Your employees are going to make mistakes from time to time. However, how you react to those mistakes shows the type of leader you are.

Consider this story from jazz musician Herbie Hancock about a time he made a mistake while performing with Miles Davis.

“I remember when we were playing ‘So What,’ and it was a really hot night. The music was on,” Hancock said in the above video. “Right in the middle of Miles’ solo, when he was playing one of his amazing solos, I played the wrong chord. Completely wrong. It sounded like a big mistake. And Miles paused for a second, and then he played some notes that made my chord right. He made it ‘correct.’ Miles didn’t hear it as a mistake. He heard it as something that happened. Just an event. And so, that was part of the reality of what was happening at that moment. And he dealt with it. Since he didn’t hear it as a mistake, he felt it was his responsibility to find something that fit. That taught me a very big lesson about not only music but about life.”

Shakespeare had the same idea when he wrote, “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” A reaction is what separates bad leaders from good ones. And if you want to be considered a good leader, one that your employees look up to and emulate, then choose to find a way to make a mistake fit that will help them look just as good as you.

The post How Good Leaders Handle Mistakes appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Green Sports Alliance is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to examine the current state of energy and water performance and identify the opportunities and challenges in advancing the design, construction, and operation of high-performance facilities. One element of this project involves conducting a survey of current practices, barriers, and opportunities venue operators face when it comes to energy and water efficiency. The findings from this survey will help identify opportunities to reduce energy and water use, save money, and potentially develop an ENERGY STAR score and certification for stadiums and arenas.

On this webinar, we will learn about how the Green Sports Alliance is working with the DOE and NIBS to support energy and water efficiency across sports venues. Our partners at the EPA will then provide the audience with an overview of the Stadium and Arena Energy and Water Efficiency Survey, conduct a walk-through of key questions and sections, and provide the audience with an opportunity to ask questions.

Join us to learn more about how you can contribute to this initiative!

Date: Wednesday, August 31 
Time: 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5396739895472708868

Speakers include:
1. Green Sports Alliance Board Member
2. Dania Gutierrez | Program Manager, Green Sports Alliance
3. Ryan Colker | Director, Consultative Council/Presidential Advisor, National Institute of Building Sciences
4. Adam Guzzo | Policy Adviser, US Department of Energy
5. Clark Reed | National Program Manager, ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The post Webinar: Advancing Energy and Water Performance in Stadiums and Arenas appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Baton Rouge River Center provided a safe home for thousands of people stranded due to the recent flooding in Louisiana.

“The arena arranged to sleep more than a thousand people with resources on standby including a list that includes a makeshift hospital thanks to doctors and nurses who saw a need and stepped up,” Mark Armstrong reported for WGNO.

More than 2,800 residents remain in shelters, and an estimated 60,000 homes were damaged. The Advocate offered a great resource for those seeking to help flood victims. Visit “How to Donate Money, Items for Flood Victims,” to learn more. And check out the video above to see how the Baton Rouge River Center helped those in need.

The post Baton Rouge River Center Helps Flood Victims appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation opened its online silent auction last week, and the bids are rolling in. By bidding on items, you’re helping increase the positive impact of the venue industry by funding research, education, and resource development.

Supporting the venue industry is important, and here’s why.

“The potential return on the venue investment expands when led and operated by an educated, experienced, and capable workforce that can identify, prevent, and respond to problems, protect the millions in their care on a daily basis, and ensure financial viability and for the landmark assets in their communities,” the IAVM Foundation said. “As the world and the industry becomes more complex, the need is greater than ever to ensure that each and every public assembly venue has a professional workforce, base of knowledge, and adequate resources to ensure safety and enjoyment of the public, security of assets, and business results that contribute to economic development and quality of life.”

The online silent auction includes collectibles, tickets, fitness items, and more. If you would like to donate items for the auction, please email Sandra Franklin.

The post IAVM Foundation Silent Auction Now Open appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be an: electrical engineer.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met is: my stepfather. Our family lost him to lung cancer, and he taught me a life lesson of how to be an “upstanding citizen of society.”

I unwind by: taking the free days to play golf or find time to travel with my friends and family.

On my desk right now is: a small golf bag holding pens that look like golf clubs. A gift from my fiancé to remind me that even through the tough days make sure you find the time to enjoy the little things in life.

My favorite IAVM conference I ever attended was: the 2015 VenueConnect in Baltimore. I am currently in the Mentor Connector Program, and I am really looking forward to the progression of this program. I am also looking forward to attending Venue Management School soon.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: football operations coordinator.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: patience.

One up-and-coming venue star in the industry is: Clara Poole recently with UTA College Park Center and now settling in with the Irving Convention Center. Clara has not only been a great friend but a young professional who shows a lot of inspiration and optimism.

One of my goals for this year is to: become a better manager, as well as, an inspiring leader to those I work with. Continue to give back to the community and industry who have helped me reach the level I am at today.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? Continue to inspire young professionals to become more involved in our industry and how to be better prepared for local and world issues.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? In the types of multipurpose facilities that are being designed and constructed. This would include the continuing innovative technology of enhancing a “smart stadium,” security and infrastructure, and customer-service programs.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? Touching base with connections that are currently implementing these trends and developments. Reading up on reviews and stories of who, what, when, why, and how these trends are improving or affecting our industry.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? David Beckham, Arnold Palmer, and Bill Gates. All of these great figures were very successful in each aspect of their industries. Success comes to everyone in different ways. Sitting down with them would get me to understand that there are different paths to take in order to achieve your goals and reach your ambitions.

Zachary Reed is assistant director of UT-Arlington Maverick Stadium.

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“Our chairs can hold an elephant!”

We’ve all heard the outlandish claims seating manufacturers make regarding the amount of weight their products can hold. In reality, furniture testing is much more complex than just placing a weight on a chair to see if the chair can support the weight.

That’s why it’s important for furniture manufacturers to tests their products to meet or exceed standards set by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA). An American National Standards Institute-accredited organization, BIFMA’s standards incorporate feedback from manufacturers, customers, and furniture testers.

“It’s important to differentiate between a product that can simply hold a large amount of weight and a product that has been tested to repeatedly meet the impact of that much weight,” said Doug Woodard, North American Furniture Leader, UL and founder of Advanced Furniture Testing, a UL Company.

The seating market demands multi-functionality, and manufacturers must test their seating to meet those demands. Partner with a manufacturer that puts their seating through a full battery of BIFMA tests, including but not limited to, seat drop, leg-pull, and stability testing. Brian Truelove, operations manager at Advanced Furniture Testing, a UL Company, stated, “People are dynamic. They are in constant motion, and testing needs to replicate actual movement.”

Customer safety should be a top priority for your facility and so should product durability. Make sure your furniture supplier shares these same values as well. The next time someone tells you their chair can hold an elephant, ask to see their BIFMA test results instead!

Meeting the New Flammability Standards

In 2013, the State of California adopted a revision to the flammability standard (TB-117), now titled TB 117-2013. Starting January 1, 2015, all manufacturers of upholstered furniture that use polyurethane foam were required to comply with the new standard when shipping to California. Over the years, TB-117 has become the de facto flammability standard for most states.

The new standard requires foam to meet a smolder test, which is much less stringent than the previous open-flame test. As a result, many of the harmful chemicals in polyurethane foam that aided in meeting the original requirement can be removed from the manufacturing process. This is critical because there is no longer exposure to the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were previously present during foam production.

When selecting upholstery for your next project, be sure it meets these new flammability standards.

(Image: ID Number THX 1139/Creative Commons)

The post Allied Corner: Equal to the Test appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Cornell University researchers recently published a paper in the Journal of Organization Behavior describing two studies that tested the effect of different music types on employees working in teams. They found that when happy music was played (such as the “Happy Days” theme song, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles, and “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves), employees were more likely to be cooperative with each other. When unpleasant music was played (such as heavy metal songs from bands not generally known), employees behaved more selfishly.

“Music is a pervasive part of much of our daily lives, whether we consciously notice it or not,” said Kevin Kniffin, a Cornell University behavioral scientist and the paper’s lead author. “Music might melt into the background in places like supermarkets or gyms and other times it’s very prominent like places of worship or presidential nominating conventions. Our results show that people seem more likely to get into sync with each other if they’re listening to music that has a steady beat to it.”

Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and a co-author of the paper, sees the good in the findings.

“What’s great about these findings, other than having a scientific reason to blast tunes at work, is that happy music has the power to make the workplace more cooperative and supportive overall,” Wansink said.

The researchers recommend that managers consider the employee experience at work when choosing to play music.

“Lots of employers spend significant sums of time and money on off-site teambuilding exercises to build cooperation among employees,” Kniffin said. “Our research points to the office sound system as a channel that has been underappreciated as a way to inspire cooperation among co-workers.”

(Source: Katie Baildon/Cornell University)

(Image: kasiQ kmjw/Creative Commons)

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Today we begin a new series spotlighting some of our favorite Instagram photos we’ve seen from the past week. The photos will be from venues around the world and lean more artistic than marketing. And if you haven’t followed us on Instagram yet, now is a good time. We may just include your photos in a future post.

Behold, this week’s top five!

Guns N’ Roses are about to go on and they are ready to rock! #notinthislifetime

A photo posted by CenturyLink Field (@centurylink_field) on Aug 12, 2016 at 8:55pm PDT

A beautiful reflection shot of the Long Beach #TerraceTheater This theater is so enticing, it’s hard not to snap a photo even before you cross the street to reach it! : @southerncali_ #LBConventionCtr

A photo posted by Long Beach Convention Center (@lbconventionctr) on Aug 23, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

Pandora making #Smashville look

A photo posted by Bridgestone Arena (@bridgestonearenaofficial) on Aug 25, 2016 at 7:41pm PDT

Chicago Bears fans Stephen & Georgia flew in all the way from New York for a special engagement photo session at Soldier Field. Their photos turned out spectacular! Best of luck to these two Bears fans. ⬇️❤️ Interested in special occaision photos at the stadium? Email RGarner@soldierfield.net or call 312-235-7169 : http://www.bonphotage.com/bonphotage/soldier-field-engagement-session

A photo posted by Soldier Field (@soldier_field) on Aug 22, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT

#CINvsJAX projected game time temperature: 78°F aka perfect pool weather. #Jaguars

A photo posted by EverBank Field (@everbankfield) on Aug 25, 2016 at 12:27pm PDT

The post Our Top Five Favorite Instagram Photos of the Week appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The 2016 Venue Industry Awards Luncheon—sponsored by Ungerboeck Software International, SMG, and The Expo Group and emceed by Chris Bigelow, founder and owner of The Bigelow Companies—took place during the 2016 VenueConnect Annual Conference & Trade Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The awards, hosted each year by IAVM, honor exceptional venues and professionals in several categories.

Venue Excellence Awards

The Venue Excellence Award (VEA) recognizes up to five IAVM venues of any type within the membership that demonstrate excellence in the management and operation of public assembly venues. This includes but is not limited to amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, casinos, complexes, convention centers, exhibit halls, fair/festival grounds, performing arts centers, race tracks, stadiums and university venues. IAVM takes pride in its members and member venues that excel in providing their communities with a safe and enjoyable space for all types of events and educational opportunities.

Arena Winner:
Moda Center—Portland, Oregon

John Bolton, CFE, vice president at SMG; and Chris Oxley, vice president of business development and government affairs at Portland Trail Blazers

This year’s arena VEA winner rose to the top of the application pool by submitting an amazing, thorough, and well-written application. Some of its highlights were: Achieving LEED Gold Certification, the world’s first existing sports venue to be retrofitted to meet the lofty standards for energy efficiency, implementing a program called CREATE to empower its employees to create extraordinary moments, conducting a DHS Risk Self-Assessment Tool with the goal of achieving SAFETY Act certification, and partnering with its tenant and Make-a-Wish to make a 13-year-old’s dream come true.

“It was an honor to accept this award on behalf of the hundreds of hard-working people who create an extraordinary experience for our guests at the Moda Center every night,” said Chris Oxley, vice president of business development and government affairs at Portland Trail Blazers. “We appreciate the recognition of our efforts in sustainability, employee relations, and fan engagement and will continue to find ways to innovate in these areas.”

Complex Winner:
Fair Park—Dallas, Texas

Dee Ann Bell-Hirsch, senior park manager at City of Dallas, Fair Park, and Community Services; Steven Flores, sales and events manager at Fair Park; Daniel Huerta, assistant director, Fair Park and Community Services at City of Dallas; and Jason Rittenberry, CFE, chief strategy officer for the Circuit of the Americas and Austin360 Amphitheater

This year’s VEA winning complex is a National Historic Landmark in the ninth largest U.S. city and boasts the largest collection of art deco style architecture in U.S. The multi-venue entertainment complex features two performance venues, a stadium, five museums and is home to the largest state fair in the country. Its commitment to excellence in customer service and unwavering dedication to patron safety are a few of its hallmarks. Not only does it host 1,000-plus events annually, the team is proud of the hundreds of hours of service to the community through community outreach programs that keep them connected with their customers.

“We are thrilled to be the recipient of the 2016 Venue Excellence Award,” said Daniel Huerta, assistant director of Fair Park and Community Services at the City of Dallas. “This is a beautiful and tangible affirmation of the endless professionalism, team work, and commitment of our staff. We are honored to have been recognized, in the company of so many worthy participants, with this outstanding award.”

Convention Center Winner:
Los Angeles Convention Center—Los Angeles, California

Charles Langley, supplier management executive at The Expo Group; Ellen Schwartz, assistant general manager at the Los Angeles Convention Center; and Greg Rosicky, vice president of operations at the Los Angeles Convention Center

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) is received a VEA as a result of its sustainability, financial, community outreach, and customer service initiatives. The LACC operated at a surplus and saved millions of dollars for the city’s General Fund. It offered a long-term annual client an innovative service to reserve parking for its attendees ahead of time through its new partnership with Parking Panda. The awards panel was very impressed by its LEED Gold recertification, and that it was the largest U.S. convention center to do so. Its dedication to sustainability is emphasized in its day-to-day operations. The LACC not only provides guest services training to all in-house staff, but also invites all employees to attend a guest speaker series focused on leadership. This commitment to professional development shows through its innovative approach to group training. The LACC’s annual Capital Improvement Project is dedicated, in part, to security each year. In 2015, it installed more than 185 security cameras throughout the facility. It also implemented continuous education and training to keep its security at the highest level. The LACC participates in a community outreach and leadership development program through local schools, including the Young Storyteller Foundation and Read to a Child Lunchtime Reading Program. Its employees also volunteer to serve a Thanksgiving meal on L.A.’s Skid Row for those in need. The LACC’s continuous involvement in community service projects proves it’s passionate about giving back to the city of Los Angeles.

“All of us at the Los Angeles Convention Center are incredibly proud to have won the 2016 Venue Excellence Award and know this would not be possible without the unwavering dedication and hard-work of all of our talented employees,” said Brad Gessner, general manager of the LACC and senior vice president at AEG Facilities. “Ultimately, our primary goal is to provide an exceptional facility and unparalleled services to our clients and attendees, while also being a good corporate citizen of L.A. We are very honored to be recognized for our efforts by our industry’s leading organization, IAVM.”

Performing Arts Center Winner:
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts—San Antonio, Texas

Sarah Fieger, CVP, house and volunteer services manager at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts; and Brian Clark, senior operations manager at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts demonstrated superior operational excellence in its first two years, and the awards panel gave it high marks on team building and professional development. The staff and managers have also utilized a collaborative effort to create and implement an emergency operations plan, training processes, and risk mitigation. It appears to be a plan that crosses all areas of the operations from outside support agencies all the way to volunteers. Its importance to the community is demonstrated by the diversity of its programming and the many organizations that now call the facility home. It recognizes that the bond to fund this project was passed by the voters and its commitment to free events and access to everyone demonstrates that. With the recent launch of its Generation Next Education Initiative, the Tobin Center is continuing the commitment to access for all and removing the economic barriers for all students.

“The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts strives to be ‘Something for Everyone’ and to create an atmosphere of operational excellence from customer service to patron safety and community involvement,” said Sarah Fieger, CVP, house and volunteer services manager at the Tobin. “To be recognized by fellow venue managers as a venue of excellence amplifies our passion and drive toward further growth and improvement and to continue pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations.”

Stadium Winner:
EverBank Field—Jacksonville, Florida

Erik Waldman, CFE, senior director of logistics and Georgia Dome events at Georgia World Congress Center Authority; and Bill McConnell, general manager of SMG Jacksonville

This year’s stadium VEA winner has had many worthwhile accomplishments this past year. To name a few, it ranked in the top five in all eight categories of the NFL’s Voice of the Fan Survey, ranking first in in-game enhancements and technologies. It is currently home to the largest video boards in the world. Sustainability is also top of its mind. EverBank Field instituted aggressive goals of diverting 40 percent of waste from the landfill on event days and reducing public utilities by 5 percent by converting to LED lights, efficient building automation, and installation of low-flush flow valves on plumbing fixtures. The NFL has also awarded it the highest ranking of one as its security ranking and its Back to Football Luncheon raised $100,000, which provides support to community efforts for children, families, women’s health issues, and Jax military veteran community.

“SMG is proud to have the privilege of managing EverBank Field on behalf on the City of Jacksonville and to work in collaboration with the Jaguars to present EverBank Field to the highest of standards,” said Bill McConnell, general manager of SMG Jacksonville. “SMG is thrilled at IAVM’s recognition of the amazing work being done at EverBank Field, and it is just the beginning of an ongoing transformation in Jacksonville. We look forward to being a part of this great team for many years to come as EverBank Field and the City of Jacksonville continue to reach new heights.”

Education & Service Award

The IAVM Education & Service Award recognizes member involvement through community outreach, education opportunities, mentorships, and internships that demonstrate excellence within our industry as well as giving back to the community. Some examples that have been shared include: active in high school programs and career development; offering internships for local college students within the company/venue; mentoring through community outreach or within a university setting; educational offerings to staff within the company/venue; community involvement with youth and young adults. IAVM takes pride in its members and member venues that excel in providing their communities with an enjoyable space for all types of events and educational opportunities. This award is open to university staff, professional members, faculty, Allied companies and individuals, as well as retired members.

Winner: Fair Park—Dallas, Texas

Steven Flores, sales and events manager at Fair Park; Lynda Reinhart, director at the University of Florida – Stephen C. O’Connell Center; Dee Ann Bell-Hirsch, senior park manager at City of Dallas, Fair Park, and Community Services; and Daniel Huerta, assistant director, Fair Park and Community Services at City of Dallas

This year’s IAVM Education & Service Award winner is committed to educating its staff, community, and current and future industry colleagues through its varied programs. Most impressive is the depth and breadth of educational opportunities it provides to its staff members on all levels. This year’s winner also offers hands-on training for future industry professionals through its comprehensive 16-week college internship program and its participation in the Mayor’s Fellows Program for high school honors students, offering them summertime job shadowing opportunities. It is also a very active participant in a variety of community groups and events, fostering local awareness of its facility and the industry.

Charles A. McElravy Award
Winner: Jimmy Earl, CFE, senior associate director of the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas

Mark Mettes, CFE, president and CEO at the Herberger Theater Center; Jimmy Earl, CFE, senior associate director at the Frank Erwin Center; and Karen Totaro, CFE, general manager of the Atlantic City Convention Center

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is pleased to announce Jimmy Earl, CFE, senior associate director of the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, as the recipient of the 2016 Charles A. McElravy Award. The McElravy Award, named in honor of one of IAVM’s founding organizers, Charles A. McElravy, was initiated in 1963 and is granted for extraordinary contributions to the Association and the professional venue management industry it serves.

“Receiving this award is very special to me. To be recognized by peers is the highest honor one can achieve; however, it takes an incredible amount of support from many to accomplish this,” Earl said. “I wish to acknowledge all who have helped along the way—family, mentors, staff, colleagues, friends, and countless others who have been so generous with their time, wisdom, and knowledge. I am humbled and grateful beyond measure to receive this award.”

“Jimmy Earl, CFE, is a man with a giant heart and a giant passion for IAVM. He inspires me and so many of us in the industry each and every day,” said Karen Totaro, CFE, the 2015-2016 IAVM Chair. “A huge highlight of my year as chair for IAVM was having the opportunity to advise Jimmy of the unanimous vote by the Board of Directors to extend the McElravy Award to him. Join me in a toast to one of our most esteemed colleagues, Jimmy Earl, CFE!”

(Images: Bruce Challgren) 

The post The 2016 Venue Industry Award Winners appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Here’s where we spotlight some of our favorite Instagram photos we’ve seen from the past week. The photos will be from members and venues worldwide and lean more artistic than marketing. If you haven’t followed us on Instagram yet, now is a good time. We may just include your photos in a future post.

Behold, this week’s top five!

Put me in coach! #Dodgers #SFGiants #LA

A photo posted by Whitney Bishop (@whitneybish) on Aug 25, 2016 at 9:28pm PDT

Kansas City Here I Am! Where the people ask if you can help them out to get a Pepsi pop. #kansascity #travel #newplaces #kansascitymo #performingartscenter

A photo posted by Laura Moran (@ellejmoran) on Aug 15, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

It’s half time here at #wembley and @warringtonwolves lead @hullfcofficial 6-0 at the break!

A photo posted by Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) on Aug 27, 2016 at 7:58am PDT

Namaste! Join @uptownyoga and @onelovedallas for #H2OFlow at 9AM tomorrow (Saturday) in the reflecting pool in Sammons Park.

A photo posted by AT&T Performing Arts Center (@attpac) on Aug 26, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT

Every dog dreams of being an #Opry star… #OpryCharlie #OpryDog #NationalDogDay

A photo posted by Grand Ole Opry (@opry) on Aug 26, 2016 at 10:44am PDT

The post Our Top Five Favorite Instagram Photos of the Week appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Princeton Review recently released its ranking of the best schools where students fill their stadiums.

“We tallied the rankings lists in the current edition, The Best 381 Colleges (published August 2016), based on the data from our surveys of 143,000 students at the 381 schools in the book,” The Princeton Review wrote in its methodology statement. “Our student survey has 80 questions in four sections. We ask students about: 1) their school’s academics/administration, 2) life at their college, 3) their fellow students and 4) themselves. Students answer by selecting one of five answer choices that range across a grid or scale. The answer choice headers might range from ‘Strongly Agree’ to ‘Strongly Disagree’ or ‘Excellent’ to ‘Poor.'”

This year’s No. 1 school in the “Students Pack the Stadium” list is Syracuse University (SU) in New York.

“Otto’s Army, an organization which represents the student fan section of SU athletics, is proud to top the ranking for students who pack the stadiums,” Johnny Oliver, president of Otto’s Army, told The Daily Orange. “We look forward to improving our already great student support this academic year.”

Congratulations SU student body and to all the other schools who made the list.

1. Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York)
2. West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia)
3. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California)
4. Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington)
5. Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina)
6. Pennsylvania State University – University Park (University Park, Pennsylvania)
7. Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kansas)
8. University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma)
9. Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama)
10. Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio)
11. University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kansas)
12. Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
13. University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa)
14. United States Air Force Academy (USAF Academy, Colorado)
15. Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida)
16. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wisconsin)
17. University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona)
18. University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Lincoln, Nebraska)
19. University of Connecticut (Storrs, Connecticut)
20. University of Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky)

For some great tips on getting more students in the stands, please read “How to Increase Student Attendance at Games” by IAVM member Paige Grisham.

(Image: Kai Brinker/Creative Commons)

The post The Top Universities with Student-Packed Stadiums appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Congratulations to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. The venue reported attendance of more than 300,000 for 338 hosted shows during its fiscal year ending June 30.

“We originally projected 150 shows per year, so we are very proud of our operations” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO, in a statement. “Memberships increased to more than 1,900, up 23 percent from last year. While most new performing arts centers rely heavily on fundraising for about 40 percent of their income, 83 percent of our income is from our operations—sales, sponsorships, and maximizing the programming of a diverse roster of shows throughout the season.”

Highlights for the past year include a 6 percent increase in ticket sales, 84,776 student participants through all Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts programming and outreach, approximately $500,000 raised through ticketed events benefiting charities responding to the Pulse tragedies, and 10,000-plus followers on Instagram.

“Running the Dr. Phillips Center like a business allowed us to accomplish much more in our first two years, with financial growth that puts us in an excellent position as we look beyond our start-up phase,” said Jim Pugh, chairman of the board, in a statement. “We not only anticipate another tremendous year three in our programming and operations, we are looking forward to completing the fund-raising for Phase 2 and adding the 1,700-seat Steinmetz Hall.”

Once again, congratulations on a great year, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts!

(Image: Facebook)

The post Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Posts Strong Results appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Here’s where we spotlight some of our favorite Instagram photos we’ve seen from the past week. The photos are from members and venues worldwide and lean more artistic than marketing. If you haven’t followed us on Instagram yet, now is a good time. We may just include your photos in a future post (please make sure your account allows us to embed your images).

By following us, you’re also entered into our monthly drawing where you can win such prizes as conference registrations, full-page ads in FM magazine, and textbooks. Congratulations to Bridgestone Arena, who is our recent winner. The next drawing will be in October.

Behold, this week’s top five!

@kraftwerkofficial 3-D Concert @tobincentersa Sept12 @ 8:30pm www.tobincenter.org #kraftwerk #kraftwerk3d @tobincentergls

A photo posted by The Tobin Center (@tobincentersa) on Sep 6, 2016 at 6:52am PDT

Purple people eaters. #vikings #iavmweekly5

A photo posted by Courtney Dyer (@wcourtneydyer) on Jul 26, 2016 at 11:42am PDT

Revelers at Lincoln Center: Local Silent Disco in Long Island City. #queens #ny #silentdisco #djfreedompartynyc #djrimarkable #bankofamerica

A photo posted by Lincoln Center (@lincolncenter) on Aug 27, 2016 at 2:49pm PDT

A photo posted by Lisa Marie (@lmalovoz) on Aug 31, 2016 at 9:56pm PDT

This view perfectly sums up the peaceful yet determined feelings I return home with after this past weekend’s retreat. I couldn’t be more thankful to belong to such a passionate group and to share experiences and knowledge with them. #redrocks #redrocksamphitheater #denver #colorado #denvercolorado #denverco #sunrise #redrockssunrise

A photo posted by Sarah Minnick (@sarah.a.minnick) on Sep 7, 2016 at 7:17pm PDT

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The latest Hong Kong’s Economic Impact Study—conducted by KPMG Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited—reveals that the exhibition industry contributed HK$52.9 billion (US$6.8 billion) directly and indirectly to the city’s economy in terms of expenditure in 2014. That’s equivalent to 2.3 percent of Hong Kong’s total gross domestic product for the calendar year. In fact, the industry’s expenditure effects increased 29 percent from 2012.

“We welcome this study and the results because, once again, it highlights just how important our industry is for Hong Kong,” said Stuart Bailey, chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association, in a statement. “The study shows in great detail the many ways in which exhibitions fuel Hong Kong’s wider economy—for example by spinning off economic benefits and extensive workforce to supporting industries and attracting high-spending international business visitors to the city. The study also reveals that overseas exhibition exhibitors and visitors continue to spend more than international overnight tourists. We should put efforts in making them visit the exhibitions in Hong Kong regularly.”

According to the study, international exhibitors and exhibition visitors spend 61 percent more per visit in direct spending than an average overnight tourist visitor. The study also showed that the exhibition industry provided approximately 83,500 full-time industry jobs, a growth rate of 6.5 percent from 2012.

“To continue providing Hong Kong with benefits at this level, our exhibition industry needs to remain attractive, efficient, and competitive,” Bailey said. “We must continually be looking for ways of differentiating ourselves from regional competitors, in terms of things like providing premium exhibition space, ample capacity, and exceptional value-added services. I hope our policymakers will take the findings of this study into account as they plan for the infrastructure and facilities that Hong Kong needs in the years to come.”

(Image: Khush N/Creative Commons)

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Levi’s Stadium unveiled the first-ever rooftop farm on a sports venue last week. Named the “Faithful Farm,” it features 40 rotational crops and herbs that will be used for meals at the stadium’s club spaces and during private events.

“We’re proud to reinforce Levi’s Stadium as an industry leader in environmental sustainability with the addition of the Faithful Farm,” said Jim Mercurio, San Francisco 49ers vice president of stadium operations & general manager, in a statement. “Our 27,000-square-foot green roof successfully helps reduce heating and cooling requirements within our suite tower, and carving out this small portion to grow crops for use in the stadium further minimizes our carbon footprint by reducing our reliance on outside food sources.”

The Faithful Farm is 4,000 square feet and is located on the NRG Solar Terrace. Some of the crops grown since July include tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The farm is managed organically by Farmscape, and it’s expected to yield 150 pounds of produce per week.

“The Faithful Farm represents the strongest commitment an NFL team has made to local, organic produce,” said Lara Hermanson, principal at Farmscape, in a statement. “The farm will educate the community on how many items can be grown in their own backyard while providing local jobs and great food.”

(Image: Levi’s Stadium)

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ParkHub is a parking management system, and several parking operators have recently adopted its technology. These operators include Parking Company of America – Dallas Inc., Ultimate Parking Management, ImPark (West Coast Operations), Denison Parking, and LAZ Parking. With these companies on board, ParkHub now lists the most premier venues in its portfolio.

“We’re thrilled about the newest partnerships and integrations with these leading companies and ParkHub,” said George Baker, Sr., CEO and founder of ParkHub, in a statement. “We want to take the pain out of parking with our multiple products and API-driven solutions to connect various parking systems to help our partners fulfill their commitment to provide the guest with a smooth event experience starting in the parking lot.”

ParkHub provides its partners support with such items as payment options, inventory management, and theft deterrent.

“The primary goal when servicing Levi’s Stadium or AT&T Park San Francisco is to expedite a better experience of getting people parked and in their seats as efficiently as possible,” said Michael Rescigno, director of operations San Francisco, IMPARK, in a statement. “Working with ParkHub is another way we can enable each individual guest to customize their experience by enabling parking lot attendants to accept payments and validate QR/bar codes from pre-purchased parking reservations, all while speeding up the process for parking customers.”

(Image: ParkHub)

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The 2016 International Convention Center Conference takes place next month, October 27-29, in Pasadena, California. Attendees will experience high-level educational content along with captivating keynote speakers.

One of those speakers is Ed Corey, chief operating officer of the Tournament of Roses. We recently spoke with him to learn more about his keynote address and his thoughts on the industry.

IAVM: Your keynote will address how the Tournament of Roses continues to evolve. Can you speak to that a bit and share a couple of ways the organization stays fresh and forward in people’s minds, especially with so much entertainment competing for attention nowadays?

Ed Corey: Any event that has 128 editions has to continue to look at ways to continue drawing attention to the event. We are fortunate in that the history of the Tournament continues to bring in generations of new viewers. To continue to evolve and attract new viewers, we are enhancing our digital offerings on all platforms, including social and our website. We continue to work with float participants in creating floats and entries that are relevant to wide and diverse audiences such as attracting entrants such as the Lakers, the NHL, Downton Abbey, and others who have natural followings. We are aware of the available entertainment options but we continue to brand ourselves as the place to be to welcome the New Year.

IAVM: What experiences best prepared you for your current job as COO?

EC: My track to this position was actual Tournament experience. I started with the Tournament in various functions more than 30 years ago and continued to learn. My background in various operations provided a good foundation for this role. This job, and many others, requires that you try not to micro-manage the event. There are far too many moving parts. Our sheer number of conflicting events makes it impossible for any member of our staff to attend them all. Success requires a grasp of the big picture. My training as a lawyer has also certainly helped navigate some of the issues being addressed in our business.

IAVM: What’s the biggest story in the industry at the moment?

EC: The biggest story in this industry and with anyone who runs events or venues is security. As will be discussed at the meetings here in Pasadena, the events around the world dictate the measures that need to be taken. How we respond and how we handle the considerable expense associated with the effort consumes a great deal of time. This is an area where event and venue managers and producers are not in control and our actions typically become responsive.

IAVM: Who has influenced you the most in your career and how?

EC: Many people here in the Tournament have been great examples but one in particular, Bill Lewis, was a great influence. Bill was a former member and ran our Game as a volunteer for many years. He was the consummate leader. He took everyone’s opinion but you knew he was in charge. We became great friends and was a great influence.

Register now for the International Convention Center Conference. See you there!

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The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 International Convention Center Conference (ICCC), recognizing deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Aaron Batson, CVP—Young Professional Scholarship
Assistant Supervisor of Event Setup at Orange County Convention Center

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My favorite memory would have to be attending my first Florida Gator football game in 2008. It was my first time even in a college football stadium, and I happened to be in the marching band. My first time ever in the stadium was marching in front of nearly 70,000 fans! YIKES, what an experience.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
If I could be any superhero, I would want to be Batman because of the amazing gadgets, toys, and vehicles he gets to drive around. Of course, saving a city every few years would be neat as well.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
It may be just Olympic fever talking, but I would love to one day run a special events venue for the summer Olympics somewhere in the world! I’m crossing my fingers that L.A. is able to host the 2024 Olympics!

Favorite quote?
“You don’t have time to be timid. You must be bold, daring.” – Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast)

Do you have previous experience with IAVM?
My past experiences with IAVM include hosting three IAVM Florida Chapter Meetings (20010, 2013, 2016), serving on the Young Professionals Committee (2010-current), serving on the Convention Center Committee (2016-current), attending VenueConnect and VMS at Oglebay as a student intern, and creating the foundation for the College Partnership Program to be introduced in 2016-2017.

Jane Luneau—Scholarship for Industry Women
Booking & Services Intern at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Favorite bands?
I love music of all genres. From Latin infused pop like Pitbull, to forgotten bands of the 90’s like the Goo Goo Dolls. Famous or unknown, in my free time you can find me anywhere with live music.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My favorite memory is the 2016 Alamo Bowl. This was my first night as an intern at a stadium- the Alamodome. Although I was never a sports fan, the minute I stepped onto the field I was sure of what I wanted to do, and what I was meant to do with my life for the very first time.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I hope to one day be the General Manager of an arena or stadium with a professional sport tenant.

Favorite quote?
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Do you have previous experience with IAVM?
I belonged to a great group of conference interns at Venue Connect 2016 in Minneapolis. This experience made me even more excited to be part of what is to come at IAVM.

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You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: carpenter or generally doing home renovations. It’s something I discovered along the way, but I really enjoy building things and seeing the transition that evolves during a renovation. I was enthralled watching our log home building built, and admired the craftsmanship and dedication of our builders.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met is: Kent Kirkpatrick, the former City Manager in Ottawa. He’s a really bright guy, good with people and numbers, a strong negotiator and able to deal with the politics of his job like no one else I’ve ever seen. He recently left his position because of the advancing effects of Multiple Sclerosis. His tenacity and work ethic were always very impressive and inspiring to me.

I unwind by: after a hard day of golfing, I like to sit on our deck and watch the river flow by or cradle a good book. There may also be a refreshment involved, but not always (don’t want to get too much of a good thing).

On my desk right now is: My home office is small but neat. On my desk now is my IAVM meeting notebook, a calendar (because my memory is lousy and I’m surprisingly busy in retirement), and there’s a binder of campfire songs. I keep it there so that when inspiration strikes, I can print out the words to a new song and add it to the binder.

My favorite IAVM event I ever attended was: probably my first District 2 meeting in Fort Lauderdale at the Marriott Marina (at that time, we met outside of our boundaries every three years, to help bolster attendance). Everyone was so welcoming, and I found the sessions very informative. I was hooked immediately. That was 1988 or 1989.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: I have no talent for entertainment, so I’d probably be a hockey player, eh? I played varsity hockey but I never had the full skill set to get any higher. If that didn’t work out, I would have been a hockey referee. I did that before university and really enjoyed it, but as a career, it’s hard to say. That’s a tough lifestyle for anyone with family ties.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: be humble. Confidence is essential, too, but know what you don’t know, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance along the way. You simply can’t do it all on your own.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: I can’t think of just one individual, but I know I’ve been fortunate to work on committees with several strong, talented young professionals from all sectors.

One of my goals for this year is: I was in the Mentor Connector fall session as a mentor … but the partnership collapsed for some reason. It was terribly disappointing for me, but I want to try again and hopefully get through the full session. How rewarding would that be??!! I’m also going to make a stronger effort to learn to play guitar (see previous answer, re: no talent).

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? At this stage, I can try to be an example of doing things the right way: work and live with integrity, dedication, and values. In retirement, I’ve continued to be involved with IAVM committees – membership and governance – and I think both of those groups are working hard to ensure member value and good governance for the benefit of our members.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? Growth opportunities in the profession are everywhere. We continue to raise the bar of professionalism with both the CFE and the new CVP designations, and building on the strong foundation laid by earlier generations of venue managers. We owe them a lot. I would also like to see stronger ties between our practicing members and academia.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I can’t get to as many meetings as I would like, so I rely on Facility Manager and VenueNet to try to keep up. But there is always so much going on, particularly with the integration of technology in the event experience. That is something I struggle with.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? I would consider Gordon Ramsay, Oprah, and Jon Stewart. With this group, we would be sure to have outstanding food, great conversation, and lots of laughs.

Richard Haycock, CFE, is retired. He was formerly general manager of Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Canada.

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Imagine all the people walking in your venues. Can you tell which ones are angry just from their strides?

You may now, thanks to a new study—”Evidence of Big Five and Aggressive Personalities in Gait Biomechanics“—from the University of Portsmouth in England. Researchers in the Department of Psychology analysed the personalities of 29 study participants and then filmed them walking at their natural speed on a treadmill. The researchers discovered that exaggerated movement of the upper and lower body suggested aggression.

“When walking, the body naturally rotates a little; as an individual steps forward with their left foot, the left side of the pelvis will move forward with the leg, the left shoulder will move back and the right shoulder forward to maintain balance,” said Liam Satchell, the study’s lead researcher. “An aggressive walk is one where this rotation is exaggerated.”

Part of a good security plan is situational awareness, which includes sensitivity to behavioral actions.

“People are generally aware that there is a relationship between swagger and psychology,” Satchell said. “Our research provides empirical evidence to confirm that personality is indeed manifest in the way we walk.

Satchell suggested that the findings could help prevent crime.

“If CCTV observers could be trained to recognize the aggressive walk demonstrated in this research, their ability to recognize impending crimes could be improved further,” Satchell said.

(Image: Ernesto De Quesada/Creative Commons)

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