Earlier this year, I became CEO of the Spokane Public Facilities District, the organization where my career in the venue management industry was born. Five months into my new position, and as my term as Chair of the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees comes to an end, I have been reflecting on how my career path led me to become CEO and how much the Foundation played a role in my professional achievements and success–even though in the early days, I didn’t even know the Foundation existed.
The mission of our Foundation is to increase the positive impact and vitality of the venue management industry by funding research, education and resource development. We were conceived in 1982 after “The Who” concert tragedy in 1979. Our industry was in need of crowd management safety standards so the other venues could learn from, and most importantly prevent, a similar tragedy. Over the last 35 years, because of our member contributed resources, our Foundation made possible.
Venue Management School (VMS)
Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS)
Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell (SES)
The Certified Venue Executive Designation (CVE formally CFE)
Certified Venue Professional Certification (CVP)
VenueDataSource
Public Assembly Facility Management College Textbook
30 Under 30 Program
Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship and Internship Program
UpStart Program
100+ Women Campaign
VenueConnect Golf Tournament
VenueConnect Legacy Project
As I look at this list, I realize how much of my success I owe to those who came before me and invested in the Foundation so I could benefit from so many programs. I am a graduate of VMS, VMS GI, SES, and last year received my CVE and read the textbook cover to cover. I have participated in the Golf Tournament, the Legacy Project and the UpStart Program, have sent employees to AVSS, as well as having one of my employees become a 30|Under|30 last year. VenueDataSource has provided a wealth of knowledge and connections. It’s amazing to have the resource of other venue managers’ experience literally at our fingertips and how much we can solve together.
Like all good organizations, the IAVM Foundation took some time this year to evaluate what our vision and mission are and if the Foundation is still relevant today. We determined our core values to be:
- Partnership Development
- Member Engagement and Satisfaction
- Marketing and Communication
- Financial Management
- Future Initiatives
As our Association evolves with the changing needs of our industry, we are focused on continuing a strong Foundation in anticipation of what the “next thing” might be. There is no end to what IAVM is willing to do to innovate, advocate, and inspire. To keep up with the mission of our Association, the Foundation Board of Trustees gathered together a few months ago and hired an expert to help us create a 3 Year Strategic Plan for the Foundation. We are hard at work and will meet again with our consultant at Venue Connect to set the course for the upcoming year.
I am proud of the work our Foundation Board of Trustees has done over the years. There have certainly been ups and downs, but we have persevered and continued to forge ahead with new resolve because we know what we do matters and we are inspired by each of you to continue to keep our Foundation strong, relevant and working for you. While my time as Chair is coming to an end, my term as a Trustee is not, and I look forward to participating in the continuing forward motion of the IAVM Foundation.
And one final thing… I wouldn’t be a very good Trustee if I didn’t take this moment to ask you to look at the list of initiatives the Foundation has supported and ask yourself how many of these initiatives have you or your venue benefited from? Isn’t it at least worth paying it forward by investing back into the Foundation?
Invest in your Foundation to invest in the future of our industry.
IAVM Foundation
Chair, Board of Trustees
Stephanie Curran, thanks! And thanks for sharing your great posts every week!