Mike McGee, CVE, attended his first IAAM (now IAVM) meeting at the age of 22 as AGM of the Monroe (La.) Civic Center. When he returned home he found out he was the new GM.

The connections he made while at IAAM in San Diego in 1971 became invaluable in his new role and in his future career. Among that initial group of professional and soon personal friends was Ray Ward, who he met at the 1972 convention.

That’s among the many reasons McGee is honored to be receiving the 2024 Ray Ward Award during Venue Management School (VMS) on June 8-14 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla.

McGee taught private and public management, contract negotiation, and merchandising at VMS for six years and was on the Board of Regents for five. At the time, he was CEO of the Houston Summit, where he launched several enterprises, including being founder and owner of Leisure Management International, one of the early providers of contract/private sector management to public assembly facilities. LMI was later bought by Spectacor Management Group.

Though he will not be teaching while at VMS this time, he’ll be on site all day Sunday, June 9, to visit with old friends and make new ones. His wealth of knowledge extends well beyond managing venues and founding companies, having worked for several allied members, including Clear Channel, Ticketmaster and Aramark.

McGee recalled he first learned about IAVM from Neal Gunn, who was manager of the Monroe building, when he came on board as marketing manager. “I wanted to go to IAAM because I wanted to meet people I had heard about, get to better know producers of ice shows, the circus, Disney on Parade, Globetrotters, and Longhorn Rodeo, who were very high profile there. I needed to get to know those people, because I kind of liked the business and thought I could do okay in it,” McGee said of his early days as a venue professional.

From Monroe, McGee moved to Lakeland (Fla.) Civic Center, because “Neal [Gunn] campaigned for me to be his assistant. People said, ‘you don’t want to go from manager to assistant manager,’ but I thought there was more opportunity, and I was right.”

Gunn soon moved to New Orleans to manage the Louisiana Superdome, and McGee became director of Lakeland Civic Center. In Lakeland, McGee wrote the specs on every piece of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) that went into the building. “I didn’t have the background to do that, had never done it, but I learned from the people at the IAAM trade show that sold stages and spotlights and food and beverage and drapery.”

Over the years, he has been involved in over $2 billion worth of construction of facilities [including but not limited to the first Miami Arena, Amerant Arena in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Marval Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney] and probably $500 million of FF&E. “You never stop growing. Learn what everybody else does and how it relates to the whole,” he recommends to anyone starting out in this business.

When McGee came to the Houston Summit, the operation was very siloed — Ticketing, operations, marketing all did their thing. He changed that because “we all depend on each other.” The Summit hosted 210 events a year, and he had a full-time staff of 30. There has to be crossover and collaboration.

LMI was the third company McGee formed while managing the Summit. The first was John Crow Television, which did point-to-point broadcasts for the Summit, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Kansas City Royals, and all Southwest Conference sports. “We built a 47-foot TV production truck initially, and we ended up with so much business I had seven of those running all over the U.S.”

John Crow Television, founded in 1980, made the Summit one of the first buildings to do in-house TV production simultaneous to producing the event. McGee recalled he only got into the business because the company that had been doing it, Mobil Color Inc., closed, and he didn’t want to lose that piece of business. “At the time, we had no fixed signage in the Summit; it was all electronically generated, so if we turned off the projectors for the screens, it didn’t look like there was any advertising in the building, so the building stayed clean. We had $750,000 worth of advertising generated in the building, and I needed that inventory, so I felt it was incumbent on us to go into that business if he was going out.”

“We built our own first truck for $1.3 million in 90 days and took it to the National Broadcasting Assn. show in California and got all kinds of awards. Two insurance companies and private investors said we needed to get in the truck-building business, but I said there aren’t a lot of people needing trucks, let’s stay focused.”

Century Sports was the second company McGee and associates founded. That firm promoted all of the Harlem Globetrotters dates in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, plus a few in Florida. When Vince McMahon decided to expand what was then World Wrestling Federation, Century Sports did the marketing and promotion in Texas. They also promoted Sesame Street and CCTV dates in Texas.

So, McGee was going to all these buildings to cut deals for events and closed circuit and saw another opportunity. “I felt we could operate venues better than the public sector could and save municipalities some money,” McGee said. There wasn’t a big private management push at the time, just a few like Denzil Skinner who had the New Orleans’ Superdome, San Francisco’s Moscone Center and Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Mostly, the other private building operations were one-offs.

The Summit partnered with the Houston Astrodome to propose private management to city-owned venues. “I would like to think I was one of the pioneers in that business,” McGee said. “All I did was take advantage of opportunities when I saw a need and figure out a way to make it work.”

Private management is a whole different dynamic today, but it behooves everyone in the business to remember its roots. “You’ve got to bring something to the party. How do you make things better. Back then, I could say, ‘last year you lost $700,000. I could operate this building for you and cut that deficit to $500,000.’ To me that’s showing a profit.”

When McGee taught public vs. private management at VMS, he would ask his students to put their pencils down and cross their arms. “Now some of you have your left arm over your right, some right over left. Which is right? That’s how private versus public works.”

There is no substitute for seeing the big picture. McGee has seen all sides worldwide. In addition to his venue management, TV, and promoting experience, he served as EVP of North American Business Operations for Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. and Chief Administrative Officer of Clear Channel Entertainment, which became Live Nation. Prior to joining Clear Channel, McGee served as SVP of Aramark, overseeing strategic initiatives and other business development areas for the Sports and Entertainment Services Division, which in addition to the domestic market also included Germany, Spain, England, and other western European countries.

It all started with a career in radio and entrée into venues as marketing director in Monroe. “I was a young man in a hurry,” he said of his career, probably not unlike most attendees at VMS 2024.

Today is the last day to register and receive the Early Bird discount for VenueConnect 2024!

IAVM’s 99^th VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show is fast-approaching! Are you ready?

Join us in Portland for four exciting days of learning from industry leaders and making valuable connections with other professionals and venue partners. Believe us, you will not want to miss this!

Need more information?
Please visit our website to learn more about VC24.

Save $200 with the Early Bird rate when you register TODAY!

Join us at VC24 in Portland, OR July 28^th to the 31^st.
Register today!

Planning to attend VenueConnect 2024? Register before Tuesday, May 28 to receive the Early Bird discount!

Not your typical conference, VenueConnect is the only industry conference that inspires industry leaders, provides targeted education, and brings attendees together to create relationships that last a lifetime.

What You Can Expect from VC24:

• Targeted Education
  Gain access to current trends and topics for industry professionals today from top industry leaders.
• Amazing Speakers
  Learn more about venue safety and security, sales and marketing trends, leadership, guest services, diversity and inclusion, and more! With speakers like Karina LeBlanc, Portland Thorns General Manager and President of Soccer Operations, prepare to be inspired!
• Connections for Life
  Make valuable professional connections, explore new and innovative ideas in the venue management industry, and learn from leaders in the field.
• Venue Partners and Suppliers
  Meet and greet more than 150 exhibitors and indulge in networking opportunities with venue industry professionals.
• Fun
  Enjoy venue tours, Foundation TopGolf, the DILC Celebration for a Cause receptions, and the Closing Night Party.

For more information on VC24, please visit our website.

Don’t miss your chance to save!

Join us to celebrate 100 years of IAVM at VC24 in Portland, OR July 28th to the 31st.
Register today!

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is proud to announce its Senior Director of Sales and Event Services, Elaine Williams, CMP, CEM-AP, will serve on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). IAEE is the largest association in the exhibitions and events industry, with its membership organizing and hosting more than 20,000 exhibitions worldwide.
 
Williams joins 16 other board members and nine ex-officio members comprised of international business executives, entrepreneurs, top event directors and the leaders of multiple associations.
 

Williams’ 25 years of experience at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center leads to governance role at International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

“Elaine’s appointment to the IAEE Board of Directors puts her talents right where they belong – alongside international events innovators and business leaders,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President and CEO. “This group defines the future of our industry and delivers thoughtful guidance to usher its members forward. Elaine’s experience of over 25 years in the Convention Center industry has prepared her to represent this international organization with the distinct leadership, operational and sales insight, and events expertise this post demands.”
 
“Elaine’s industry experience and knowledge is highly valued by the IAEE Board,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “Her longstanding commitment to enhancing our industry is admirable and we look forward to the contributions she will make as IAEE embraces the new technologies and practices currently transforming our industry.”
 
Williams began her career at the NOENMCC in 1996 as a sales manager for ARAMARK and joined the Convention Center’s sales team in 2007 as a national sales manager. Promoted to her current role as director of sales in 2013, Williams drives business growth, oversees revenue generation and ensures successful event experiences through every stage, from planning to execution.
 
Williams continuously seeks out opportunities to explore new aspects of the industry and advance her professional development, becoming a well-known and respected industry leader. She was awarded the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Events Industry Council in 2005, earned a Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM) in 2015, completed her CEM-AP (Advanced Professional) in 2021, and was nominated for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Supplier of the Year award in 2022. With her impressive background, Williams was asked to contribute to the 2018 book “Professional Sales and Selling, a Guide for the Hospitality Industry.”
 
As a member of IAEE’s Board of Directors, Williams will use her vast experience to help the association evaluate new technologies and practices that will guide positive change in the global meetings and events industry.
 
“As I humbly step into this new position, I look forward to embracing the opportunity to help shape experiences, ignite connections, drive positive change, and inspire innovation on a grand stage,” added Williams. “It is an honor to be part of something with such accomplished leaders and for a vital organization that is leading the way in shaping this industry.”
 
In addition to her newly elected position on IAEE’s Board of Directors, Williams also serves on the Board of Governors for the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Senior Executive Symposium.
Elaine Williams Appointed to IAEE Board

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2024. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Laura Althoff, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Sergio Anguiano, Cintermex Convention Center, Monterrey, Mexico
Felipe Araneda, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Charlie Avendano, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisa Barton, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
Sherry Beard, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Rachel Beatty, Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA), Lansing, MI
Chris Bell, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Marco Bernardo, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Jayme Bigger, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA
Matt Bonner, Navy Pier – OVG, Chicago, IL
Susy Borkhataria, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Michael Bowley, Brighton Homes Arena | Brisbane Lions AFC, Springfield Central, QLD, Australia
Benjamin Brown, El Dorado Festivals and Events, El Dorado, AR
Ashley Brusca, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Jason Buffer, Hawai’i Convention Center, Honolulu, HI
Julia Burden, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Trevor Cannon, Revel Media Group, Kaysville, UT
Dan Carr, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Andrew Castiblanco, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Jennifer Cherep, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Anthony Chin, ICC Sydney – ASM Global, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Chris Chopping, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jason Cianfrini, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Mark Collis, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Emily Coursey, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Marvin Curtis, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Josh Davies, Hutchinson Historic Fox Theatre, Hutchinson, KS
Anastasia Davis, Truist Park | Atlanta Braves, Atlanta, GA
Sharon Dayal, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Todd Dion, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Matt Dopp, Revel Media Group, Kaysville, UT
Albert Ennis, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Nate Erickson, Climate Pledge Arena – OVG, Seattle, WA
Morgan Evans, Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Dave Fili, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, NSW
Vivian Fleet, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Skye Flores, Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
William Fountain, Event Health Management, Dalkeith, WAu, Australia
Kassidy Fox, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Brian Fremeau, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Aaron Frucci, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Kelli Garcia, Portland Expo Center, Portland, OR
Synita Gates, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Jordan Gathers, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Melvin Gerald, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Mia Glavinas, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Randy Goering, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Jarrod Gravatt, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Larry Green, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta, GA
Shannon Hall, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Andrew Harvey, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Frank Havelka, Vix Vizion, Newport, NSW, Australia
Lance Heather, Convergint, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Garth Hemphill, Schuler Shook, Dallas, TX
Greg Houser, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club Inc., Kansas City, MO
Dalis Johnson, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Cheng Kian Khor, AiFi, Inc., Burlingame, CA
Seyhan Kilic, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Jeff Kiltie, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Brian Krajewski, OVG Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Dina Kurtovic, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA
Yiu Man Michael Law, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Christine Le, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Wing Sun Lee, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Stephanie Lester, Long Center for the Performing Arts, Lafayette, IN
Wai Ling Annie Leung, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Shing Kit Sanki Li, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Jamie Lipson, Austin FC, Austin, TX
Holden Lootsma, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON
Rebekah Love, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Garron Lucius, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Wai Man Ma, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Caroline McCann, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Nick McKenzie, Seaside Civic & Convention Center, Seaside, OR
Lauren McNutt, Navy Pier – OVG, Chicago, IL
Jim McWilliams, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON
Silvio Mendez, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Scott Miller, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hijaz Mohamed, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Dean Monaghan, Convergint, Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Caroline Morrison-Pegg, San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Meetra Moyer, University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Shawn Noble, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Erica Nowak, Erie Events, Erie, PA
Sheadon Ocker, The Evergreen State College, Portland, OR
Margaret Olson, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Tom Paci, Turner Construction Company, Dallas, TX
Richard Parison, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Naiya Parker, Navy Pier – OVG, Chicago, IL
Jack Perram, Convergint, Underwood, QLD, Australia
Thomas Peters, VenuWorks, Ames, IA
Barry Peterson, 33 Systems Inc., Tampa, FL
Justin Pounds, The City of Rogers AR, Rogers, AR
Larry Powers, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
David Procopio, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Julio Recinos, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Ashley Robertson, Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia
Nick Robertson, Convergint, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Matt Rosauer, Pine Street Group L.L.C., Seattle, WA
Amy Roush, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Anthony Scaglione, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Amber Schisler, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Kathryn Schroer, Montrose Pavilion Event Center & Montrose Rotary Amphitheater, Montrose, CO
Brett Schweitzer, Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, ND
Brian Scully, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Keith Seibel, Seaside Civic & Convention Center, Seaside, OR
Matt Selbie, Oberon3, Inc., Portland, OR
Brandi Shannon, Veteran Tickets Foundation, Tempe, AZ
Michelle Shaw, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Lori Shumpert, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Lisette Sierra, Cintermex Convention Center, Monterrey, Mexico
Chris Sisson, ON Site Audio Visual, Norcross, GA
Brad Smith, Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Portland, OR
Kyle Smith, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Mary Ellen Smith, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Anastasia Smith Davis, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Man Wai So, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Joe Spak, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Becky Lynn Street, Whitewater Amphitheater, New Braunfels, TX
Jennifer Sullivan, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jaki Sweeney, PPG Paints Arena – OVG, Pittsburgh, PA
Amanda Swiatek, Eco-Technology, LLC, Hodgkins, IL
Tate Tenorio, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
William Thompson, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Vatsla Trivedi, Convergint, Perth, WAu, Australia
Adam Tuttle, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Pablo Urquilla, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jordan Vassallo, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
Lindsey Wagner, Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, ND
Eugene Ward, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO
Kamisha Ward, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Mike Wendling, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Mike Wilcott, Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL
Jessica Willis, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Tim Wise, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Pui Suen Wong, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Pui Yiu Wong, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Morgan Wysong, St. Joe County Public Library, South Bend, IN
Lawrence Zalewski, Popejoy Hall – University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM