The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has received a “Safest 70” award from the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation (LWCC), the largest workers’ compensation carrier in the state. The award acknowledges excellence, outstanding performance, and commitment to workplace safety, and is given to the top 70 of over 16,000 entities insured by LWCC.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was recognized based on the effectiveness of their safety efforts in preventing injuries and maintaining a consistent workplace safety history in 2017.

“It is an honor for our facility to be recognized by LWCC,” said Michael J. Sawaya, President and General Manager of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “Providing a safe work environment is our highest priority and is a team effort. We consider our employees internal customers and value their input while collaborating on ways to continuously improve our facility. Philosophically, this in turn results in a safer environment for our patrons/external customers as well.”

Left to right: Brett Slocum, Assistant Director of Public Safety; Tim Tumminello, Director of Human Resources; Tanya Smith, Human Resources Coordinator; Darren J. Kimball, Lead Safety Services Consultant, LWCC; Susan Paisant, Client Relations Representative, LWCC; Mark Kaufman, Director of Public Safety.

It has been a few years since the Los Angeles Convention Center was expanded, 20 of them to be exact. Now, following a proposal by venue owner Anschutz Entertainment Group, that could change to the tune of a $1.2 billion to the facility, one that would definitely change the financial landscape for the venue and the city.

For the full scoop and story on the proposal, click here.

The International Association of Venue Managers has named Amy Duncan as its new Membership Sales Specialist. Amy joined the team on April 23, 2018. She was previously the Membership and Fitness Benefits Coordinator for the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas, where she increased membership sales by over 18% during her tenure.

“I was at a point in my professional career where I wanted more of a challenge,” stated Amy. “When I saw the opening on LinkedIn, it literally felt like everything I had been wanting and praying for!”

Amy’s primary focus will be to generate new business and new members across all sectors, as well as help drive revenue growth.

“The nerd in me is looking forward to the globalization aspect of our association,” she noted. “Being able to communicate with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and socioeconomic points of view is really awe-inspiring. The geography of the Earth is so massive but with technology our tangible world has become really small. I mean, I had to Google what time it was in New Zealand this morning to see if it was an appropriate time to send an email. How cool is that???”

Amy is originally from Louisiana, but she called Dallas home in 2001 when her family moved to Texas. She is wrapping up her Associate of Science in Business Administration at Richland College. An avid live concertgoer, she is looking forward to seeing events at our member venues!

Yesterday was a difficult and sad day at IAVM with word received of the passing of two of the greatest men to serve in the history of the public assembly venue industry and within the Association in Ray Ward, CVE, and William “Bill” Cunningham, CVE.

Ray Ward passed away on May 2 while Bill Cunningham passed on May 8. Ward served as an assistant to Cunningham and eventually followed Cunningham in guiding the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Cunningham served as president of IAAM (as both were known at the time) in 1973-74 while Ward held the reins in 1988-89. They were both in their positions in Oakland at the time they served as the top volunteer leaders in the Association.

Both share a massive list of accomplishments within the industry. For brevity at this time, Ward’s legacy will carry on after the establishment of the Ray Ward Award bestowed annually at his beloved Venue Management School at Oglebay Park. The award recognizes an individual associated with VMS whose dedicated service and extraordinary contributions over a period of at least six years have resulted in significant and long lasting improvements to the overall success and quality of the school. The award was created and initially presented to Ward in August 1996. Those who have earned the award over the years cite Ward in their remarks for his contributions to the school and the industry.

Cunningham began his industry career in 1957 as an assistant director at the Philadelphia Trade & Convention Center before moving to Oakland in 1964 to help open the Coliseum. He was among the first 27 recipients to receive the newly created Certified Facilities Executive (now Certified Venue Executive) designation in 1976. In an article that appeared in Facility Manager magazine, Cunningham cited as his most tangible accomplishment during his term as president the publication of the Industry Profile Survey, a compilation of the most comprehensive statistical analysis ever published in the public assembly field.

Those who knew the icons best expressed their sadness upon hearing the news.

“Bill was simply a mentor beyond mentors while Ray was another dear, dear friend,” said Cliff Wallace, CVE, who served as Association president in 1984-85. “Goodness, a tough day.”

Mike Kobluk, Association president in 1990-91, said upon receiving the news about Cunningham that, “Bill was a fine gentleman, an ultimate professional with a wonderful sense of humor. In many ways I considered him to be a major part of the backbone of our industry, one who was always willing to share his thoughts, ideas, and procedures, and was always there when you needed answers or just a smile and a word of encouragement. Though I haven’t been in contact with Bill since my retirement from the industry some years ago, I will always have fond memories of my times with Bill.”

While I did not personally know Cunningham, I certainly knew of him from what his friends shared throughout the years about a man almost bigger than life. In this profession, it is safe to say that he was larger than life.

Ray Ward will always be memorable to me for not just occasionally calling to the office to tell me that I was doing a good job with the magazine, but for his presence at VenueConnect in the later years of his life when he used a cane to walk around. While many utilize the benefit of networking at the annual conference, Ward would do that, but he was also always a constant presence on the front row of education sessions, a man who by example proved you are never to old to want to learn.

With the news of the passing of Ray Ward and Bill Cunningham fresh, we will update with information about services, memorials, and donations as they become available in the next few days, along with additional comments from industry colleagues and friends.

The IAVM Foundation has announced the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2018.  The program, in its fourth year, is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of co-founding partners SearchWide and Ungerboeck Software International, as well as many IAVM Foundation donors.

“There were many extremely qualified and worthy applicants this year,” stated Kathryn Eades, IAVM Foundation Director of Development.  “Tough choices were made by the Foundation’s large group of judges, which included members from the Foundation Board of Trustees and numerous CVP’s.  Those chosen exemplify the characteristics of leadership and developing talent necessary to the future of our industry.”

Designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the venue management industry, the 30|UNDER|30 program recognizes emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future. The Class of 2018 will convene for the first time at IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show in Toronto, July 22-25.

Award recipients will receive full complimentary registration to VenueConnect, as well as an $800 travel stipend.  They will also be provided opportunities for professional development in the venue industry to help better prepare them for continued career growth.

“As we embark on the fourth year as the founding partner, we continue to be proud of this program and thank IAVM for their commitment to it,” said Mark Gnatovic, Senior Vice President of SearchWide and a Foundation Trustee. “The 30 individuals selected this year show remarkable leadership potential in the venue management industry. We are confident the industry will be excited to meet these young professionals and offer guidance and mentorship to them as they continue their career paths.”

Meet the IAVM Foundation’s 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2018:

Billy Langenstein, Director Event Services, U.S. Bank Stadium (SMG)
Matt Christine, Marketing Manager, SMG Managed Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center
Jericha McGill, Event Coordinator, SMG/Cox Convention Center & SMG/Chesapeake Energy Arena
Jack Wentzell, Senior Operations Manager, Spectra Venue Management/CFE Arena at UCF
Megan Dennis, Patron Services Manager , Wintrust Arena 
Carly Cuene, HR Generalist, Resch Center
Sarah Mathis, Senior Manager of Fan Experience, Jacksonville Jaguars- EverBank Field
Mevisha Maistry, Marketing and Communications Specialist , Shaw Conference Centre 
Craig Spillman, Director of Food and Beverage, VenuWorks of Ames / Iowa State Center
Geri Koenig, Visual & User Experience Designer, San Diego Convention Center
Justin Carlson, Senior Event Coordinator, Minneapolis Convention Center
Meghan Foehl, Engagement Coordinator, Walton Arts Center
Kevin Murphy, Event Services Manager, SMG Tulsa/BOK Center
Andrew Landrigan, Event & Meeting Coordinator, Exhibition Place
Courtney Urquhart, Event Manager, EventsDC/Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Justin Brand, Operations Manager , Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center 
Shannon Thomas, Event Manager , Walton Arts Center
Shelby Rich, Denver County Fair Event Manager/Complex Event Coordinator, National Western Complex
Kalyn Smith, House Manager, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Zachary Sloman, Booking & Marketing Manager, SMG/John Paul Jones Arena
KelVon Greer, Events Services Specialist, City of Dallas/ Fair Park
Alexandra Capitolo, Event Manager, San Francisco Giants
Grant Jones, Operations Manager , SMG/INTRUST Bank Arena 
Lisa Niess, Marketing and Communications Manager, U.S. Bank Stadium – SMG
Mario Duran, Operations Manager, Event Center at San Jose State University
Kaitlin Higgins, Venue Manager, Old Town School of Folk Music
Myra Palacios, Event Coordinator, Curtis Culwell Center
Andrias JW Murdaugh, Senior Event Manager, Events DC at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Taylor Hight, Senior House Manager, Walton Arts Center
Philip Costa, Director of Client Services, Baltimore Convention Center