The Houston City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Brenda Bazan as the new president and CEO of the Houston First Corporation (HFC). Bazan assumed immediate responsibilities in her no position.

Bazan is no stranger to Houston First, having been with the organization since its inception in 2011, serving as the chief financial officer where she oversaw finance, human resources and purchasing functions of the organization. Her career with the city of Houston began in 1993 where she held several positions in the Controller’s Office including director of finance and accounting and also with the Convention & Entertainment Facilities department where she served as deputy director. She has also worked on citywide endeavors such as property insurance, energy procurement and management and debt-related issues.

“It’s an honor to be selected by Mayor Turner and confirmed by Houston City Council,” Bazan said. “The Houston First model is the first of its kind in the destination marketing industry and has achieved record successes across the organization, including sales, tourism, marketing and public relations. I’m fortunate to have such an awesome team of professionals at Houston First, and together I know we will continue transforming our big dreams into big successes for our beloved city. The future of Houston is bright and I am committed to making sure HFC serves as a beacon of light.”

The International Association of Venue Managers has named Lori Harvey as the new Business Development Manager.  Bringing more than 15 years of experience in the advertising and trade show industries, Harvey will be working within the Sales Department, with her primary focus on advertising and sponsorship sales.

“Lori brings over 15 years of experience in successfully creating and selling advertising programs while developing customer relationships,” said Christy Jacobs, IAVM Director of Marketplace Sales. “Her background in delivering ROI and enhancing customer experiences will be a true asset to our team and our membership.”

“IAVM has an exciting suite of advertising offerings with an extraordinarily targeted audience,” stated Harvey.  “I look forward to working with our members offering them the best most effective options available.   My goal in this new position is to work with our members on a consultative basis, to help them understand all of the advertising options we offer, and find the most effective solution for their product or service.”

Harvey comes to IAVM after spending the past 15 years working with the Dallas Market Center selling advertising for all of their publications and on-site opportunities and working to  launch multiple new print and digital publications.

“One thing I would want our members to know about me is my passion is helping my clients,” added Harvey. “I will work hard to make sure we are offering AND delivering the very best products for our members.”

The International Association of Venue Managers has named Kathryn Eades as the new Director of Development for the IAVM Foundation. Eades joined the staff March 14, 2018 and will work with Brad Mayne, CVE ,IAVM President & CEO, Stephanie Curran, CVE, Chair of the IAVM Foundation, and the Board of Trustees to implement a variety of fundraising strategies and initiatives, as well as increase awareness of the IAVM Foundation.

“Your IAVM Foundation is fortunate to have Kathryn Eades as our Director of Development,” stated Mayne. “Kathryn brings 11 years of non-profit experience in fundraising, event planning, marketing, and volunteer recruitment to her new position. she will be meeting this week with the Board of Trustees, and following the Trustees meeting, will be announcing the initiatives that will drive our fund raising efforts for the foreseeable future.”

Eades comes to the Foundation from Hobbs, NM with a strong background in non-profit development, having worked for United Way of Lea County as Campaign, Events and Marketing Director and University of the Southwest as Development and External Relations Coordinator.

“The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Kathryn Eades as the Director of Development for your Foundation,” said Stephanie Curran, CVE, Chief Executive Officer for Spokane Public Facilities District and the Chair for the Foundation Board of Trustees.  “Kathryn’s experience in not for profit organizations made her our choice from the multiple applicants we reviewed and interviewed. The Board of Trustees will be working closely with Kathryn to provide a positive return on the investments our donors make in support of our industry.”

Back in the DFW area after many years, Eades noted that she is happy to be back among family and friends, having been raised in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. “I’m so excited to be beginning this journey with the IAVM Foundation and look forward to working with its wonderful staff and membership to continue to strengthen the Association, all while once again living near people close to me.” said Eades. 

With a BA in Marketing and Advertising from Texas Tech University, she rates one of her biggest accomplishments as raising $1.1 Million for the United Way of Lea County in one fall campaign season.

The mom to two daughters, Rachel and Hilary, Kathryn enjoys spending time with family, painting, arts and crafts, reading, gardening, and antiquing. She is looking forward to discovering new favorite places and the new experiences in store for her in the Dallas area.

Do you know a young professional that is a rising star in the venue industry?  Nominate that individual to be a part of the 30 |UNDER | 30 Class of 2018!

Launched at VenueConnect 2015 in Baltimore, 30 | UNDER | 30 focuses on identifying and developing the talent of venue industry professionals, 30 years of age and under, through increased access and exposure to industry networking and thought leadership. The program provides year-round continued education for professional growth in the venue industry and helps program participants become better, more productive employees.

“One of the most important investments that the IAVM Foundation makes every year is the 30 | Under | 30 program,” stated Bob Hunter, CVE, Chief Project Development Officer for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Air Canada Centre and Foundation Immediate Past Chair for the Board of Trustees. “Up and coming industry professionals are recognized through this program for the contributions they are making to their respective organizations. That investment allows these individuals to participate in and experience VenueConnect, as well as reinforce the value of a career in our industry.”

Selected applicants will receive a travel stipend of $800 and complimentary registration to attend VenueConnect, IAVM’s Annual Conference & Trade Show. Honorees notified in May and will be recognized formally at the Venue Industry Awards luncheon in Toronto, July 25.

“Our vision is to honor and inspire the next generation of leaders in the public assembly industry,” said Kathryn Eades, Director of Development, IAVM Foundation. “The Class of 2018 will truly represent the best of the best who show passion and drive for our industry.”

The deadline to receive nominations is March 31, 2018.  Click here to learn more.

Kletra Newton has been named chief operating officer of the San Mateo (CA) County Event Center.

The COO is a new position designed to provide more emphasis on strategic planning, customer satisfaction and efficiencies of the venue’s thriving corporate event business. “Kletra is a collaborator, a visionary, and has a unique understanding of the importance of business to business relationships,” said Dana Stoehr, chief executive officer of the San Mateo County Event Center. “She is an exceptional event planner and at the same time an impressive senior executive. That combination is what makes our venue sought-after by seasoned event planners who depend on venue collaboration and event expertise for their corporate event success.”

Newton joined the event center management team in 2014 to assist in onboarding of the venues in-house food and beverage services. In 2016, she was tapped to assume responsibility as director of event sales and services. While originally hired in a leadership role, her venue responsibilities expanded exponentially as she implemented a new vision for the event center. These executive responsibilities resulted in her being named chief operating officer in less than four years after joining the center’s management team.

Newton, the first minority woman to hold an executive position at the event center, has managed more than 500 events, as large as 25,000 guests. Her unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction and increased efficiencies is evident in the numbers. Under Newton’s leadership, the event center’s corporate business has increased 25 percent. During the same period, the event center achieved its highest grossing sales month in a decade.

“Our mission is to transform the guest experience,” Newton said. “Our commitment to that mission is why our corporate business continues to thrive. In less than two years, our team has reinvigorated its event planning processes, procedures, and precision. We understand our event planners’ needs and we share their goals.”

“I have worked with Kletra on some large-scale events which demanded a high level of attention to detail and with lots of flexibility,” said James Kim, corporate events manager for Netflix Events. “Kletra was an amazing partner and really made you feel like she was invested in the success of your event. Her communication style was straight and to the point which made the entire planning process very smooth and stress free.”

“Kletra is a true event professional,” said Ellie Platis, senior event producer for Electronic Arts, Inc. “Her passion and perfection in her work exceeds clients’ expectations.”

“I view my role as COO not only as the senior executive leader of our venue’s event business, but also as an executor of strategy, a change agent, a corporate partner, a mentor, and a complement to our CEO’s knowledge and penchants.” Newton said.