By Jon Adkins and R.V. Baugus

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, announced that the Georgia World Congress Center, site of IAVM’s VenueConnect in July 2021, is the first public assembly venue to achieve GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation. The GBAC STAR program helps commercial and public facilities of all sizes establish and carry out a systematic approach to cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention.

“Congratulations are in order for the Georgia World Congress Center, which has put time and energy into reviewing their cleaning procedures alongside GBAC STAR’s criteria,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “We look forward to the many accreditations that will follow as other organizations seek third party validation from GBAC.”

Boasting more than 4 million square feet of total space, Georgia World Congress Center features 1.5 million square feet of flexible exhibit space, and is one of only a few venues to offer more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space. As the world’s largest LEED certified convention center, GWCC welcomes more than 1 million visitors annually. GWCC was among the first convention centers in the country to commit to achieving GBAC STAR certification to make future gatherings safer.

“We are honored to be pacing the industry by achieving GBAC STAR accreditation,” said Frank Poe, executive director of Georgia World Congress Center Authority. “Although events will look different moving forward, our commitment to our customers, show attendees, and team members that the highest cleaning and disinfection protocols are being implemented at GWCC hasn’t changed. We would expect nothing less of ourselves and for our facility.”

“Frank Poe and Brett Mitchell have been leaders of this initiative and this council,” said Mark Herrera, IAVM Director of Education and Life Safety. “They and the GBAC working group have helped set the tone for the entire industry to explore and to assure that the decisions we make pertaining to the health and well-being of our number one asset — people — is never compromised. To have a reputable accrediting body such as the Global Biorisk Advisory Council as part of the venue industry startup focused on cleaning and disinfecting certify our venues only speaks to the more than reasonable efforts we are assuring as an industry and not circumventing health precautions.”

“GBAC STAR is a great third party certification for bio-hazard sanitation accreditation and integral part of ensuring public assembly venues are safe for everyone who enters,” added Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO. “We thank Frank Poe, Brett Mitchell, and the entire GBAC Public Assembly Facility Health and Safety Working Task Force for their amazing work with ISSA on moving this initiative forward in an expedient manner.”

Facilities and organizations in 30 countries are adopting the GBAC STAR program to ensure they follow best practices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include professional sports venues, hotels, restaurants, convention centers, airports, churches and more.

“With the threat of coronavirus still high in many areas, people want assurance that facilities are taking extra precautions to enhance cleanliness and safety,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “Whether an organization has space for millions or just a few employees, GBAC STAR will continue to be an important indicator of a facility’s thoroughness around cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention.”

To learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation criteria and access an application, click here.

To view additional committed facilities and supporters, go here.

Jon Adkins is Vice President, Marketing & Communications for ISSA, of which GBAC is a division.

By Dennis Dennehy

AEG Presents, a global leader in concert promotion and artist development, announced that Larry Fontana is riding off into the sunset after a storied career in the Texas live events market.

Fontana joined AEG in 2004 as the General Manager of what is currently known as the Theater at Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, TX. He eventually moved on to the position of VP of Venue Operations at AEG Presents working with and developing venues and personnel across North America.

“As almost everyone in our industry is aware, Larry and I go back to the 80’s,” remarked Jay Marciano, Chief Operating Officer of AEG and Chairman and CEO of AEG Presents. “Together, we opened countless venues, and put on more concerts and slayed more dragons than I can remember. Our industry will miss this great pioneer, AEG will miss our colleague and I will miss my friend.”

Fontana was no stranger to the event business, working at the concession stand of his grandfather’s movie theater when he was only 12. While attending the University of Texas in Austin, he worked part-time at the Palmer Auditorium. In 1977, he moved to the Frank Erwin Center on the UT campus as Associate Director. He joined MCA/PACE concerts in 1989 as General Manager of the then-named Coca Cola Starplex, a 20,000 cap amphitheatre. In 2004, he joined AEG Presents (when it was known as AEG Live) as GM of the Nokia/Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, a venue that can transform from a 6,000 capacity theater to a more intimate 1,800 capacity venue via its motorized reduction walls.

“I have been fortunate to work with many of the best venue managers in the business and have been associated with many outstanding venues and always have been supported by great staff members,” Fontana said. “I have always said my career beat the heck out of working for a living. But now it’s time for me to hang up the laminate and watch our business be reborn again.”

Dennis Dennehy is Chief Communications Officer at AEG Presents.

By Stephanie Davis Smith and Marlinda Henry

Connect, a leader in live events for meeting planners and those in the travel and tourism industry, has come alongside the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals for an unprecedented three-year strategic alliance where Connect will invest in the organization’s student scholarships, internships, and professional development for its members.

The alignment with NCBMP will assist with their mission of empowering Black hospitality professionals as they have a proven track record of moving the needle in this space. Connect will donate $100,000 over the next three years to fund the organization’s important initiatives.

“We have always enjoyed a long friendship with NCBMP, but recent protests and activism has opened our eyes, and we realized we need to take urgent steps within our own industry to support racial equality,” said Chris Collinson, President of Connect.

“The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals was built on the foundation of empowerment and friendship. We are encouraged by the strategic alignment of Connect Meetings via their actions, not just their public statements and look forward to three years of empowering our friends. It is refreshing to know that NCBMP has friends of all shades and backgrounds that believe in humanity, equity, and the future of our industry,” said Jason Dunn, NCBMP Board Chair.

“We recognize the immediate need to align with great organizations like NCBMP to help ensure our industry is a leader in equality for Black people,” Collinson added. “We have long seen and understood the importance of supporting diversity in our events and company and know these dollars will help toward greater equality for all people. We wanted to double down and partner with NCBMP because the issue is urgent today.”

Stephanie Davis Smith is VP of Content and Marketing for Connect Meetings, and Marlinda Henry is President, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.

By Graham Mason

Optus Stadium in the Perth, Western Australia, suburb of Burswood, is ready to welcome crowds back to football next month, following the WA State Government announcement of the relaxing of rules governing mass gatherings.

From Saturday, July 18, Optus Stadium will be in the unique situation of being able to operate at full capacity, without crowd restrictions, and be able to welcome back up to 60,000 expectant football fans.

In the meantime, until the next tranche of AFL fixtures are announced, the Catering team has begun the process of restocking the venue with Gage Roads, Mrs Mac’s pies and all the other food favourites that football fans expect.

The Optus Stadium Operations team has taken the opportunity over the past few months to complete a full range of work, in anticipation events would eventually return to the stadium that last year was voted the most beautiful venue in the world.

That includes a deep clean of retail and premium product spaces, installation of sanitising stations, sanitising of all equipment and areas, upgrades to stadium security and CCTV systems, and decommissioning and now recommissioning of all electrical equipment and infrastructure that had meant big savings in utility consumption.

Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said it has been 121 days since West Australians were able to enjoy an event at Optus Stadium, with the Queen + Adam Lambert concert before more than 47,000 fans, the last event on February 23.

“The opportunity to welcome fans back to Optus Stadium is a great celebration of success for all West Australians in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Everyone can’t wait for the return of the AFL. Football is a major avenue for the people of WA to connect with family and friends, it’s a key component of our community and culture and an opportunity for outdoor social activity and engagement.”

Optus Stadium employs 3,000 casual staff, 300 security, and 200 cleaners and the majority have indicated a willingness to return to work at Optus Stadium.

“More than 60% of Optus Stadium staff are female and we understand that demographic has been hard hit by the impact of COVID-19. We look forward to providing opportunities for all of our fantastic staff to get back to the work they love,” McKenna said.

Along with direct stadium employment, events at Optus Stadium provide business for many WA companies who supply goods and services.

Fans at Optus Stadium purchase up to $50 million per annum in food, beverages and other supplies. Up to 85% of that is supplied by WA companies like Gage Roads and Mrs Mac’s which equates to hundreds of jobs for businesses reliant on stadium activities.

Graham Mason is Head of Media, Communications & Government Relations, Optus Stadium.

Voting is now open and remain so through July 17, 2020 at midnight CT. The complete slate including biographical information and photos can be viewed on the IAVM web site.  Our voting process has changed with the introduction of a new nomination/application process for sector directors.  The ballot you will see this year will only include the Second Vice Chair election, and if you identified as one of the following sectors: Allied, Arenas, or Universities you will find the election for that Sector Director.  At most, you will be voting for two incoming positions on the 2020 – 2021 Board of Directors.

As you know, each regions’ members elect their slate of officers (to include Region Director) and does not require a ballot for the entire IAVM membership’s approval.

All voting members should have already received an email titled “2020-2021 IAVM Board of Directors Election-login information below”. The email contains a generated user name and password to use when logging in to submit votes.  If you haven’t received the email, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or by calling 972.538.1025.

As in the past, the ballot is available through Survey & Ballot Systems allowing complete confidentiality and security to our members.  The results of the voting will be posted following the closing of the ballot on July 17.