By R.V. Baugus

Andrias White Murdaugh, MBA, CMP, CSEP, CVP, owner and lead event producer for Andrias Events, a full-service convention, special event, and wedding firm, has been named in volunteer service as the Vice President, Strategic Events at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

The CBCF Vision stated on its website is to “envision a world in which all communities have an equal voice in public policy through leadership cultivation, economic empowerment, and civic engagement.”

The website lists the Mission “to advance the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public.”

Andrias began her professional career at George Mason University where she served as an Event Manager and later progressed to the Director of Logistics and Events for George Mason University’s Office of Admissions. There she lead the Events Team’s planning and execution of recruitment open houses, road shows, college fairs, and youth conferences.

After five years of service, Andrias left her full-time role at Mason to serve as Senior Event Manager for Events DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center where she managed high-security and high profile conventions, meetings, special events, and athletic events including Presidential Inaugural Balls, The World Gas Congress, The American Israel Public Affairs Policy Conference, and the Congressional Black Caucus’s Annual Legislative Conference. After moving back to her hometown in Richmond, Virginia, she served as the Senior Facility and Sales Manager for SMG Richmond at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, Virginia and lead the efforts for facility marketing, guest relations, and special events during the 2019 Washington Redskins Training Camp.

She is a 2018 graduate of IAVM’s Venue Management School and received her CVP that same year. She was also acknowledged in the 2018 30-Under-30 class.

Congratulations from all your friends in the IAVM world on this extraordinary honor!

By ISSA and R.V. Baugus

Now this is what we like to see. The latest update of all venue types around the world who have earned GBAC STAR accreditation includes a wealth of public assembly venues. IAVM congratulates these venues as well as those currently working hard to receive accreditation.

Facilities of all types and sizes are eligible to participate in the GBAC STAR accreditation program from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council. Accredited facilities follow the proper protocols for cleaning and disinfection, implement thorough training for chemicals, equipment, and procedures, and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

This week’s new GBAC STAR public assembly venue accreditations include:

Arenas and Stadiums

Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., home to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets
Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center in Arlington, Texas
Olympia Entertainment in Detroit
SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks
Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash.
Toyota Center in Houston, home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets
Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisc.

Convention Centers

Alliant Energy Center of Dane County in Madison, Wisc.
Greater Columbus Convention Center/ASM Global in Columbus, Ohio
Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Wash.
Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Va.
Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif.
RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, Calif.
Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC

Theatre or Performing Arts Center

Coliseo de Puerto Rico/ASM Global in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, N.C.

IAVM members seeking to apply for accreditation through GBAC, please use the link https://gbac.issa.com/iavm/!

By Stacie Bauer

Ungerboeck, The World’s Event Software, announced the hiring of Casey Jessmon as Chief Information Security Officer.

Jessmon joins Ungerboeck with more than 10 years of experience in operational information security and has a proven record of accomplishment in leadership roles prior to joining the team. Jessmon was the Business Information Security Officer at Equifax Workforce Solutions and he also served as the Director of Information Security Operations at Mastercard where he managed a global team responsible for building and protecting the Information Security Infrastructure. In addition, he also held various IT (Information Technology) and security roles at Nestle Purina and Boeing.

Jessmon’s focus at Ungerboeck will be continuing to foster and invest in a culture of security. He will be involved in evaluating and recommending the latest tools and technologies to ensure that Ungerboeck can be proactive and well prepared in the company’s approach with security. Ungerboeck’s global customer base is subject to various data security and privacy laws in their respective countries. In addition, customers want to use industry best practices to ensure that their customers’ data is secure. Jessmon will interface with customers to discuss these security processes, protocols and certifications. Plus, he will be involved in maintaining and growing industry security certifications like, PCI-DSS and TISAX and ISO27001.

“The events industry has been taking various measures to ensure physical security of attendees. Today, it’s equally important that we focus on data security and privacy. With the hiring of Casey Jessmon as our Chief Information and Security Officer, we are further bolstering our security team. Casey’s experience will allow us to build new tools, processes and learnings to ensure that our customers have peace of mind using the Ungerboeck cloud solution,” said Manish Chandak, President & Chief Executive Officer at Ungerboeck.

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

Casey Redish is an Event Manager with Spurs Sports & Entertainment at the AT&T Center where she specializes in managing the arena’s top concert events. Prior to finding her dream job in the Venue Management industry, Casey spent 4 years coordinating magical meetings and events for the Walt Disney Company at Walt Disney World. Casey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Event Management and Hospitality Management from The University of Central Florida

“I felt a wave of shock, excitement, and gratitude. I am passionate about this industry and what we get to do each day, so to be recognized for this honor is extremely gratifying.”

Join your Foundation in congratulating Casey on being honored as one of the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 and don’t forget to come back each Thursday as we spotlight another honoree!

By Mary-Michael Rodgers

Boise Centre has achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ facility accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, Boise Centre has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facility. As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations.

To achieve the accreditation, Boise Centre was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures.

“Our staff worked diligently for several months on the GBAC STAR application submittal process. We evaluated every aspect of our business to ensure we are operating in the safest possible manner for our employees, clients, and their attendees,” said Pat Rice, Boise Centre Executive Director. “The accreditation is a performance-based program that certifies Boise Centre is following strict protocols for health, sanitation, and safety. By taking this important step, we want to reassure meeting organizers that Boise Centre is committed to operating safely and we are prepared to welcome in-person events.”

In addition to the accreditation, Boise Centre has invested in the following cleaning and disinfection equipment and products:

•Thermal temperature monitoring cameras to scan employees and guests for temperatures
•Two electrostatic sprayers that utilize a positive charge to evenly coat disinfectant spray on surfaces
•Usage of a standalone ultraviolet (UV) disinfection machine and a UV wand to disinfect podiums, microphones, wireless remote controls, cell phones and tablets
•PreventX 24/7 a finish coating with on-going antimicrobial properties is applied to all high touch points throughout the venue every 30 days.

Mary-Michael Rodgers is Communications Manager for Boise Center in Boise, Idaho.