Tom Powell’s Passing Leaves Big Void in Amusement, Public Assembly Venue Worlds
By R.V. Baugus
Tom Powell, most recently known as the news ambassador for the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) but forever remembered as a writer, editor, and associate publisher for Amusement Business magazine, has died at the age of 86 following complications from a fall that he took last week.
“Tom’s dedication to the outdoor amusement industry is beyond words,” Matt Cook wrote from OABA in announcing the news. “Tom’s dedication to the outdoor amusement industry is beyond words. There will be no one who can replace his weekly columns that touch the lives of so many in our industry.”
Tom was a devoted friend to IAVM and in Association circles is remembered for his ongoing dedicated involvement 
with the IAVM Foundation and more specifically in years past a softball tournament that was held during the VenueConnect annual conference and trade show to help raise funds for the Foundation to help support industry programming and research. He also was honored in 1995 as the fifth recipient of the Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Member Award, a nod to his service as a Foundation ambassador, supporter, and fund-raiser.
“Tom taught me much of what I know about this wacky industry we all love and cherish,” said Brad Mayne, CVE, president and CEO of IAVM and another lifelong supporter of the Foundation beginning with his days as a venue manager. “Friend, mentor, fellow baseball fanatic, one of a kind.”
Linda Deckard and Don Muret are two industry friends most associated with Tom from his days at Amusement Business from when he first joined in 1972 after an earlier career as a sports writer for The Tennessean. AB covered sports, venues, entertainment, fairs, carnivals, and so much more, but it was always Tom’s “On The Earie” column that so many looked forward to reading until the magazine folded in 2006 after a 112-year run. He wrote his last column under the same name for OABA on January 15. To read Tom’s last work, click here.
Before there was an electronic inbox, the tray on the corner of one’s desk was known as an inbox, and Amusement Business and Tom’s handiwork was always much anticipated by readers for its folksy delivery written as one friend sitting across a desk and chatting with a buddy.
“It’s a sad day for the sports and entertainment industry,” Muret said in a Facebook post. “I worked with TP for 10 years and knew him since 1993. He was my friend and mentor. Taught me a lot about the biz. We both love baseball and could talk about it for hours. RIP big guy. Thoughts are with Christine Powell and family.”
Linda Deckard would go on to start her own magazine, Venues Today, but also reflected fondly on her AB days.
“I started two or three years after Tom,” she said. “He was really the first to report on venues.”
It is not often a book is written about a writer, but former AB Senior Editor Tim O’Brien did just that in TP on AB: The Life and Times of Tom Powell.
Even those who competed in Tom’s space could not help but have admiration and form a friendship with him.
“Even though we were at competitor publications, Tom was always a true gentleman to me, a good friend and mentor,” Michael Caffin, International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE), said in a tweet. “There will never be another Powell, a true giant and great man.”
“I am very sorry to hear this,” said Steve Zito, CVE, general manager of the Alamodome in San Antonio. “He was a great man with a wonderful legacy. I remember playing in the annual IAAM softball game with Tom and Earl Duryea for years.”
Zito was also one who was excited each week when his Amusement Business magazine arrived.
“AB used to be our industry bible,” he said. “Everything we needed and wanted to know was in there. I too could not wait for it to be delivered.”
“I first met Tom early in my arena career in the 70’s and loved to get the weekly AB to read all the good news across the entertainment industry,” Carey Harveycutter, director of tourism in Salem, Virginia, added in a post. “Prayers ascending for Christine and Tom’s family and friends. He was truly one of a kind. Well done good and faithful servant, you are now at peace.”
For all his talents, accomplishments, work with the IAVM Foundation, and more, Tom was truly a reporter’s reporter, a fount of information who could help not only fellow reporters but those in the industry in which he worked, which at the time of his passing focused on fairs and outdoor amusements.
“We always waited for the “Billboard’ to arrive on the midway,” said Gina McCulley of Mexico, Missouri, in a post. “Tom’s column kept us informed of births, deaths, and show happenings … this was our ‘cell phone.’ Rest now with no deadlines to meet.”
Another close friend, Bob Johnson, now retired after serving as president of OABA, concluded, “Having known Tom for some 45 years, both professionally and socially, the amusement industry has lost one of its greatest contributors.”
As has the public assembly venue industry and so many more who came to know and love Tom Powell.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be shared as soon as known. We will also have more coming up from individuals who knew Powell’s work and life the best.
A Warm Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in December 2019. 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.
David Aiello, Macon Centreplex, Macon, GA, United States
Lily Aiken, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States
Garrick Amos, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Michael Bennion, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Mary Blair, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Anisley Bonilla, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Sandy Bonnet, CAJUNDOME, Carencro, LA, United States
Kayla Bringelson, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Jessica Burr, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Cristina Butler, Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY, United States
Ronnie Cabrera, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Elyse Chamberlain, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Tori Cuccurullo, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA, United States
Lindsay Dalrymple, NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series, Mason City, IA, United States
Andie deCelis, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Mary Deifer, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC, United States
Kerri DiCapua, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Tiffany Doncouse, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Radenko Dosan, City of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
Sara Dugan, Los Angeles Rams, Agoura Hills, CA, United States
Madison Duryea, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Annette Evans, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
JaNae Ferguson, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Emerson Figueroa, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Nicole Finch, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Mike Finnegan, Quantum Wireless, Atlanta, GA, United States
Jack French, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Christina Gallegos, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA, United States
Javier Garcia, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Steve Giles, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Scott Goebel, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Marci Gonzales, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Liliana Gonzalez, The Music Center/PACLAC, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Roberto Gonzalez, The Music Center/PACLAC, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Dave Goulding, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Shon Graham, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Kelsey Greene, Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Corey Greenwood, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Jamona Hayling, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Heather Henderson, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Rhonda Henderson, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Adrian Hernandez, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Marcus Hill, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX, United States
Selinda Horrocks, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Hayden Hritz, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States
Ann Huyck, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Pamela Isom, ICE Safety Solutions, Fremont, CA, United States
Peter Jeffery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
Johnathan Jensen, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
John Jones, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC, United States
Emily Justice, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Christopher Kaplon, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Carmen Kentala, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Karen Kiehl, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA, United States
John Kimball, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Bryan Kinneberg, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Valeria Knight, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Michael Lai, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, , China
Merdie Lane, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Michelle Larson, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Eric Lau, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, , China
Nicholas Lawrence, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA, United States
Chad Lesny, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Simon Loftman, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Ira Luther, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Christian Lyhus, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Devon Madara, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO, United States
Kim Marrone, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Lori Matsukawa, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Leslie McGhee, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States
Diana Medo, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO, United States
Abraham Metellus, Marin Center, San Rafael, CA, United States
Michelle Metzgar, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA, United States
Thor Mikesell, University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, Eugene, OR, United States
Emile Moussa, Kellermeyer Bergensons Services, New Orleans, LA, United States
Martha Norris, Sevierville Convention Center, Sevierville, TN, United States
Kristen Oakes, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
John O’Brien, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, United States
Chad Paine, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Carla Pato, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Marcos Perez, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Tiffany Peterson, San Jose Civic (San Jose Theaters, Team San Jose), San Jose, CA, United States
Jenna Potter, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Annette Prickett, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Alex Ramirez, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Manuel Ramos, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Paul Reynolds, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Alan Roberts, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Nina Rodriguez, San Jose Civic (San Jose Theaters, Team San Jose), San Jose, CA, United States
Alex Rodriguez, San Jose Civic (San Jose Theaters, Team San Jose), San Jose, CA, United States
Brandon Rowbury, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Sal Sagrero, Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Tony Saucedo, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX, United States
Susan Schmidt, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Adrian Selle, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Craig Shepherd, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
George Sidaros, Old National Events Plaza, Evansville, IN, United States
Shelby Siderewicz, Ralston Arena, Ralston, NE, United States
Jeffrey Silva, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID, United States
James Smith, Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC, United States
Brent Smith, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Thomas Somdahl, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Chris Sophinos, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Rich Souddress, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Clifton Taylor, FedExForum, Memphis, TN, United States
Vince Thomas, Bert Ogden Arena, Edinburg, TX, United States
Anthony Tran, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
Ron Velazquez, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Bobbie Walker, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Ray Walls, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, United States
Stephanie Weinzapfel, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Jady West, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Kim Westman, Elite Detection K9, Rochester Hills, MI, United States
Mike Wilczynski, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes Barre, PA, United States
Bill Williams, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Trevor Williams, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Mackenzie Williams, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH, United States
Whitney Wright, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Alexander Zamorano, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, United States
Scott Zimmerman, UPMC Events Center, Moon Township, PA, United States
Ask The Allieds – The Role of the Allied Member — a Partner in Success
Alliance – noun – a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve a common purpose.
The term “ally” or “alliance” is not coincidental when it comes to describing the role of an “Allied Member” of IAVM.
As an Allied Member, I am humbled by the opportunity to listen to the needs of venue professionals daily, to better understand how to serve them well. Every initial launch call, every onsite training, every annual run-in on the VenueConnect trade show floor is another chance to learn how we can help our clients achieve success. So when I think about where we Allied Members “fit” within this industry and in the venues we work with, I think of it as an alliance — a partnership.
I’m urging venue professionals and allied members to think of each other as just that: partners. In a partnership, we celebrate victories and ride waves of turbulence together. Whether it’s a multimillion -dollar expansion, a major management change, or hosting a historic event, there are so many moving pieces and definitions of success. As our industry continues to innovate, shift focus, and create new initiatives, success will look different for every venue. To achieve it, we must lean on each other’s strengths, ask questions, and hold each other accountable. Allied Members must supplement and serve the same vision and mission that you, our venue partners, have. When venues succeed, we succeed!
I’ve always felt a strong sense of pride in my role as a venue partner and what I bring to the table. I have a responsibility to contribute to your success. We’re not called “vendor members” for a reason! It’s a mutually beneficial relationship—one that doesn’t cease at the transaction. My coworkers and I wholeheartedly agree that we learn every day from the challenges venue managers face and the feedback that is shared with us. You can trust that we are invested in dissecting that feedback to foster a deeper level of understanding of your business, your teams, and what it means to be the “boots on the ground.” This requires each party to invest in the partnership—the mutually beneficial relationship—and check-in throughout the year as success may re-shape or morph into new possibilities. As your business evolves, it is imperative that ours does as well so that we can go above and beyond in meeting your needs. The more you can share with us what is (or isn’t!) working, the stronger this team can be.
My hope for any IAVM member is that they begin to see the Allied Member role as a true ally in every sense of the word. Allied Members are not synonymous with “vendor,” and I value the intentions of IAVM in highlighting the definition of the relationship. While the intimate knowledge of operating a venue lies with the venue manager, the Allied Members are here to serve them—providing the relevant expertise and products that will elevate the venue toward our common goal of success. And along the way, we Allied Members gain too—but not just from a business standpoint. We learn, grow, and often make friends. It’s a true win-win alliance.
Kayln Denniston
Client Success Manager, EventBooking
Dr. Julian Maha to Headline GuestX Panel Discussion on Inclusive Venue Operations & Accessibility
By R.V. Baugus
Dr. Julian Maha, M.D, founder and CEO of KultureCity, understands first-hand the importance of inclusivity as he created the world’s first “start-up” non profit when his oldest son was diagnosed as autistic.
Today, Dr. Maha is one of the most in-demand speakers and has presented around the world to all types of major companies and organizations. He will lead a panel discussion at IAVM’s GuestX, February 17-19, in San Diego, on the topic of Inclusive Venue Operations & Accessibility.
Some of the issues and topics that will be addressed at GuestX include ADA law updates from a member of our legal community as well as information on interpreters, closed captioning, nursing guest accommodations, sensory inclusion, wayfinding and much more. Mostly, it is about making sure your venue is inclusive. Looking for the best ways to do that? You will not want to miss Dr. Maha’s session.
Before San Diego, though, Dr. Maha visited with us and answered some questions about the session, about 
inclusion, and what he wishes to accomplish at GuestX to give attendees the best possible knowledge to implement at their venues.
“Inclusion” is a word that is used quite a bit these days. Can you give your definition of the word as it relates to any workplace?
It means everyone has the right to be apart of the workspace regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusion ensures that not only do they have the right but also given the tools and the right environment to succeed in. By doing this, we create a world where everyone has a chance to be valuable and contributing member of society.
Why up until now was “inclusion” a word not often used but also not often practiced in many organizations?
I think with increased knowledge and also from the ability standpoint the increase in sheer numbers of those with different abilities many organizations have realized that in order to be effective companies they need to learn how to include everyone. This ensures increase productivity and workplace culture, as all these different individuals when included and given the right environment to succeed, add great value to each and every organization.
What will be some of the highlights and items that your panel will cover on the subject matter?
I think the importance of looking beyond the common definition of inclusion and understanding the importance of sensory inclusion. I also think you will take away the many benefits of becoming sensory inclusive not only to the organizations but also the population each organization serves.
Talk some about how KultureCity works with groups to help them become more inclusive.
We provide training, sensory bags, social story building, app integration and also in some cases sensory room design and out fitting. The most importance thing though that we provide is an on going partnership built with the help of individuals on our team that have sensory needs and also trained professionals that are constantly innovating and pushing the envelope to create the best environment for all.
We see we have Imagine Dragons as part of the panel. Please do share!
Daniel Platzman is from the Imagine Dragons. He has a family connection to sensory needs and also was a sensory seeking child, He is a huge advocate for inclusion and overall great guy. He will bring the viewpoint of why a venue should be inclusive from the business standpoint as more and more acts are making their decisions of which venues to perform at based on sensory inclusion.
6What are some main takeaways you would like to leave attendees at your GuestX session before they return to their workplace?
How easy it is to partner with KultureCIty and the many great benefits that you can get not only from the guest experience standpoint but also from the business standpoint.
To register for GuestX, click here.
City of Fort Worth Welcomes Michael Crum as Director of Public Events Department
By City of Fort Worth and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Michael E. Crum has been named director of the City of Fort Worth’s Public Events Department. He comes to his new position that he will begin in early February after a successful career as vice president for business development and chief financial officer for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), where he has been responsible for developing collaborative efforts between the CRVA and its community partners, as well as overseeing the agency’s accounting budget, audit, information technology, strategic planning, research, business analysis, application delivery, security and risk management functions.
“Mike Crum brings an impressive résumé in facility management to Fort Worth,” Assistant City Manager Jay Chapa said. “As Fort Worth looks toward expanding and renovating its downtown convention center, we will rely on Crum’s experience in developing convention business and bringing new and exciting venues online.”
Crum went to Charlotte in 1989 as director of finance for the Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority, 
and in 1997 was named the Authority’s managing director. In this capacity, he was at the center of Charlotte’s efforts to retain the NBA Hornets and in 2002, helped negotiate the agreement that led to the development of Spectrum Center and the return of an NBA franchise to the market.
In 2004, Crum oversaw the merger of the Authority with Visit Charlotte, Charlotte’s convention and visitors’ bureau, to create the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). He subsequently served as the CRVA’s chief operating officer until the reorganization of the CRVA’s management structure in 2012.
Prior to coming to Charlotte, Crum worked in the Facility Management Division of the Pacer Basketball Corp. in Indianapolis from 1987-1989.
During his tenure in Charlotte, Crum was involved with national events like the 1994 NCAA Men’s Final Four, the 1996 Women’s Final Four, the 1991 and 2019 NBA All-Star Games, the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and the future 2020 Republican National Convention. He also participated in the development of the Charlotte Convention Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and renovations of Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium.
“Following Mike’s 30 years of service with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), we’ve been working together to identify the next step in his career, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said Tom Murray, Tom Murray, Chief Executive Officer for
CRVA. “Fort Worth will benefit from his incredible depth and breadth of experience, just as Charlotte has for so many years.”
Crum holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served on the boards of directors for the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte Sports Foundation and Champions for Education, the organization that oversees the operation of the Wells Fargo Championship.
The City of Fort Worth’s Public Events Department oversees the operations of downtown’s Fort Worth Convention Center and the Cultural District’s Will Rogers Memorial Center.