By Frank Bradshaw, Ph.D., CVE

An increasing number of companies, non-profits, and government organizations want (or may even be required) to engage and employ those who have specific certifications from recognized programs. We want to ensure that the Certification Programs of the IAVM say that its certifications offer proof that those individuals who obtain these certifications have achieved the highest standards of experience, education, and credentialing in the venue management field. We know that certification demonstrates your commitment to superior professionalism, upholding industry standards, and continued learning. These merits can help boost your professional credibility and prestige within the venue management industry as well as your networks.

The IAVM Certification Board wants to ensure that the Certified Venue Executive program continues to give those who earned the CVE designation recognition of competency, shows a commitment to the venue management profession, and help with job advancement. Toward that end, the Board is conducting an in-depth review of the CVE program, its competency standards, and the certification examination to make sure it reflects the changing dynamics of our industry.

This is where we need the assistance of the current CVEs. You are the subject matter experts. We want you to be a part of this review so that we can continue to hold the CVE as the “mark of excellence” in our industry.

CALLING ALL CVEs!

Your IAVM Certification Board is launching a project to update the knowledge, skills and attributes required of a Certified Venue Executive (CVE).

The Certification Board needs your help to identify, verify, and formalize the range of core competencies that must be demonstrated by venue executives. This project will include research using international occupational classification standards, documented venue management industry norms, and – most importantly in-depth consultation with experienced practitioners (our CVEs) who will serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

We would like your commitment to complete 6-8 short surveys over a period of approximately 8-12 months. You will receive a survey approximately every 4-6 weeks. Each should take you no more than 5-7 minutes to complete. You will receive 1 certification renewal point for each survey completed … but you must complete every survey in order to qualify for the reward.

More detailed information will be distributed shortly, inviting you to participate in this important project. Please answer the call!

Frank Bradshaw, Ph.D., CVE, is a Retired IAVM Member who serves on the IAVM Certification Board.

By BOA and TRG Arts

Social justice advocacy group Black Opera Alliance (BOA) and international arts management consultants TRG Arts have released the first Insight Report tracking progress U.S. opera companies are making toward the eight areas of needed transformation defined in BOA’s “Pledge for Racial Equity and Systemic Change in Opera.”

“Historically, the lack of industry-wide accountability has been a prime culprit in stalling substantive industry progress in the EDI space. This report shines a spotlight on how and where the sector is making gains,” said Dr. Derrell Acon, Project Director / BOA Leadership Council.

As of March 10, 2021, 44% of opera companies in the U.S. have signed the pledge. 33% are “In Progress” as they work toward signing. 19% have not responded and one company has declined to sign.

“The status ‘In Progress’ is a starting place. We have assistance, such as EDI specialists, available for organizations who are trying to figure out how to commit to The Pledge. We want opera companies to be successful in this work and we can help,” said Pamela Jones, BOA Leadership Council.

Dr. Acon added, “There are now many different versions of The Pledge. We understand that one document is not going to fit the needs of all opera companies. There is room for compromise as long as the spirit of The Pledge is upheld, and commitment is made to addressing the barriers that exist.”

This first report also highlights correlations between pledge signing status and percentages of Black populations within a community. The U.S. population is 12% Black. Opera companies in communities where Black populations are greater than 12% have been more likely to respond “Yes” to the pledge and have the greatest proportion of “No Response.” Opera companies in communities where Black populations are less than 12% have been more likely to have a response of “In Progress.”

“The benefit of the data is that it shows us the challenges unemotionally. It helps our community understand specifically where and how we can help. Additionally, it positions opera companies as participants in the structural change we are trying to see. It’s a clear and streamlined look at the ecosystem as it is right now,” said Garrett McQueen, BOA Leadership Council.

“This Insight Report demonstrates the powerful role data collection and analysis are playing in advancing the adoption of The Pledge,” said TRG Arts CEO Jill Robinson. “Using this systematic approach is helping to accelerate BOA’s mission for the opera sector at a time when its success is critical, and I’m excited to see future results and progress.”

To develop further insights, BOA will next be sending out a data collection workbook, created in conjunction with TRG Arts, to opera companies to help understand where they are with the items outlined in the pledge.

To download a copy of the Insight Report visit https://go.trgarts.com/boa-trg-insight-report-apr

Mulberry Marketing Communications and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, have won a platinum Hermes Creative Award for the launch and promotion of the council’s GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation program. The Hermes Creative Awards program is an international competition for creative professionals that is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

Mulberry and GBAC have been recognized within the Public Relations/Communications category. Over the course of the last year, Mulberry has helped GBAC position its accreditation program as the gold standard for prepared facilities.

“This campaign has exceeded our expectations and is a testament to the immense value that GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation offers facilities and their cleaning professionals,” said Mulberry CEO Matt Serra. “We would like to congratulate GBAC and GBAC STAR’s partners for their hard work in bringing cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention to the forefront when it is needed most.”

Launched in May 2020, GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation is designed for facilities of all types and sizes, and allows accredited facilities to display a seal to give customers and employees confidence that they know how to prepare for, respond to and recover from biorisks such as the novel coronavirus. Mulberry’s strategic counsel and media relations efforts helped GBAC STAR consistently secure trade, local and Tier 1 media coverage and helped shape conversations around cleanliness.

GBAC initially sought to have 2,000 facilities committed to the accreditation program in 2020. By the end of the year, more than 1,400 organizations had completed accreditation and over 2,900 more had committed to the process. Additionally, GBAC had formed more than 80 partnerships to support GBAC STAR adoption.

By ausleisure.com

ASM Global (Asia Pacific) Chairman and Chief Executive Harvey Lister announced that Rebecca Barry will take up the role of Director, People and Culture for ASM Global’s Asia Pacific operations.

Barry is widely known in the venue industry in Australia following a number of senior positions she has held across her career, including the establishment of ASM Global’s HR operations at Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium) ahead of the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Barry’s most recent challenge in her role as GM Organisational Development at ASM Global associate company, Venues Live has been the opening of Optus Stadium in Perth. Barry relocated to Perth for two years and led the establishment, training and supervision of a sizable permanent staff team and a substantial casual staff pool to handle the large crowds attracted to the major sports and entertainment events presented, with a high focus on customer – and staff – satisfaction. Upon her return to Sydney, Barry has had a continuing oversight of ANZ Stadium and Bankwest Stadium in western Sydney.

In between these engagements, she spent ten years as GM-HR for the RAS Sydney covering all of its activities at the Sydney Showgrounds at Sydney Olympic Park. This included the successful development of the Sydney Royal Easter Show Event Volunteer Program consisting of over 400 event customer service volunteers.

Barry has also worked for the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham in London, in the hospitality and publishing industries.

Her expertise spans recruitment, training, performance management, industrial relations, policy development and change management. Importantly she is a successful leader with extensive experience on the ground.

Lister noted “as ASM Global is experiencing a strong expansion in venue management projects around the Asia Pacific region, it is time to step up the support and leadership we provide in HR Management in our venues to ensure we have the best staff to deliver the high levels of customer service that we and our venues’ owners are looking for.

“I have no doubt in Becc taking us to the next level, given the breadth of her thinking and experience around workplace culture development in particular.”

Barry has a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds TAFE qualifications in workplace training, hospitality and marketing. She is an Accredited Venue Manager (VMA) and a Certified Professional with the Australian Institute of Human Resources.

Barry will work from ASM Global’s Sydney offices at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2021. 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 http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

Megan Anderson, Hub 757, Suffolk, VA

Pierre Angell, Dvox.live, Montreal, QC, Canada

Josh Arensberg, Verizon Business Group, New York, NY

Lydia Audette, Titan Health & Security Technologies, Inc., Newport Beach, CA

Allison Bair, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Aaron Bare, Etix, Morrisville, NC

Constance Brooks, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Lawrence Brown, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV

Adam Cheek, Newnan Centre, Newnan, GA

Logan Cunningham, US Testing Equipment, Ltd., Vancouver, WA

Jessica DeLeon, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Erica Frock, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Michael Fullen, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH

Rachel Galatowitsch, TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Jason Gay, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, Columbus, OH

Tim Goodridge, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Daniel Grummer, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

William Hackett, Johnson & Wales University – Rhode Island, Providence, RI

Jeff Hahn, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Mary Harris, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Selena Hernandez, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Marisa Huffman, Boise Centre, Boise, ID

Carolyn Jackson, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA

William Johnson, Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Elyse Jones, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV

Lauren Keck, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Stephen Klem, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Tiffany Lau, National Basketball Association, New York, NY

Phil Lyrek, TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Nick Mauer, Musco Sports Lighting, Oskaloosa, IA

Ellie Maurer, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA

Adam McCoy, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Catherine Messina, Missouri State University, Ballwin, MO

Patricia Moreno, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Tori Nagle, USC Thornton School of Music, Los Angeles, CA

Eric Neuburger, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Heather Pio Roda, USC Thornton School of Music, Los Angeles, CA

Sophia Popovits, Primary Wave, New York, NY

Michelle Prosser, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ

Todd Pryor, Etix, Morrisville, NC

Michael Pyles, Boise Centre, Boise, ID

Danniel Recinos, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV

Amanda Reeves, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Autumn Reeves, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Cody Reitz, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Karenna Reyna, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Dennis Scanlon, Etix, Morrisville, NC

Randy Shingleton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Cordell Smith, TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Mandie Sullivan, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Scott Trisler, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA

Susie Walker-Atchison, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX

Steve Walter, Verizon Business Group, New York, NY

Holly Williams, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA

Tim Wolmbolt, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Kevin Womack, Arup, New York, NY