John Marquardt, CVP, serves as assistant director for event management at the State Farm Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign as well as the chair of IAVM’s Young Professionals Committee. As such, Marquardt leads a dedicated committee whose mission is to “work with IAVM management to promote the venue management industry with students, recent graduates and young professionals under the age of 30. It acts as a think tank for new and emerging trends in communications, social media, technology and membership. Members of this committee may be 30 years of age or under.”
Marquardt steadfastly believes that written mission statement can be even better executed in the future should those same young professionals have an opportunity to vote, a right that will come to fruition for this segment of IAVM membership should a vote pass that began last Friday by current eligible IAVM members on One Member, One Vote. The initiative follows extensive study, review and open discussion over the last two years, at which point the IAVM Board of Directors voted unanimously to bring forward proposed changes to the bylaws that would make the Association more inclusive and diverse in its decision making. As a means to incorporate the perspective of all IAVM members, these changes would allow every member of IAVM equal opportunity to engage in the Association through the right to vote. These proposed changes must be approved by two-thirds of the current voting members of IAVM.
“I support the One Member, One Vote initiative on a variety of fronts as a member of IAVM, but first and foremost because of the 
impact that it will have on Young Professionals within the IAVM family,” Marquardt said.
“As a one-time Young Professional member of IAVM and current Chair of the Young Professionals Committee, I have seen the significant thought, dedication, and contributions of our Young Professional members, and the impact that they have on our organization. As future leaders of our industry, they already demonstrate a great deal of critical thought, intuition, and innovative energy that helps propel our organization forward. Our Young Professionals help keep our organization relevant in a rapidly-advancing business climate where technology and cutting-edge ideas evolve by the minute. Young Professionals help all of us keep our eye on the proverbial ball of change and innovation in our industry, as they represent our future. By allowing them a seat at the table through One Member, One Vote, we can ensure their contributions will be heard and will help to shape our IAVM family in to perpetuity.”
Marquardt acknowledges that due simply to career experience those just getting started in the industry cannot possibly have the broad base of knowledge that veteran peers enjoy. Nonetheless, as those same peers transition toward retirement or lessening their job responsibilities, it is important to replenish that experience with those who are younger and thirsting for knowledge and participation within IAVM.
“Young Professional members of IAVM still have lots to learn about our industry, no doubt,” Marquardt said. “However, providing them a voice and a vote toward the direction of our future will help keep them engaged, involved, and energized as IAVM accelerates in to the exciting future of our industry.”
Current eligible voters received an email ballot on Friday. The voting period is open now so please look in your inbox for the ballot.
