In 2017, the City of Houston hosted Super Bowl 51, weathered Hurricane Harvey, celebrated their first World Series Astros win and set another record-setting year in convention sales. Visit Houston announced for the third straight year, an unprecedented number of room nights tied to future conventions were booked in 2017. The sales team booked 429 conventions and meetings in 2017, representing 802,852 room nights, up from 765,401 room nights in 2016.

Key bookings attained in 2017 include the American Dental Association in 2022 and National Association of Realtors in 2025. Many of the citywide conventions secured in 2017 are first time bookings, thanks in large part to recent improvements that further showcase Houston as a world class destination. Houston First, which operates in partnership with the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau under the brand name “Visit Houston”, and that partnership is responsible for bringing conventions and tourism to the city.

The 2017 numbers were bolstered by a highly successful Super Bowl LI, renovation of the George R. Brown Convention Center, activation of Avenida Houston (downtown’s newest pedestrian-friendly entertainment district), along with new restaurants and hotels including the 1,000-room Marriott Marquis, which complements the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston, both of which are connected to the GRB. Having two headquarter hotels, along with the boldly-redesigned walkable entertainment district provide the sales team with a much more attractive package to better compete with other cities for convention business.

“Our city is experiencing the return on investments in our convention district. More conventions and hotel room nights result in more jobs and an overall positive economic impact on Houston,” said Dawn Ullrich, retiring president and CEO of Houston First. “Our sales, events and services teams are to be commended for their tireless work to grow and strengthen Houston’s convention and meeting business.”

“When you consider where we were three years ago, the upward trend in room nights is even more impressive,” said Mike Waterman, president of Visit Houston. “Our sales team’s production jumped from 550,000 room nights in 2014 to more than 800,000, a 41 percent increase, surpassing our 2017 goal by more than fifty thousand room nights. Houston has spent the last several years improving our infrastructure to compete on a global scale. We are thrilled that our global profile as a destination is being solidified and we expect this positive momentum to continue to build.”

In addition to record convention sales, the organization’s website network, led by VisitHouston.com, logged 7.8 million visitors in 2017, up from 7.4 million in 2016. Global attention because of the Super Bowl and World Series combined with strategic marketing and public relations efforts resulted in more than 140 interviews and 434 positive articles, both domestic and international about Houston as a destination.

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: Singer. I went to school for vocal performance and was convinced I would be a professional musician through most of my younger years. If I had it to do over again, I’d probably try to see that through.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: This is so hard, because I’ve met so many impressive and inspiring people. Can I just indulge a short celebrity story instead? I rode in an elevator with Channing Tatum once, and after making some (very) small talk, he exited the elevator and said to me, “Later, Mama.” I was able to pick myself up off the floor about 15 minutes later.

I unwind by: Exercising. Gosh, I really hate when people say that, but it’s true at this point in my life.

On my desk right now is: More piles than I should probably admit to. Looking across them I can identify notes from our weekly staff meeting, a sales plan I have yet to review, a box of blank thank-you notes, and the latest Pollstar.

My favorite IAVM program/conference/event/session I ever attended was: ICMC (now GuestX) in Philadelphia, 2006. It was my first introduction to IAAM (at the time), and I was hooked. It’s strange that I don’t remember many names of people I met there, but I remember the buildings they worked at vividly.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: Again, I’d probably be a performer. Although, I always liked the role of the production manager as well. Anything but stage manager. I did that for a couple of festivals early in my career, and it was brutal.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: Curiosity. I actually think that’s something that has served me really well in my career. As I was getting started, I was always asking, what’s he doing? What’s she doing? How can I do that? How can I improve upon that? There hasn’t been a single piece of our industry that I haven’t wanted to learn and better understand, from media buying to basic refrigeration. You don’t truly know something until you’ve done it or experienced it yourself.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is (name/venue): Just one? Definitely keep your eyes open for Cassie Jones (New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center) and Justin Aquino (Utah Valley Convention Center).

One of my goals for this year is to: Help the IAVM Membership Committee achieve its objectives. I’m honored to serve as Chair this year, and the group has set some aggressive goals, including outlining a Group Membership category for our Allied members and reviewing and improving IAVM’s online educational content.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? I hope I can elevate the profession by being an effective ambassador and educator. The economics of what we do is of course critical, and probably the most popular talking point, but our cultural presence is often equally important, especially in smaller markets. We have to exercise creativity in how we partner with local businesses and leaders with few resources. Some venues are important providers of diversity to their community in how their buildings are programmed. It’s important that everyone, inside and outside the profession, understand the gravity of the venue managers’ role as leaders and stewards.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? Innovation! Anyone that’s had a conversation with me about the industry over the last couple of years has probably heard my stump speech about the need for more practical innovation. How do we get to hands-free ticket scanning? Metal detectors that are actually part of a door frame? What’s the next big thing?

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? In addition to the multiple ways IAVM keeps me connected, I love attending conferences and following industry trades. I have more Google Alerts than I can possibly read every day. But I do think the best stuff often comes from our clients. I ask them questions like, who’s doing the best pre-con? What’s the best event document you’ve seen from a venue? Best backstage catering presentation? I get some of my best inspiration from that feedback.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? Judy Garland, Janis Joplin, and Dave Grohl, because … well, could you imagine?

The Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum announced the appointment of Dwight Johnson as Vice President of Arena Operations. Johnson joins the organization after working for SMG Richmond as the General Manager since 2009. Prior to his role as General Manager, he acted as Director of Operations with SMG Richmond beginning in 2005. During his 13-year career at SMG, Johnson developed a strong background in building operations, construction, and event management while overseeing operations at the Richmond Coliseum, Altria Theater, Dominion Energy Center, and the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

Johnson began his career in facility management in 1997 as an Operations Lead at the 15,000-seat Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the campus of Louisiana State University. After receiving many promotions, Johnson oversaw all daily operations and booking for the facility during his final position as Director. In his time at LSU, Johnson managed multiple national sporting events including the NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional, Men’s Basketball NIT Tournament games, and SEC Championship events.

A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Johnson is a graduate of Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Katy, have two children, Avery Kate and Drew.

Johnson’s first day with the Grizzlies and FedExForum will be March 19.

The Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Committee (DILC) “unofficially” hit the ground running last August in Nashville at VenueConnect when Robyn Williams, CVE, made an impassioned appeal at the committee’s networking reception for IAVM members to become engaged and involved in committee service work within IAVM. Not just involvement, but for individuals representing the diversity within the ranks of membership to step forward to serve to better represent the range of the Association’s membership, be it by color, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.

The response? Money poured in faster than Williams could speak as individuals indicated their desire to assist the committee in upcoming initiatives. After two conference calls and a talented stable of individuals on the committee including four — count ’em, four — IAVM Past Chairs, some of those initiatives are in the early stages of formulation.

That still does not stop the need for the initial appeal of asking you to consider applying to volunteer on a committee. Any member of the DILC is available to help and advise you.

“The Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Committee has begun the purposeful work of developing opportunities to promote a diverse membership into leadership roles at IAVM,” said Julia Slocombe, Committee Chair. “We continue to seek those willing to serve and build a culturally inclusive and diverse IAVM.

“As we focus on bringing targeted education topics, consider joining this engaged committee and lend your voice to this important and impactful work.”

DILC committee members include: Chair Julia Slocombe, Vice Chair Robyn Williams, Kim Damron, Jimmy Earl, Shura Garnett, Daniel Huerta, Joyce Leveston, Jennifer Norris, Steve Peters, Naz Sabripour, Jill Schinberg, Troy Thorn, and Kletra Newton.

In its January Awards & Recognition issue, SportsEvents Magazine named Monty Jones Jr. as a Parks & Recreation Leader To Watch in 2018. Jones is general manager of the Sports Facilities Management/Hoover Metropolitan Complex in Hoover, Alabama.

The basis for the award states that “A great concept needs a great venue to meet the lofty expectations of aspiring athletes, and the Sports Venue Professionals who take care of the fields, competitors and spectators are key contributors to any event’s success.

Jones assumed his position last December and oversees the management and daily operations of the new Finley Center, the Hoover 11,000-seat Metropolitan Stadium, and outdoor facilities to include five regulation soccer/football/lacrosse fields, five regulation baseball/softball fields, 16 tennis courts, a pro shop, a walking track, splash pad, event lawn, and playground.

Jones certainly knows the business and boasts an impressive resume in the public assembly venue industry.

Before taking on his new role, Jones managed the Spectra by Comcast/Macon Centreplex in Macon, Georgia, that includes a 9,000-seat arena and was responsible for overall management and operations of the Macon Mayhem hockey team and the 2,700-seat Macon City Auditorium.

In comments about the recognition, Jones said, “The most rewarding part is being able to work with a great group of individuals for a common goal to be a part of a community that enriches the overall quality of life for the locals and provide a destination for others.”