Chris Bundick has been named the Director of Financial Planning and Reporting for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the sixth largest convention center in the nation. Bundick will be responsible for providing strategic leadership in managing of financial planning, budgeting, analytics, and the comprehensive reporting process.

Bundick brings 24 years of experience in financial planning and reporting to his new role. He began his career as an auditor for the Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor in Monroe. He continued on his career path, sharpening his skills as the Controller for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he oversaw all of their financial accounting processes for its multi-million-dollar budget, financial audits, post office operations, investments, and more.

Most recently, Bundick served as the Vice President of Finance and Operations (CFO) of the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans. There, he managed a multi-million-dollar budget and emphasized a culture of unity and transparency. Bundick managed a team of more than 20 staff members with expertise in various fields from accounting to facilities operations to technology and beyond. As he did in his prior positions, Bundick was able to establish a culture and system of accountability that proved to be successful, leading his former organization through ten consecutive annual audits without any material weakness findings.

Bundick is a licensed minister with a Master of Divinity degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and enjoys sailing, golfing, serving at his church, and spending time with his family in his free time.

“As we look to continue on the path of delivering innovative events in a world-class destination, we are happy to welcome Chris to our Convention Center team,” said Alita Caparotta, Convention Center Vice President of Finance and Administration. “As an expert in financial planning, Chris will assist our organization in staying financially efficient and ensuring our financial goals are met as we continue to expand our offerings as a leader in our industry. Chris is a team-oriented, results-driven professional and we are happy to have him on our team.”

The IAVM Leadership Development Committee is seeking candidates who are well-versed in all areas of venue management, invested in their own professional growth and the growth of others, are dedicated to the advancement of the venue industry as a whole and have the demonstrated ability to lead the Association.

Click the links to access the application process and criteria. The timeframe to submit your application to Rosanne Duke, Director of Governance and Operations, begins October 17, 2022 and ends December 9, 2022.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have attained CVE designation and maintain the designation throughout the term of office;
• Must be a dues-paying (either Individual or Group Membership), Professional Member of IAVM and remain as such throughout the term of office;
• Must have previously served at least one full term on the IAVM Board of Directors;
• Must have served at least one full year as Chair of:
  • an IAVM Committee,
  • the Board of Regents,
  • the Board of Governors, or
  • the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees;
• Must have served on at least 3 of the following in any combination(each Committee service counts as one):
  • IAVM Committees,
  • Board of Regents,
  • Board of Governors, or
  • Board of Trustees;
• Must have been employed in one of the 2 top positions in a venue for at least 10 years;
• Must have completed at least 1 of the following IAVM school programs:
  • Venue Management School
  • Graduate Institute
  • Senior Executive Symposium
  • Academy for Venue Safety & Security
• Must have attended VenueConnect at least 3 times, and any combination of at least 3 other programs (from the list below) in the previous 6 years:
  • Additional years at VenueConnect;
  • Other IAVM educational programs; (GuestX, Operations Summit)
  • Sector Conferences (AMC, ICCC, PAMC, ISMC, UVMC)
  • Region Meetings
  • Chapter Meetings

The nomination process is Member-initiated. The website directs the interested members to review the criteria and utilize the online self-assessment tool to help determine their individual eligibility as a candidate for senior officer, and to ultimately submit an application form should they wish to be considered as a candidate.

Final reminder: The application and supporting documentation is due by December 9. 2022.

Nomination deadline for 2023 Charles A. McElravy Award, Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award, and Foundation Legacy Award is December 3, 2022.

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written and addressed to Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business December 3, 2022. Each award’s criteria process can be found below. If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke.

CHARLES A MCELRAVY AWARD:

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to a Professional, Honorary, or Retired member of IAVM who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of the Association or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been a Professional, Honorary, or Retired Member of the IAVM in good standing for at least fifteen (15) years total (though not necessarily consecutively).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership, but is not required to be retired. The following criteria must be met for a member to be eligible for consideration for Honorary Membership: 1) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) during the past 15 years; 2) Attendance at no fewer than 5 Region Meetings during the past 15 years; 3) Service as chair of at least three international or two Region committees during the past 15 years; 4) Service as: Director of IAVM or officer in a Region at least once during the member’s tenure with IAVM or b) Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting during the member’s tenure with IAVM or c) Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors during member’s tenure with IAVM.
3. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
4. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
5. No Chairman of the Board (or Past President) of IAVM is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).

JOSEPH J ANZIVINO DISTINGUISHED ALLIED AWARD:

The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Directors to an individual currently or previously employed by a firm which is or was an Allied member in good standing. The President and CEO will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Anzivino Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been an IAVM member for at least ten (10) years total, which need not be consecutive.
2. Any member may make a nomination, which must provide a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s exemplary service and contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
3. The nominee must have served IAVM by: 1) Attendance at no fewer than 6 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect); 2) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Region Meetings; 3) Being chair of at least 2 IAVM committees or sub-committees; 4) Being a member of IAVM Board of Directors, IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents or Board of Governors during the member’s tenure with IAVM; 5) Being a member of an IAVM program, campaign or task force/committee.
4. No Chair of the Allied Committee is eligible for consideration until the second Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
5. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
7. The award may be given posthumously.
8. Selection of recipients will be made by an 80% vote of the Board of Directors; Recommendations to the Board of Directors for nominees shall be made by the Allied Committee.

FOUNDATION LEGACY AWARD:

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the Association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No Chair of IAVM or Chair of the IAVM Foundation is eligible for consideration until the third VenueConnect following his/her term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
6. The award may be given posthumously.

By Stacie Bauer

In addition to the many new leadership announcements made in the past weeks, Ungerboeck Software is delighted to announce that industry icon Evelyn Ingram is back in the fold. Evelyn rejoins Ungerboeck this week in the role of Sales Director, Enterprise.

Evelyn is well known in the industry from her previous role of VP of Sales at EventBooking, prior to the merger with Ungerboeck in June 2021. She had been with EventBooking for 19 years, and over that time had built and maintained close relationships with many venue leaders and event managers in the industry.

Evelyn was recognized as a Women of Influence by VenuesNow magazine in 2018 and has served on several boards and committees at IAVM including the Membership Committee, Allied Committee, Board of Trustees, Leadership Development Committee, and Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Committee.

Mike Besecker, Chief Revenue Officer at Ungerboeck said, “We are thrilled to have Evelyn come back and rejoin our team. We’re changing the way we do business and the structure of our sales organization, and Evelyn will be a key driver of this new way we are operating. I am sure everyone in the industry that knows Evelyn will be as excited as we are to see her back at trade shows and conferences finding ways to help others do business better through smarter use of technology.”

Evelyn said, “Serving the industry is in my blood. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be rejoining Ungerboeck in this next phase of growth. With the tools we now have to offer the market, I am beyond excited to be able to show venue managers how we can help them realize greater efficiencies than ever before.”

Stacie Bauer is Event & Sponsorship Coordinator, Marketing, for Ungerboeck.

By Colum Coomey

The Hon. John Brumby AO, Chair of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, announced the appointment of Natalie O’Brien AM as Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

O’Brien joins the business in January 2023 and brings a wealth of leadership experience in the tourism and events industry. She is a former CEO of Food and Wine Victoria, producers of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

Most recently she has managed her own strategy consultancy while operating as a CEO for Wine Victoria, and previously interim CEO for Ballarat Regional Tourism, where she led the co-design of Visitor Economy Recovery Plans.

O’Brien was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list for significant service to tourism, food, and the community of Victoria.

As CEO of MCEC O’Brien will be responsible for the overall management, business plan delivery, and future strategic direction of MCEC and the operational planning for the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC).

O’Brien will step into the role following the departure of outgoing CEO, Peter King, who finishes with the business at the end of the year. This follows a remarkable 11 years in which King has made a lasting impact on not just MCEC, but to the wider visitor economy.

O’Brien joins MCEC at a crucial time as the organisation recovers from the impact of COVID-19 and builds for the future. The Centre has reopened to a strong demand for business in 2022 and her experience will play a key role in continuing to guide the business back to its pre-pandemic levels of success in the coming years.

“Recognised for her contributions to Victoria’s tourism and major events sector, Natalie brings exceptional leadership and experience to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, ensuring the organisation continues to draw the events and exhibitions that support businesses and create jobs,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport & Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.

“I thank Peter for his hard work and service across 11 years at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under his leadership the venue has played an essential role in drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Victoria.”

“We’re really pleased with Natalie’s appointment as CEO of MCEC,” added Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust Chair, the Hon. John Brumby AD. “We’ve been lucky to attract an executive with the experience and skillset to lead the organisation in the years ahead. She brings great insight and a tremendous track record of driving change and growth in organisations.

“Natalie will bring a wealth of senior experience to the role and will provide the vision and leadership MCEC needs as we continue to recover and grow in a challenging business events environment post-COVID.

“I’d like to congratulate Natalie on her appointment and look forward to working with her and MCEC’s senior management team on further developing our world class venue.

“Natalie was chosen after an extensive global recruitment and executive search process throughout Australia and internationally that produced an outstanding shortlist of candidates. The quality of the field is testament to the very high regard that the Centre is held in throughout the world.”

Speaking about her appointment to the role O’Brien said: “I’m excited to lead an already iconic Melbourne landmark into the next phase of growth as the organisation’s enormous impact and benefit continues to expand across Victoria.

“I can’t wait to work with the incredible team at MCEC, empowering them to continue to achieve their very best and contribute to the experience of all visitors to, and residents of, this vibrant and diverse state.

“I’m especially looking forward to building strong relationships with our customers, our people, the community we serve, and key government and industry stakeholders, while also fostering new partnerships and business outcomes in an increasingly competitive market.”

O’Brien will commence in her new role as CEO of MCEC from 9 January 2023.

Colum Coomey is Corporate Communications Manager for MCEC.