By R.V. Baugus

Much great work is going on around the country as our member venues continue responding in major ways to do their part during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the call to share stories that we in turn can pass along to IAVM members, many have taken us up on the offer. With the pandemic ongoing and very fluid, we extend the invitation to send your venue stories along with high res (at least 2MB) photos so we can spotlight your worthy work. Below are two stories shared from the great state of California.

I wanted to take a moment to report that the blood drive we hosted in Zellerbach A yesterday was a grand success! Senator Scott Wiener, who reached out to us, was hugely appreciative, as was the Red Cross. Our Mayor, London Breed, as well as several supervisors, spoke and gave blood, and also relayed their gratitude for the event. The Red Cross signed up 50 donors, 36 of which passed screening to donate, which they reported was a typical ratio. Most donors donated the standard pint, however, those who were willing, and who met the health requirements, were able to do a red-box donation, which amazingly can take two pints or more, by simultaneously replacing lost blood volume with sterile saline. Very high tech!

In all cases, a single pint donation is usually split into three parts – part left as whole blood, part as plasma only, and part as platelets only. Each part can save a different person, so our collection will be dispatched to at least 108 different individuals in need. Amazing. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone on our staff who helped in both big and small ways. We are an amazing team, and yesterday proved that. Thank you all. I also want to give a shout-out to the San Francisco Symphony, who graciously loaned us their tables, chairs, pipe & drape, and other equipment which helped make this happen. We have another blood drive scheduled for April 30, and I am hoping to possibly schedule more between now and then.

— Rob Levin, Booking Manager, San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Over the April 4-5 weekend, the Pasadena (CA) Center Operating Company (PCOC) along with Centerplate, the exclusive food and beverage provider for the Pasadena Convention Center and Pasadena Civic Auditorium, prepared, delivered, and distributed 3,100 healthy meals for students of Pasadena Unified School District. The call to action to support local schools and the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) will continue over the next two weekends – April 11-12 and 18-19 – throughout the Pasadena area at seven distribution sites. The PCOC has 20 staff members who have volunteered to transport, set up and distribute the meals each Saturday and Sunday. The healthy meals include a sandwich, fruit, bag of cookies and the option of milk or juice.

“The PCOC is happy to help in this time of crisis,” said Michael Ross, CEO of the PCOC. “It has been a pleasure to work with the City of Pasadena and our partners at Centerplate to coordinate and set the program in motion quickly. I am most proud of the number of PCOC staff that have stepped up to volunteer as this time of need.”

Pictured from left: Michael Ross, CEO of Pasadena Center Operating Company; Jennifer Dominguez; Margie Christ, HR Director of PCOC; Layla Tulloch; Naz Sabripour, Executive Director of the Pasadena Convention Center; Heather Peron; Tyron Hampton, City of Pasadena Vice Mayor and PCOC Board Chair; Jeanne Goldschmidt, Executive Director of the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau.

— Crystal Williams, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau | Convention Center | Civic Auditorium | Ice Skating Center

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has started a new interview series through CNTV with the first one having debuted with IAVM member Mark Tester, executive director of the Orange County Convention Center. IAEE-TV’s talk with Tester dealt with the convention center becoming a testing site for the COVID-19 pandemic.

To watch the IAEE interview, click here.

Pictured, the venue is proud to #LightItBlue in support of the healthcare professionals and first responders working tirelessly to help those affected by COVID-19. The blue lights will be on at the OCCC West Building (so as not to interfere with the COVID-19 test site at the North-South Building) throughout the week.

The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, announced that Melvin Rodrigue (picture), the Authority’s longest running Chairman, is stepping down do focus on his duties as Chairman of the National Restaurant Association as they weather the COVID-19 crisis. Rodrigue will remain as a Commissioner, replacing Steve Pettus. Governor John Bel Edwards named, Walt Leger III, a former State representative and the current general counsel for New Orleans & Company, to succeed Rodrigue as Chairman of the Authority.

In his 12 years of service as Chairman of the Authority, Rodrigue has been at the forefront of discussions and major legislation changes that have allowed for increased investment in the city’s critical infrastructure, and lead the Center through a period of extraordinary growth, spearheading a five-year $557 million comprehensive renovation and modernization plan now underway that will establish the Convention Center’s competitiveness for years to come.

Highlights of Rodrigue’s tenure as Chairman include:

• Adoption of a 5 year $557 million Capital Improvement Plan that will transform the building and Convention Center Ditrict.

• Renovation of Hall A and creation of the Great Hall and new sense of arrival at Julia Street.

• Visioning of the upriver end of Convention Center Boulevard to include a 1,200 room headquarters hotel, housing and dining, entertainment and retail establishments. Reimagining of Convention Center Boulevard and addition of the Transportation Center, along with contributions to enhancements of the traffic patterns in the downtown area.

• Execution of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with NOCHI and investment of twelve million dollars to promote workforce development within the hospitality industry in New Orleans

• Multiple CEAs with the City to promote the hospitality industry, enhancing public safety for visitors and residents, and contributing to critical city infrastructure totaling over $84M

• Twenty-eight million dollar capital contribution to the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board Infrastructure Trust Fund.

• Significant improvements in Small and Emerging Business (SEB) engagement in convention center business opportunities.

“Melvin’s visionary, and selfless commitment to the success of not only the convention center but the entire hospitality industry in New Orleans is something that stands as a national model to be admired. Rarely has there ever been this level of performance and length of commitment by a chairman of an enterprise such as ours in this country. Not only does our company offer him its gratitude, but the entire national tourism industry that has been positively affected by his leadership. We continue to be motivated by the pursuit of the vision that you have led us toward,” said Mike Sawaya, President and General Manager of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed, not only the world, but especially the current scope of the public assembly industry. One thing it has not changed is the servant leader hearts of those venue professionals who power it.  IAVM is not just an association, it is a family of 7,000+ colleagues who are working with local, state, and federal agencies to not just monitor the current crisis, but to advocate and open doors for those affected by the pandemic where possible.

Here is a quick update of what is happening and what IAVM and its members have been doing:

What IAVM is Doing

IAVM has been hosting very successful town hall webinars for members, averaging ten a week. The webinars are sector specific and allow members to speak openly regarding the challenges they are facing, as well as sharing ideas for solutions. In addition, sector happy hours are offered through social meeting platforms, each evening of the week, to humanize the circumstances we find ourselves in. In addition, our Australian members have a coffee break webinars to afford our VMA members a chance to learn and socialize.

IAVM has created multiple channels to disseminate information and for resource sharing.  We currently have two COVID 19 working groups, both in concert with the CDC and DHS. These working groups are currently providing necessary digital resources, which are housed in an online clearinghouse on the IAVM website.  These groups are also looking to the future and creating a ramp up document to prepare our members for the plethora of events being re-scheduled to Q 3 and 4.

Through the use of the VenueNet, IAVM’s popular discussion forum, members have been able to openly discuss challenges and successes, ways in which their venues are giving back, strategies for the future, and so much more. 

IAVM recently secured the assistance of TwinLogic Solutions, a lobbying firm, to assist in seeking federal financial stimulus dollars for our members under the CARES Act. A FACT SHEET, detailing how the relief legislation could assist our members and member venues, was provided to all current members, as well as an update on the future steps regarding our advocacy for more stimulus assistance.

IAVM Members are Stepping Up!

One of the things that our members do best is to volunteer to give back to their local communities. They are playing a key role in fighting the pandemic, while serving the communities in which they reside. The following are just a few ways in which our members, and their venues, are giving back where it is needed most:

• The Vicksburg (MS) Convention Center (managed by VenuWorks) team worked diligently this week to create CDC compliant masks to be distributed for the community, local medical outlets, and emergency responders. They brought sewing machines from home, donated fabric, and put their heart into providing this valuable offering.
• The United Center in Chicago has become a “logistic hub” for the city, state, and federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the arena itself along with the outside campus will be used in helping food distribution, first responder staging, and collecting medical supplies.
• The local emergency operations center in Asheville, NC, requested to use the Harrah’s Cherokee Center as a point of distribution for supplies, materials and food packs. Additionally, they are today setting up a local COVID- 19 hotline for FAQs, etc., and utilizing the venue’s box office phone system and staff to manage
• The Louisiana Department of Health is using the Burton Coliseum Complex as a testing location. Presently, the testing operation is intended to serve a five-parish (county) region. Lastly, our government agency committed to covering all fees for anyone tested without insurance. — Jason Barnes, director
• Foodlink is utilizing the Floreano Convention Center in Rochester, NY, as an emergency food supply box packing center. — Meredith Howie, event coordinator
• The Richmond (VA) Raceway is being used as a storage location as the county collects supplies and distributes them. We are not charging them for the facility usage.
• I have a group of 275 Volunteers ages 50 to 89. They are amazing people! Every other day I send them a message, a “how to” on how to get groceries delivered to their doorstep. I also send funny pictures of my grandbaby. Next, I will send training points by email that we can all keep adding to and engaging with. Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa, CA
• The Convention Center Authority in Nashville announced a donation of $500,000 to the COVID-19 Response Fund on behalf of the Music City Center. The donation will support those in the hospitality industry as well as others in the community who are facing hardship due to the virus. Music City Center is making the contribution solely through its operating revenues
• There are so many more that we do not have room to voice our pleasure in the heroes that are stepping up in a major way.

Each new day during this unprecedented time in our industry brings different ways in which IAVM is called to educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals, worldwide, and its members are asked to step up and serve the communities in which they serve.

Our venues were created as an economic engine and a wonderful place to gather the community. Now, our venues have become a greater asset to their community as venue professionals step up to a greater task, fighting the COVID 19 pandemic and serving those who have been negatively affected by this unprecedented virus.

Stay strong as we navigate these troubling waters. I am proud to be associated with IAVM’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and volunteer leaders who make us strong and relevant.

Brad Mayne, CVE

IAVM President & CEO

By Carl Adkins

The one that wasn’t. That’s what the 2020 Men’s Final Four is likely to be called in the future. Upon writing this, tomorrow was to be Final Four Friday. Peak arrival of 80,000 fans coming to Atlanta ready for an exciting weekend of championship basketball and other amazing events. I guess It just wasn’t in the cards…

I feel a little selfish posting about this given the current situation across the globe, but felt I couldn’t let the day go by without tipping my cap to the literally thousands of the sports and hospitality professionals who had put in, and were ready to put in, a tremendous ATL effort to make this the best Final Four ever.

Airport workers, hotel staff, public safety personnel, restaurants and attractions, venue staff at the stadium for “The Big Dance,” the arena staff for the DII & DIII championships, Centennial Olympic Park’s staff for the concert series, Georgia Tech and Georgia State staff – the host institutions for the championships – over 2,000 volunteers ready to serve, literally hundreds of event professionals to bring it all to life and the Congress Center staff for the many other ancillary events, all were ready for our moment on the national stage. All of these amazing people had invested so much time, energy and effort to ensure this would have been the crowning jewel of Atlanta’s trifecta of major sporting events – the CFP National Championship in 2018 and Super Bowl LIII last year and the Final Four this year.

Now, so many of these same wonderful people are just trying to figure out how to keep going. How to stay healthy and safe, pay the rent, feed and care for their families, pay the bills while wondering what the next few weeks and months hold … truly, uncharted waters.

While the gravity of our collective situation helps put things in perspective, I still hate that all of these amazing events that bring so much joy to so many aren’t happening this year. The student-athletes who could have made the “One Shining Moment” highlight reel, the media covering the events for the fans back home, the thousands of people enjoying live music in a most beautiful setting and the millions tuned in around the country to watch the magic of March Madness’s thrilling conclusion.

My sincere thanks to the amazing NCAA staff for all of their hard work and partnership with us as a host community and last but certainly not least, our host committee team. They’ve worked tirelessly to make sure that Atlanta was represented at its best. We were all so close to the finish line of four years of outstanding, raise the bar “and one” efforts … all to have it dissipate in a matter of hours a couple of weeks ago.

While the last few weeks has helped all of us locally prepare for the “one that wasn’t,” it’s still hard to take. The weather forecast this weekend? Gorgeous. Perfect Georgia Spring weather that would feed in to the azaleas in bloom next weekend in Augusta. A couple of weeks of the best annual events in the country – produced by the best for the rest. It just wasn’t in the cards. My heart breaks for everyone involved. It also breaks for so many that are suffering across the country with our new next normal. So, for now, we just have to accept … this was the one that wasn’t.

Peace to all…

IAVM member Carl Adkins has served as Executive Director of the Atlanta Football Host Committee & Atlanta Basketball Host Committee and for 20 years prior to that was General Manager of the Georgia Dome.