As the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo opens, GF Strategies’ tracking system continues to be in place for 23rd year at the Show.

It began in 1996 when Winning Ticket Strategies, now known as GF Strategies, was engaged to bring to one of the major events in North America a sales tracking system. The system that was first implemented by the firm at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon, in 1992 would have its biggest test ever.

“Until we worked with the Houston Livestock Show we were a regional consulting firm,” said company President Greg Flakus. The show would see Flakus work with an all-volunteer group of tape reviewers that were part of the first team at the Show to track all sales as garner a percentage of gross sales from all food and beverage vendors. Prior to that time the show had charged vendors a flat fee for their space.

The show enjoyed major increases in sales after putting in place the sales tracking system.

“I have two very good memories from our first year at the show,” Flakus said. “The first was the group of volunteers who came every day committed to our job. This team is still known today as the Z team. And, of course, the major increase in show revenue from vendors under the new system.”

Another memory that Flakus recalls is being asked by one of the team members to join him at the Astrodome for the George Strait concert. “I will always remember George finishing his show and mounting a horse and riding around the floor of the Astrodome high-fiving front row patrons.”

“While all of these events continue to use our tracking system, our current business has moved to consulting on festival startups such as the Spokane Brewers Festival (now in in its fourth year) and advising events on how to increase their per capita spending at the festivals,” Flakus said.

GF Strategies would go on to bring the tracking system to 53 Fairs in 20 states including seven of the largest fairs by attendance in North America.

Wow! I am always amazed at how fast a year goes by as I get older. It seems like VenueConnect 18 in Toronto was a couple of months ago. The busy-ness of our businesses often skew our perspective of time. To that point, I was reminded earlier this week that the fiscal year for the IAVM Foundation ends on March 31^st. As Trustee on the Foundation Board, I am working with my fellow Trustees in making a FINAL PUSH to secure commitments from YOU, our members, to ensure the Foundation programs YOU support through your generous donations can continue for years to come.

• Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship & Internship Program
• 30 l UNDER l 30 Awards Program
• 100+ Women of IAVM
• Diversity & Inclusion Initiative
• YOUR Foundation. YOUR Future. Annual Fundraising Campaign

 
The last several years of my tenure as a Foundation Trustee have seen important changes within IAVM. As with any organization, success starts at the top. Brad Mayne’s arrival has ushered in much needed energy, an understanding of our business, and a focus on initiatives that are important to our members. Our new Development Director, Kathryn Eades, has been a breath of fresh air to the Foundation with her passionate support of our Mission. Robyn Williams is this year’s Foundation Chair. Her infectious creativity and energy are inspiring us to stay focused on our Mission. Her passion and drive are helping our Board of Trustees stay on target to achieve our goals.

However, to achieve these goals, we need you the members to get involved and give. There are many ways you for you to invest. You can make a one-time donation. There is an opportunity to set up scheduled giving. I give annually, but you may want to donate weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly with a recurring contribution. If we were able to get 400 individuals to donate $25/month, the result would be $10,000 per month for $120,000 annually and give us a solid foundation from which to operate. Many of our member facilities could set up Sponsorships and receive recognition for their participation. My fellow allied members that donate will receive recognition at all IAVM events.

As we Push forward, I ask that you click here to watch testimonial videos from our young venue professionals who have benefited from your contributions to the Foundation. These inspirational future leaders of our organization are why I give my time, energy, and money to the Foundation.

This is……..Your Foundation. Your Future.

Thomas L. Tingle, AIA

IAVM Foundation Board Trustee

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: Zoologist, probably! Or at least an animal attendant at a zoo.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: The late Dan Kubiak, former member of the Texas House of Representatives. He was a wonderful champion for public education and a really nice guy. His niece was a close friend and he worked closely with my grandpa, who was the Sheriff of Bell County, so I thought he was just “some guy” until he passed away while I was in high school. I was pretty surprised to know that someone who did such great work for the State.

I unwind by: Listening to Broadway soundtracks (Waitress and Hamilton are my most played right now) or binge watching something on Netflix.

On my desk right now is: A lot of pens! I have a bad habit of grabbing a new pen from my drawer each time I need to write something and then leaving it laying around.

My favorite IAVM program/conference/event/session I ever attended was: I’ve only been to one so far – Region 6 Conference in South Padre. It was amazing!

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: Broadway performer! One that dances poorly.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: Compassion. I don’t think it’s possible to care too much, but you can certainly care too little.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is (name/venue): I’ve been keeping my eye on the BOK Center in Tulsa! They really seemed to set out on a mission to host the most amazing shows … and they’re doing it!

One of my goals for this year is to: Knock out a lot of CVP points!

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? I’m dedicated to the guest experience and want to make every moment in my venue memorable. I’d love to help us shape our customer service skills around our evolving industry and changing culture so that all patrons feel comfortable, entertained, and invited.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? I’m front of house, so I like to pay attention to the first five minutes a patron spends inside of our buildings. What do they see? How are they treated? What’s that first impression? I think we all have things we can do to improve those moments by just thinking outside of the box and keeping an improv-esque manner of thought: “…yes, and then?”

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I read the Facility Manager magazine and pay a lot of attention to LinkedIn!

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why: It would take a little time travel, but I’d love to hang out with P.T. Barnum, P!nk, and Emma Thompson. They’ve changed their respective fields in so many ways!

Melinda Landry is event manager of the Amarillo Civic Center Complex in Amarillo, Texas.

Allied members want more engagement opportunities for their corporate and sales employees to connect with venue professionals. IAVM’s new Allied Group Membership program delivers two options to have more employees involved in IAVM with additional perks to enhance the value companies receive as a member.

A firm can attend numerous events year round to make connections with influential decision-makers from venues around the world to increase sales revenue potential while building relationships as a member exhibitor, member partner or member sponsor of IAVM.

Hospitality and food & beverage leader Centerplate knows the value well and holds the proud honor of becoming the first IAVM Allied member to secure a group membership.

“Centerplate is looking forward to working with IAVM in the year ahead with its newly minted company group membership,” said Paul Pettas, communications director for the Stamford, Connecticut, industry leader. “This will help the company continue to forge close ties with the industry and the venues we serve through increased professional participation.”

Just this past week, SVP of Sales and New Business Development, Kay Towner, VP of Operations Richard Ginzel and Executive Chef Daryl O’Donnell spoke at the San Diego Convention Center for the IAVM Region 7 meeting about the guest satisfaction and financial benefits of integrating local ‘hometown’ purveyors into a venue’s culinary experience.”

Centerplate was founded in 1929 and partners with more than 300 public assembly venues across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, serving more than 115 million guests.

“In addition to having a presence at industry events, Centerplate’s vast network of managers keep updated with the latest IAVM news and trends, thus staying a step ahead as we fulfill our mission of making it ‘better to be there’ for guests, clients, and employees at our hundreds of venues all around North America,” Pettas said. “Centerplate looks forward to working with IAVM in the year ahead, as we continue offering best-in-class hospitality solutions to the U.S. and Canada’s leading venues.”

Learn how to get started with Allied Group Membership here.

Venue Solutions Groups is pleased to welcome Richard Andersen, CVE as Chief Illuminations Officer. In his new role, Andersen will be responsible for the VSG Advantage Training, a portfolio of customizable training programs designed to maximize human potential. Andersen will draw on his 35 plus years of experience in professional sports, venues and hospitality management to design and facilitate leading edge training and development programs.

“Richard brings that rare combination of insight, creativity and relatable experience, combined with specialized adult learning techniques, to deliver those ‘aha moments’,” said VSG Managing Partner, Russ Simons. “He is an outstanding addition to our VSG team. Richard fits our culture and mirrors our commitment to the industry.”

Andersen was most recently President and CEO of Seafair, a premier festival management organization in Seattle. He previously served as President and CEO of Northlands, one of Canada’s largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes, and as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of Petco Park.

“I am excited to be joining the Venue Solutions Group Team as we launch Advantage Training,” Andersen said. “The true ‘Advantage’ is our ability to tap into a wealth of experience in professional sports, venue, and hospitality management, coupled with leading-edge programs that deliver those ‘aha moments.’ Nothing cookie cutter – our customized facilitations focus on issues identified by you. Because we know the business, our training is uniquely relevant and specific, leading to illuminating results.”

Andersen is highly respected throughout the venue management industry for his leadership as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Venue Managers and Chair of the Board of Regents of the IAVM Venue Management School. He serves on the faculties of VMS and the Venue Management Association (VMA Asia Pacific) School and Leadership Institute in Australia. He also led classes in Business Operations and Strategic Planning at San Diego State University.

Formed in 2011 by three former senior facility managers, VSG advises clients in all aspects of venue operations, including but not limited to, design and startup, budgeting, organizational assessments, facility condition assessments, guest experience benchmarking programs, security & safety, and expense reduction.