By R.V. Baugus

VenueConnect is officially underway in Phoenix, and we are here all week to provide you with many of the highlights.

Mark Mettes, leader at the Herberger Theater Center, played host to the Leadership Dinner on Sunday night. Attendees actually dined on the theater stage, creating a mood of well, just waiting for someone to bust out in operatic tone. Alas, there was no IAVM symphony, but attendees enjoyed a savory meal and opportunity for many past IAVM Chairs to reacquaint.

Chair Eric Hart bestowed Chair Citations to four individuals who played major roles in IAVM and the industry over the year of his leadership. The honorees included Bobby Goldwater, Steve Mackenzie, Kim Mahoney, and Brett Mitchell. Hart bestowed a fifth citation to his outstanding team with Tampa Sports Authority who beautifully managed business while Hart took care of IAVM business,

The comedic highlight came as Adina Erwin took the mic to ask the past chairs to stand to be recognized. When she came Simmons Bank Arena’s own Michal Marion, Erwin announced, “S**t! Michael Marion!” paying homage to the salty tongued one’s penchant for dropping enough F bombs to fill up his personal cuss jar.

Tuesday began early with more than 200 in attendance for the First Timers/New Member Orientation. Speakers included Barb Burns, Beth Wade, Julia Slocombe, Jenny Stephens, Donna Miller-Brown, along with IAVM CEO Brad Mayne and Chair Eric Hart.

Attendees were encouraged to make their IAVM investment meaningful from the beginning by finding ways to get involved. Panelists discussed Venue Management School, Mentor Connector Program, 30 Under 30, and making their time in Phoenix valuable by beginning to form friendships and visiting the trade show floor.

By Mark Herrera

Epistemix, data science platform company that builds location specific simulations to test health and safety measures for events and venues, released updated data that projects the risk of COVID transmission next week during IAVM’s 97th VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix to be reduced by 40% given the safety protocols.

“IAVM’s use of data to inform decisions on what health and safety measures to put in place shows strong leadership for the industry,” says Dr. Lindsey Reiser, Chief of Staff, Epistemix. “When seasonal changes and new variants arise, enacting protocols like what IAVM is doing enables venues and organizers to keep business going as usual.”

“This is what the ‘new normal’ everyone has been talking about for the last year looks like,” says John Cordier, CEO of Epistemix. “Under certain scenarios, you put in protocols to keep things moving forward. You keep business moving and ensure safety for all people in attendance.”

Partnering in 2022, Epistemix and IAVM are working together to develop appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of events at venues using a data-informed approach.

Projections show:
● The VenueConnect mask and testing protocols ensure a controlled environment that provides a high level of protection from COVID-19.
● Risk of transmission is reduced by 40% given the protocols.
● With its masks and testing, attendees are six (6) times less likely to be exposed to COVID at the event than a similar sized event in Phoenix without protocols.
● Epistemix will continue to monitor variants to provide the most up to date projections to IAVM and recommendations to health and safety protocols.
● Epistemix data has proven to be 95% accurate when forecasting for past events.

IAVM will continue to work with Epistemix to provide regular updates and forecasts for attendees and exhibitors for future events.

Mark Herrera is Director of Life Safety & Security for IAVM.

Theatre Projects is pleased to announce the addition of two new full-time staff members to their team. Chris Smith joins the firm as the marketing and content manager and Ashley Keen, CVP, joins their strategic planning team as a senior consultant. Both bring significant expertise in their respective fields, have backgrounds in the performing arts, and offer new and exciting perspectives to their clients and collaborative partners.

Chris joins the company’s New York office to lead marketing and PR efforts. Over the past decade and a half, Chris has worked with a wide array of non-profit organizations in Chicago, Texas, and Oregon. His experience includes content creation, digital communication, writing, brand and marketing strategy, and data analysis. He brings a creative approach to the firm’s marketing efforts, a precise eye for detail, and a great sense of humor to the team. Prior to Theatre Projects, Chris worked with Oregon State University, The Black Sheep Agency, 4th Wall Theatre in Houston, Echelon Design, Chicago Art Department, and the Chicago High School for the Arts.

“It’s thrilling, professionally, to join such an illustrious and creative community,” Chris notes. “But personally as well, it’s wonderful to find a role that wraps together my love for theatre, writing, digital content, and storytelling.”

Ashley specializes in helping performing arts organizations and venue managers plan for the future. She combines experience working in flexible spaces and multi-venue arts centers with a love of creative problem-solving to find solutions that support an organization’s strategic goals. Her new role will include working on feasibility studies, needs assessments, business planning, community engagement efforts, and more. Ashley is a Certified Venue Professional (CVP) who joined the Theatre Projects team from Mesa Arts Center in Arizona, where she served as event services coordinator, production supervisor, and theatre technical coordinator. She also previously worked at Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and at Arizona State University.

“I’m excited to welcome Ashley to our team,” says Gena Buhler, Theatre Projects’ head of strategic planning. “Our strategic planning efforts help to support many types and sizes of organizations and venues across North America, and Ashley’s past production and event management experience will help to guide our clients with the insight of a former venue leader. She brings energy, enthusiasm, and years of hands-on experience to our team, as we support the growth and improvement of venues and the performing arts industry.”

Photos courtesy of Theatre Projects

By R.V. Baugus

It was with a mix of joy (happy for your retirement!) and sadness (dang, this industry is going to miss you) that news came of the upcoming September 1 retirement of Peggy Daidakis from leading the Baltimore Convention Center after a brilliant career of almost 50 years.

But it was one day years ago at VenueConnect that will always stay in my mind when thinking about my dear friend Peggy.

We scheduled a time to meet at the annual conference away from the hubbub of chatter on the trade show floor and around the concourse for an interview to feature Peggy on the cover of then Facility Manager magazine. I was very much looking forward to sitting down and talking with Peggy as I knew of her years of giving to the association, the industry, and her beloved Baltimore.

We found an out-of-the-way place in the convention center, shared some personal time about life and family, and it was off to the races to conduct the interview. I must say it was one of the more exciting and revealing interviews I have done just for the sheer magnitude of Peggy’s accomplishments at the BCC and being instrumental in bringing tourists to Baltimore’s many offerings.

As I recall, the interview was just shy of one hour according to the cassette before I hit stop. In all candor, I could have listened to Peggy for another hour, but I knew she was not at the annual conference to spend her time chatting with yours truly.

There were — as they say — places to go and people to see, and with that Peggy and I parted. It was a wrap and I was excited to get back home, transcribe the interview, and write the cover feature story.

The day came and I grabbed my cassette, had a blank page on the computer screen ready to type out the interview, hit play … and then a strange thing happened. Nothing. I mean, nothing. I fast forwarded. Nothing. I started over from the beginning. Nothing.

Yes, it was an editor’s cardinal sin, I had not checked the batteries in the cassette before going into the interview. I had basically wasted an hour of Peggy’s time with NOTHING on the cassette. I panicked. What do I do? How do I explain this to Peggy without getting deservedly berated?

I mustered up the strength to make the call, stuttered and stammered myself away, and was beyond relieved when this gentle person said she understood and that we could do the interview again.

Whew.

From that day forward, every time I saw Peggy at VenueConnect I could not help but think of that day of infamy. To her credit, she never again brought it up, sparing me undue embarrassment.

So, Peggy, if you ever want me to collaborate on a book project or anything similar in your retirement future, I am only too happy. I will even bring extra batteries.

By Anagelica Gonzalez

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the retirement of Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) Executive Director and long-time IAVM member Peggy Daidakis, effective September 1, 2022.

“I want to thank Peggy for her service to the City and its residents for 49 faithful years,” Scott said. “I am genuinely grateful for her leadership in marketing and serving tourists and conventioneers over the last 44 years. I know Baltimoreans will join me in congratulating Peggy for her exceptional service and wishing her the best in the next stage of her life’s journey.”

Daidakis joined the staff of Mayor William Donald Schaefer in 1973 and served in his administration for over four years. She began her career in the convention industry in 1978 when Schaefer assigned her to be part of the team that opened the BCC in 1979. In July of 1986, Daidakis was appointed by Mayor Clarence “Du” Burns as the first female director of a national convention center. She was instrumental in planning the BCC’s expansion, which tripled its size to be the largest public assembly meetings and exhibition venue in the State of Maryland. Daidakis oversees a full-time staff of more than 150 who welcome nearly 500,000 visitors to the Center each year.

“I am very proud of the service I have provided the residents of Baltimore and the hospitality industry,” Daidakis said. “I am appreciative of all the support I have received, and I am confident that I am leaving the Center in very capable hands.”

As for IAVM, Daidakis said, “I hope to stay involved in our industry in some way. I want to be available as a resource and mentor to young women, in particular, who may want to consider a career in venue management.”

In 2013, Daidakis was honored by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) as an inductee to the CIC Hall of Leaders, one of the highest honors in the hospitality industry. That same year, she also received the International Association of Venue Managers’ Convention Center Leader of the Year Award. The BCC serves as a model to facilities around the country and has been honored to receive numerous industry awards for excellence.

“On behalf of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Peggy Daidakis for nearly 50 years of service to the city of Baltimore,” said Chuck Tildon, Board Chair. “Peggy is a dear friend, a passionate supporter of our city and has been the driving force behind the Baltimore Convention Center since her appointment to Executive Director in 1986. She has led the convention center to new heights, including overseeing its expansion into the largest meeting space in the State and nurturing a team of professionals who will take up the mantle and continue to build on her success. As the first female leader of a national convention center, Peggy’s contributions to the hospitality industry extend far beyond the city of Baltimore. She will be missed but we wish her all the best on her next journey and thank her for her vision, leadership and passion through the past 49 years.”

Deputy Mayor Ted Carter will work with the Department of Human Resources to identify Daidakis’ successor.

Anagelica Gonzalez is Marketing & Communications Manager at the Baltimore Convention Center.