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May 1, 2008      

Discover It

As you prepare to attend the IAAM 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show, July 25-29, 2008 in Anaheim, CA here is some helpful information to aid in discovering all that we are offering to you!

Discover who will be there! IAAM is now featuring our conference attendee list online. Check it out to see who will be in Anaheim this year!

Discover the cutting edge educational sessions. This year’s Annual Conference & Trade Show will feature speakers such as Keynote Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, Corbin Ball, Top Technology Trends Transforming the Public Assembly Management Industry, Paul Turner, Become a Great Presenter and Trainer, Bob Wendover, Succession Planning and Managing Leadership Transition in Tomorrow’s Public Assembly Facilities, Richard Gesteland, Global Issues: Global Business Etiquette, and Closing Keynote Simon T. Bailey, Releasing Diversity Brilliance. Additional hot topics include Compassionate Communication with our Most Difficult Patrons, Red Cross/IAAM: Mega-Shelter, You too can be Involved, Take Your Facility/CVB Relationship to the Next Level with IAAM/DMAI Best Practices, Increasing your ROI Using Eco Friendly & Sustainability Incentive, and many more!

Discover all of the socials and tours! This year will be exceptional including the President’s Reception on July 25th from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at the arena plaza, the area between the Anaheim Convention Center and the Hilton Anaheim. This will be the perfect outdoor setting to catch up with other conference attendees. For all of those new members take time to attend the New Member/First Timer Breakfast on Saturday July 26th from 7:30 am-8:45 am. This will be one of the first opportunities to learn about your association and how your membership can benefit you in the future. This year’s IAAM Fun Night will take place on July 28th from 6:30 pm-10:30 pm at the House of Blues in historic downtown Disney. In addition to all of the socials, IAAM is also offering several facility tours on July 29th from 1:45 pm-4:00 pm. Locations include Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Honda Center, and The Grove of Anaheim.

Discover our 9th Annual University Venue Management Conference (UVMC) which is dedicated to providing you the tools and resources you need to run your facility effortlessly, efficiently, and economically. Some items of this year’s agenda include UF Taser Incident: Is your venue vulnerable for negative attention? Going Green on Campus, Renovating University Performing Arts Centers, University Venues: Competent? Competitive? Or just Complacent?

Discover the 2008 sponsors that make the Annual Conference & Trade Show possible. Explore more about each company by visiting us online. Here you can get a great idea of who to thank when you see them in Anaheim!

Discover products galore with our Extreme Trade Show. The National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) is once again joining with IAAM to present a combined trade show. This year's trade show will feature companies that provide goods and services of all types to public assembly facilities. Hardware, software, operations, training, talent agencies, food service…you name it, it will be there. The combined effort will draw international decision-makers from public facilities like arenas, stadiums, amusement parks, racetracks, convention centers, performing arts centers, and movie theaters. The buyers will be there.

Discover student volunteer opportunities! If you are a student who wants a head start on your career, apply to be a student volunteer and for a student scholarship. This is your chance to meet your future employer. But hurry, because the deadline is May 2nd. For more information click here.

Discover the IAAM Foundation. There are several wonderful activities to keep you entertained while giving back to the IAAM Foundation. This year includes an online Silent Auction: June 23rd – July 18th at www.iaamfoundation.cmarket.com for those of you that want to participate but will not be able to attend the Annual Conference & Trade Show. In addition there will be an Exclusive Limited Preview of the items July 25th at the 20th Anniversary IAAM Foundation Friday Golf Tournament. The onsite silent auction will take place July 26th – July 28th at the IAAM Extreme Trade Show at the Anaheim Convention Center. The golf tournament is another way to have a great time and support your Foundation. This year’s tournament will take place in the heart of the Chino Hills countryside at the two courses of Los Serranos Golf & Country Club, which will provide spectacular golf and vistas. In addition, back after popular demand, this year will be the second annual Foundation Friday Annual Harley Ride. This year’s ride starts at Harley-Fullerton and will take you through a long ride including spectacular mountain and ocean views. For more information and to sign up click here.

There are so many things to discover as part of this year’s 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show. Feel free to visit our website for more information. We hope to see you in Anaheim! 

Staff Spotlight: Rodney Williams, MBA

Name: Rodney Williams, MBA
Position: Education Manager
Describe some of your responsibilities: My responsibilities include: orchestrating the educational sessions at IAAM’s specialty meetings and annual University Venue Management Conference. I also assist in the CFE certification process and the registration and acceptance of applicants for our PAFMS schools at Oglebay and the Senior Executive Symposium. I interact with our speakers regarding the content provided for our schools and meetings and just recently, I’ve been assigned the task of developing our e-learning strategies to deliver educational content online pre- and post-conferences.
How long have you been with IAAM? I’ve been with IAAM for almost two years. Prior to coming to IAAM I managed a recording studio and produced and promoted live music and comedy events.
What is your favorite part of IAAM? Externally, the best part about working with IAAM is supporting members that strive for excellence while learning the principles of our industry to become experts to benefit their venues. I also enjoy being around like-minded individuals that have passion for the sports and entertainment industry. Internally, I appreciate the team environment that continues to grow by working together to achieve the goals of the organization as a whole.
What are some exciting things coming up in your area that you would like our members to know about? We are currently in the process of redeveloping our e-learning web portal to offer more industry specific webinars, Coretracks online and a multimedia platform in order to inform and educate our members more conveniently.
How do you hope to add value to the IAAM Members? I hope to add value to members by increasing the educational opportunities that will allow them to maximize their learning potential.
Who/What inspires you? I’m inspired by my family and community leaders.
What is something that the members don’t know about you? Well let’s see……It may sound kind of Forrest Gumppish. I wrote and produced a play named S’dia that premiered at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium as a benefit for Aids Services of Dallas; I’m registered as a writer and publisher with ASCAP; I was nominated to serve as a Delegate for the Texas Democratic Convention this summer; I tried my hand in designing jewelry under the tutelage of Robert Whiteside, a great Fabrege’ egg designer; and I’m currently working on my Doctorate in Business Administration, just call me “Renaissance Man.” I also have a favorite quote, "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” -- Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986).
Hobbies: My hobbies include collecting rare signed books, camping and photography.  

Discover the IAAM 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA this July 25-29, 2008.

The IAAM 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show brochure is in the mail. It is full of helpful information and a registration form for those of you that prefer mail. Online registration is available at www.iaam.org.

Inside the brochure you will find an overview of what to expect, who should be there, keynote speaker highlights, networking and social events including facility tours, trade show details, accommodations, travel and general information with a UVMC program and Foundation Friday activities.

For complete and up-to-date information, be sure to check out the conference website daily as the program continues to develop and grow, click here.  

AAM’s Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS) takes place August 16-22 and is five full days of intensive training in security planning and life safety management for the public assembly venue industry. Not only does AVSS take you through an in-depth approach to many of the types of emergencies that can and will occur at public assembly facilities, but it also offers the most relevant and current safety and security training offered for individuals in venue management. Knowledgeable practitioners from the facility management industry, as well as recognized experts in safety and security, will aggressively train you in the most current techniques for planning, implementing and ensuring the safety of your patrons, staff, event, and facility.

The core curriculum AVSS Tracks are:
• Risk Management
• Emergency Planning
• Security Operations
• Training

For more information about AVSS, contact IAAM’s Director of Life Safety, Harold Hansen, or by phone at 773/973-2049.    

Join us in sunny Anaheim from July 25-27 for the 9th Annual University Venue Management Conference. UVMC is dedicated to providing you the tools and resources you need to run your facility effortlessly, efficiently and economically.

A taste of this year’s program includes:
• UF Taser Incident: Is your venue vulnerable for negative attention!
• Going Green on Campus
• Renovating University Performing Arts Centers
• University Venues: Competent? Competitive? Or just Complacent?

Click here for a complete program. 

The Academy for Venue Safety & Security is committed to provide innovative training to support, assist and guide venues and their management teams with the priority for protecting all aspects related to life-safety and physical assets.

The Academy for Venue Safety & Security is an intensive training in emergency preparedness, prevention, response and recovery management for the public assembly venue industry. We are currently seeking enthusiastic and experienced faculty to serve as facilitators, lecturers or instructors. The five day academy is offered bi-annually in February and August.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate effective group/classroom communication, have an ability to lead students in learning exercises and work in a dynamic group environment. Previous experience in developing and delivering training programs related to security, emergency preparedness and safety is preferred.

Additional information may found at the IAAM website at iaam.org.

If you can’t make the entire International Stadium Management Conference from May 15-17 at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center, a special One Day Pass is available for local ISMC attendees for only $95. The One Day Pass provides full access to one day of ISMC educational sessions. Passes are available for any one of the days, Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17. The One Day Pass is limited to one per person and does not include food or social events. The One Day Pass can be purchased on-site at the ISMC registration table in the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel.

The ISMC educational sessions kick off with the opening keynote speaker Dr. Bob Johansen, IFTF Distinguished Fellow, Institute for the Future, “Get There Early” sponsored by EcoSafe/BASF. These days, every leader struggles with a paradox: you can’t predict the future, but you have to be able to make sense of it to thrive. In the age of the Internet, everyone knows what’s new, but to succeed you have to be able to sort out what’s important, devise strategies based on your own vision, and get there ahead of the crowd.

Additionally, ISMC sessions address best practices in implementing sustainable business practices for stadiums, green procurement: what does it mean and why does it matter, developing front-line supervisors to be customer service professionals, and managing fan behavior.

For complete program details, click here. 

Scenic Rome Opens Arms To IAAM Europe Meeting

The 3rd Annual Congress of IAAM-Europe will take place in Rome, Italy at the Stadio Olimpico from June 11-13 at the Moevenpick Hotel Central Park. The Congress is held in conjunction with Stadia & Arena Management and produced by ALAD LTD, Alan Levett.

Held in the city known for introducing stadia, as we know them now – ROME – hosted at the Olympic Stadium, make plans to be a part of this event.

In this unique atmosphere the conference and exhibition are expected to attract an outstanding array of international delegates and visitors. They will share knowledge on the latest architectural trends, technology, equipment and services for the construction, maintenance and refurbishment of stadia and arenas throughout Europe.

Make plans to join us, click here for details.
 

EAVM Greets Attendees In Innsbruck

In September 2008 EAVM will open its doors once again, for 2007’s students to complete Year Two of the program and to welcome a new class of Year One. The European Academy for Venue Management will take place at the Speckbacher Hof. in Innsbruck, Austria from August 31-September 4.

The EAVM is a two-year course which, upon completion, gives pupils an internationally recognized certificate of competence. This is an educational opportunity for directors, managers, supervisors, and others responsible for building and event operations in arenas, stadia, congress centres, performing arts theatres and other similar venues. The Academy has been modeled upon the IAAM’s very successful Public Assembly Facility Management School in the U.S.A, which celebrated its 21st anniversary last year, and the Public Venue Management School in Australia, for the Asia Pacific region.

Click here for more information. 
 

Attend the 2008 School of Ice Technologies from June 15-20 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City and you’ll return to your facility with the confidence that comes from knowing the trade secrets industry veterans know!

You’ll be amazed how incredibly simple your job will become with the training you receive in this hands-on course! You will learn step-by-step how to master key ice-making and maintenance skills. Our informative, interactive workshops will equip you with the tools and techniques to significantly improve your job performance. Register today!

AMC Still Looking For 2010 Host

IAAM’s Arena Management Conference is requesting interested Arenas located in the Central-West region that would like to host AMC in 2010 to please contact sandy.webb@iaam.org at IAAM World Headquarters for a request for proposal  
 

Portland, Oregon is hosting IAAM’s 27th Annual International Convention Center Conference from September 25-27. ICCC will provide you with the latest information in the convention and exhibit facility management. From new technology to the state of the industry, updates on important issues facing convention center managers will be on the agenda. Mark your calendar now and join us! Best of all, click here to register and enjoy special Early Bird savings!

A few seats are available after the application deadline for this year’s Graduate Institute due to student cancellations. Apply now to attend the 2008 Graduate Institute May 31 – June 5 and experience the Wheeling Feeling while taking your public assembly facility management education to THE NEXT LEVEL. You still have time to complete the pre-school assignments to prepare you for the ultimate education experience.

Make an investment in yourself or your employees by taking part in this advanced intensive educational program designed to develop current managers and to expand their universe of management, leadership skills and understanding. In the tradition of the PAFMS, industry leaders serve as instructors for important and relevant courses for those aspiring to manage venues. The instructors present the following curriculum topics customized for our industry.

You’ll learn:
• Leadership with Richard Andersen, CFE, Scott Williams, CFE and Brad Mayne, CFE
• Strategic Planning with Craig Lovett
• Problem Solving with Frank Russo, CFE
• Humans as Resources with Kevin Twohig, CFE
• Communication with Tracey Short
• Moderated Round Table Discussions with Rodney Smith, CFE

Apply today.  
 

Shura Lindgren Receives Hometown Honor

Shura Lindgren, CFE, received an award in recognition of her contributions towards advancing women.

Lindgren, general manager of the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center and IAAM 2nd Vice President, was honored by The Zonta Club of St. Charles with the 2008 Yellow Rose Award in honor of Lindgren’s work towards advancing in the areas of politics, professionally and other areas.

“I was very surprised, touched and honored to receive the award,” said Lindgren. “I was nominated by a volunteer that I had worked with on a couple of events here at the center.”

In describing Lindgren, the program biography read that, “Working in a primarily male-dominated industry, Shura has focused on increasing the number of women and minorities in the field of public assembly management. Shura encourages all of her staff to give back to the community through philanthropic efforts by hosting monthly non-profit representatives to speak to her staff.”

Lindgren was among four finalists for the award before hearing her name called. The Zonta Club of St. Charles is part of Zonta International, an international service and advocacy organization of executives and professionals, dedicated to improving the legal, political, economic, health, educational and professional status of women everywhere. 
 

Nutter Center Directors Siehl, Brown Honored By Beavercreek Chamber

The Beavercreek (OH) Chamber of Commerce honored John Siehl and Jim Brown with the Chambers’ Annual Civic Award. The award came during the 41st Annual Awards Banquet on March 26 at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center.

At this year’s banquet, Siehl, executive director, and Brown, associate director, both of the Ervin J. Nutter Center, were presented with the Chamber’s Annual Civic Award. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Beavercreek community through leadership and involvement in activities that benefit the citizens of Beavercreek. They received a POW flag signed by all of the POW’s that attended the NAMPOW convention last summer. The flag was presented to them by Jeri Mechenbier, wife of retired Brigadier General Ed Mechenbier, a former POW.

Gussie Jones, Public Education Specialist for Greene County MRDD, said “John and Jim are both committed to their communities and not only vocally support our community, but also provide physical and financial support as well. The entire Miami Valley is a better place because of their involvement in it.” 

Roger Klevesahl, a long-time figure in the commercial entertainment business in the Upper Midwest, died on April 19 in Eden Prairie, MN, after a long illness. He was 57. 
At the time of his death, Klevesahl was working for VenuWorks as a private contractor for planning and execution of public and private special events. He also worked as a consultant doing research on several VenuWorks projects. He played a key role in the development of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, which will be managed by VenuWorks when it opens in winter 2008.
 
“We have lost a dear friend,” said Steve Peters, CFE, VenuWorks President/CEO. “Roger Klevesahl was an important member of our VenuWorks family whose contributions will be greatly missed. Our condolences are with his wife, Katie, and the family.” 

Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen welcomed Exhibition Place as the first facility to be inducted into the Ontario Environmental Leaders Program (OEL), recognizing their outstanding environmental efforts.

The presentation occurred fittingly on the show floor of Canada’s largest environmental event, The Green Living Show, in Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. The ceremony also welcomed three other corporations, including General Motors, Fielding Chemical and Nalco.

Ontario’s Environmental Leaders program is a unique partnership between government and companies that surpass environmental regulations and as responsible corporate citizens, make environmentally friendly activities a part of their operations. 

Georgia World Congress Center Wraps Up Tornado Repairs

The tornado that raced through Atlanta on March 14 left the Georgia World Congress Center in various states of disrepair. While the convention center hosted scheduled events within two weeks after the storm, Building A and Building B suffered damage that was repaired by the end of April.

The facility also took the opportunity to welcome some new upgrades, including refurbished escalators; new overhead doors; new roofs on Buildings A, B and C; new ceiling tiles and wall fabric panels on Buildings A and B; and improved lighting and acoustics in the concourses.
 

North Dakota State Fair Receives Tourism Award

The North Dakota State Fair has been honored as the 2008 Governor’s Travel and Tourism Event of the Year. Gov. John Hoeven presented the award to the State Fair during the North Dakota Tourism Conference held at the Seven Seas Hotel in Mandan, April 20-22.

The State Fair has grown to be North Dakota’s largest annual event. In 2007, the Fair drew nearly one quarter of a million people through its gates, solidifying seven consecutive years of attendance growth. Effective marketing and big-name grandstand entertainment have been essential to the Fair’s growth. The State Fair not only draws visitors from North Dakota, but thousands of guests travel from Canada and surrounding states to visit the Fair each year.

“It’s a great honor for our partners and staff to receive,” said NDSF Manager Bob Wagoner (pictured on the left with Gov. Hoeven). “We work hard to provide a showplace of pride for 4-H, FFA and all of our exhibitors, as well as a place that North Dakotans and out-of-state guests can enjoy year after year.” 

Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision Is Choice For New Cowboys’ Stadium

The Dallas Cowboys have selected Mitsubishi Electric to provide all of the fully integrated high-definition LED video displays, LED fascia ribbon boards and scoring display systems for their new stadium which is scheduled to open for the 2009 NFL football season.

The one-of-a-kind, four-sided scoreboard will feature the world’s largest LED high-definition video displays. The center-hung structure consists of four Diamond Vision™ video displays, with the two main sideline displays measuring 72 feet high by 160 feet wide and two Diamond Vision™ end zone displays measuring 29 feet high by 51 feet wide. It will be suspended 110 feet directly over the center of the playing surface and stretch from one 20-yard line to the other.

“One of the central design elements of our new stadium is our center hung scoreboard,” said Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the team. “This unique feature will be an iconic symbol of our building for years to come. When we were making the decision on whom to entrust with the responsibility of making our vision a reality, the quality and clarity in the Mitsubishi Diamond Vision boards was unmatched.” 

NY Islanders, Sharp Team Up To Give Home Arena An LCD Monitor Makeover

Combining a unique mounting solution from Peerless Mounts with Sharp’s AQUOS Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs, the New York Islanders hockey team recently upgraded the video system throughout their home arena, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

In an effort to enhance the guest viewing experience in the promenade and suite boxes, as well as around the concession stands, the Islanders have installed 258 AQUOS LCD TVs, ranging in size from 15- up through 65-inches.

“Prior to the Sharp AQUOS LCDs, we had a mix of different CRTs throughout the coliseum that were not conducive to the fan experience we aim to provide,” said Dave Decina of the Islanders. “The Sharp AQUOS provides a stunning picture with superb detail so whether our guests are in a suite or waiting in a concession line, they don’t miss a second of the sports action.” 

San Diego Convention Center Receives Recycler Of The Year Award

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has been selected by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department to receive a 2008 Recycler of the Year Award. The award is part of the city’s 16th Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Award Program honoring businesses that have implemented innovative waste reduction, recycling and recycled product purchasing programs.

“We take our role as an industry leader seriously and pride ourselves on taking it a step further to include environmental programs that conserve the earth’s natural resources for future generations,” said Brad Gessner, general manager. Gessner is responsible for overseeing the convention center’s sustainability programs and serves as the chair of the building’s Green Team made up of employees from various departments.

The convention center has long been committed to supporting and encouraging sustainable practices, including hosting environmentally friendly meetings. Initial “green” programs began in 1990, many years ahead of the sustainability programs now in place in other major convention facilities. 

Walter P Moore Recognized For Innovation On University Of Phoenix Stadium

Walter P Moore has won a Grand Award in the Structural Systems Category of the 2008 Engineering Excellence Awards competition for its role in the design of University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals.

The stadium, with its retractable roof and field, is unlike any other stadium in North America and a marvel of design, engineering and technology. It is the second NFL facility to feature a retractable roof and the first facility in North America to feature an operable playing field. It is also the first retractable roof in North America to ride on inclined rails and its two main, 700-foot long lenticular roof trusses provide the longest clear span of any retractable roof stadium in the U.S. 

Chaifetz Arena At Saint Louis University Opens

The Billikens of Saint Louis will be performing in a new arena when next season opens. In addition, concert-goers and families and students will get to enjoy the amenities of the city's newest crown jewel.

Cutting ribbon at the opening of the new Global Spectrum-managed Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO, are (from left) Global Spectrum’s Darius Dunn, general manager of the arena; Father Biondi, president of Saint Louis University; Dr. Richard Chaifetz, donor and Saint Louis University alum; and Global Spectrum’s Chief Operating Officer John Page. 

City Of Glens Falls Inks Deal With Global Spectrum

The City of Glens Falls (NY) signed a five-year agreement with Global Spectrum to operate the 10,000-seat Glens Falls Civic Center, according to Glens Falls Mayor Roy Akins.

“We are very excited to have Global Spectrum join us as the managers of the Glens Falls Civic Center,” said Akins. “Global Spectrum has an amazing reputation for providing their customers with top-notch entertainment with superior customer service. As residents of Glens Falls, we look for great things with Global Spectrum as operators of our civic center.” 

News : On The Move : Career Opportunities : Internships
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