Dasha Kelly gets the performing arts world. She totally understands what it takes for those venues to become “satellites for transformation” to become fresh, energetic, and, perhaps most important, relevant.

“For the past 20 years, I have existed in the performing arts world as an artist, producer, venue owner, convener, advocate, facilitator, and community liaison,” said Kelly, founder of her own non-profit that creates training experience for young teaching artists. “In all of these roles, I found the richest experiences at the intersections of intention and exploration. As an independent performer and founder of an arts non-profit, I understand the distances an organization can travel between mission and impact. As a creative change agent, l leverage the creative process to broker conversations, refresh perspective, and celebrate triumphs along the way.

Expect to be a part of those triumphs at Kelly presents at the Performing Arts track at VenueConnect in Toronto on July 24 from 9:15 – 10:15 am Eastern time.

Kelly is known for using her words and arts as tools for building inspiration and community. Her work has taken her throughout the United States, Canada, Botswana, Beirut, and Mauritius, a diverse mixture of peoples and culture if there ever was one. Words are her strength, as evidences by twice being named a finalist as Poet Laureate for the state of Wisconsin. That said, Kelly knows that words can only go so far and that action at some point is required. Just what action and takeaways does she have in mind for those attending her session?

“My goal will be to widen organizational and individual approaches to ‘possible,'” she said. “Specifically, I will offer core concepts for reframing scopes of influence to build partnerships, programs, and public impact.”

As Kelly prepares for VenueConnect, she has enjoyed some deeper learning experiences about the public assembly venue industry that will come in handy in Toronto.

“I’m reminded of the countless ‘unseen universes’ that pulse all around us,” Kelly said. “I was struck most by certifications for venue management and executives. It’s impressive to see executive leadership leading with accountability to continued education. I also find myself curious about how the various venue types may find ways to network and share knowledge.”

Kelly also understands the empowerment of women throughout all scopes of life and has been honored as such in being selected with Michelle Obama, Justice Sonia Sotomayer, Kathleen Turner, Chief Theresa Kachandamoto, and 15 other women from around the world to have award-winning composers create each of the women a song with lyrics from their of our life. The music debuted at the Washington Gallery of Art and San Jose Hammer Theater.

This has to fall in the category of “They don’t make ’em like they used to.”

Phil Coyne, 99-years-young and an usher for Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games since 1936, decided it was time to hang up the ushering cleats, citing a recent fall and some balance issues. As if Mr. Coyne needed to cite a reason after his decades of longevity.

Coyne’s 82-year run as an usher for the Bucs began in 1936 at the old Forbes Field and continued through the team’s move to Three Rivers Stadium and finally PNC Park. Coyne was honored with a ceremony before a game against St. Louis on April 27 and has already indicated that he plans to be among friends and family at a game next year to celebrate his 100th birthday.

The team released a statement attributed to team president Frank Coonelly that read: “Legends never really retire. Having worked his first Pirates game at the age of 18 in 1936, Phil remains number one on our organizational seniority list and will always have a place on our team. If Phil has indeed worked his last Pirates game, he has served our fans with incredible grace and distinction and he certainly has earned the right to watch Pirates games with his feet up from the comfort of his easy chair. We very much look forward to April 27, when Phil and nearly 200 of his family and friends will be our guests as we celebrate Phil’s 100th birthday during a special pre-game ceremony.”

Well done, Mr. Coyne. Well done.

Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center, announced the Cobo Center operations team have taken janitorial services in-house. The new department was created just prior to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and is headed by Cedric Turnbore, Cobo Center director of operations.

In the March 2018 edition of Meetings and Conventions Magazine a study by STR, the Hendersonville, Tenn.-based research firm, was cited ranking venue characteristics that event planners considered “very important” when selecting a meeting site. The study states that security is planners’ top priority (85 percent) and venue cleanliness and attractiveness second (80 percent).

“We take our mission to make each event in Cobo Center the most important event of the year very seriously,” Turnbore said. “We are vigilant in understanding our customer needs, and developing our operations accordingly.”

SMG directors from across the country, who are well acquainted with convention center housekeeping operations, came to Cobo Center to assist during NAIAS. Working closely with the Cobo crew in the new housekeeping department, the SMG directors advised and mentored daily.

“Our biggest show of the year proved to be the best launch period for new department,” Molinari said. “The SMG executives were integral to the process of reviewing daily progress, solving problems immediately, and improving processes.”

Traditionally, with cleaning company vendors in convention centers, the process of reporting problems to housekeeping and getting them corrected meant having the problems documented by two different companies, often with two different sets of protocols and procedures. One of the greatest efficiencies created is having Cobo Center security work cooperatively with housekeeping to identify problems for immediate response and correction. Cobo Security supervisors take pictures of cleaning problems, texts them to dispatch, who distributes them to housekeeping supervisors on duty.

Another efficiency achieved is the synergy between Cobo Center housekeeping and production services departments. There are now three supervisors from each department overseeing the work of both departments. Three original production services supervisors were given promotions and additional compensation to form the alliance, and all six supervisors are trained to assure high-level communication between departments and that event set-ups are timely and well presented.

“With housekeeping reports now on the agenda of all of our internal meetings, response time has been dramatically reduced and most of the work is proactive,” Turnbore said. “Daily supervised maintenance takes the place of trouble calls and work orders.”

Part of the mission of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), the governing body of Cobo Center, is to maximize positive economic impact, creating region-wide jobs and expanding business opportunities for the benefit of business stakeholders and the local community.

“Creating as many full time, viable careers for local Detroit residents in our operations team is important to us. We’ve hired 38 full-time people for our housekeeping department,” Molinari said. “Cobo Center is an economic engine for the Metro Detroit region. Every department sets goals to accomplish just that.”

Good morning!  It’s Friday and a wonderful day for YOUR Foundation and YOUR Future.  Preparations are moving right along in the Foundation office after having returned from a trip to the Super Region Conference in Lexington, KY, plans to experience Venue Management School in June, the 30 I UNDER I 30 awards wrap-up, and VenueConnect in Toronto on the horizon in July…and much, much more!

Foundation activities for VenueConnect are shaping up well and look to be exciting and fun for all.  The annual IAVM Golf Tournament on Sunday, July 22^th will take place at the Lionhead Masters Golf Course.  If you are interested in participating, now is the time to register.  We are also offering sponsorship opportunities for the golf tournament.  This is a great way to showcase your company to those who matter to you the most…your clients. 

Also coming together nicely is the Foundation’s Silent Auction.  It’s back this year, and it is bigger and better than ever with items sure to interest everyone!  Please consider donating an item to the auction or becoming an auction sponsor.  Once again, this is a great opportunity to spotlight your company.

In April, both the Region 6 conference and the Supper Region conference (Regions 1, 2, 3 and 5) came through with flying colors for the Foundation. Together those regions raised over $5,600 to invest in YOUR Foundation and Your Future! I was able to make the trip to Kentucky and the Super Region conference, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many IAVM members, attending classes, seeing Rupp Arena and the Lexington Opera House, and sampling a little local bourbon.  Thank you to everyone who had a part in raising the funds, and those who invested in the Foundation.  Remember that you too can invest in the future of your career, the careers of your colleagues, and the future of your industry by making an investment in the Foundation.

Scoring has been underway for the past few weeks to determine the 30 I UNDER I 30 Class of 2018.  We had over 50 worthy applicants this year!  Teams made up of volunteers from the Foundation Board of Trustees and CVP members have been working hard to select the award-winning applications.  Many, many thanks go out to those who are aiding in this endeavor.  Good luck to all who applied!  Stay tuned for the outcome!

Venue Management School takes place the first week of June.  The Foundation will be there to talk about our purpose and lead fundraising activities.  Please contact me for more details.

My first two months with the IAVM Foundation have been an enjoyable whirlwind in which I have learned a lot about the industry I am now serving, the wonderful people involved and their generous spirits, and what steps to take in which to move the Foundation into the future.  I’m definitely looking forward to a bright and prosperous future for the IAVM Foundation and the industry as a whole.

This year, one of IAVM Foundation‘s premier programs is getting a boost from the very organization that bears the programs name. The Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship awards  20 scholarships  to deserving applicants from each sector of the IAVM membership in the categories: Outstanding Leadership, Diversity, Industry Women, Young Professional.

Scholarships may be applied towards Venue Management School (VMS), Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS), and VenueConnect, IAVM’s Annual Conference & Trade Show. Selected applicants will receive a travel stipend of $600 and complimentary registration to attend Venue Connect.

Joseph Floreano, CVE

“Joe was the consummate industry professional who spent over 40 years in public assembly and cared deeply for both IAVM and its foundation,” stated James Brown, Executive Director of the Floreano Center.  “Many of us knew Joe, knew his kind spirit, generosity, humor and friendship. He freely gave his time, knowledge and financial resources to the IAVM Foundation and always challenged us to do the same. He knew the importance of mentorship, education and the need to always strive for excellence. We are proud to carry on Joe’s legacy of giving.”

The Floreano Center has committed $6,000 towards the total goal of raising $12,000 to fund this year’s scholarships and is issuing a Call to Action to IAVM members across all Regions to rise to the challenge by supporting and investing in this valuable initiative that benefits each and every one of us.

“I’d like to challenge every venue to step up and invest in Your Industry, Your Future by donating towards the IAVM Foundation Scholarship program,” said Brown. “By investing today you are investing in your industries tomorrow.”

Please go to the IAVM Foundation web page to learn more: http://iavm.org/foundation/foundation-floreano-scholarships