By R.V. Baugus and PCMA

Music City Center President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks, President and CEO of the Music City Center in Nashville, has been named Chairman of the Board for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

With 8,400 professional and student members, as well as 100,000 business stakeholders worldwide, PCMA is the global leader in business events. In 2022, the organization will combine its Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees into a single board of 19 members. Nominations were announced in September, with full membership approval recently announced.

“I’m honored to serve as PCMA Chairman of the Board,” Starks said. “I’m excited to lead the organization in this next chapter alongside the most global and diverse board in its rich history.”

Starks has successfully led Music City Center since its inception. He is only the third convention center executive to chair the PCMA board in its 65-year history. He previously served in other capacities on the Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees. He currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer.

“I believe PCMA is critical to the success of the business events industry, and the value of the relationships and connections made through the organization is immeasurable,” Starks added. “To be asked to serve in this capacity is a tremendous privilege and an opportunity to give back to the industry that has given me so much.”

Starks will serve a one-year term as Chairman of the Board, effective January 12, 2022, followed by a one-year term as Past Chair. He will continue his role as President and CEO of Music City Center during that time.

PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) announced he has received the 2022 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate from Nominating Committee co-chairs Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Immediate Past Chairman, PCMA Board of Directors and Valerie Sumner, Immediate Past Chairwoman, PCMA Foundation Board of Trustees.

For the first time in PCMA’s history, the Board will consist of a new governing body that encompasses Directors and Trustees for PCMA and the PCMA Foundation, respectively – a change that will empower PCMA to be agile, responsive, and innovative at a time that calls for bold leadership and diverse solutions for PCMA’s global audiences.

“Leadership at PCMA is about serving our members and the greater global business events industry as it re-emerges to the new realities of a post-pandemic world,” said PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “It is defined by our values – particularly around PCMA’s stated commitments to equity, inclusion and diversity. It is not defined by job titles or tenure, but by a demonstrated ability to make a difference for others when it is needed the most.”

Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders annual meeting January 9-12 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

By R.V. Baugus and Asian Leisure Business

Geoff Donaghy, long-time IAVM member, ASM Global’s Group Director of Convention Centers for the Asia Pacific region, and CEO of the Sydney International Convention Centre, has been inducted into the United States-based Event Industry Council’s (EIC) prestigious Hall of Leaders.

The induction by the global industry association which champions event professionals and event industry

excellence, recognizes Donaghy’s lifetime achievements as a business events industry leader.

Noting that Donaghy’s achievement was testament to the prevailing hard work, passion and enthusiasm of an exceptionally accomplished leader, Harvey Lister AM, Chairman and Chief Executive of ASM Global Asia Pacific, stated “Geoff’s career achievements span decades and include championing the development of several major venues in Australia for ASM Global such as the Cairns Convention Centre, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and International Convention Centre Sydney.

“Geoff was also heavily involved in the company’s securing of the convention centre partnership in Los Angeles and Hawaii, today part of the ASM Global portfolio of 330+ venues across five continents.

“He has long been a strong advocate for business events specifically, uplifting their importance globally, but never before has his leadership of the sector been more pronounced than recently during one of the most challenging periods in our sector’s history.”

Donaghy’s leadership roles across national and international industry associations include serving two terms as President of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), as a longstanding member of the executive committee of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), and as both a board member and Deputy Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA). He has been a strong advocate for ensuring the return of business events venues in Australia remained at the front of the queue for support and reopening roadmaps.

In thanks for Donaghy’s industry commitment and roles with AIPC and JMIC, AIPC President, Greg O’Dell spearheaded the submission for the lifetime achievement award to acknowledge Donaghy’s length and depth of service in the business events sector.

“Geoff is a true events industry aficionado, always generously sharing his wealth of knowledge to elevate the industry in which he works and where his passion lies,” O’Dell said. “He has been instrumental in elevating the events industry globally and nationally.”

The acclaimed EIC program recognizes outstanding industry leaders. Members of the Hall of Leaders are measured against four criterion including those whose contributions helped shape the industry and whose work continues to advance it, leaders whose work has affected the entire industry, leaders who have demonstrated distinguished achievements of lasting value, and those who have contributed to charitable efforts, their communities and the welfare of others.

The EIC Hall of Leaders gala celebration took place on November 7 in Las Vegas.

Image: ASM Global

By R.V. Baugus and Mark Mettes, Jr.

The Herberger Theater, alongside more than 15 Arizona arts organizations, will honor the life of Judd Herberger with a dimming of the theater lights at 7:15 pm on Friday, November 5. Judd Herberger, longtime arts philanthropist and beloved member of the community, passed away on October 27, 2021.

The tradition of dimming the lights pays tribute to the life of celebrated artists who have passed away. For a few moments, the marquees and facades of theatres dim to symbolize a light going out in the community.

“Most of our staff and volunteers met Judd or knew him well since Judd and his wife Billie Jo spent countless weekends here at the theater enjoying performances and events,” said Mark Mettes, CVE, President and CEO of Herberger Theater Center. “They often said that our Festival of the Arts and Wolf Trap programs were among their favorites.

“Recently, a few of us were fortunate to have visited with Judd and Billie Jo in their home. As I think about that priceless visit, I’m reminded of the lyrics to a song I heard recently, “If I only knew the last time would be the last time.”

“Judd’s passion for the performing arts and love for the theater was put on display each and every day. He was determined to fulfill the vision his parents, Bob and Kax Herberger, had for the arts community in Arizona. Each time he met with theater leadership to discuss current successes, emotion would overcome him knowing that the Herberger Theater, in its present state, would have made his parents proud.”

The arts community from across the valley will honor Judd’s legacy in this collective effort to commemorate Judd’s life and pay homage to the Herberger family. These organizations include Herberger Theater Center, Arizona Theatre Company, Childsplay, iTheatre Collaborative, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Ballet Arizona, Chandler Center for the Arts, Phoenix Theatre Company, Valley Youth Theatre, Theater Works, Southwest Shakespeare, Symphony Hall, Orpheum Theatre, ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and Scottsdale Arts Canal Convergence.

While the true reach of Judd Herberger and the Herberger family’s support is incalculable, it is well known across the arts community that their support has made a difference in the success of many organizations and touched the lives of countless people who have had the ability to experience the arts as a direct result of their efforts. Without Billie Jo and Judd Herberger and the Herberger family’s commitment to creating and maintaining the first major theatres and arts organizations in Arizona, the arts community would not be what it has become today.

Billie Jo and Judd Herberger were often nominated as honorary chairs of major arts and philanthropic events. In October of 2019, Billie Jo and Judd were inducted into the Herberger Performing and Broadcast Arts Hall of Fame for their commitment to the arts. The couple joined Judd’s parents, Bob and Kax Herberger, who were inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

The Herberger Theater extends its deepest condolences to the family of Judd Herberger and invites organizations to join in solidarity as it dims the lights on Friday evening.

Mark Mettes Jr. is Marketing Manager for Herberger Theater Center.

Photo by Herberger Theater Center

By R.V. Baugus and Smart Meetings

IAVM is pleased to announce that our very own Director of Safety & Security Mark Herrera was honored recently in receiving a Catalyst Momentum Award from Smart Meetings.

“I received this award but I’ll always call it a team effort,” Herrera said. “It was a means of highlighting our (IAVM) programs.”

The Catalyst Award is the premier recognition of organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that drive representation and inclusion for women.

The global Catalyst Award attracts organizations from around the world. Every year, Catalyst identifies and receives applications from companies of all sizes, regions, and industries whose groundbreaking initiatives to advance women and other underrepresented groups make them eligible for the Award.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a strategic imperative for organizational success. That is a proven fact. How you get there… that’s the real story.

We are pleased to share with you below just how Herrera “got there” in the write-up from Smart Meetings in honoring a true ambassador for the public assembly venue industry and champion for all. Your staff colleagues and the entire industry salute you for this meritorious award!

Editor’s Note: Herrera chairs a committee that brought all facets of the industry together regularly throughout the pandemic to share safety updates and learn best practices from each other.

Boards: Chair, Department of Homeland Security Public Assembly Facilities Sub-Sector Council

Motivation: Accept challenges head-on, learn to let go, move forward.

Approach to supercharging experiences: Creating better experiences within the venue industry inclusive of all facilities is more important now than ever before. It is knowing that the world challenged by a health pandemic requires empathizing with people to assure we focus on what they desire most: guest experience and customer service.

To provide better guest experiences, we must understand guest DNA today and continue benchmarking the industry through our guest X committees, guest-service town halls, and by surveying the industry.

The goal is to create exceptional, safe and extraordinary guest experiences by training frontline teams through skills-based workshops and networking sessions that create the levels of competency needed to positively impact the overall guest experience. We will lead the charge by creating innovative strategies and education through a conference known as GuestX.

Moment of enlightenment: Life is challenging, and I have been practicing my level of awareness and understanding of people’s states of mind through my own personal challenges. I have learned the most powerful ways to guide, teach, and inspire people but also to establish connections among people—as well as between people and their ideas that help unite humanity.

Often, I have seen teams create obstacles that get in the way of teamwork by focusing solely on their own pursuits and goals rather than selflessly devoting their time to ensure others have the tools to succeed. My arduous work came together when I found success in helping others achieve their goals and satisfaction is in knowing I was an integral part of their development.

Next advance pursuing: I want to help others build elite teams within their organizations focusing on developing diverse cultures surrounding themselves around safety, security and health awareness. To develop the most important assets: front-line teams and young professionals to be the leaders of tomorrow. Training them to forecast and expect those unexpected challenges in the future with the tools to mitigate the risks our world delivers daily. It is shaping the minds and souls of others, teaching them to never give up and to tap into all available resources to shape their lives and their respective organizations.

by Nat Grubbs

Kevan Kirkpatrick is the new Executive Director of the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center in Tupelo. He brings 18 years of experience in the venue management industry to the area’s premier regional event center.

“The Tupelo Coliseum Commission conducted a national search that garnered interest from all over the country. Kevan has served three terms as interim director of the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center. He knows our venue and understands what it takes to run a successful regional event center,” said Nat Grubbs, Tupelo Coliseum Commission Chairman. “We are grateful for his leadership over the years and are
thankful for the continuity that he will bring to the arena from day one.”

Kirkpatrick began his career with the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center in 2003, previously serving as both Assistant Executive Director and Director of Marketing. He was instrumental in securing the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant for the facility during the pandemic, providing much needed capital at a time when events were cancelled.

“Kevan’s long term commitment to Tupelo and the venue management industry is exemplary,” said Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan. “We look forward to the continued success of the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center under his leadership as he works to create exciting events for citizens and visitors to Tupelo.”

Opened in 1993, the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center is a 10,000-seat multipurpose arena and conference center located in the heart of Downtown Tupelo. A $15.2 million expansion was completed in 2021, doubling the meeting space and renovating existing spaces at both the arena and conference center.

“I’m excited to continue to serve the city of Tupelo and North Mississippi in bringing top entertainment acts and providing world class conference facilities,” said Kevan Kirkpatrick. “Our staff has set high expectations for ourselves as we move into the next chapter of the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center.”