The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Foundation announced Steve Peters, CVE, as the 2018 Legacy Award Recipient. Peters is the founder and President of VenuWorks.

The purpose of the Legacy Award is to recognize significant contributions of an individual or company that benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation, leaving a legacy for the advancement of the venue management industry.

“The Legacy Award is given to someone who, through either financial or non-financial contributions, has made a positive and lasting impact towards the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation,” said Kathryn Eades, IAVM Foundation Director of Development.  “Steve Peters, a valued member of IAVM and supporter of the Foundation, truly embodies those qualities and is a tremendous industry leader.”

Peters has over 40 years in the venue management industry. He began his career in 1976 in Dubuque, Iowa as manager of the Five Flags Center. In 1982, he became associate director, and in 1984 executive director of theIowa State Center in Ames, IA. In 1990, Peters was named the National Director of Operations for Ogden Entertainment, Inc., and served as opening director of the Target Center in Minneapolis before being named an Ogden Vice President in 1995. In the fall of 1996, he left Ogden to create VenuWorks.

Stephanie Curran, CVE, chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees, remarked that “Steve Peters has been a valuable member of IAVM and investor in the Foundation and our industry. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber making our industry better through his leadership and leaving a strong legacy for IAVM”

“I have known Steve for over 30 years and know him to be a man of the highest stature, with a significant focus on the future,” said Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, IAVM Board of Directors 2^nd Chair. “Steve’s passion for the industry sets the direction for his continual support of the Foundation, both professionally and personally.  Most recently, Steve generously joined a challenge to support the diversity efforts of the Association through the Foundation.  Coupled with the incredible attributes mentioned, Steve is a tremendous advocate for IAVM’s continual and ongoing efforts in the realm of education and training for the staff members of VenuWorks.”

Peters’ passion for the venue management industry can be seen in the success of the company he founded, VenuWorks. Starting from a desk in the basement of the Peters home, VenuWorks has grown to become the management company of choice for over forty venues in twenty US markets.  He created VenuWorks Sports, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, in 2016, through which he became the proud owner of the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League.  Steve’s lifelong passion for live theatre resulted in the creation of VenuWorks Theatricals, which in 2015, won the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play for co-producing You Can’t Take It with You on Broadway, starring James Earl Jones.

“I am humbled, and very honored to receive the Legacy Award,” stated Peters. “IAVM has been a very important part of my professional, and my personal life for over forty years. For many years we planned our family vacations around the annual conference. My kids grew up in the business, and now three of them are involved in our company.  You might say IAVM has become a part of my DNA. I am thrilled to be able to give back to IAVM, through the Foundation, at this stage in my life.”  

Peters is a Past President of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and received their highest honor, the Charles A. McElravy Award for lifetime achievement in 2015.

Next week marks my fourth week on the job as the Foundation’s Director of Development. It’s been a whirlwind of learning about the Foundation’s past, it’s present, and hopes and plans for its future.

The IAVM Foundation belongs to YOU, its members, and we work to offer you ways to advance and enhance your careers in the public assembly industry. We do this by offering scholarships and internships, education, certifications, and resources to our members. This is YOUR FOUNDATION. This is YOUR FUTURE.

Foundation Fridays begin today. Each Friday all informational emails and social media going out from IAVM headquarters will pertain to the IAVM Foundation. The first Friday of each month is designated as “First Friday.” We want to keep you updated about what is happening here. On First Friday, you will receive the Foundation monthly newsletter, which will include information about goings on at the Foundation, stories about how the Foundation has impacted a life or a career, a link to invest in YOUR FOUNDATION and YOUR FUTURE, and reminders about events, opportunities, and deadlines.

Plans are underway for the Foundation activities at VenueConnect. The Foundation golf tournament takes place on Sunday, July 22^nd. Go to http://www.iavm.org/venueconnect/register to register for VenueConnect and to register for the golf tournament under Optional Events. There are also numerous golf tournament sponsorship opportunities available in the Marketplace or by contacting Christy Jacobs, Director of Sales at IAVM Headquarters at 972-538-1015.

I’m excited to announce that the Silent Auction will be back at VenueConnect this year. Look for it on the Trade Show floor in the Foundation booth. We are presently looking for items to include in the auction. Please watch on Foundation Fridays for updated information on the Silent Auction.

The VenueConnect scholarships have been awarded to a deserving group of applicants. Committees made up of members from each sector and Foundation Board of Trustee members reviewed the applications and have chosen applicants from each sector to receive the Outstanding Leadership Scholarship, the Diversity Scholarship, the Young Professional Scholarship and the Scholarship for Industry Women.

These are just the “tip of the iceberg” of what the Foundation is doing and has in store. I hope you will stay connected through Foundation Fridays to learn about the IAVM Foundation, what we do, who we serve, and the exciting developments as they unfold.

I am looking forward to working for the IAVM Foundation and for YOU, the members of IAVM. Together, with your help, we can truly make an impact on the future of the IAVM and the professional lives of its members.

Stay tuned…

Tension is one of those words that usually carries a negative connotation. If one is feeling tense one is not likely preparing to spend a day at the beach. Tension, however, has its place on the job and can actually be healthy. Not convinced? You will be after hearing Tim Arnold speak in a keynote at VenueConnect in Toronto on July 24 from 9:15-10:15 am, followed by a Executive Track workshop he will conduct from 10:45-11:30 am.

Arnold’s keynote, “The Power of Healthy Tension,” and subsequent workshop on servant leadership, are both guaranteed to send attendees back home with an overflowing toolkit to better engage with the day-to-day events that happen in any business and any industry.

Arnold points out that the mere concept of tension is acknowledged in a way never before in the workplace.

“I’m finding there is interest in the concept of tension now more than ever,” he said. “I speak about the benefits of leveraging healthy tension; things like embracing diverse perspectives, getting the best from each person on your team, and getting unstuck by challenging an either/or mindset. This is very different than the unhealthy tension that results from inappropriate behavior and a toxic work environment. Effective leaders know the difference.”

The world of public assembly venue management is similar to many other industries that Arnold has addressed, including The United Nations, Citibank, KPMG, Toyota, and Siemens, in that, well, tension and problems bubble to the surface every day.

“My guess is that your members have to solve problems each and every day,” Arnold said. “I also would be confident that they deal with many chronic issues that are in fact unsolvable problems. Things like cost vs. quality, embracing innovation vs. holding on to what works, or structure vs. flexibility. Having the ability to distinguish between a problem to solve and a tension to manage can move a leader (and a venue) to provide a significant competitive advantage. Going beyond this awareness and actually identifying a few key tensions each member experiences will allow them to move from surviving to thriving.”

Arnold believes that while the public assembly industry has some common tensions, there are others somewhat unique to the profession.

“As I learn more about the public assembly industry it seems that beyond facing some of the classic tensions that are unavoidable in all industries, you also have a few unique tensions to manage as well such as Grounded or Logical vs. Gut-Feeling and Visionary, Competing with Others vs. Collaborating with Others, Managing Cost vs. Quality of Experience, Focusing on the Short Team vs. Focusing on the Long Term, and Taking Risks on Trends vs. Banking on What Works.

“It seems to me that that these are make-it-or-break-it tensions for your industry to manage, and having the skill to manage them in a healthy way can have you stand out in highly competitive crowd.”

For more than two decades, Arnold has had the privilege of helping the aforementioned businesses. Beyond leadership and team development, he spent 10 years overseeing a 40-bed homeless shelter, and a social enterprise that helps people transition from the streets to gainful employment through the production, distribution, and sales of amazing jams and jellies.

He now wants to do his part to ensure that attendees to his presentation do not enter into their own jams in the workplace.

“Tapping into the Power of Healthy Tension will allow members to a) unite their team by providing the shared language needed to move from conflict to collaboration, where everyone is heard and understood, b) spark change and find out why it is hard for people to shift their thinking, and c) break through chronic issues and conflicting values to get unstuck,” he said.

Now that is healthy.

Long-time IAVM member Robert U. “Bob” Reid, passed away Friday, March 30, 2018, in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was 86.

Bob loved to tell a good story, sharing (and hearing) jokes, the Chicago Cubs, and tapping his toes to Big Band and polka music. He was a “doer,” and an outstanding role model with an exceptional work ethic.

He was born June 12, 1931 in Minneapolis, to the late Robert S. and Meryl Reid. Bob grew up in the Edina-Morningside neighborhood, graduating from St. Louis Park High School in1949 and the University of Minnesota, class of 1953, earning a degree in Radio Speech. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

He married Eleanor “Elie” Weld on Feb. 2, 1962 in Minneapolis. She claimed sharing the date with Groundhog’s Day would ensure Bob couldn’t forget their anniversary. Together they raised two children, Fritz and Julie.

Bob’s professional career was centered on sports and entertainment management, enjoying a variety of notable roles.

While attending the U of M, he worked for the Athletic Department’s Intramural and Sports Information offices. After graduation, he was part of the Minnesota Centennial Commission’s publicity team. He became the publicity director for the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team from 1955-58, then joined Max Winter Attractions as an associate until 1963, where he provided public relations support for the Harlem Globetrotters, the Hawaiian State Fair and the Midwest Auto Show.

He became a partner with Padilla, Sarjeant, Sullivan and Speer Public Relations for four years, representing clients like the Grain Belt brewery and the Ice Follies. His connections led him to join the fledgling Minnesota North Stars, where he served as the team’s first administrative director from 1967-1972 and then became the Met Center building manager until 1985, expanding his duties to oversee the building that hosted not only the hockey team, but numerous rock concerts, the Barnham & Bailey Circus and the Ice Follies. He loved to talk about his experiences hosting the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and other major bands. During this time, he was involved with the International Association of Auditorium Managers, as it was known, serving on its board of directors and on various committees. His last career move found Bob working for the Vee Corporation organizing the Sesame Street Live stage shows as its director of booking from 1985-1997.

Bob’s interest in sports found him also serving for 42 years as the lead public address announcer for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state hockey, baseball, softball, football and wrestling tournaments; for the MSHSL as a baseball umpire; for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as publicity director and lead statistician, and also as a statistician for the Minnesota Vikings. He was also part of a group — and one of the first coaches — that started the Edina Little League organization in the 1950s.

Bob and Elie lived in Edina until 2003, when they moved to Wausau to be closer to their daughter Julie and her family.

Bob’s volunteer work was extremely important and fulfilling to him. While living in Minnesota, he was part of the Edina Recycling Commission, VEAP, Edina-Morningside Church, Loaves and Fishes, Edina High School PTA, Walk for Mankind, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Friends of Edina Public Library and St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. After moving to Wausau, he was part of The Grand Theater board of directors, Friends of the Marathon County Public Library, St. John’s Episcopal Church and Mobile Meals.

As a former public relations man, he took great pleasure in collecting newspaper clippings for friends and family and keeping detailed travel diaries of the adventures he and Elie had traveling overseas to visit 46 countries and all seven continents.

Bob is survived by his son, Frederic “Fritz” Reid, partner Kim Forrest and son Forrest Hansen, Shingle Springs, Calif., daughter Julie Bliss, husband Jim, and children Reid Baker and Charlotte Bliss; siblings, older brother John M. “Jack” Reid, Seattle, Wash. and “baby” sister, Betty (Reid) Kuechle, Chanhassen, Minn, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Elie, in 2009.

Fritz and Julie would like to thank the warm and supportive staff at Colonial Manor for taking such loving care of Bob over the past year.

A memorial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 330 McClellan Street, Wausau, with The Rev. Meredyth Albright officiating. Visitation with Fritz and Julie will be at 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum or St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church.

Chuck Steedman, COO, AEG Facilities, announced the appointment of Hugh Lombardi as general manager of the AEG Facilities-operated Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to serving as general manager of Target Center, which just completed an 18-month, $145 million renovation, Lombardi will have cross functional responsibilities serving as a regional vice president of AEG Facilities where he will oversee other venues in the AEG Facilities network, as well as assisting with other initiatives undertaken by the company.

It was also announced that Target Center’s David Schmid was promoted to assistant general manager Target Center, and Tom Reller has been elevated to regional director of operations for AEG Facilities.

“We are thrilled to have Hugh join the AEG Facilities and Target Center team in Minneapolis,” Steedman said. “Hugh brings a great depth of knowledge and industry experience and will play a key role in the continued success and stellar reputation of one of the country’s premier destinations for sports and entertainment. His documented success in all areas of venue management will be a real asset for the Target Center and AEG Facilities.”

In Lombardi’s new role, he will be responsible for the management of all of the newly renovated arena’s business operations, the creation of new events and the development of new revenue opportunities for the multipurpose 20,000-seat sports and entertainment arena which serves as the home to the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. Lombardi will activate numerous AEG Facilities’ proprietary initiatives including AEG S.A.F.E., AEG 1Source, AEG 1EARTH, AEG 1Force, AEG Encore and AEG Energy Services, in addition to working closely with AEG Global Partnerships and other divisions of the company.

“I am looking forward to working with the great group of professionals in Minnesota with AEG Facilities,” Lombardi said. “Target Center is an incredible facility and I am excited to continue to build upon the success they have created.”

Prior to joining AEG Facilities and Target Center, Lombardi spent the last 16 years in executive roles and as general manager for numerous arenas around the country, including Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena, home to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder and the adjacent Cox Convention Center, Boston’s TD Garden, home to the NHL’s Boston Bruins and NBA’s Boston Celtics, and in Nashville, at the Bridgestone Arena, home to the NHL’s Predators.