With the college football season about to wrap up and the National Football League now beginning its playoff round, the sports scene is slowly shifting toward basketball at all levels. Consider Daktronics ready for the action.

The Brookings, South Dakota-based company provided 431 video displays totaling more than 64,000 square feet for 87 venues ranging from high schools all the way to the professional level for the 2016 season. Of those displays, 81 are for professional, 302 are for college and 48 are for high school basketball.
 
“This year is much like any other year as teams and venues started preparing for the 2016 basketball season months in advance, and we’ve worked along with their timelines to provide hundreds of LED solutions to enhance the fan experience at their events,” said Will Ellerbruch, Daktronics national sales manager for the live events market. “We’re proud to have the manufacturing capability and capacity right here in the United States to provide such a large number of customers with the digital solutions they need to make their events successful.”
 
Of the 87 venues, 19 received centerhung configurations featuring multiple displays hanging above the basketball court. Stanchion displays mounted to the supports of the basketball hoops is becoming increasingly popular around the country as venues and sponsors are capitalizing on their value. In total, Daktronics has installed 30 stanchion displays across seven venues in 2016.
 
Locations such as Littlejohn Coliseum at Clemson University are pushing the envelope by incorporating unique curved displays inspired by installations at the professional basketball level into their facilities to bring unique experiences to their fans.
 
At the high school level, incorporating LED video displays brings an impact that has coaches, student-athletes and fans feeling like they’re at a professional game.
 
“We’re excited for all of our schools that have installed our video displays,” said Tom Coughlin, Daktronics national sales manager for the high school market. “In addition to enhancing facilities and the game-day experience, these video displays are a providing a huge source of revenue for schools through sponsorship sales. We’re also changing the game for students who are operating the displays by providing educational opportunities in all facets of game-day operations.”

The post Basketball Is Here, And So Is Daktronics With New Video Displays appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Michael Enoch, a 38-year industry veteran, will soon relocate from Macau, China to Sandy Springs, Georgia to take on his new role as General Manager.

“I look forward to working closely with the city to transform events into experiences,” said Enoch. “Working with our other Spectra properties here in Georgia, we can build on industry relationships to create new and exciting opportunities for the performing arts center and the community.”

To learn more about Enoch, his past experience, and his new position, click here to view the original article published by Northside Neighbor.

The post Michael Enoch Named General Manager for City Springs’ Venues appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

SportTechie is a resource “devoted to the burgeoning intersection of sports technology… [which covers] the latest technological innovations, ideas, and products that impact the fan experience, player performance, and sports industry as a whole.” Its recent series of articles titled Expert Series focuses on how technology impacts the fan experience in Stadiums and other venues.

The articles include:

Cotton Bowl CMO Michael Konradi Talks AR, 360-Degree Video, New Stadium Technologies

Alabama AD Bill Battle Talks iBeacon Technology, In-Venue Seat Upgrades, Augmented Reality

Miami Dolphins CMO Jeremy Walls On How Technology Impacts The Fan Journey

Tagboard CEO Josh Decker Talks Power Of Live Video, New In-Arena Social Integrations

New York Jets President Neil Glat Chats Digital Ticketing, Social Influencers, Virtual Reality

Portland Trail Blazers CMO Dewayne Hankins Talks Content Shift, Rise Of eSports And Machine Learning

College Football Playoff COO Michael Kelly Discusses New Technology To Enhance The Fan Experience

Kinematix CEO Discusses Future Of Sports Wearables And Measuring Athlete Movement

The post SportTechie Explores Fan Engagement & Venue Technology appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Health and wellness programs at the workplace seem to fail almost as often as personal health and wellness New Year’s resolutions. Here are a few thoughts on turning things around in 2017.

As the poet Rainer Maria Wilke said, “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”

Never a truer word penned, right? Contemplating the possibilities of a fresh start in a new year can be a lot of fun. Yet, let’s be honest: For many New Year’s resolution makers, 2017 will likely look much the same as 2016, especially in regards to resolutions like these:

• Lose weight and get fit
• Eat healthier and diet
• Spend more time with family
• Be less stressed

I’m sorry to say that according to TIME, these four health-related declarations are among the most commonly broken New Year’s resolutions. But back to the bright side—since it is a new year, after all—here is a trend, a tool, and an association case study on wellness that might inspire your own association to help its employees reach their wellness goals.

If you’re considering writing this off, remember a healthier workplace could mean lower insurance costs for the association, as well as increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and more endorphin-fueled happiness around the office.

A trend. According to a webinar hosted by the Virgin Pulse Science Advisory Board, incentivized wellness programs are the way to go. “The last thing you want to do is invest in an expensive initiative, only for no one to use it,” writes Sarah K. White for CIO. Harvard professor I-Min Lee agrees, telling CIO, “investing in employee wellbeing programs with measurable outcomes has never been more financially responsible.”

The lesson for associations is that perhaps it’s not enough to just deploy a wellness program. Maybe associations also need to measure its success with wellness trackers or fitness wearables—and then incentivize their employees for engaging with the programs and reaching their milestones.

A tool. Brendan Weafer, a former UFC fighter, launched Workweek Wellness—a health and wellness app as “a cost-effective solution” that teaches its users healthy habits they can incorporate at the office during the workweek. Weafer says Workweek Wellness is a good add-on to existing wellness initiatives, such as discounted gym memberships, but it’s also a good place to start for companies that haven’t yet delved into wellness.

Here’s how it works: Employers can purchase the software for their employees, who access the app’s daily tips and videos during the workweek. These resources aim to encourage healthy choices, ranging from nutrition tips, to postural corrections, to bodyweight exercises and more. Plus, employers can keep tabs on how their employees have interacted with the information, which gives managers data on who is using the app and a foundation for how they might encourage greater effort.

A case study. The National Retail Federation doesn’t offer incentives to employees participating in wellness programs, but its employees still participate. In fact, NRF gets top marks for its employee-centric programs, which range from a softball team, the Sultans of Shop, to a weekly delivery of fresh fruit. Employees can also take advantage of the services of both a certified personal trainer, who holds well-attended group sessions in the building’s fitness center several times a day, and a registered dietician. In warmer months, a professional yoga instructor leads a weekly group session on the building’s rooftop.

Programs like these led NRF to win a spot in the Washington Post’s “Top Workplace” in both 2015 and 2016. The wellness program “focuses not just on health but on keeping [staff] happy,” according to the Post.

“NRF’s Life Around Wellness program has been successful because we’ve listened to our staff and developed programs that they want,” said Robin Winchell Roberts, senior director of media relations at NRF. “At NRF, we look at employees from a holistic perspective. Leadership genuinely wants them to live healthy and productive lives, which is why participation is purely voluntary and not tied to any other benefits. Our staff enjoys the interaction in the group exercise and nutrition sessions, and it gives them a nice break during the day.”

So maybe even an incentivized wellness program isn’t enough to see real results. Maybe what a successful wellness program requires is an appraisal of what your staff wants and an authentic desire for a healthy, happy workplace.

The post How To Motivate Participation In Wellness Programs appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

When Peter Sagal delivers his featured keynote presentation at the upcoming Performing Arts Managers Conference in Chicago (http://www.iavm.org/pama/pamc-home), he will do so from a position of authority about the subject matter.

As the host of National Public Radio’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!, Sagal is heard by more than three million people every week, broadcast on 450 public radio stations nationwide and via a popular podcast. Sagal is a renowned radio host, author, humorist, and commentator on current events, yet will never forget his early youth roots spent in the world of theater.

“I was one of those theater kids in high school,” Sagal said about his upbringing in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. “We all had cliques and mine was down by the drama classroom that Mr. Schneider taught. In my era the drama class people and those in plays … we were the misfits. We were the geeky kids, the smart kids. We weren’t good in sports and frankly we weren’t very good in anything that high school required ranging from dressing correctly to talking to girls. Or talking to a boy, if you were a girl. I would hang out with my friends and my peers, the other strange people who enjoyed performing and plays.”

Sagal’s self-deprecating humor belies the fact that he wears the arts on his sleeve like a badge of honor. His love for plays and the performing arts helped developed who he is and the visible forum he gets to share today with his listeners.

Sagal attended Harvard University, and has worked as a literary manager for a regional theater, a stage director, an actor, an extra in a Michael Jackson video (Remember the Time), travel writer, an essayist, a ghostwriter for a former adult film impresario and a staff writer for a motorcycle magazine. He is the author of numerous plays that have been performed in large and small theaters around the country and abroad. He has also written a number of screenplays, including an original screenplay that became, without his knowledge, the basis for Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

As they say, he knows of whence he speaks.

“I used to talk about this 20 years ago, but I was a playwright long before the Internet culture,” he said. “And I said the same thing then that I say now which is that what we are starved for as a culture of people is an actual experience. One of the reasons people love sports so much is that it’s happening right there in front of you. You don’t know what the ending is going to be, which is more than you can say for these TV shows these days.

“Why do people come out to high school football games or anything? The answer is that you have to be there. It’s happening right in front of you. That is an experience that as people we were starved for 20 years ago and are more so now. All this time we spend just staring at our screens and artificial, curated stuff, stuff that was created for us as just observers.

“I have seen some incredible performances and plays in my time and have perpetrated some of them. But I will still say that the best times I have had in the theater matched up against any other moment in my life.”

The interview with Peter Sagal continues next week with his thoughts on the future of live entertainment and specifically in the world of performing arts.

The post PAMC Keynote Speaker Peter Sagal Understands The Arts appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

San Antonio is investing $50 million into its 65,000-seat Alamodome. Set in historic downtown and connected to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center by a walking path, the Alamodome places meeting and event attendees in the heart of historic San Antonio. Within walking distance is the beautiful River Walk, Alamo, thousands of hotel rooms and numerous shops, restaurants and attractions.

“The Alamodome will undergo the most significant capital improvement program in its 22-year history,” said Mike Sawaya, director of Convention & Sports Facilities for the City of San Antonio. “Improvements to the world-renowned Alamodome will modernize the venue to be even more comparable and competitive with other multi-use and sports stadiums in the U.S.”

Scheduled for completion in November 2017, the Alamodome is designed for flexibility with football, basketball, soccer, boxing, tradeshow, theater and stadium concert capabilities. Renovations will include:

• Transformation of northern plaza – more contiguous event space added to outdoor plaza
• 18,600-square-foot east/west concourse expansion with upgraded concessions areas and new terrace club
• New technology including two new LED video walls and ribbon boards
• New 24,000-square-foot multi-use space
• New visiting team locker room

“Aside from benefiting San Antonio’s overall meetings package, Alamodome enhancements are vital to maintaining and growing San Antonio’s ability to host sporting events such as the Valero Alamo Bowl and U.S. Army All American Bowl,” said San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Casandra Matej. “One of the first events to utilize the revitalized Alamodome will be the NCAA Final Four in 2018.”

Consistently noted as one of the nation’s leading destinations for meetings and events, San Antonio continues to reinvest in its infrastructure. Aside from coming Alamodome renovations, the city has recently expanded its historic River Walk and debuted a transformed Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in January 2016.

The post San Antonio’s Alamodome To Receive $50 Million Makeover appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The Nashville Convention Center Authority voted unanimously to approve a $19.9 million construction budget to build a new food and beverage outlet and expand the Exhibit Hall and Davidson Ballroom concourse space at the Music City Center. The expansion will add 5,000 square feet of additional concourse space and 4,350 square feet of retail and kitchen space on the Exhibit Hall level as well as 2,000 square feet of additional pre-function space outside the Davidson Ballroom.

The new food and beverage outlet, which will be operated by the Music City Center’s culinary team, will be located on the third level of the Music City Center and accessible from inside the building as well as from Demonbreun and 8^th Avenue. The concourse space adjacent to the new market will be expanded to allow for a registration area on the Exhibit Hall level. The Davidson Ballroom concourse will also be extended to accommodate registration and receptions. Construction will begin immediately and is slated for completion by the end of year.

“We are thrilled that the Authority agrees we should continue to invest in and enhance the Music City Center,” said Charles Starks, President/CEO of the Music City Center. “As we have listened to our meeting planners’ feedback over the last three years, we’ve identified these as areas we can expand upon to better the customer experience. With the new hotels and development on 8^th Avenue, we feel this is the right time and the right place to make these improvements.”

The Convention Center Authority also voted to join Tennessee Thrives, a coalition of businesses committed to a thriving Tennessee that welcomes all. The Music City Center joins over 200 businesses statewide that believe equal treatment of all residents and visitors is essential to Tennessee’s success.

The post Nashville CCA Approves Budget For Concourse Expansion appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

May 2017 will bring the end of “The Greatest Show On Earth” when the Ringling Bros. Circus will close forever. Read more about this breaking story. →

The post Ringling Bros. Circus to Close After 146 Years appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The year was 1990 and Peter Sagal, keynote speaker at this year’s Performing Arts Managers Conference, was at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for a special celebratory screening of Singin’ In The Rain.

“The music was by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Doc Severinsen,” recalled the noted radio host, author and humorist. “Wouldn’t you know at the end of the screening Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly and a bunch of other stars from the movie came out on stage. We were all there, me and 16,000 other people. I’ve got that. I have that memory in addition to having seen the film on TV a thousand times, which is awesome. That doesn’t happen alone on the screen. It happens when you get yourself out and go to some venue and you see a performance.”

Sagal gets charged up when talking about his love for performing arts, not just his past memories, but for what the future holds for the industry. In an era when it is easier to stay at home and connect with others via a computer device, Sagal believes there will always — repeat, always — be the need for people to congregate to venues for live performances. It is the spirit of community and the need for socialization, among other things. And it can be literally any event that draws the masses.

“Years ago I was at Universal Studios in Hollywood,” Sagal said in calling up another memory. “I went to some ridiculous show. It was like Conan the Barbarian live. It had a stunt man and dragons, fire and sword fights and was ridiculous. It was the silliest thing in the world. But it was really fun and more to the point there were thousands of people sitting in this auditorium who wanted to see the show that day.”

Sagal acknowledges the aforementioned distractions that were not necessarily available to previous generations that compete for discretionary dollars.

“There’s more competition that distracts people from those presenting live performances … there’s just a tremendous amount of competition,” he said. “There are so many reasons and distractions to keep people at home but to me that just means that the performing arts and Broadway are just going to have to work harder to attract that audience and up their game.”

The good news is that those games are in fact being upped.

“I go to the theater a lot, which is my particular thing,” Sagal said. “I see people much younger than I am putting on plays or musicals. Let’s take Hamilton as an example. Hamilton is the most exciting thing to happen to theater in years. The reason that has happened is because it’s so good. I mean, really excellent. Not only is it excellent by the standards of musical theater but it’s excellent by the standards of hip hop and contemporary music. It’s a modern kind of sensibility which demands basically more content for the dollar.”

Compare that to musicals from bygone eras, which Sagal does.

“Counter that with something like Once Upon A Mattress, which was 60 years ago,” he said. “At that time you could do a musical with 10 songs and a really simple story and a couple of jokes and people would flock to it. Now you have to be something like Hamilton in order to get that kind of excitement. But if you can get something like Hamilton, people will come.

“I’m sure a lot of people in your business are like, why can’t we just have a concert? Why do we have to have fireworks? There will always probably be in your world room for somebody to come out and just play music. One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen was Elvis Costello just playing his own songs on a guitar. It was amazing.”

The post Peter Sagal Says There Is No Experience Like The Live Experience appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

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Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in December 2016. Thank you for being a part of the association!

Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

The post A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Industry veteran Lynn Thompson, one of the supporters and volunteers in the formative early days of the International Convention Center Conference, passed away on January 4 after a decades-long battle with cancer. Thompson, 72, retired from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in 2007 and had been residing in Palm City, Florida with his wife, Elaine.

Thompson began his career where he retired, starting in 1972 in Orlando where he worked for the mayor and had responsibility for leading a five-venue complex called Centroplex.

“My first encounter with Lynn was in Orlando in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s,” said long-time colleague and friend Frank Poe. “He reached out to me in a new role that I had there. I always found Lynn to be an encourager and someone you could go to for sound advice and information. He was truly a wonderful professional and friend.”

Ted Lewis is another industry veteran who is retired and living in Florida who also came to know Thompson around 1980 in Orlando when Thompson hired Lewis and the two had offices next to each other.

“The department he hired me for was a new department that had been in existence for a couple of years,” Lewis said. “He was managing a beautiful, refurbished arts theater, the Tangerine Bowl football stadium and Tinker Field, a baseball field next door to the football stadium that was the spring training home for the Minnesota Twins.

“I remember that Lynn was out a lot because he had all these other responsibilities for the city. He was actually doing a lot of work for the mayor but over time became more involved and motivated in managing facilities.”

Thompson moved to Anaheim, California, in 1986 to manage that city’s convention center and to help it through an expansion, one of four that took place under Thompson’s guidance. 

“By that time I was working in Arlington, Texas, and had bought some land to build a house when I saw Lynn at a conference and he said he was looking for an assistant in Anaheim,” Lewis said. “He told me that he wanted me to apply. He kept after me to at least come out. I did and ended up moving. The more I worked with Lynn the more I realized I always saw he had strengths I didn’t have and that there were some things that maybe I did better only because he didn’t enjoy doing them.

“We became good friends as well as he was my boss and mentor. I saw Lynn handle the political side of our business, which we all have to do. He became a master at that.”

Lewis said that Thompson’s first cancer diagnosis showed up during the Anaheim years. “He told me recently that he and Elaine had a serious conversation and that they were going to live life the way they wanted to and not worry about other things, so to speak. He dealt with the cancer the last 20-something years the way he wanted to. He did a lot of things and enjoyed life.”

Thompson moved to Honolulu for one year in 1996-97 as the first general manager of the Hawaii Convention Center. From there, he moved to Reno, Nevada, as the general manager of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center before retiring in 2007.

Charlton Northington, general manager of the SMG/Shreveport Convention Center and Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, is another who calls Thompson a friend and mentor after working together in Reno.

“Lynn had a lot of fun,” Northington said. “He was concerned about teamwork and team building but at the same time he was not afraid to cut straight to the point. You learn the good things with how you want to have fun but have to draw a line for handling business. I loved to see him interact with other people.”

Northington said that he spoke with Elaine Thompson the day before her husband passed away. “He had prostate cancer for many years and fought it off holistically through medicine,” he said. “He managed his levels to take care of himself for a long time.”

Rhonda Leach also worked with Thompson in Reno and has fond memories. “I have known Lynn since 1999 when I started here at the convention and visitor’s authority,” she said. “He convinced me to move over to the operational side of the convention center that we own and operate. He walked me through the world of convention centers and how instrumental they are in our industry. It got in my blood and sucked me in.

“Lynn has always been there for me, even after he retired. I would see him annually when he would come back to Reno to one of his properties that he kept. His work ethic and values sat at the top in everything he did.”

Fellow SMG colleague and friend Thom Connors called Thompson, a “valued mentor, esteemed colleague and trusted friend. My thoughts are with his wife, Elaine. Theirs was an unbreakable bond of love which made them inseparable.”

Northington recalled a tidbit of Thompson’s past that made him not only a strong leader but someone who carried an aura and presence.

“Lynn was a reporter for a TV news station in Orlando early in his career,” Northington said. “He was quite articulate because of that. He actually covered several of the Apollo launches at Cape Canaveral. He certainly didn’t mind getting up in front of a crowd.”

Several interviewed indicated that a memorial service is expected in early February, although no details have yet been provided by the family.

The post Convention Center Industry Veteran Lynn Thompson Passes Away appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

We all need to be sensitive to the impact manufacturing has on the world around us. The world of sustainability has its own lexicon of terms that everyone may not fully grasp. Here is a glossary of terms that will help you better understand sustainability.

Carbon Footprint – The amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing – Purchasing a product that has lesser or reduced negative effect or increased positive effect on human health and the environment, when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose. 

Greenguard – a certification that helps manufacturers create, and helps buyers identify, interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Greenwashing – disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.

Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) – Pollutant that causes or may cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental and ecological effects.

Indoor Air Pollution – Refers to chemical, biological and physical contamination of indoor air. It may result in adverse health effects.

 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – an environmental rating system developed by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.

Off-gassing – refers to the release of airborne particulates or chemicals from common products including construction materials, carpeting, cabinetry, furniture, paint, and other goods.

Post consumer recycled content – a material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal.

Post-industrial (pre-consumer) recycled content – scrap material that is generated during the normal manufacturing process that is recycled back into its raw material state.

Reclamation – the act of returning something to a former, better state.

Recyclability – The ability of a product or material to be recovered from or otherwise diverted from the waste stream. 

Renewable Energy – energy derived from sources that do not become depleted such as the sun, wind, water currents, eligible biomass, and geothermal energy. 

Social Responsibility – the continuing commitment by businesses to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workplace as well as the local community and society at large.

Sustainability – the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) – emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOC’s include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

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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: Movie producer or professional bass fisherman (the latter being the preference).

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: One of my former bosses, Steve Stallworth. He never met a person he couldn’t charm. I learned a great deal from Steve coming up through my time at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. I owe a great deal of my success to him as he gave me my first real executive opportunity in this industry.

My favorite IAVM program I ever attended was: VenueConnect 2014. That is the conference where I was awarded my CFE designation. At that same conference, my arena won the Venue Excellence Award. A double whammy!

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: Tyler Baldwin, the booking manager of the Orleans Arena. He is destined to be a general manager or executive director someday.

One of my goals for this year is to: Do better budgeting!

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? By being more involved in IAVM and the initiatives it supports.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? Events outside the norm. For example, we just recently hosted our second eSports event. With over 10,000 (sold-out) raving fans for our EVO competition, there is no doubt this genre of entertainment is here to stay and only getting better.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I read a lot of magazines…. Pollstar, Sports Business Journal, Facilities and Event Management Superbook, local entertainment publications, and, of course, Facility Manager magazine.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? My grandfather (I miss him dearly), my best friend from high school (I haven’t seen him in years), and my wife (when you are in this business, you hardly ever see your family!).

Darren is the Vice President of Entertainment of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The post I Am Venue Management: Darren Davis appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Learn more at this Pollstar Live 2017 panel, sponsored by IAVM. Registration for this event is now open: www.Pollstar.Live

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The conference and meetings industries are in an exciting place right now. Technology is sweeping through every part of events – from the concept stage to automatically generated following-up messages to attendees – drastically changing how venues and organizers plan, set up, and execute. The overall goal is to get attendees engaged and excited long before they walk in the door. Create a memorable experience!

Convention centers can be at the forefront of tech changes on a large scale; changes that make conferences, trade shows, and other big events more interactive, flexible, and enjoyable. Because at the end of the day it’s all about improving the customer experience. Here are five trends that I think will impact convention centers in 2017.

Greater Diversity of Events

As many craft/artisan cultures have gained traction in recent years, so too have their showcases. For example, the rise of craft beer gave birth to the rise of craft spirits, a burgeoning industry beginning to throw large-scale events throughout the country. Often needing to accommodate hundreds of vendors and constantly moving attendees, grand tastings also incorporate live art, music, and cooking demonstrations. The new generation of event attendees tend to be more impromptu and look at space differently. Convention centers should be prepared to host breakout sessions in smaller conference rooms, after-hours events, and meetings specifically scheduled for more casual and informal entryways and common areas.

Food and Bev Will Be A Rising Star

Dining has always been an important part of both upscale events and travel, but the popularity of “foodie nation” has hit the mainstream and is in full swing. Spaces incorporating more interesting food options into their planning may be able to draw bigger events with higher price tags. To that end, we anticipate that convention centers and events will highlight star chefs and their specific flare, and tying that celebrity into the theme of the event. We’ll also see local on the menu. Local restaurants, cafes and coffee shops will make a greater presence at shows and conferences, as will locally sourced ingredients. After attending an event at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, a colleague said one of the most popular booths had a local barista keeping the caffeine flowing with espresso shots made from locally roasted coffee. No surprise! When people have traveled to your location they often want to get a feel for that location, even if they spend most of their time in the convention center itself. Bring the locality to them!

Venue Competition Continues to Increase

With over 430 convention centers in America, event planners and attendees alike are looking for centers that offer unique features. Differentiating is key to attracting more business and larger events. We’ll see convention center pros getting more and more creative with marketing. One proven way is to promote the surrounding areas by highlight restaurants and nightlife, local tours, museums, shops, and outdoor activities. More and more convention centers are offering services and resources to help attendees plan a trip out and around their conference, making the cost of the trip and the event more palatable, especially for attendees who choose to bring their family along for a “bleisure” trip. Vancouver Convention Centre takes this concept to a new level. Their new West building along the city’s famous waterfront not only provides additional event and meeting space, it does so in a way that highlights the city’s geography and personality. Visitors take in their event in an environment that is professionally modern and stunningly beautiful, connecting them to the heart of the city from the moment they arrive.

New Technology Makes Planning and Attending Events Easier

Technology is leading the way for event planners. Planners do a lot of research before deciding on the best venue, and then spend countless hours crafting the best event possible. Event day can be smooth or stressful. New technologies – such as (shameless plug) concept3D’s atlas3D interactive map and virtual tour platform, provide useful resources to help in the planning process, making the experience easier while providing an amazing guest experience. New technologies also make trip planning easier for attendees. Through interactive digital mapping, guests can familiarize themselves with the center, as well as the surrounding area, before they even arrive – what hotels are available nearby? How close are restaurants? Do they need to rent a car? Where are other conference events taking place? How do they get from one seminar to another? VR-ready content can also allow attendees to step into the conference world before they ever step foot into the center. Beautiful 360-degree panorama images and videos take virtual attendees on tour, preparing them for (and getting them excited about) the real deal. Once they arrive, attendees can use the map on their mobile device to locate their hotel, pin a nearby pub to check out for a drink after the event, or find their conference room and where their seat is. And helpful tools such as point-to-point mobile + kiosk wayfinding make it easy to get around.

Attendees Want More Engagement and Variety

The digitization of event marketing is dramatically increasing the reach and visibility of events both large and small. For marketers, the results are twofold: increased awareness leads to increased attendance, but it can also lead to increased interest from vendors, sponsors, and speakers. Neither they nor attendees want to be quarantined in just a room or section of the building anymore. People want to engage at events, moving about and taking in as much information as possible.

• No longer will guests spend the entire event glued to a projector screen or seated at a banquet table. They want to move freely from different areas of the conference to keep their minds engaged, including attending exhibits and meetings outside.
• Interactive exhibits and displays are a hit. Alongside modular exhibition stands, be ready for large hi-def screens, games and challenges, virtual reality, and live demonstrations. Often, stations like this do very well in large hallways and other hi-traffic areas outside of traditional meeting and ballrooms. Give attendees a chance to interact with one another, ask presenters questions, and get their hands on physical materials that will keep them talking after they’ve returned home.

Instead of looking at it as a hassle, train organizers and staff to view every available space as an opportunity to make an event better. Not enough room for that large cutout display on the main floor? Stage it on a balcony overlooking the room, or out front to greet new arrivals.

The future of business for convention centers is as bright as ever. Cities the world over are experiencing the massive economic impact that large-scale event spaces and event-based tourism bring with them, and the result is that more locales than ever are investing in (and often subsidizing) convention centers. For both the public and private sector, convention centers will continue to bring in big bucks – the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans is estimated to bring in over $52 billion in new annual spending to the city’s economy each year while supporting some 18,000 jobs in the process. With numbers like that, it’s easy to pop open a bottle of champagne to kick off a new year that will see our industry play host to thousands of state-of-the-art, exciting, and profitable events.

Learn more at Concept3D.

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The soft voice on the other end of the telephone line apologized for being tardy in response to a voice mail I had left a few days earlier. She had been quite busy, she said, and besides that was finding it difficult to talk.

I understood.

Elaine Thompson’s husband, Lynn, was an industry veteran who had amassed not only great professional credentials but even more importantly a greater number of friends in a storied career before his retirement in 2007 and eventually his passing on January 4 after surviving cancer for a number of years.

I shared with Ms. Thompson that an apology was not necessary. January 30 is rapidly approaching as the two-year marker since I lost my own wife, Tanya, when she suffered a coronary dissection during an otherwise normal angiogram day surgery procedure. I knew well the fresh pain that Elaine Thompson was feeling.

I further shared that many in the industry have been asking IAVM about any memorial service that might be planned for Lynn. She told me that he was cremated and that there was not a funeral service, but would like to have a memorial service to honor her husband, most likely in early February.

She seemed truly overwhelmed and at times composed herself in order to continue our conversation. It was good to hear that she has already located and wishes to be involved in a grief support group. Such a gathering has been incredibly instrumental in my own personal walk and journey these past two years, and I shared that with her.

Before a memorial service is planned, she indicated that she would like to have a sense of how many might come. To that end, whether you are able to attend a memorial service or not, she covets your calls and emails and asked that we share that information with all of Lynn’s IAVM friends.

Contact Elaine Thompson by email at bitsy29@sbcglobal.net or at her landline number in Florida at 772-266-8757 or her cell phone at 775-250-5219. The 775 area code is correct as it is a Nevada prefix.

Just before we finished our conversation, I urged Elaine to feel free to contact me at any time to talk about life, healing, or just to cry and let me be an ear to listen to her. This is what the people in our fantastic industry are truly about, and this is what makes it the most special industry and association to be a part of.

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Overland Park (KS) Convention Center (OPCC) customers can now experience fully immersive, visual and sound environment of beautifully decorated event rooms, delivered through a special headset device utilizing the latest Samsung Galaxy 7 phone and Beats headphones to produce a stunning audio visual experience.

“This investment is one of the first immersive sales tools in the convention center industry, using the latest in dynamic VR software and the creative productions of one of Hollywood’s most respected visual entertainment producers, V Squared Labs,” Brett C. Mitchell, general manager of OPCC, said. “The sound track deepens and expands the illusion of actually being in the decorated rooms. The experience of the high-definition images is dynamic in that one moves through the facility simply by looking in a specific direction.”

With a major investment recently completed in upgrading to one of the world’s fastest, free Wi-Fi systems for convention centers, this is one of the newest technologies just released by OPCC to enhance event sales. This innovative system is delivered through its technology partnership with Neil Reid and Associates, and visual entertainment producers, V Squared Labs.

To generate this experience, V Squared Labs spent three days on-site with an HD, 3D camera digitally filming fully decorated event areas at OPCC. The 3D images were then “stitched” together so while wearing the headset, customers can virtually move through the decorated spaces by moving their head or body and can enjoy every cubic foot of the event space in any direction. The digital headset layers with a custom digital soundtrack which deepens and expands the immersive experience. 

To further expand availability of this experience, OPCC customers can also virtually see and hear the decorated facility from any tablet, phone or laptop computer through a browser interface. OPCC believes this investment is one of the first immersive sales tools in the convention center industry, using the latest in dynamic VR software.

“The effect is so compelling and immersive that the experience can be enjoyed while sitting in a chair—the illusion of being in the room is powerful enough that one forgets where they are actually located,” Neil Reid of Neil Reid and Associates, said. “OPCC is one of the finest convention centers in the world, and the latest technology investment by their team demonstrates clear leadership in harnessing one of the most powerful internet experiences available.”

OPCC has released this technology to their sales department. To experience this immersive technology and learn more about what OPCC can offer, please call (913) 339-3000. For a sneak peek of this technology, visit https://opconventioncenter.com/upcoming-news/virtualtour/.

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StubHub Center will serve as the temporary home of the former San Diego Chargers, who have relocated to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Chargers will play at StubHub Center, home of the five-time MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy and based on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills, for the 2017 NFL season.

“We are excited to welcome the Chargers to StubHub Center,” said AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman. “This is a world-class facility that will give fans and our community a unique and intimate experience during NFL games. We’ve had a longstanding friendship with the Chargers and the Spanos family and I would like to commend the Chargers on this bold and innovative decision to move to StubHub Center. It is truly a testament to how strongly the Chargers feel about the fan experience and their willingness to create something special for people in Southern California.”

StubHub Center is located on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson and owned and operated by AEG. Capacity for Chargers games at StubHub Center will be 30,000 seats, with approximately 3,000 premium and field seats, 46 suites, 16 cabanas, and 10,000 on-site parking spaces. The Chargers will play on game dates that do not conflict with the LA Galaxy’s 2017 MLS schedule.

“The experience for our fans at StubHub Center will be fun and entertaining, and every seat will feel close to the action,” said A.G. Spanos, President – Business Operations for the Chargers. “This is a unique opportunity to see NFL action in such an intimate setting.”

The team launched www.FightforLA.com, a website that allows fans to place a fully refundable $100 deposit on season tickets for the 2017 season. Current Chargers Season Ticket Members will maintain their priority status and are not required to make a deposit.

The fully-refundable $100 deposit allows fans to reserve up to four seats at StubHub Center, ensures priority status for 2017 Chargers season tickets, and grants priority status for seats at the new Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, the future home of the Chargers.

The Chargers also revealed a new advertising mark borne out of the team’s iconic lightning bolt and historic shield introduced in the 1960’s. This new mark and fresh take on “LA” is part of a larger identity campaign called “Fight for LA” intended to convey the commitment of the Spanos family and entire Chargers organization to earn the respect and loyalty of Los Angeles football fans. The new mark can be found on www.Chargers.com.

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. announced Los Angeles welcomed 47.3 million visitors in 2016, surpassing mid-year forecasts and breaking visitation records for the sixth consecutive year. The new record is 1.7 million visitors higher than 2015’s total, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year.

New tourism records were set for overall domestic and international visitation. Total domestic visitation reached 40.2 million, a 3.8% increase over 2015, and 7.1 million international visitors made Los Angeles their ultimate destination, a 3.5% increase over the previous year. 

In 2016, Los Angeles also became the first ever U.S. city destination to welcome more than 1 million visitors from China, the destination’s number two international market behind Mexico. China alone accounted for 75% of the destination’s overall international growth, derived from the market’s year-over-year growth of nearly 22% – the seventh consecutive year of at least 20% visitation growth for China. L.A. Tourism will continue to invest in the market with plans to expand its footprint:  Chengdu will become L.A. Tourism’s fourth China office when it opens by the end of June 2017, joining Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

India was L.A.’s second-fastest growing international market, an increase of 10.2%. L.A. Tourism established official representation in this market in 2016 as well as the Gulf/Middle East, an important connection point for visiting Indian travelers.  

“Tourism is booming in Los Angeles, and it’s helping to drive our whole city’s economy forward,” said Mayor Garcetti. “My goal is to welcome 50 million tourists to our city by 2020, and new attractions like the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will have even more people from around the world lining up to come to L.A.”

“Global desire for the Los Angeles experience is at an all-time high, a fact largely attributable to our city’s celebration of diversity and creativity, from which thriving culinary, cultural and lifestyle scenes have emerged,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Fantastic new hotels are opening their doors with frequency, chefs are exploring innovative creative territories, noteworthy cultural institutions are choosing to call L.A. home and people want to be a part of the L.A. lifestyle. We are thankful for all of these individuals and entities which make Los Angeles the place that record-setting numbers of people want to visit.”

L.A. County’s average occupancy rate for 2016 reached 81.3%, surpassing 80% for the first time in County history. A record 29.2 million hotel room nights were sold countywide with ADR reaching a new high of $171.95, an increase of 8.6% over 2015. L.A. County is the only U.S. market to reach double-digit RevPar growth at nearly 11%. 

Tourism is among the largest and healthiest contributors to the Los Angeles economy, supporting an average of more than 500,000 jobs in the Leisure & Hospitality sector last year. 

For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at discoverLosAngeles.com, join the more than one million people who follow L.A. Tourism’s Facebook page at facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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