Karina LeBlanc with her daughter Paris.

Many people talk about finding a “why” or a “purpose” in life. Sad to say, these premises quite often turn out to be nothing more than a motivational rah-rah speech by one who has indeed found his or her why and purpose and questions why others have not. 

Karina LeBlanc kicked off VenueConnect 2024 with a keynote that was heavy on both a why and a purpose. It was a passionate keynote delivered in a most sincere way that went above and beyond merely telling a huge contingent in the Portland Ballroom what they simply needed to do to find joy, purpose, and meaning in life.

LeBlanc, an Olympic bronze medalist in women’s soccer for Canada in 2012, indeed took the next steps in life following Olympic glory to discover her own meaning and purpose, a journey that included a near-death health experience shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Paris. Today, with four-year-old Paris at the end of the keynote joining mom on the stage, the LeBlanc family truly is one making an impact, something she acknowledged that venue managers have the opportunity to do within their own buildings and communities.

After retiring as a player in 2015, LeBlanc was named a UNICEF Ambassador, a FIFA Legend, and founded the Karina LeBlanc Foundation, a charity that empowers young women to find their inner greatness and purpose.

Now, LeBlanc serves as general manager of the Portland Thorns and is also president of Thorns Operation after helping the team win the NWSL championship in her first full season in 2022.

She asked the crowd to share with the person next to them their own vulnerabilities, something that is difficult for many people to discuss. This piece of audience participation came at the end of her keynote. It could be understood if no one wanted to then share with the audience the vulnerability they discussed with the person next to them, but perhaps surprisingly many people volunteered to share their vulnerability.

Call it therapeutic or any other word, but the desired effect resulted in open dialogue. Confession, they say, is good for the soul. Thanks to her own experiences, LeBlanc resonated with everyone about the hurts that strike us all in life.

The keynote was a qualified winner. Or, as they say in soccer, GOOOOOOOOOOAL!

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in June 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.

Tania Abarca, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Doris Albarran, Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, CA
Josh Ambrose, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Chad Ballard, Feld Entertainment Inc., Palmetto, FL
Diane Baumann, San Mateo County Event Center and Fair, San Mateo, CA
Andrea Bell, Levy Restaurants, Atlanta, GA
Jody Belsick, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Portland, OR
Beau Bisson, Fox Tucson Theatre, Tucson, AZ
Hussam Bougary, Events Investment Fund – Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ben Brunner, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Bailey Bryant, Broadway Dallas, Dallas, TX
Alexis Buhrman, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Tim Calandro, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Rommel Casey, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Arlene Chan, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Caitlin Chase, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Stevie Chumley, Levy Restaurants, Atlanta, GA
Megan Cikara, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Shalyn Clark, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Destinee Clayton, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Phil Cleaveland, Mortenson, Portland, OR
Jose Contreras Cardenas, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Lela Davidson, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
James Doss, Irondale Civic Center, Irondale, AL
Annie Drinnan, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
Mason Erban, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Robert Eubanks, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Houston, TX
Cara Ewington, Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Antonio Faustino, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Constance Ficklen, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Robert Flournoy, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Ashley Gabriel, Novatech Creative Event Technology, Underdale, SA, Australia
Katy Gaertner, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Patty Gallivan, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Claudia Gatewood, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL
Ashley Gennaro, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Drew Gomes, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA
Todd Goode, Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Hattiesburg, MS
Kevin Grove, PPG Paints Arena – OVG, Pittsburgh, PA
Charles Hamilton, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jenna Hayward, StoneHurst at Hampton Valley, Hampton, CT
TJ Hesch, Erie Events, Erie, PA
Jordan Hill, Mabee Center/Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
Alys Holden, Keene Consulting, New York, NY
Markeisha Jackson, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Dustin Johnson, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Jami Jones, DiscoShow at The LINQ, Las Vegas, NV
Matt Karr, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Bobbie Katuin, REAL District, Regina, SK
Lauren Laurent, Levy Restaurants, Columbus, OH
Mackenzie Leeser, Pensacola Bay Center – ASM Global, Pensacola, FL
Korie Leitch, Gema Group, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Tyrone Lyons, McCormick Place – OVG, Chicago, IL
Annie Ma, Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Brent Maertz, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Jay Markham, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, WA
Richard Marnell, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Amanda Marrone, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Vonessa Martin, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton, OR
Andrew McCoy, The University of Alabama, Orlando, FL
DeShaun McDonald, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Cameo McDuffie, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI
Kevin McGlone, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Brian McHugh, Independence Memorial Hall, Independence, KS
Mamo Midegdu, Scandinavian Building Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Miguel Molinero, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Vincent Nadeau, Centre de glaces Intact Assurance, Quebec, QC, Canada
Sean Nash, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Megan Newton, Ford Center, Evansville, IN
Tony Nichol, Arup, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Samantha Nielsen, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL
Nicki Nigro, Tampa Sports Authority, Tampa, FL
Andrew O’Bryan, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Mitzy Ocasio-Garcia, Levy Restaurants, Atlanta, GA
Steve Olech, MyVenue, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Michael Orlotti, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Christian Perez, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Kristen Pierce, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ
Jack Piland, Addison Conference & Theatre Centre, Addison, TX
Jeanne Pluemer, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Hailey Preast, Tampa Sports Authority, Tampa, FL
Gordon Purchase, UBC Alumni Association, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Riley Rama, Linfield University, McMinnville, OR
James Randall, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX
Katie Reif, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle, WA
Lauren Rice, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Susan Richardson, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Ryan Richer, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Kylie Riches, Eat From Your Seat, Seaforth, NSW, Australia
Shruti Roy, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Mike Ryan, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Chuy Sanchez, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Katrina Sanchez, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Blake Scofield, Australian Turf Club, Randwick, NSW
Tyler Seitz, WinSport, Calgary, AB, Canada
Brian Sekinger, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Max Shafer, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Humberto Silva, Austin Convention Center Department, Manchaca, TX
Blake Skidmore, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL
Ethan Somberg, Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Rachel Sosnowski, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Shane Stoddard, Sports & Entertainment 131 Pty Ltd, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
John Sullivan, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Adam Summerville, Ground Control Global, Melbourne, VIC
Greg Swafford, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., Dallas, TX
Darrell Thomas, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Donna Thornton, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Rory Toemoe, Liively, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tina Travers, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX
Michael Tremblay, OVG Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Christine Tse, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kelly Tucker, WesBanco Arena and Capitol Theatre, Wheeling, WV
Norman Upton, Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Hattiesburg, MS
Angie Vandevelde, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Logan VanSickle, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Loreto Verdugo, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Jill Wagar, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Jeremy Ward, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Sarah Ward, Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Brian Warren, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Zach Weaver, Hot Springs Convention Center & Bank OZK Arena, Hot Springs, AR
Legend Whiteside, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Amanda Yruegas, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Noah Zeigler, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

The IAVM Foundation will be hosting a silent auction at VenueConnect 2024, July 28-31, in Portland, OR, to raise additional dollars to fund programs that provide professional development opportunities to our members. The auction will take place online as part of the Exhibit Hall and Trade Show.

What can you donate to the IAVM Foundation Silent Auction?
We have a few donated items, but we need more. Anything from tickets to bowl games, concerts, or events – to autographed memorabilia, hotel packages, or gift cards would all be awesome additions. Donations may be personal or from your organization/company.

How do I donate?
We have made it easy for you to donate! Please complete the Silent Auction Item Donation Form by Tuesday, July 23.

Remember, it is for a worthy cause – the effort to strengthen our industry and the professionals that are employed in public venues across the globe. Your organization will receive recognition on the donated item’s description page of the online auction.

Thank you in advance for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at VenueConnect 2024 in just a few weeks!

In today’s dynamic environment, ensuring the safety and security of venues has never been more critical. From concerts and sporting events to conferences and trade shows, the diverse array of events requires venue managers to be well-versed in the latest safety protocols and security measures. The goal is to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees while mitigating risks and responding effectively to any incidents that may arise.

VenueConnect 2024 is committed to providing education and resources for venue managers at every stage of their career. Whether you are a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned professional, our Safety & Security sessions are designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your role.

• Severe Weather Workshop – Sunday, July 28, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Take the Weather With You! Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Venue Operations and Design – Monday, July 29, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Initial Guidance to Cybersecurity – Monday, July 29, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• PAC: Crisis Communication Strategies – Tuesday, July 30, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Mental Health: Tools and Resources for Venue Managers – Wednesday, July 31, 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
• Enhancing Venue Security: Insights from CISA/DHS Experts – Wednesday, July 31, 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

VenueConnect 2024 promises to be an invaluable opportunity for venue managers to enhance their safety and security knowledge. At VC24, you will not only stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies but also network with peers and industry leaders. Together, we can ensure that our venues remain safe, secure, and welcoming spaces for all.

Don’t miss this opportunity to take your safety and security knowledge to the next level. Register today for VenueConnect 2024!

Sunny Wescott, Chief Meteorologist, Infrastructure Security Division (ISD), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Emery Leonard, Principal at TVS, will be presenting “Take the Weather With You! Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Venue Operations and Design” at VenueConnect24.

This session will combine Emery’s 30 years of architectural experience with Sunny’s expertise in national extreme weather hazards to discuss ways in which outdoor venue design and operations are being impacted by the ramifications of rapid climate change.

Read on for our Q&A with both Emery and Sunny.

Emery Leonard

Short bio:
With 30 years of experience leading complex projects at every scale, Emery Leonard’s multi-market breadth of work spans cultural arts, public assembly, mixed use, office, retail and interiors. He is deeply interested in the economics of the businesses he designs for. From major cultural attractions like museums and aquariums, to bustling convention centers and corporate headquarters, Emery is invested in what makes these buildings successful. Driven by good urban design, Emery is fascinated by the very big and the very small alike. He understands that each project, regardless of size, is significant and that placemaking is central to the liveability and vibrancy of the world’s cities.

Emery’s work has both a significant national and international footprint, with long stints working out of the TVS New York and Shanghai offices. Emery recently led the expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York with the highest fidelity to the original design and vision of the building, and is project manager of the upcoming Longgang International Arts Center in Shenzen China, seeing the project through from planning to completion. Other notable projects under his purview include Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame, the Nanjing International Exhibition Center in China, and multiple outdoor amphitheaters including the recently opened 10,000 seat Atrium Health Amphitheater in Macon, Georgia.

Emery is a registered architect in Georgia, and is an active member of the International Association of Venue Managers.

What can VC24 attendees expect to learn at this panel?
How building design can respond to climate change and changing operational requirements due to climate – especially for outdoor venues.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Best advice I once heard is that advice is a form of nostalgia.

What’s the last book you read?
I read YouTube almost every night.

Sunny Wescott

Short bio:
CISA’s Chief Meteorologist, Sunny Wescott, is a Federal Emergency Response Official specializing in national extreme weather hazards and climatological studies for impacts to public and private sector key resources. During her time in the US Air Force as a Lead Meteorologist, Ms. Wescott trained on continental and oceanic weather as the Top Forecaster for her support region and is considered a subject matter expert for multiple climatological events such as drought, subsidence, wildfires, tropical cyclones, and winter storms. Ms. Wescott also graduated top of her class for her degrees in Homeland Security Management, Public Safety Administration, and Atmospheric Sciences with her current role in the Assistant Chief of Staff office performing Extreme Weather Outreach by providing focused reports for regions and critical infrastructure operators before, during, and after disasters.

What can VC24 attendees expect to learn at this panel?
– Trends in lightning, heat, flooding, hail occurrence and density, and damaging wind events amplified by local topography against building materials and structural design for best practice preparations and planning.

– How to track supercell threats ahead of events for prepositioning of resources and attendee messages and preparation needs.

– Seasonal threats and location selection, planning for different weather in the coming decades and anticipating supply chain struggles.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
In bootcamp, I had a chaplain notice I was struggling with developing a particular skill and he stopped his task to ask, “How long is bootcamp?” I replied that it was about two months, and he asked how long we spend learning this skill – to which I replied that it was over about a week. He pointed out that in the moment of struggle, it was just one week of my life so far, and that when I finally move past it, I will have decades ahead of me. 

The moment may feel big, but in truth it is just a fraction of the various aspects of life and to always take the time to pull back and look at the whole of my life against the hard moments to see how far I have made it, even past other hard periods.

What’s the last book you read?
The last book I finished was Physics for Future Presidents [by Richard A. Muller], and the book I am currently reading is The Devil Never Sleeps [by Juliette Kayyem] (a book on living through disasters). My next book to read was a gift, The Royal Art of Poison [by Eleanor Herman].

Please join us at VC24 for this session!

Take the Weather With You! Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Venue Operations and Design

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

There’s still time to register for VenueConnect 2024! Visit venueconnect.iavm.org today.