Members tell us why they invest in their IAVM Foundation –

“None of us arrived where we are today without someone giving us a shot, some help, or probably varying degrees of both. The myriad of benefits and opportunities The Foundation provides to engage, to network, to research, and to participate in lifelong learning is not only invaluable to Venue Managers at every level, but essential to the continuity and progress of the industry as a whole. There are too many benefits and programs available to members that The Foundation has developed, seeded, supports, manages, and/or maintains to mention here (check out the “about” section on The Foundation webpage). Suffice it to say without the programs, research, advocacy and overall contributions to our industry that The Foundation provides, our industry would not be anywhere near where it is today. Just as the individuals and companies that create the membership of IAVM strive to elevate the experience of the guests of our venues, so does The Foundation strive to elevate the professional experience of those associated with the Venue Management Industry. And just as our Venues rely on funding by those guests we serve, so does The Foundation rely on funding by those it serves.”

-Brian Stovall, CVE, CVP | Vice President, Program Development | VenuBlue

“I donate so that I can help pay it forward to our up-and-coming venue managers. Without the numerous Foundation scholarships, programs and professional development opportunities, as well as my industry mentors who pushed me to take advantage of those opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today. In turn, giving back to help support the growth and future of our industry is extremely important to me.”

-Sam Dores, CVP | Director, Client Services | Taco Bell Arena

“My donations to the IAVM foundation are an investment in our future. These funds will go toward furthering the development of future leaders and professionals in this industry. All of our donations will provide important scholarships and educational opportunities that will help unlock the potential of aspiring public assembly professionals. I see this as an important mission of the Foundation and pledge to do my part to ensure these programs remain solvent for many years to come.”

-Tom Tingle, AIA | Senior Associate | DLR Group

“SearchWide Global contributes because we believe the Foundation affects careers through learning and networking opportunities, through certification and continual training…

From scholarships to those wanting to step foot in the venue industry, to the Foundations 30u30 program that builds a better bench, a CVP certification that deepens that bench and networking advice that is shared helps you be better at what you do. If you’ve been impacted by IAVM and the IAVM Foundation, pay it forward and contribute. Build a BETTER FOUNDATION for the next.”

-Mark Gnatovic | Executive Vice President | SearchWide Global

So, why do YOU invest in the Foundation?  Tell us!  Send your story of why giving back to your Foundation is important to you!

Because of the generosity of so many women (and men!) today’s the day we are able to open up application for a first year AVSS woman attendee to receive a scholarship fully paid to AVSS through this fund! I couldn’t be more thrilled to see us offer a scholarship to this prestigious school.

• AVSS 100+ Women Scholarship – Applications are open to all 1^styear female AVSS registrants.  Applications close on November 30, 2018.  The recipient will be chosen by December 14, 2018.
• The second year scholarship will be awarded to the returning 2018 1^styear recipient.

CLICK HERE to apply now.

If you have yet to invest in the 100+ Women program we are still happy to take your donation. Make today the day you decide to change six women’s professional lives. Make your investment today!

Kerry Painter, CFE, CEM, CMP

IAVM Foundation Trustee

As the week is ending and the rest of the world is looking forward to a weekend with family, cheering on their favorite team, dinner out and probably even sleeping in, we venue managers are just gearing up for the events we have spent the week preparing for. We do not have jobs like the rest of the world; we have careers that are actually lifestyles.  And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

But on this Friday, I ask you to take a moment to think about when you first started in this industry.  The excitement of seeing a live event and knowing you were a part of it.  The long hours. The lack of sleep.  Living on concession food but mostly running on fumes.  Who wouldn’t want this glamorous career we call venue management? But after all the event excitement is over, the reality set in.  You were exhausted.  You missed out on all the fun with your friends and family.  You started to feel a little left out. Wouldn’t it have been great to have a resource you could connect with to share your hopes and fears and get some guidance on how to navigate this career you couldn’t help but love? 

Because of your support for the IAVM Foundation, the next generation has all the resources we didn’t: 

• 30 Under 30 Program
• Young Professionals Program
• Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship and Internship Program
• Certified Venue Professional (CVP) Certification
• 100 Women of IAVM
• Diversity Program

We are opening doors for the next generation every day by creating an IAVM family of resources to make sure those who are humble enough to put in the work and hungry for this career can have every opportunity to be successful.

Please take a moment now to watch our newest video, MY Foundation, MY Future and help us pay it forward to the next generation of venue managers.  Not only are we building the leaders of the future, we are training the young professionals who may soon be working for you.

It’s Foundation Friday.  Take a break from your busy day to remind yourself why you love this business and then please make an investment in the future.  Consider all the programs your Foundation has supported over the years including VMS, AVSS, SES, CFE and so many more and if you have benefited from any or all of these, someone invested in you and now is your opportunity to pay it forward.

Invest in YOUR Foundation. YOUR Future. Today!

Thank you! Now go create some amazing events this weekend!

Stephanie Curran, CVE
IAVM Foundation Past Chair

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 a: Hmm … getting paid to travel and eat would be pretty awesome, for a time at least! Seriously, my heart is to help and encourage people, especially those that can’t advocate for themselves, such as children, to let people know that they are seen, they have value, and they are special.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: My father. He has faced insurmountable odds and hardship during his life.  He was born in Puerto Rico, one of 13 children. His father died when he was 11. After his father’s death, the family lived in a dirt-floor shack. My father worked for pennies a day, shining shoes to help support the family. In high school, he played baseball and was offered a full scholarship to college as a baseball player. Instead, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.

During the war, my father was in a company comprised of Puerto Ricans that was considered to be “expendable” and sent in the first wave. He was a scout and became trapped behind enemy lines. My father had to bury himself in a hole to hide. It was winter. Left behind by his company, he was found a week later by another company—frost-bitten and snow-blind. Despite having discharge papers documenting his service, his military records were “lost”/ sealed for decades. He was finally acknowledged as a veteran 17 years ago.

Upon separating from the Army, my father went to school for engineering and was told he’d never graduate or succeed. Instead, he graduated at the top of his class and was recruited by NASA. My father ultimately signed on with GE and conducted much of the research pivotal to modern appliances such as toaster ovens and microwaves. He worked with the semi-conductors, transistors, wafers, and the vacuum tubes found in early TVs. As a result, he is listed on several patents.

He is the father of eight children. He was the sole support for his family, working three jobs when necessary. Each of us went to college and secured successful careers. He is now the proud grandfather of 15.

I unwind by: Unwind? What is that? I guess it would be late-night watching of Sci-Fi series (like Stranger Things) while sipping on a glass of red wine.

On my desk right now is: three monitors, two computers, two cell phones, stacks of papers, and receipts (representing things that need to be addressed, copied or filed)—along with this morning’s coffee cup, a bag of mixed nuts, and photo strips taken at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville during Venue Connect 2017.

My favorite IAVM program/conference/event/session I ever attended was: the 2014 PAMC conference in Kansas City. It was my first PAMC conference and my first occasion, since college, to be immersed with theatre people. It was incredible! Couple the conference with being in Kansas City, a city I LOVED living in right out of college, and it was wonderful. I was smitten.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be: working at a performing arts center. I discovered a love for the theatre while in college when I had the opportunity to work at the campus performing arts center. I helped with load in, hanging lights, sound check, and then worked front of house for performances. At the time, I didn’t realize that there was an industry and profession that I could have remained a part of. Decades later, I came full circle and was able to reconnect with that first love and “live vicariously” through serving performing arts centers and venues of all types.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: to realize and recognize the strengths represented in everyone around them; to be willing to absorb and learn from their experiences and knowledge.

One up-and-coming venue star in the industry is (name/venue): There are so many impressive people all around us that it is hard to name just one! Kayln Denniston, though, is one to watch. She is committed to serving venues and this industry. Kayln is caring, passionate, intelligent, and committed to excellence. Our future as an industry is very bright with so many exceptionally talented professionals.

One of my goals for this year is to: serve our clients, my company, and this industry with excellence. To make positive contributions wherever I go and in whatever I do.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? By engaging with the industry through IAVM and its initiatives; contributing to and assisting with the committees that I’ve aligned with.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? Technology and safety/security. So much, especially in these areas, is changing at such an incredible rate that we can’t even imagine what might come next.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? It is my privilege to have daily interaction with those on the “front lines”— the representatives of venues of all shapes, sizes, and locations. This interaction allows me to listen, learn, and therefore observe patterns and trends within the industry. Additional resources include attending conferences, following industry publications, blogs, newsletters, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? My grandparents. I knew them for a short time in my childhood and don’t think I fully appreciated who they were, what they’d lived, and what they had to offer. It would be wonderful to be able to have an encounter with them now.

The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) this week announced the recipients for its 2018 Industry Awards at the annual Honors & Awards Ceremony including selecting Kim Bedier, CVE, as Venue Executive of the Year. IEBA is a not-for-profit trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, founded in 1970. Bedier is director for Tacoma Venues & Events at the City of Tacoma. She served as chair of IAVM in 2014-15.

“This industry and the people I work with every day inspire me. It is a privilege to be part of an amazing team committed to delivering superlative service and making memorable experiences for all of our guests at the Tacoma Dome,” Bedier said. “It is particularly exciting to receive recognition – for all of us – as we embark on the most exciting time as we debut the newly refreshed Dome.”

The Tacoma Dome is completing a four-month revitalization that includes all new seating, concessions, additional restrooms, backstage artist quarters, loading docks, and more. The Dome will re-open in October with annual consumer shows like the RV Show and Holiday Food & Gift and host eight concerts in November.

Bedier serves as Director, Tacoma Venues & Events for the City of Tacoma, where she is responsible for the Tacoma Dome, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Pantages and Rialto Theater, Theater on the Square, and Cheney Stadium. She serves as a board member for Travel Tacoma and Tacoma South Sound Sports.

An industry-leader, Bedier has successfully opened three new arena construction projects, including the XFINITY Arena in Everett, which received the venue industry’s top award in 2010 for Arena Excellence.

Bedier served over a decade on the Board of IAVM and currently serves as an instructor at the Venue Management School and Graduate Institute, in both the United States and Australia.

Bedier serves on the Board for Enduris Washington, is a member of Rotary 8 of Tacoma, and is a past board member of Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, Rotary Club of Everett, and the YMCA of Snohomish County.

For more information about the Tacoma Convention Center, click here.