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

VenueConnect 2018 is an outstanding opportunity to check one more item off your “Golf Bucket List.” We are sure that “Playing a Round of Golf in Canada” is on that list! On Sunday, July 22^nd, the annual IAVM Foundation Golf Tournament will tee off from Lionhead Golf and Country Club’s Masters Course, which is recognized as one of the most challenging courses in Ontario.

This year’s golf tournament continues the tradition of providing classic business development, networking, fun and philanthropy. The IAVM Foundation is the beneficiary of this event with all proceeds going to support our scholarships, awards, and educational programs that impact, develop, and inspire current and future leaders of IAVM.

As a participant of this event you will be able to meet some of this year’s scholarship recipients during the day. Please register soon to participate in this event.  There are only 120 spots for golfers, and they are filling up quickly. The IAVM Foundation Golf Tournament is an excellent way for Allied Members to showcase their companies by becoming a sponsor for the event.   Sponsors are invited to attend the event, whether they are golfing or not. Those who select our Flag and Tee Sponsorship will be able to meet every golfer as they play your hole.

The IAVM Foundation Golf Tournament is an anticipated annual tradition at VenueConnect. We look forward to seeing you at Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Ontario on July 22nd!

George John Smith, 83, of Rochester, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, April 28, 2018. George was born on Sept. 21, 1934, in Philadelphia, to John and Louise Smith.

George joined the Navy after high school, serving a tour in Korea. Following his time in the Navy, he moved to the Midwest with a group of close friends to attend Yankton College in South Dakota.

After college, he met his wife of 50 years, Joann. The two raised three daughters together. His career as a facility manager took the family throughout the Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Before retiring, George managed the Rochester Civic Center. During his retirement, he was an active member of his church, volunteered as a mediator, and served on the board for the Gift of Life Transplant House.

George was a devout Catholic, and his faith inspired him to help others. He is known for his storytelling and his sense of humor, something not lost on long-time colleague Roger Newton.

“George and I started working in Des Moines at the same time,” Newton said, “he as director of the brand new Des Moines Convention Center and me as GM of Veterans Auditorium.

“I learned after a few months that, well, George had more time on his hands than did I. George loved to talk and loved to tell stories. He would call me most afternoons to chat and I would usually have to end the conversation to call promoters to keep trying to book shows. I found out that George grew up with five sisters and he lived with his wife and his three girls. Poor guy couldn’t get words in growing up or at home, I surmised.

Newton said that his friend was also fond of merriment and jokes.

“George loved a good prank,” Newton said. “He, Dick Geyer, and Frank Jirik were always playing jokes on each other and one day Dick and Frank got George good. Apparently Dick had a local radio newsman in Rapid City make up a fake news story that Dick had been fired by the mayor for improprieties. He played the recording for Frank then Frank and Dick called George with the ‘bad news.’ After telling him they then played the ‘news’ story. George fell for it and after the call he immediately started calling several industry contacts to try to find his friend Dick another job. When Dick learned about George making all those calls he had to call George to let him know it was a joke.

“This was George. Loyal to friends and wanting to help. When I read about all his volunteer work in retirement I again thought this was so like George wanting to help others. RIP my friend. There are a lot more laughs in heaven now that you are there.”

Rex Post has been a part of the public assembly venue industry for a long time and knows seemingly everyone in the business. George Smith is one of those individuals he recalls with fondness.

“George after retiring was the volunteer’s volunteer in Rochester,” Post said. “He worked with the courts, his church, and with the Mayo Medical Center. George became a saint to the Post family when he took the time to sit with my older brother Bob during his bouts with esophageal cancer. He would sit with Bob to give my sister-in-law Verna a chance to take a break or get some rest during the months of this procedure. I happened to be able to take a few days in between Monster Truck dates in the upper Midwest and took time to spend with Bob and to take George out. I had to rassle the bill from him when we did go out for dinner. He insisted because I was in HIS TOWN. George even took the time to attend my brother’s funeral service years later which was a 200-mile round trip. Not sure if the Vatican would approved but he is SAINT UNCLE GEORGE in my family.”

Post also had another story to recall about his friend from an IAVM (then IAAM) annual conference.

“It was the annual conference in Minneapolis in 1994,” Post said. “It was after the golf tournament and Tom Powell’s softball game in the Metrodome. I was on the IR after the game due to some poor cart driving getting outta the facility so I was nursing a dislocated toe. Three of my mentors decided I needed to have some sustenance and liquid pain medication to dull the pain. The details will remain for another time since I believe the stattue of limitations might still be in play, but George Smith, Tom Powell and Don Sandefur, plus Tom’s wife, proceeded to take me to a nearby steak house. The waitress was given an order of every 20 minutes to refresh the table with beverages. The trio must have known there was an extra cask of Scotch on hand. After an hour, we decided we might be wise to order dinner and soon after Denzel Skinner joined us and needless to say it was a festive eve. The next day, George found me and had one question: Did we actually eat dinner?

“God bless George Smith and to those that showed others the way before him.”

Survivors include his wife, Joann; daughters, Laura of Edina, Brigid (Vic Russiff) of The Woodlands, Texas, and Margaret (Tom French) of Minnetonka. He was a loving grandfather to Noah and Sophie Russiff, and Owen and Jonah French. He is also survived by his two sisters, Stephanie Southrey and Ann Flamm of Philadelphia. He is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

The funeral for George will be at 4 p.m. Friday, May 4, at St. John the Evangelist church in Rochester with Visitation one hour before the service.