You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

IF I WASN’T DOING THIS, I’D BE: Sitting on a beach with a tropical drink. But seriously, I would be a teacher.

MOST IMPRESSIVE PERSON I’VE EVER MET: Dr. Maya Angelou. Not just impressive, but an amazing woman! This industry has afforded me so many opportunities, but when I met Dr. Angelou at an event, I melted in her presence. She was engaging, graceful, and kind. Her book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” remains one of my favorites.

I UNWIND BY: Cooking, because it allows me to relax and focus, especially if I am preparing a new recipe. But I also like to watch old movies and vintage sitcoms such as The Andy Griffith Show.

ON MY DESK RIGHT NOW IS: Two monitors, iPad, phones, a handful of red grapes (trying to eat healthy snacks), work/project related documents, my notebook (I carry it everywhere), and a greeting card with words of inspiration sent from a client.

MY FAVORITE IAVM PROGRAM/CONFERENCE/EVENT/SESSIION I EVER ATTENDED WAS: So many come to mind, but a turning point for me was the 2017 VC in Nashville and the Diversity Reception led by Robyn Williams. What an amazing fundraising event! I made new industry friends that day and came away with a renewed sense of commitment to IAVM.

IF I WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEATS, I’D BE A: Door greeter or usher. This is an awesome way to meet new people. I would get to smile all day.

ONE TRAIT AN UP-AND-COMING VENUE MANAGER SHOULD HAVE: Be humble.

ONE UP-AND-COMING VENUE STAR IN THE ARENA INDUSTRY IS: Shawn Brown at the Verizon Arena. I am just growing my relationship with Shawn, but I find him to be responsive and ready to jump in and lend a helping hand at a moment’s notice.

ONE OF MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR IS TO: Continue to provide excellence to my clients, direct reports, and company in every way, to grow our business, and to have a positive impact.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO HELP ELEVATE THE PROFESSION? By remaining enthusiastic, supportive, committed, and engaged with IAVM and the industry as a whole. I will join others to ensure that all are represented as we tackle Diversity and Inclusiveness as an organization and our conference programming is reflected as such.

WHERE DO YOU SEE NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PROFESSION? There are two areas that I believe will continue to impact our industry and our venues: technology (infrastructure) and security. I think there will be a growing need to personalize the attendee experience all the way up to securing our venues.

HOW DO YOU STAY CURRENT WITH INDUSTRY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS? I read industry publications, staying in touch with other industry friends, attending conferences such as IAVM and IAEE. I also enjoy reading the daily digest from PCMA. Lastly, I follow some industry organizations on LinkedIn and Twitter.

WHO ARE THREE PEOPLE YOU’D INVITE TO A DINNER PARTY AND WHY? Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Covey, and Martha Stewart. There is so much to learn from all of them, and this dinner would likely go on for hours. I selected Oprah, simply because she is a phenomenal woman, inspirational, and transformative; Stephen Covey wrote a book that helped to shape me as an upcoming leader; lastly, Martha Stewart because she has so much to offer, especially as a business leader.

This year’s Academy for Venue Safety & Securty (AVSS), March 10-14, will feature a joint panel discussion for Year 1 and Year 2 students that will focus on current topics in venue & event safety and security.  The panel will feature experts Dr. Tamara D. Herold, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Graduate Director at UNLV, Kelly Wilson, Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisor (PSA), Special Agent in Charge Daron Borst, FBI, San Diego, and Akmal Ali, Principal for Catalyst Partners.

“From terror groups calling for attacks on venues and artists, to security concerns involving domestic extremism and lone actors, there are a wide variety of threats and risks venues must consider in today’s operating environment,” stated Andy Jabbour, AVSS faculty member/panel moderator and the Founder of Gate 15. “With an all-star panel of private and public sector security professionals, our AVSS 2019 Joint Session Panel Discussion will address these challenges and actions leaders can take at their venues to help prevent incidents and mitigate their potential impacts.”

Through this panel discussion, AVSS attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the current topics and concerns facing venues and events today, as well how to address and be better prepared for some of the emerging security issues they may face in the future. In the discussion, panelists will discuss venue threats and risks, incident response, security expectations and preparedness, developing challenges and considerations, as well as other issues and ideas attendees can consider as they return to their venues.

“Safety and Security of America’s Soft Targets and Crowded Spaces is a priority initiative for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,” said Kelly Wilson, PSA with the Department of Homeland Security. “As a protective security advisor and member of the community, it is important to me that we can enjoy our community’s event venues and know that through public-private sector partnerships, we are all working to make these events safer.”

If you haven’t already registered to join us in San Diego for AVSS 2019, there are still a few spots available.  Click here to learn more or to register!

From tsnn.com

The Dallas City Council approved a five-year contract with Spectra Venue Management to manage the day-to-day client and facility operations of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, effective February 13.

Spectra will implement its best practices over an initial 45-day transition period, with the goal of reducing costs, increasing revenues, and achieving measurable improvements in the KBHCCD’s financial performance, customer service, and facility quality, according to Joey Zapata, assistant city manager.

Spectra currently operates 174 facilities, including 45 convention centers and 56 arenas.

“Spectra is honored and excited to have been selected as venue manager for [KBHCCD],” said Spectra President John Wentzell. “We look forward to partnering with the city of Dallas to customize growth strategies to continue elevating the convention center as a premier destination for major meetings and conventions.”

Overall responsibility for finances, contract management, and capital improvements will remain under the leadership of Convention and Event Services Interim Director Rosa Fleming, who will lead creation of a convention center master plan designed to enhance client experience, promote public transportation, and activate the convention center campus by creating outdoor spaces and placemaking that promote walkability and connectivity.

Members that attended the Diversity Reception at IAVM VenueConnect in Toronto last year were part of an amazing and energetic evening. Members gave generously to help support diversity in leadership initiatives. The Diversity & Inclusive Leadership announced that it is making two scholarships available to Venue Management School that will cover two (2) two-year commitments to applicants that meet the following criteria:
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Applicants must be American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA, or a person with disabilities.
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Applicants must be a member of IAVM or become a member before scholarship can be awarded.
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Applications must be completed online and submitted no later than the deadline of March 1, 2019.
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Recipients must be able and willing to attend Venue Management School for the year in which the scholarship is awarded.
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Recipients must be willing to support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives by providing testimonials, blogging about their experience and participating in speaking opportunities as an advocate for the Foundation as requested.

If staff at your venue may qualify, please encourage them to apply online at https://www.iavm.org/vms/vmsscholarships Applications must be received by Friday, March 1, 2019. Scholarship awards will be awarded by Friday, March 22, 2019.

Yonge-Dundas Square, a one-acre public square in downtown Toronto and host to hundreds of events annually, has selected Ungerboeck to help digitally transform its customer relationship management, event operations, financial accounting, and reporting needs. The City of Toronto-owned premier event space joins more than 50 other organizations across Canada that rely on Ungerboeck to ensure that their events run smoothly.

“We conducted a thorough RFP process to find a software solution that meets all of our needs,” said Taylor Raths, GM of Yonge-Dundas Square. “Ungerboeck was the clear choice to address our near term needs, and, more importantly, to meet our long-term objectives.”

Ungerboeck’s Canadian customer community consists of diverse and high-profile venues including Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Civic Theatres Toronto, York University, Canadian Museum of Nature, MaRS Discovery District, BC Place Stadium, and the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede.

“We’ve been supporting Canadian businesses since the early 1990s. Within the past few years we adapted our services to better align with Canadian cloud computing privacy laws and preferences,” said Manish Chandak, President and CEO of Ungerboeck. “Our commitment to the region includes the addition of a cloud data center in Canada to our global roster to ensure, when appropriate, we can keep data from crossing borders.”

“We are very excited to welcome Yonge-Dundas Square to the Ungerboeck community,” added Brad Nuccio, Ungerboeck’s Director of Entertainment Venues. “The events, finance, and management teams will be fully onboarded in six weeks making sure they are ready for their very busy Spring and Summer event seasons.”