The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) announced it will feature a series of emerging technology solution use cases at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held December 11-13, in New Orleans, La. These Tech Use Cases have been proven in the exhibitions and events marketplace, and aim to give exhibition and event producers an opportunity to explore a wide range of solutions that answer the challenges they face in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing landscape.

The IAEE Technologies Committee is comprised of technology domain experts and exhibition organizers who provide regular insight and feedback on current and emerging technology trends that have the potential of disrupting the exhibitions and events industry. Members of the committee identified the following key areas of interest for the case studies: Attendee Experience and Engagement; Back of House (Venue Related Tech); Lead Generation (ROI); Learning Technology; Marketing (Attendee Acquisition); Networking, Revenue Creation; Security and Compliance; and Sponsorships.

“The IAEE Technologies Committee wanted to focus on use cases that are currently impacting the exhibitions and events industry, and how they may impact the industry within the next three to five years,” said IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “These hands-on case studies will provide relevant, usable information about new technology applications within the industry.”

The Tech Use Cases to be featured at Expo! Expo! are:

Tech Use Case #1: Using New Mobile Technology to Increase Safety and Security
Presented by Rich Stone, CEO, EXPOCAD® by ACT
Tech Use Case #2: Increasing Attendee Engagement with Facilitated Event Networking
Presented by Ville Vanhala, Co-Founder, Brella
Tech Use Case #3: How Face Recognition for Attendee Check-in is Changing Events
Presented by Dave Bradfield, II, Vice President, Client Success, Expo Logic
Tech Use Case #4: Visual Communications – Using etech’s ShowCommand™ to Take Digital Signage from an Event Expense to an Event Revenue Generator
Presented by Tom Brandt, President, etech Events
Tech Use Case #5: How Experient Uses Your Guest’s Behavior to Drive Results
Presented by Aaron Dorsey, PMP, Sr. Director, Strategic Client Technology, Experient, a Maritz Global Events Company and Jamie Murdock, VP, Sales, Experient, a Maritz Global Events Company
Tech Use Case #6: COMPUTEX Taipei 2018
Presented by Emilia Shih, Executive Director of Exhibition Department, TAITRA

All tech use cases collected by the Technologies Committee and edited by Dahlia El Gazzar (Dahlia +), are catalogued in a searchable website, IAEE’s Tech Guide, launched earlier this year. This growing collection of over 50 use cases provides show organizers with a comprehensive and growing library of relevant and emerging technology applications taking place in the industry.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and it’s that time of year when we sit back and reflect on the things we are thankful for.  Many of us are blessed and thankful for family, health, happiness, and success.  Your own success may be reaching personal and professional goals.  Many can look back to a time when the IAVM Foundation touched their lives in a positive way.

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

We hope that you will use this time to reflect on your experiences in the venue industry and that you’ll realize the importance of your gift to the IAVM Foundation. Over the past 35 years, donations to the foundation have helped to create amazing programs such as VMS, the IAVM research department (VDS), safety and security initiatives (EMSSI), and scholarship and internship programs for the future of the industry. Tuesday, November 27th is a time to give back, so the IAVM Foundation can continue to develop programs and education that improves every aspect of our venue industry.

For your support, in any amount, we thank you, and hope that you have a magical holiday season!

Give Back on #GivingTuesday

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Kerry Painter, CEM, CVE, CMP, who helps oversee the internationally award-winning convention center in Tulsa, Okla., has been named general manager and director of Raleigh’s Convention Center complex.

City Manager Ruffin Hall announced today that Painter will begin her new duties on December 18.

Owned and operated by the City of Raleigh, the Convention Center complex consists of the Raleigh Convention Center, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, and Red Hat Amphitheater — all located Downtown —and the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.

“Kerry is recognized as a top performer in strategic, innovative facility management,” Hall said. “She has tremendous experience and knowledge in leading convention facilities and performing arts/concert venues. We’re excited that she will become a member of the City’s management team, and I am confident she will continue and build upon the great work of the staff at our Convention Center complex.”

Painter currently is the assistant general manager at Cox Business Center in Tulsa, a position she has held since 2013.

The Cox Business Center was a recipient of the 2017 Venue Excellence Award presented by IAVM. The annual award is given to venues and individuals who demonstrate excellence in the management and operation of public assembly venues globally.

“I am honored and excited about working for a premier city like Raleigh that has outstanding public facilities for conventions and entertainment,” Painter said.

Painter has more than 30 years of experience in strategic, innovative facility management. She has helped to oversee a variety of public facilities, including convention centers, a theatre, arena, and stadium.

Additionally, she has launched and facilitated construction and grand openings of five facilities.

Prior to joining the Cox Business Center staff, Painter served as interim general manager of the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and as president and general manager at the Niagara Convention and Civic Centre in Niagara Falls, Canada.

She has obtained industry certifications, including certified event manager, certified meeting professional and certified exhibition manager. Painter also is an instructor for IAVM and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

Painter holds a bachelor’s degree in management, economics and communication arts from the University of Michigan. She has dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.

Bill Herman has been promoted to general manager of Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. Herman has served as assistant
general manager with Allen Event Center since July 2017 overseeing daily and event operations at the venue.

“Bill’s extensive experience in arena operations, event planning, booking, and general management has been an indispensable
resource to all work groups at the Event Center over the past 15 months,” said David Angeles, Herman’s predecessor who will
now provide oversight to both Allen Event Center and the Courses at Watters Creek as an assistant director. “Bill’s knowledge in
sports team operations has further strengthened the arena’s relationship and support of City of Allen sports tenants.”

Herman, who officially began his new role on October 27, has spent his 20-year career in public assembly venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth market and is a recent second year graduate of the Venue Management School.

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, announced its straw ban during a sustainability presentation at the National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit on November 9, 2018.

The United States uses over 500 million plastic straws every day; most straws end up polluting oceans and killing marine life. The LACC, in partnership with in-house caterer Taste of LA by Levy Restaurants, will cease the use of 250,000 straws annually to protect the planet. Paper straws will be used only for blended coffee beverages until other solutions are accessible. Paper straws will also be available for those with ADA requirements.

“One of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint is by removing waste wherever possible,” said Matthew Brown, general manager of Taste of LA by Levy at the LACC. “Our goal has been to function 100 percent straw-free. One year ago, we eliminated straws from catering, which serves as 80 percent of our business. Removing straws from our cafes and kiosks was the last piece of the puzzle.”

The LACC has recently implemented additional sustainability initiatives. In August the facility upgraded to water and energy efficient dishwashers, saving an estimated 1.3 million gallons of water annually. Last month the LACC started a project replacing 330 faucets in guest restrooms; 0.5 gallon per minute (GPM) faucets are being upgraded to 0.35 GPM units, which will save approximately 415,000 gallons of water annually.

“Environmental sustainability is embedded in the LACC’s culture and permeates every aspect of our day-to-day operations,” said Ellen Schwartz, general manager of the LACC. “It is exciting to continually launch new initiatives at events like NLC City Summit that impact communities all over the country.”