmosphere. Space is limited so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot. Learn more by contacting Sarah Rogers at sarah.rogers@iavm.org. Reason #3 – Leave Behind a Legacy Don’t get left behind – Saturday morning will also be an opportunity to give back to our host city of New Orleans by helping to beautify the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood. Venue managers and allied attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and feel great by participating in this important Legacy Project. Reason #4 – Venue Tours Always Top Out These behind-the-scenes tours, taking place on July 30, the final day of the conference, are hosted by amazing local venues and always fill up fast. With the opportunity to see some of the industry’s leading venues, attendees will certainly gain a fresh perspective and gather new ideas to take back home. This year’s attendees will have access to tours of the Saenger Theater, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Lakefront Arena at the University of New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Reason #5 – Take Advantage of Your Buying Power and Come to VenueConnect for FREE! IAVM is offering a new opportunity to connect our network of Venue Managers and Allied Members. DirectConnect is a one-on-one appointment program that matches prequalified Venue Managers who are actively seeking product or service solutions for their buildings with Allied Members who may meet these distinct needs. Members participating in this program will receive a complimentary registration and a (2) two-night hotel room stay at VenueConnect in New Orleans. DirectConnect participants will attend 10 pre-set meetings on Monday, July 29, 2013. Learn more by contacting Christy Jacobs at Christy.Jacobs@iavm.org. Reason #6 – Save on Airfare and Secure Your Room IAVM members who book travel through American Airlines can get a 5% discount on airfare when they use the promo code 7873BY, and the earlier you book the better the fares. So don’t wait to book your flight and reserve your room at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, which is just steps away from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. REGISTER TODAY for VenueConnect 2013 in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of zoutedrop via photopin cc

St. Charles Convention Center Finds Non-Traditional Revenue in Mother’s Day Brunch

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  Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12, and for the fifth consecutive year the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center will host a brunch to not only celebrate moms but to turn some extra non-traditional revenue as well. “This event provides a great opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Global Spectrum (the venue’s management firm) to the local community and the overall beauty of the space itself,” said Joe Capitanelli, marketing manager at the venue that opened in 2005. “If you haven’t attended a wedding or other meeting or conference here, it’s possible the general public probably hasn’t had a chance to experience what we can do. This event allows the community to enjoy the Center in other ways than just attending public and consumer events.” The idea for the Mother’s Day brunch was hatched by the staff of Shura Garnett, CFE, Global Spectrum’s general manager and regional vice president for the facility. In an interview with Facility Manager in 2009 as she was preparing to take the reins as IAVM’s new chair, Garnett noted that coming up with ideas is just the beginning. “If you come up with the idea, you have to be willing to come up with the marketing plan and business plan for it,” she said. “It’s great cross-training for the staff members because they get to do something they’ve not done before.” Seating times are between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the half-hour on Mother’s Day, and features a customized menu created by the venue’s award-winning Executive Head Chef, Roland Scheller. A local violin trio entertains to create an elegant feel to the event and each mother receives a flower. “Instead of getting into a pity party and wallowing in it, we asked what can we do different?” “Something new this year is that we partnered with a local massage company and a local event publication,” said Capitanelli. “Mothers can sign up to receive the publication online for free and be entered for their chance to win one of seven free massage packages to be given away during each seating time. It’s an effort to differentiate ourselves from the competition.” Capitanelli said that the event typically draws between 350 and 450 people spread out over the seven seating times. Back in those tough economic climate days in 2009, Garnett said that, “Instead of getting into a pity party and wallowing in it, we asked what can we do different?” An event promoted as “An Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Perfect for Any Family of Any Size!” is one loud and successful answer. The extra non-traditional revenue it brings in is icing on the cake, or in the case of one of Chef Scheller’s creations, icing on the Ricotta Cheesecake.

Top 5 VC13 Sessions for Exhibitors: An Inside Look at Your Potential Customers

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VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, is a must-attend event for exhibitors targeting venue managers from the complete range of venue types. Our Allied community probably already knows about most of the benefits and access available to VenueConnect exhibitors, such as the local NOLA entertainment at our one-of-a-kind, high-energy trade show; a QR Code scavenger hunt that brings venue professionals directly to your booth; DirectConnect, a hosted buyer program connecting exhibitors to pre-qualified buyers in one-on-one meetings; complimentary tickets to the Closing Night; and access to the Award Luncheon ($50). We’d like to remind our exhibitors of another VenueConnect benefit, one that is all too often overlooked and available at no extra charge – access to educational sessions. There’s no better way to communicate with your potential venue customers than to be familiar with the new industry challenges and opportunities they face. Take advantage of the complete VenueConnect educational program to keep up with what’s going on in your customers’ world and better speak to their needs. Here are the top 5 VenueConnect sessions exhibitors shouldn’t miss: Session #1: Crowded Markets for Public Venues Attend this session to: Learn about venue managers’ top concerns regarding staying financially sustainable in an increasingly crowded venue market, and consider how you can better speak to those concerns. Session #2: Mission Critical: Creating Goal–Oriented Vendor Partnerships Attend this session to: Understand customers’ expectations for a partnership with an allied company, including their role in producing the best guest experience possible. Refine your vocabulary to ensure you’re talking about how your product or services affects their guests’ experiences. Session #3: Fueling the Sustainable Shift Attend this session to: Gain a better understanding of managers’ expectations and efforts for integrating sustainable products into their venue. Even if it hasn’t happened just yet, the conversation about sustainable solutions will undoubtedly affect your product or service offering. Session #4: small is AWESOME!!! Attend this session to: Determine if there’s an opportunity to expand your sales in the tertiary market…and to make a couple connections with professionals at smaller venues – their next big promotion could be at a larger venue you’ve been trying to get into. Session #5: Improving Event Experiences through Brain Science! Attend this session to: Get inspired and consider how your product or service affects the entire human experience at an event. Click here to view the full VenueConnect program. For your complimentary tickets to Closing Night or to purchase tickets to the Award Luncheon, contact Kelly McDowell, Client Solutions Manager, at kelly.mcdowell@iavm.org or 972.538.1010. For additional sponsorship information, please contact Christy Jacobs, Director or Marketplace Sales, at christy.jacobs@iavm.org or 972.538.1015.

Industry News Weekly Roundup

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IAVM is excited to introduce a new weekly blog post highlighting some of the most important, interesting and entertaining pieces of industry news from the week. We encourage your news submissions; just email your recommendations to Lauren Kubicki, IAVM’s Interactive Marketing Manager. We hope you enjoy! Manchester City FC announces stadium WiFi for fans, with live video & stats streamed direct to mobile -The Next Web One month after Liverpool Football Club became the first top-tier British club to roll-out WiFi in its stadium, Manchester City has announced it too is to start rolling out WiFi, in addition to a real-time mobile-video streaming service. The Manchester, England-based football club has a history of innovating in the digital realm. For example, it has previously partnered with Foursquare, broadcasted fans’ tweets during games, signed a YouTube content deal, and introduced pre-match Google hangouts. St. Charles Convention Center Finds Non-Traditional Revenue in Mother’s Day Brunch -IAVM Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12, and for the fifth consecutive year the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center will host a brunch to not only celebrate moms but to turn some extra non-traditional revenue as well. Top 10 Baseball Stadiums for Craft Beer -FOX News A few weeks ago, you may have seen a photo going around featuring the “Craft Beer Destination,” a concession stand at Yankee Stadium that didn’t actually serve any “craft beer.” Of the four drinks sold at the stand, one wasn’t even beer (it was cider) and all of them were produced by MillerCoors, a giant company whose beer cannot be considered “craft” for several reasons (detailed here.) And Yankee Stadium decided to rename the “craft beer destination” as the “beer mixology destination,” which also makes us cringe — but we digress. AEG, Billionaire Batista to Manage Rio’s Maracana Stadium -Bloomberg Anschutz Entertainment Group Inc., the operator of the Staples Center in Los Angeles and London’s O2 arena, teamed up with billionaire Eike Batista and Brazil’s largest construction company to run Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium for 35 years. The arena, which last month held its first test event after being shuttered for a three-year, $500 million renovation, will host next year’s soccer World Cup final and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Indianapolis Building First Empty-Ballpark Apartments -G0verning Some baseball fans like the sport so much they buy season tickets. But sports junkies in Indianapolis may be able to take their passion even further: Starting this summer, they’ll be able to live in a stadium. In August, workers will complete the process of converting the historic minor league ballpark in Indianapolis into a high-end, 138-unit apartment complex dubbed Stadium Lofts. It’s believed to be the country’s first housing development located in a former ballpark. Symbiotic Relationship: Convention Centers & Hotels -Commercial Property Executive Adam and Eve. Romeo and Juliet. Jack and Jill. Convention centers and hotels. What does that last pairing have in common with the others? Increasingly, it is a natural combination. While once convention centers were built without consideration for the hotels where trade show goers would stay, more municipalities are realizing the importance of partnering with private hotel developers and other amenity providers at the outset to produce a more economically successful venue. San Diego Convention Center Runs Up $31 Million Maintenance Backlog -KPBS The San Diego Convention Center Corp. is developing plans to deal with a $31.1 million backlog of capital maintenance and equipment needs, CEO Carol Wallace told the City Council today. Wallace said recommendations could be ready in about one month and will be presented at a City Council meeting scheduled for July 30. Photo Shoot with Joe Floreano’s Amazing Tie -IAVM We’re proud of our recent story featuring the great Joe Floreano, CFE! For a few of the photos used in our April/May Facility Manager story, we arranged a custom photo shoot that leveraged quite a bit of technology to make it a quick, successful project for everyone involved. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes: We found a great fashion photographer (no other photographer would handle that spectacular tie properly!), Ira Morris, local to Joe Floreano’s homebase, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Photo courtesy of Marooned via photopin cc

Fans Caught Napping in the Outfield, But it’s Okay

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When a baseball player has just been described as “napping in the outfield,” chances are good he has missed what should have been a catchable fly ball. But last Saturday night at The Ballpark in Arlington, home to the Texas Rangers, some 2,000 paying guests actually had an opportunity to grab a night’s worth of z’s in the outfield thanks to a Fan Sleepover event. The team had been heavily promoting this most non-traditional revenue event during its broadcasts on Fox Sports Southwest, and the result was an advance sellout that somewhat surprised but certainly thrilled the team and venue. “We could probably have sold more, but decided to cap it at 2,000,” said Sean Decker, director of sales and operations for Texas Rangers Enterprises, an arm of the team involved in aggressively seeking such non-traditional opportunities when the Rangers aren’t playing at home. It was a decidedly family event as beer was not sold. Doors opened at 6 p.m. and fans were given tours of the stadium. There were games, bounce houses and kids frolicked in the Kids Zone beyond the outfield. Later, fans seated themselves in the stands to watch the Rangers on the jumbo screen take on their in-state rivals, the Houston Astros. Vendors worked the crowds and the concession stands and gift shops were open for business. “We are always looking at ways to keep pushing the needle.” Afterwards, fans headed to the outfield with sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows in tow. Two GoVision screens were set up in the outfield for a 20th anniversary showing of The Sandlot. Before the movie, director, writer and narrator David Mickey Evans spoke to the crowd. Once the movie ended, it was time to turn out the lights for an evening of sleeping under the stars, or trying to sleep under as many stars as a big city will display. The alarm sounded at 7 a.m. on Sunday and the evening’s guests made their way home. “We were trying to make this a place to be utilized for more than just baseball,” said Decker, who emphasized that it was equally important to keep the outfield as pristine as possible with the season in play. “We are always looking at ways to keep pushing the needle.” Decker knows a thing or two about assembling a sleepover as he did a similar event when he worked with the Triple A Colorado Springs team. Rangers Ballpark even hosted a scout sleepover last September. Decker said that a sleepover night would have in the past been directed to the special events arm of the team but that the creation of Texas Rangers Enterprises allows for more aggressive opportunities. Could there be multiple sleepovers during the season? Decker did not dismiss the notion, saying, “It has legs. But I can’t spend the night here all the time. I’ll lose my wife.”

March 2013 Leadership Report Available

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 For this fiscal year, which ended March 31, we had 5 major goals to achieve: - Achieve the operating budget surplus goal of $59,985 - Grow membership to 4,100 and $1,159,000 - Create new digital content - Create a new staff organizational structure - Develop a 5 year capital plan - Support board development of a new governance model I am very pleased to report that thanks to our dedicated volunteers and staff, we have met or exceeded all of those goals. While our CFO, Steve Flamm, tells me we have to wait (and wait) for final audited numbers to report in any detail, we expect to nearly double the operating budget surplus goal. Membership is the true star of the show, as we have achieved a historical high of 4,103 members, up from 3,808 at the end of March last year. We are very grateful to those who helped make this happen, from our membership committee, to the iCommit campaign participants, to the conference volunteer leaders who impressed non-member attendees who in return, joined IAVM. We also surpassed the membership revenue goal of $1,159,000, bringing in $1,250,000. At the time of this writing, we have achieved 85 days of operating expenses in reserves, an increase for the third year in a row. “…we have achieved a historical high of 4,103 members, up from 3,808 at the end of March last year.” Regarding our digital content, we have captured over 43 hours of programming over the last 4 conferences, our on-line learning center has received 1,916 unique visitors, and our total webinar attendance has surpassed 2,733. We believe this kind of on-demand content will help us engage with members who find it difficult to attend live events, or have immediate training issues, and we will continue to grow our library of free and low cost resources in this area. On an interesting side note, I recently read a report shared with me by a volunteer leader, the Convention Center Report 2012, by PwC. In it, IAVM ranked as one of the top 3 most popular membership associations for convention centers and second overall for small and medium venues. Other top rankings went to MPI and PCMA. Congrats to our convention center colleagues for such a strong showing. And last but not least, I’d like to correct an oversight from the February report. I mentioned the tremendous press coverage we received for our Severe Weather Preparedness Program, without acknowledging those primarily responsible for this effort. Our thanks go to Dr. Kevin Kloesel, Director, Oklahoma Climate Survey and Associate Dean of the OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences for engaging the national marketing firm named Gehrung Associates to help garner public attention for this program. Dr. Kloesel approved the attendance of a local reporter and although in 9 cases out of 10, nobody comes, we were all pleasantly surprised when an AP reporter showed up. Thanks to the work of Dr. Kloesel, Gehrung and Associates, and the AVSS SW faculty, we were able to garner the significant number of press stories I mentioned in last month’s report. Next month, I will share with you the goals for the new fiscal year, and our progress against them. Regards, Vicki Hawarden, CMP IAVM President and CEO   Download the complete March 2013 Leadership Update here.

“Education is Not the Filling of a Pail, but the Lighting of a Fire”

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The above title is a quote by William Butler Yeats. His immense contributions to the literary world resulted in a Nobel Prize in Literature, clearly illustrating Yeats’ exemplary efforts to move the literary profession forward. Likewise, many venue professionals and educators take a similar, passionate path when passing down their expertise to the next generation of venue managers. For these individuals, venue education isn’t about filling the pail, but instead, it’s about igniting the passion for all things venue management. Venue education can take many forms and be found in many places, not just at universities, but inside the venues themselves. Some lessons are even delivered through dynamic engagement programs offered by allied members and affiliated corporations. IAVM’s Venue Education Award is one of five Venue Excellence Awards the association bestows each year to denote the industry’s most dynamic and exemplary organizations. The Venue Education Award recognizes the generosity of those outstanding organizations who strive to pass along their venue knowledge and help others navigate the venue landscape. The Venue Education Award can also honor an individual who is actively involved in the education and continuous development of the venue management industry. We recently spoke to Doug Booher, director of the Indiana University Auditorium –  the winner of the 2012 Venue Education Award. “We were excited about the opportunity to apply for the award and be able to recognize the accomplishments of the students and honor their work in their roles inside our venues.” We hope that you’ll take the time to apply for the 2013 award to be presented at IAVM’s annual conference in New Orleans on July 29. The Venue Education Award nomination forms are due Friday, May 24th. Please email your completed form to Greg Wolfe at greg.wolfe@iavm.org

Industry News Weekly Roundup

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The Emergence of the Intelligent Venue -Populous Innovation in stadium design is driven in particular by the impact of technology affecting both the venue design itself and the fan experience. Emerging technology is having an all-encompassing impact on stadium design: venues are operationally smarter, they are more sustainable and they ultimately offer a far more engaging, social fan experience. Stadia have to continue to innovate to entice people to gather and share experiences in person at the venue, experiences that they cannot get in the living room at home or at the pub with friends. The continuing competition with the in-home experience is the driving force behind the emergence of the intelligent venue. There is a critical balance between the in-game experience and the remote experience in order for both to coexist. Designers and venue owners are now looking to augment the in-stadium experience through cutting edge technology providing access to unique information and unique experiences. I believe there are three areas in which the stadium of the future can be smarter: Robbers Target Bieber’s S. Africa Concert, Steal $330,000 -Reuters Robbers equipped with ropes, hammers and chisels broke into a strong-room at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium after a Justin Bieber concert and made off with 3 million rand in cash, local media and police said on Monday. An officer from the nearby Booysens police station in the sprawling Soweto township said officials at the stadium, which hosted the final of the 2010 soccer World Cup, only realised the cash was missing on Monday morning. Planned Vikings Stadium Will Have World’s Largest Transparent Roof -Gizmag.com The Minnesota Vikings American football team has announced the final design for a new stadium to built in the Minneapolis city center that will feature the world’s largest transparent roof. This feat will be achieved using state-of-the-art polymer instead of glass to resist the extremes of Minnesota’s climate, while providing views of the city skyline and a sense of openness for fans and players alike. AudienceView Grabs Ticketing by the ‘Long Tail’ -Venues Today New MarketView product mixes white label technology with community driven ticketing Canadian firm AudienceView is planning to roll out a new cloud-based GA ticketing application to compete with tech upstart EventBrite. Titled MarketView, the scalable ticketing system offers stripped down ticketing services for small events and local producers who want to work with a regional ticketing system but can’t afford an expensive enterprise system. Chicago’s McCormick Place Will Use 100 Percent Wind Energy -Trade Show News Network With the WINDPOWER 2013 Conference and Exhibition at Chicago’s McCormick Place this week, it was perfect timing to announce the venue has committed to obtaining 100 percent of its electricity from wind power. “We are committed to having renewable energy as part of our comprehensive efforts to implement environmentally-friendly, sustainable practices,” said David Causton, general manager of McCormick Place. The Best Pace to Watch an NHL Game? Survey Says… -SI.com What’s the best place to watch an NHL game? According to Stadium Journey magazine, Minnesota’s Xcel Energy Center was tops in 2013. The magazine ranked the overall fan experience of attending a game in all of the league’s 30 buildings. Factoring into its decisions were elements such as “food and beverage in the arena, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, the fans, access (which includes parking, traffic, restrooms, and concourses), return on investment, and an extras category for any unique or bonus points.” The History of Baseball Stadium Nachos -Smithsonian.com The smell of freshly cut grass, the crack of the bat, the 30 minutes standing in line at the concession stand. Baseball season is up and running and the experience of going to a game wouldn’t be the same without an expensive beer in one hand and a plastic receptacle of nachos covered in ooey-gooey cheese product in the other. But how did nachos become a stadium standard? In September 1988, Adriana P. Orr, a researcher at the Oxford English Dictionary, was asked to trace the etymology of the word “nachos” and conducted an initial investigation of the nacho story. Secondary Ticketing: Inflating Sport Prices or Useful Service? -BBC From the climax of the European football season and a summer of top-class cricket and tennis events to the Rolling Stones and Who concerts, there never seem to be enough tickets to go round for die-hard followers. At one time that might have meant hanging around outside a venue hoping to buy off a tout, or someone else with “a spare” to sell. However, over the past decade a new phenomenon has arrived on the UK’s shores – the “secondary ticketing” exchanges that allow individuals, sports clubs, and other organisations to legally sell spare tickets – often, but not necessarily, at more than face value. SES 2013 TwitPic: Thanks to the IAVM Foundation and our Global Partners, FREEMAN, Sodexo and Ungerboeck Two Teams, Two Visions Presented for Miami Beach Convention Center Redevelopment -The Miami Herald In their first fully fleshed-out presentations on Tuesday, the developers competing to redevelop the Miami Beach Convention Center area described a vibrant new urban district of interconnected green spaces and cultural opportunities anchored by cutting-edge designs — even as they crossed swords over which plan would yield more benefits to the city at a better cost.
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