Media Contacts: Kau’ilani Robinson & Addie Davis

Due to the advocacy of the Washington Meeting and Convention Coalition (WMCC), Washington Governor Jay Inslee has modified the state’s Phase 2 and Phase 3 restrictions around business meetings, professional development training and testing, and similar activities, effective as of September 21. According to the new guidance, the Governor’s Safe Start reopening plan will permit meetings and business events to be held at an indoor capacity of 30% or 200 guests,
whichever is less (excluding venue staff).

Adherence to strict COVID-19 protocols must be followed, including implementation of social distancing requirements for staff, attendees, and onsite vendors or contractors, and all attendees will be required to wear masks within each facility. Venues must also achieve the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR accreditation or follow compliance with a comparable program. Recognized as the gold standard of safe venues, GBAC STAR provides third-party validation to ensure the implementation of rigorous protocols in response to biorisk situations.

On July 7, the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) announced its commitment to achieve the GBAC STAR accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery.

The WSCC has also released a Safety First Overview, which outlines the guidelines, precautionary measures, and requirements to be followed by everyone who enters the building.

These guidelines include the use of EPA-approved disinfecting products and electrostatic sprayers, increased food safety measures, and access to the building limited to event attendees only. Along with safety guidelines, the convention center has also developed a virtual event studio which will allow meeting planners to broadcast virtual or hybrid (both in-person and virtual) meetings to attendees. The studio, which features first-class projection, lighting and a
pre-installed audio/video control system, is an essential addition for the interim reality of inperson meetings.

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to welcome back small groups to the building during Phase 2,” said Jeff Blosser, Washington State Convention Center President & CEO. “The convention center has bolstered its already stringent cleaning protocol to provide an even safer, but still comfortable, environment for event-goers. We look forward to collaborating with clients to mitigate known risk factors for in-person events so they and their attendees can focus on program content.”

Visit Seattle also recently launched the “All Clear King County” Safety Pledge – an initiative to encourage strict safety protocols and a means to promote those businesses implementing them. Visit Seattle is also asking that visitors to King County make a similar commitment by respecting safety measures in place – mask wearing, physical distancing, handwashing, etc. This comes in advance of an extensive marketing campaign made possible by the King County Council’s allocation of $8 million in CARES funding for tourism recovery. The campaign will launch October 1.

“We are grateful to Governor Inslee and state officials for recognizing the critical role of meetings and business events during this time,” said Tom Norwalk, Visit Seattle President and CEO. “This is a positive step forward and we hope it will illuminate the ability to safely host larger meetings and business events as we move forward through the phases.”

“As a member of the Coalition team working with the staff from the Governor’s Office, Labor & Industries and the State Health Department, I was extremely impressed by their focus on understanding our venue operations, commitment to the safety of our staff and guests, and desire to find a path for a safe reopening,” said Tim Carr, Meydenbauer Center President and CEO. “Our Coalition spent considerable time reviewing approved guidance for other industry sectors to determine how we could create a safe meeting environment that met or exceeded the safety guidelines of other business sectors.”

In anticipation of inviting attendees back safely to in-person events, venues throughout the state have been tirelessly enhancing their safety protocols and procedures:

Meydenbauer Center has heightened their cleaning and sanitation standards in response to COVID-19 and has earned the GBAC STAR accreditation. Their enhanced safety measures include increasing disinfection of high-touch surfaces and spaces, conducting randomized Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to identify growing microorganisms on surfaces, HVAC modifications, and increased staff safety protocols. Meydenbauer has also developed a virtual events studio to bring virtual meeting attendees together as safely and professionally as possible.

Greater Tacoma Convention Center has implemented “The Greater Way Forward” to improve their safety measures. They have also achieved the GBAC STAR accreditation, along with HVAC upgrades to improve air quality, electrostatic sprayers to thoroughly disinfect spaces between meetings, UVC cleaning technology added to escalators and more.

Trevor Chesler, is the Booking and Marketing Coordinator, BOK Center & Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since working in Tulsa, he has been able to grow and develop his skills as a venue professional while also being an active member of the local arts and music community.

“Thank you so much for choosing me as a 30 Under 30 recipient! This is an incredible honor! My journey in the industry began in college when I served on the concerts board at Syracuse University. After a handful of volunteer opportunities and an internship with SMG in Reading, PA in 2016, my dream of working in live events was becoming a reality. Shortly after graduating in 2018, I accepted my position in Tulsa where I am today.”

Join your Foundation in congratulating Trevor 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!

VenueConnect 2020 Closing Keynote

“Now more than ever before– against this backdrop of pandemic and uncertainty–it’s critically important that we come together as a community to share best practices, unique perspectives, and innovative approaches to conducting business safely and securely.” – Linda Reid,Vice President of Security Operations with Walt Disney World Resort

Join us virtually October 26-30, 2020 for VenueConnect 2020 as we welcome Linda Reid, Vice President of Security Operations with Walt Disney World Resort, as our conference closing keynote speaker.

Title: Reaping the Whirlwind: Using Optimism and Agility to Tame Chaos

Description: Steering through the storm with Agility and Optimism by implementing Disney’s best practices to re-energize and engage all employees. This session will focus on reframing a health crisis as an opportunity for learning and innovation while keeping energy levels high and positive as we navigate through the storm.

Linda Reid currently serves as the security leader for the largest Disney Park and Resort complex in the company, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Linda’s first job in the Walt Disney Company in 2008 was as the Director of the Global Intelligence and Threat Analysis unit where she built a team of corporate intelligence analysts who serve as the “strategic tripwire” for risks and threats to the Walt Disney Company’s personnel and guests, facilities, and brand worldwide.

Believing that we are safer together than we are apart, Linda is a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Classified Intelligence Forum, which assists DHS analysts in understanding threats to the private sector, and the Commercial Facilities and Outdoor Events subsector councils.

Don’t forget! Members who register before September 30th will be entered for a chance to win 1 of 10 American Express Gift Cards (value $50). Don’t delay! Register now!

REGISTER NOW

By R.V. Baugus

As founder and CEO of Southlake, Texas-based Abiding Strategy, Lisa Harrington excels in getting businesses “un-stuck” and learning to communicate. Is it fair to say that the public assembly venue industry — like so many others — is stuck today as we navigate the change wrought by COVID-19?

“The venue industry will lead the way into our recovery and heal the hearts of the people of this country as we are able to re-engage and begin rebuilding our economy,” Lisa likes to say.

She will share that message and more as the Opening Keynote speaker for VenueConnect 2020. The author of “Taking in Strays: Leadership Lessons from Unusual Places,” Harrington likes to look at the amazing skills that people have and help to bring out their best.

She took a few minutes to visit with us about her session, one that you will want to make sure to have on your calendar and to participate in.

Share with our readers just a little about yourself and the overarching mission of Abiding Strategy.

After 30+ years in the corporate executive ranks, Sapphire Enterprises d/b/a Abiding Strategy was founded after I learned that only about 20% of American businesses have a plan for their companies. Strategy is my expertise and my favorite subject! Building a full strategy is a critical element of success, especially when there are challenging circumstances in the economy or in the organization. Businesses who have a vision, live by their values and stick to their mission are much more likely to weather the storm. Among other things, I created a six-hour workshop to help businesses of all sizes build a strong foundation and plan for their future, with templates for the tactical execution, a visual aid for their crew and more.

Speak some to how your areas of expertise work well within our industry of public assembly venue management.

Having worked in the association industry for 15 years, I fully understand the challenges of the venue and conference business. I held the CAE certification for about 15 years, and have worked with non-profit boards at many levels, both as a volunteer board member and as the coach and trainer to help boards understand their role in the organization.

Noticed on your email sign-off information you identify as a Vistage Chair and Strategy Coach. Help us understand those disciplines a little better.

Vistage is a 60-year-old coaching and peer group organization. Our members are 25,000 strong in over 20 countries around the world. As a contracted Vistage Chair, I have several groups and 30+ members who come together monthly in groups to help each other make better decisions for their companies. The membership includes the group meetings and 1-1 coaching sessions with me, and more.

As a Strategy Coach through my own company, Abiding Strategy, I teach clients how to leave a legacy with their work and lead their crew into the future by focusing on the long game and getting out of the weeds. This includes managing their own expectations, aligning their actions to the vision of the organization, and getting out of their own way.

What will be some highlights of your keynote closing presentation that should make attendees want to attend?

Venue managers will have an enormous impact on the healing of our country from the pandemic. The human spirit needs to be in the presence of other humans, and we have lacked that connection for a long time. Knowing how to lead your organization into the future despite the challenges we’re facing will help your venue, your crew, and your community to come back together. In this way, we can help launch our economy back into the prosperity that we have all worked so hard to achieve. This means we, as leaders, must keep ourselves healthy, so that we can help the organization effectively. This will include learning to pivot our thinking and maybe even our service offerings, adjust to new realities all while managing the stress that will accompany those changes. All change causes stress, even when it’s positive. Since leaders are responsible for everyone in the group, it’s imperative that we stay ahead of these things. Our legacy will then be ensured. We’ll talk about all these things and more.

How about takeaways. What will some of those be?

Reframing the concept that self-care is selfish is one element that will be valuable for the session. How can we recognize the symptoms that will cause us to be pulled off our mission? How well have we planned for this, and can we stick to the roadmap we’ve developed? What should you look for in your crew to be sure they are handling all these things effectively, handling the day to day details while continuing to see the big picture? How can we make good long-term decisions despite the uncertainty of the short-term situation?

I have to ask this, but what have you most discovered about people and/or businesses during this current pandemic?

The range of reactions has been astonishing. At first, many hoped it was so short term that we could treat the isolation and lock downs as vacations. As the issue wore on, there was significant anticipatory grief, and even anger or shock. We’ve seen how isolation can affect our reactions to simple issues. Everything is exaggerated and emotions are high due to the feeling in our ancient brain that we are continually under threat. It’s always been lonely at the top, and right now it’s even worse. The best leaders were able to reach out to peers, and help each other find their way through. It’s one of the advantages of Vistage and other peer groups. I’ve seen very strong personalities realize that they needed more than coaching, and engage therapists. This is the right move, since the ability to think clearly is so much more important when we’re in crisis like this.

Unfortunately, the percentage of leaders who have a coach (or therapist or both) is remarkably small. There’s never been a more important time to get help, even though it can seem like a bad time to spend that money. One bad decision by a leader due to distraction can have a domino effect on the entire organization. The leaders that realize this are managing their reactions, responding thoughtfully, and looking past the temporary so they can maintain their vision of the future.