The Transformation of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
By R.V. Baugus
The Jacob K. Javits Center has been in the national news with construction of a temporary medical station to house non-COVID-19 patients and relieve the burden on local hospitals.
The venue sent out a tweet on Thursday morning that reads, Our workforce constructs extraordinary events and 
exhibits throughout the year, but this is the first time we’re building a medical facility inside our halls. We’re honored to help New Yorkers in need during this global crisis. #covid19
By this time next week, the 1.8 million square-feet venue will include a 1,000-bed medical station for non-COVID-19 cases and overseen by more than 300 federal workers.
“I want to thank (IAVM member) Alan Steele, who runs this convention center,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said during a March 23 press conference. “He has put on many shows before, and his team is very adaptable, but this is the first time they have ever built a hospital inside the Javits Center.”
The addition is called the New York Medical Station at the Javits Center and serves as an overflow hospital to treat non-COVID-19 illnesses. In all, there will be four separate 250-bed facilities to help with the overflow from the escalating cases in the City.
The help from the convention center comes at a time when it is undergoing a massive expansion and renovation that actually should help once the temporary medical stations are erected, as will upgrades made during the last major expansion in 2014 that included a better lighting system and new mechanical systems to reduce noise and improve air quality.
It also helps that the Javits Center has enormous loading docks that will allow for moving in freight in rapid turnarounds.
When all is complete, an additional 2,000 beds will be onsite to ease the strain of New York’s overtaxed hospitals receiving patients in large numbers.
Running an Intern-centric Internship Program
By Brian Wright
As I look back on my first 10 years in the venue management industry, I realize that the one common aspect of each of my roles has been internships. Heck, I did four of them during college with Finley Stadium, Chattanooga Lookouts, The Ripken Experience, and the Chattanooga Lookouts again.
In both of my full-time roles at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN, as venue manager and Mercedes-Benz Stadium 
in Atlanta as assistant facility maintenance manager, interns have played a critical role in our operation. In two-and-a-half years at Mercedes-Benz alone, we have had 17 operations interns, and six of them are now working full-time in the organization and numerous others elsewhere in the industry.
It is one of those rites of passages most of us went through to get where we are today and we regularly sit at lunch and tell current interns horror stories of grungy tasks we once had to do. The competitiveness of our industry forces college graduates to take on internships before being considered for entry-level positions. And so, as employers, we know that interns need us to build their resumes and get their career off the ground. But rarely is it discussed how vital interns are to us being able to pull off our events and project schedules during our busiest times of the year, while not killing our budgets with overhead.
Thus, venues must make it a priority to have an internship program that is focused on the individual and developing their experience. Here are a few strategies we have used at Finley Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium toward that effort that I believe can help launch the individual’s career:
1. Hire slow and set the tone.
I have been fortunate to live on both sides of the coin hiring wise. At Finley, we were lucky to get 20 applicants, all from UT-Chattanooga, whereas at MBS we have averaged 200+ each hiring period from around the world. Regardless of which category you fall in, the idea is the same: review each resume carefully and look for some relatable experience to pick your interview candidates. Then hire from the interview for attitude over aptitude. As a wise man once said, “You can teach aptitude, you cannot teach attitude.”
My first day as ticket operations intern at the Chattanooga Lookouts at age 18, I was taken to the back steps (the ballpark sits on a sizable hill) and set up on a pressure washer. Not knowing how to turn it off (or for that matter on), I continued happily pressure washing all day long. Our owner, Frank Burke, who was also working very hard mowing the hill with a residential push mower (which further imprinted on my first impressions that everyone in this industry works their butt off), noticed me and started calling me Honey Badger, a nickname that I couldn’t escape in Chattanooga.
So, to overemphasize the ups and downs of working in our industry I choose to make the first day of our internship program very exciting with tours, meeting people, and generally fun activities. But, the second day I assign a cumbersome task or project to see where their work ethic and attention to detail is. Only one time has an intern walked out on the second day (because he was above pressure washing), but he saved himself the trouble of later finding out this industry was not for him.
2. Welcome feedback and personalize the internship.
Remember what it was like the first day of your first internship when everything in sports and events was sunshine and roses, but quickly reality alters your perspective and you find your likes, dislikes, and questions? It is so important that you provide opportunities for your interns to interact with you one-on-one regularly. This is an exercise we do every two months formally, and more often, informally. It is a good opportunity to keep your interns steered in their right direction and receive open, honest feedback. It is then your job to provide them opportunities to get closer to their passion, as this is where they will be at their best.
3. Provide opportunity for ownership.
Encourage your interns to find gaps in your operation and let them fill those voids. We have created multiple positions at Mercedes-Benz with interns where our initial staffing model fell short. In each of those cases the intern saw an opportunity through open-ended projects with an end goal and a few loose steps to guide along the way and took the initiative to turn it into their own. By the end of the internship, they not only laid the framework for the position, but sold themselves to fill it.
4. DON’T kick them to the curb.
If your company has open positions your interns could be qualified for, try to keep them. But never discourage them from seeking full-time employment elsewhere (even in the middle of their internship) or try to keep them on as an intern after their internship period is up. Both serve a disservice to them. Their goal is to get a full-time job, so if it isn’t in the cards at your venue, they should get additional experience elsewhere to get closer to reaching that goal.
Being intern-centric means you will actively help your interns take the next step in their career. The biggest mistake interns and entry-level job seekers make in my opinion is simply listing the job descriptions on their resume. Employers want to see what specifically you accomplished, how you made your venue better through metrics, and what your venue is doing now because of you that they weren’t doing before. To be able to do that, Internship program leaders need to provide opportunities to ask questions, take ownership, and provide work in areas they are passionate about. That is when you find out what someone is capable of, and ultimately help them reach their goals.
Brian Wright is assistant facility maintenance manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Update Your Email on VenueNet to Continue Receiving Important IAVM Information
If you are an IAVM member who has been furloughed from your employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or someone who at this time does not have access to your work email, please log in to VenueNet and create your preferred contact email so that you will not miss receiving important and valuable information coming from IAVM. This is an unprecedented time that we are living in and it is our goal to support our members throughout this crisis and beyond.
Kansas City Super Regional Conference Postponed Until 2021
IAVM Region 1, 2, 3 & 5 friends and colleagues:
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted us all, and along with meeting and travel 
restrictions in both Kansas City and the State of Missouri, the Region Directors and their Boards have made the decision to postpone our IAVM Region 1, 2, 3, & 5 Super Regional Conference scheduled for April 26-29 in Kansas City, MO to spring 2021.
We are currently working with our host venues on a spring 2021 date, and as soon as we get this confirmed we will let you know. Your conference registration will be transferable over to the spring 2021 Super Regional Conference; however, if you’d like a refund, please contact IAVM and we will issue you a refund of your registration fee. All refund requests must be submitted to IAVM at meetings@iavm.org by April 24, 2020.
We know you are working hard in your communities to respond to our current situation. Be well. Be safe. We’ll see you in Kansas City, MO in 2021!
Scott Hallgren, CVE
Region 3 Director
A Warm Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in February 2020. 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 http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.
Kaitlin Abell, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Ellie Amos, Sidekicker, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Grayson Austin, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Zach Bazemore, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Michael Bekolay, Venue Hospitality Solutions, Weston, FL, United States
Jochen Benarek, VenuesLive Management Services, Burswood, WA, Australia
Portia Benbow, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA, United States
Christian Bilkovic, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Stephen Brathwaite, Frank Collymore Hall, Bridgetown, , Barbados
Penny Briffa, Perth Concert Hall, WA Venues & Events Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia
Anderson Brun, FedExForum, Memphis, TN, United States
Kelsee Bushell, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT, United States
John Caldon, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Irencarr Cartwright-Young, Houston Community College, Houston, TX, United States
Alessandra Chimienti Gibbs, Conservatory of Flowers, Alameda, CA, United States
Kristi Clarey, Austin Theatre Alliance, Austin, TX, United States
Mark Cogley, Butler Heavy Structures, Kansas City, MO, United States
Adrienne Cole, Civic Center of Anderson, Anderson, SC, United States
Mark Coughlan, Perth Concert Hall, WA Venues & Events Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia
Danika Coulbourn, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Roy Covington, FedExForum, Memphis, TN, United States
Julie Cross, The Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, United States
Jack Crozier, ASM Global Pty Ltd – ICC Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Pasquale Del Villaggio, Austin Theatre Alliance, Austin, TX, United States
David Delaro, Hoist Sales and Service, Inc., Sarasota, FL, United States
Elizabeth Dickson, UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Oliver Drakes, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Nicole Epps, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Jenn Faulds, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Kole Ford, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Cameron Furr, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC, United States
Taylor Garren, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
MaryBeth Gibbs, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Allyson Gilbert, Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX, United States
Chris Gilmer, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Jori Goodman, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC, United States
Bob Gorham, VenuesLive Management Services, Burswood, WA, Australia
Patrick Green, AAA Flag & Banner, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Jonathan Greene, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Chelsea Hambling, QPAM Ltd, Auckland, , New Zealand
Mariebelle Hansen, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Amy Harris, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Steven Hart, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Chris Hatcher, Securecy, Empire Bay, NSW, Australia
Amanda Hiatt, Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL, United States
Dawn Holiski, Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Mike Hollon, The Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, United States
Justin Hopkins, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Michelle Howells, VenuesLive Management Services, Burswood, WA, Australia
Damien Jackson, Sport and Recreation Queensland, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Elyse Johnson, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Callum Johnson, Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia
Jeff Jones, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Paul Kanaan, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Kearna Kemister, Venues NSW, WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Joe Keune, Ungerboeck Software International, O’Fallon, MO, United States
Marlene Kincaid, Spectra Corporate Headquarters, Bear, DE, United States
Lisa Knezovic, VenuesLive Management Services, Burswood, WA, Australia
Julian Knott, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Brendan Korn, ASM Global Pty Ltd – ICC Sydney, Londonderry, NSW, Australia
Michael Lakkis, Guardian Venue Management International, Yagoona, NSW, Australia
Megan Lenertz, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Diane Liberator, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT, United States
Darcy Lipsey, Royal & McPherson Theatres Society, Victoria, BC, Canada
Lindsey Loscher, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT, United States
Simone Macleod, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Natalie Maksimovic, Grand Pacific Group, Chowder Bay, NSW, Australia
Paul Marquez, Excel Dryer Inc., East Longmeadow, MA, United States
Eve Mathis, IHS Global Alliance – The Americas, Santa Monica, CA, United States
Paget McCutcheon, QPAM Ltd, Auckland, , New Zealand
Felicity McGlinn, Sidekicker, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Kevin McGlone, UCSD Recreation, La Jolla, CA, United States
Randy McKay, Cascade Theatre, Ashland, OR, United States
Rosanna McNeal, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Nathan Miller, Tyson Events Center/Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City, IA, United States
Natalie Miller, Western Kentucky University, Elizabethtown, KY, United States
Patty Monaghan, Sertifi, Chicago, IL, United States
Nick Montpetit, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Stephanie Morgan, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Stephanie Myers, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Kyle Norris, UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Dani O’Callahan, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT, United States
Dennis O’Gara, Smart City, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Justin Oh, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Lee Oliver, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Sam O’Rourke, Sidekicker, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Chris Page, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Gilberto Palomera, Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Elyse Partee, Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville, AR, United States
Nick Patton, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX, United States
Thomas Posavac, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX, United States
Alissa Ramsay, SOLID Surface Care, Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
Scott Rendell, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Dianne Rigg, Venues NSW, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Tracy Roberts, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
James Rogan, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA, United States
Paul Rosanoski, Oracle Food and Beverage, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
Dwaine Rundle, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI, United States
Jodie Salisbury, Townsville City Council, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Emily Salmond, ASM Global Pty Ltd – ICC Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Zoe Sanders, VenuesLive Management Services, Burswood, WA, Australia
Emily Scoville, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT, United States
Polina Selinevich, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Matthew Sharman, Australian Turf Club, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Darla Shaw, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Morgan Shaw, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Alex Sherf, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Brian Siffermann, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Barb Silin, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Michelle Simonsen, USC Thornton School of Music, Pasadena, CA, United States
Dwayne Smith, The Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, United States
Anita Sodhi-Cavezza, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Allison Sousa, The Venue at Lenoir City, Lenoir City, TN, United States
Jessica Stark, UMBC Event Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Matt Steinmetz, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Alex Stroth, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND, United States
Bradley Styba, Tradex (Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre), Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Micaela Talbot, Crown Melbourne Ltd, Southbank, VIC, Australia
Melanie Taylor, EventBooking, Hunters Hill, NSW, Australia
Shannon Trujillo, Levy Restaurants, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Patrick Urekar, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Jenna Visram, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Tim Walker, Melbourne Sports Centres, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Azlan Wan, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Britaney Wehrmeister, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Ryan Westover, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT, United States
Marcus White, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Amy Worden, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States