Amara Perez, Ph.D., is a Critical Race Spatial Educator, Researcher, and Strategist. For over 25 years, her work in and with communities of color in Portland has been informed by popular education, critical theories, and participatory action research.

In Amara’s interactive workshop at VC24, “Hidden in Plain Sight – How Buildings Uphold Racial Hierarchies,” participants will explore cultural dimensions of space and spatial dimensions of exclusion.

Read on for our Q&A with Amara.

Short Bio:
Amara is a long time social justice educator, community organizer, community-engaged researcher, and critical strategist. For over 25 years her work in and with communities of color in Portland has been informed by popular education, critical theories, and participatory action research. Drawing from critical pedagogy, critical race theory (CRT), and spatial theory, her research examines the role of planning, design, and built environments in maintaining structural oppression. She also studies how critical race spatial praxis can be used as a methodology for spatial justice within educational institutions and local communities. Her professional experience advancing equity strategies within educational settings combined with her community–based experience working for local social change, has enabled her to work with professional practitioners across sectors to bridge the theory/practice “divide.” In 2017 Amara partnered with Portland Community College to use CRT in facilities planning and design as a means to further the college’s strategic vision for equity and inclusion. Working closely with a cohort of students as co-researchers has resulted in institutional change at the college including the use of CRT as a central strategy for community engagement in a range of district-wide planning and construction projects.

What can VC24 attendees expect to learn at your keynote session?
Participants will learn an interdisciplinary perspective on buildings while also getting a chance to “read space” through a socio-cultural lens as a way to expose hidden messages communicated through built environments. 

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Trust the process

What’s the last book you read? 
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Please join us at VC24 for this session!

Hidden in Plain Sight – How Buildings Uphold Racial Hierarchies

• Tuesday, July 30
• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Visit venueconnect.iavm.org to register for VenueConnect 2024 today!

Voting opened Wednesday, June 26, 2024, and will remain so through July 19, 2024. The complete slate, including biographical information and photos, can be viewed on the IAVM website.  Our voting process has changed with the introduction of a new nomination/application process for sector directors.  The ballot you will see this year will only include the Second Vice Chair election, and if you identified as a allied, arena, or university sector you will find the election for Director – Allied, Director – Arenas, or Director – Universities.  At most, you will be voting for two incoming positions on the 2024 – 2025 Board of Directors.

As you know, each regions’ members elect their slate of officers (to include Region Director) and does not require a ballot for the entire IAVM membership’s approval.

All voting members should receive an email titled “2024-2025 IAVM Board of Directors Election-login information below”. The email contains a generated user name and password to use when logging in to submit votes.  If you haven’t received the email please contact Rosanne Duke.

As in the past, the ballot is available through Survey & Ballot Systems allowing complete confidentiality and security to our members.  The results of the voting will be posted following the closing of the ballot on July 23, 2024.

VenueConnect24 is offering something new for Rising Leaders – a 6-part series designed to educate, inspire, and empower our members to be better managers.

Amber Clayton, SHRM-SCP, Senior Director of the Knowledge Center Operations for SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), will present, “Duties as Assigned: Training for Newly Promoted Managers” – a discussion on managing peers, performance reviews, and disciplining staff.

Amber leads a team of HR experts who field an average of 60,000 HR-related inquiries from members annually. Frequently sought after as a speaker for webinars, conferences, and media interviews, she co-hosts a podcast called Honest HR. She is SHRM-certified with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, and holds specialty credentials in California law, inclusive workplace culture, and workplace investigations. Prior to joining SHRM in 2011, she had gained years of HR experience in healthcare and retail.

Read on for our Q&A with Clayton.

What can VC24 attendees expect to learn at your session?
During this session, you’ll learn how to build trust and communicate with your former peers. You’ll learn the main components of performance reviews, including setting goals and what you should and shouldn’t do. You’ll also learn how to handle policy violations and performance issues through disciplinary action.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Always assume positive intent. Or, you can only control what’s in your circle.

What’s the last book you read?
I couldn’t tell you. I’m not much of a book reader. I have a short attention span 😊. I usually read articles online.

Please join us at VC24 for this session!

Duties as Assigned: Training for Newly Promoted Managers

• Monday, July 29
• 11:00 AM -12:00 PM

VenueConnect24 is offering a 6-part series for Rising Leaders. The sessions are designed to educate, inspire, and empower our members to be better managers.

Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Vice President of MPI Academy, will join us for a 4-part Stakeholder Management Session block that will teach you to develop your own dynamic leadership strategy.

At MPI Academy, States leads and advances MPI’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s portfolio of education including live and digital events, knowledge experiences, professional certificate programs and educational partnerships. Jessie earned the 2018 Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council and the 2023 IACC Award of Excellence. She has also earned spots on the lists of 25 Most Influential People in Meetings and Events (Successful Meetings magazine) and Trendsetters (Meetings Today magazine).

Read on for our Q&A with States.

What can VC24 attendees expect to learn at your session?
In a world that’s constantly changing, leaders must be as dynamic as the environments they navigate. Our series at the IAVM VenueConnect annual conference is designed to transform attendees into such leaders – adaptable, decisive and empathetic. You’ll learn to harness the power of business emotional intelligence to not only read and react to diverse situations but also to influence and develop others effectively. You will emerge with a personalized dynamic leadership strategy, equipped with the tools to inspire, empower and lead with resilience. Embark on a journey that will redefine your approach to leadership and amplify your impact.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Criticism at work is not personal. It’s a compass. Feedback—positive and negative—is an opportunity for growth. Step back and view it objectively. It’s about the work, not your worth.

What’s the last book you read?
The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada

Please join us at VC24 for this series!

Stakeholder Management Series

• Module 1: Foundations of Leadership
  • Tuesday, July 30
  • 11:00 – 12:00 PM PT
• Module 2: Emotional Intelligence – The Leader’s Compass
  • Tuesday, July 30
  • 3:00 – 4:00 PM PT
• Module 3: Leading Others – Coaching and Management Dynamics
  • Wednesday, July 31
  • 3:00 – 4:00 PM PT
• Module 4: The Culmination – Crafting Your Dynamic Leadership Blueprint
  • Wednesday, July 31
  • 4:15 – 5:15 PM PT

Not yet registered? Visit venueconnect.iavm.org today!

We are thrilled to announce the Rising Leaders track at VenueConnect 2024! Specifically designed to empower the next generation of venue management professionals, the Rising Leaders education sessions are carefully curated to cover a range of topics including industry best practices and the latest trends shaping the future of our industry. You will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts, participate in dynamic discussions, and build valuable connections with peers.

Kicking off the track ahead of VC24 is Megan Henshall, CMP, DES, Global Events Strategy at Google, who met with IAVM’s Director of Education, Greg Wolfe, to discuss inclusivity for the neurodivergent workforce and the importance of understanding how to adapt to the needs of your peers.

Make the Invisible Visible

Neurodivergence encompasses a broad range of conditions, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy, and mental health disorders. 

In the US, it’s estimated that about 10% of adults are neurodivergent, and an estimated 25% of the global population is neurodivergent.

“There’s not a room that you’re in where there’s not someone who has a hidden disability of this type,” Megan said.

During the conversation, she emphasized the importance of making invisible disabilities visible to foster a more inclusive and accommodating workplace environment, highlighting the unique challenges faced by individuals with specific conditions.

Watch their interview here.

• Note: During the interview, Megan references this resource.

Keep an eye on the blog for more information on our 6-part Rising Leader track!