Jack Hagler, ASTC, partner of theatre planner/lighting designer and IAVM Allied Member Schuler Shook, has always been a trend-setter. Consider it fitting that when Hagler takes the stage to receive the Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award at VenueConnect in Toronto from July 22-25, the moment will be marked as groundbreaking when he becomes the first performing arts Allied Member awarded the distinction.

For his part, Hagler still expressed a “no way” response upon getting the call from IAVM Immediate Past Chairman Mark Mettes, CVE, to say that a new name was ready to be added to the impressive list of award recipients.

“When Mark called to tell me I had been named the 2018 recipient of the Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award, I was in disbelief,” Hagler said. “I had NEVER anticipated that I would be considered for this award, much less named a recipient. I was shocked. Receiving this award is the ultimate statement of ‘We appreciate what you do.'”

Indeed, the industry is grateful for all that Hagler does, and for good reason. Hagler has more than 40 years’ experience as a designer, technician, contractor, and consultant for a variety of assembly facilities. Project types include professional, educational, and civic theatres, hotel and convention facilities, houses of worship, theme parks, and sports/entertainment arenas.

Hagler’s projects benefit greatly from his planning, design and project management experience and deep knowledge gained from working and designing a variety of assembly venues. He is continually broadening his knowledge of performing arts venue design and operation through his very active participation in the American Society of Theatre Consultants as well as IAVM.

But it is Jack Hagler the trend-setter that stands out.

An IAVM member since 1991, Hagler has been a long-time supporter of the Performing Arts Management Conference (PAMC) from its earliest years.

Interestingly, the award has been given since 1991, when the Board of Directors for IAVM bestowed this recognition to Allied Members who have made extraordinary contributions to the Association and to the profession. This award is the highest honor presented to an Allied Member by IAVM.

Hagler was one of the first Allied Members to support PAMC with a sponsorship at its third conference in 1994 and every year since then. To this day, this sector conference sets the standard when it comes to garnering sponsorship, with much of that due to Hagler’s efforts through the years.

Hagler introduced the first backstage boot camp at PAMC in 1995, another event that has been a staple since its inception and gives venue managers a look behind the scenes in the world of theatrical rigging, lighting, and sound. It ultimately grew to include everything from human flying systems, box office operations, acoustics — virtually everything that touches the performing arts world. Today, all venue sectors had boot camps at the 2017 VenueConnect.

The Performing Arts Committee in 1996 invited Hagler to participate as one of the first Allied Members to become a member of an IAVM committee. He has continued his committee support as a member and as an ex-officio advisor ever since.

“I love this organization,” Hagler said. “Everything I may do for IAVM is really what we all do for IAVM. It is always a group effort. I am so very lucky to have a wonderful group of IAVM friends and colleagues who have been a great pleasure to work with for many years.”

“Jack’s innovative approach to supporting IAVM, and its performing arts sector in particular, is a demonstration of incredible dedication and commitment to our members, our profession and our patrons. Our venues are better today because of Jack’s many contributions,” said Doug Booher, CVE, IAVM Chairman.

“Jack Hagler’s passion for the industry and our Association has positively impacted all of our members by encouraging a peer-to-peer relationship among Professional and Allied Members, all the while spearheading annual efforts that brought in record support from Allied Members for the performing arts sector and PAMC,” Mettes said.

When Robyn Williams, CVE, returned the phone call of long-time friend and IAVM Second Vice Chair Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, Williams thought it was just to chat as part of a check-in conversation that was common and frequent between the two.

So, when instead Koolbeck delivered the news that Williams was named to receive the Charles A. McElravy Award, the public assembly venue industry’s most prestigious honor and designation, the response came back thusly from Williams: “Really? Are you serious?”

And then, “I actually started crying; it was kind of unbelievable.”

Unbelievable, maybe, but very deserving for Williams, who served as the final IAVM president in 2008-09 before the position’s name was changed to chairman. To celebrate the honor, Williams will be recognized at VenueConnect in Toronto on July 22-25.

“This is kind of overwhelming, quite frankly, because it is our industry’s highest honor,” said Williams, who serves as the executive director of Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. “You look at all the people who received it before you and go, how do I even measure up to those folks? There are so many who haven’t gotten it yet and you think, why was this my turn?”

That answer, once again, is that Williams is deserving of an award that was established in 1963 and is granted for extraordinary contributions to IAVM and the professional venue management industry it serves.

Joe Durr, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts director of event services and a long-time colleague of Williams, put her contributions in perspective. “For Portland’5 employees and volunteers, we benefit from, and observe first-hand, that for Robyn there is no such status as business as usual,” he said. “Robyn always seeks and encourages her staff, colleagues, stakeholders, and community toward the next levels of customer service, safety and security, equity, and implementing the next great thing. She is widely known for supporting and insisting that her mid- and senior-level managers participate in IAVM and industry training—for their personal advancements and safety, for the betterment of the venues, and adding to the IAVM body of knowledge.”

Indeed, Williams has logged countless hours in IAVM volunteer capacities since she joined in 1987, including serving as chair of the Performing Arts Committee while helping create the first sector meeting for performing arts; as instructor and past chair of the Board of Regents for the Venue Management School (VMS); as a recipient of the Ray Ward Award honoring her contributions to VMS; and, of course, as a past president. She currently serves on the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees.

“Robyn’s career-long connections to IAVM are both deep and exhaustive. Even after serving as the IAVM president in 2008-2009, she continued to seek new and meaningful ways to contribute to our association and industry,” said Doug Booher, CVE, IAVM Chairman. “Today, we are grateful that she shares her keen intellect and ability to motivate others to build an even brighter future for IAVM.”

Perhaps most impressive and definitely a passion for Williams at this time is the re-launch of the Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee, for which she not only serves as vice chair but during an impassioned speech at the committee’s reception in Nashville at the most recent VenueConnect raised more than $20,000 in less than 10 minutes for the committee’s initiatives.

“I am so freaking passionate about the committee,” Williams said in her typically unbridled and enthusiastic voice. “I have been active in the industry for a really long time, but being involved with this committee is the most important role I will have ever done for the Association, quite frankly.

“You see these things and you can’t sit back and go, well, somebody needs to fix that or somebody else needs to do that. I have always felt like, well, you should raise your hand. Hey, I’ll help with this. I mean, people rarely turn volunteers down. We’re an Association that relies on our volunteers.”

IAVM has certainly relied on Williams. For her part, Williams has more than given back. The fruits of that labor are now evident when the newest name is etched on the Charles A. McElravy Award.

Peter William Anthony Bergin, president of Palm Desert, California-based Caddy Products, Inc., and a loyal and dedicated member of IAVM since January 1, 1977, passed away suddenly on January 9, 2018 in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 61.

Caddy Products, Inc is a world leader in design, development and the manufacturing of innovative products for the entertainment, movie, and sports industries. Peter was a friend to countless colleagues in the public assembly venue industry who mourn his passing. He was also a presence at IAVM’s VenueConnect as an exhibitor for his company.

Born August 25, 1956 to Joseph and Doraldean Bergin in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Bergin was best known as an inventor, entrepreneur and businessman.

“Peter is an industry leader, innovator, and a valued customer and friend. Primary Colors, Inc. will miss him greatly and be grateful for the enrichment he brought to our work life,” commented Jim Brown, just one of Bergin’s close work associates.

Peter is survived by children Peter (Nikki) Bergin Jr. of North Hollywood, California, and Kaylee Bergin of Rancho Mirage, California; sisters Dolores Bergin of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and Mary Bergin of Alberta, Canada; brother Michael Bergin of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and nieces Patience and Alannah.

Those wishing to leave condolences may do so here.

Jefferson County, Colorado announced the merger of Boettcher Mansion and Jeffco Fairgrounds, two of the county’s signature event venues, as a new county division. The merged group, Jeffco Events & Venues, became official January 29, 2018.

“The new Jeffco Events & Venues Division offers a collection of indoor and outdoor venues in Jefferson County, Colorado, for celebrations, events, gatherings, and meetings,” said Don Davis, County Manager for Jefferson County. “This collective team specializes in events, hospitality and production – all dedicated to deliver the best possible experiences for guests.”

Tom Hoby, Director of the Jefferson County Parks Department, added, “We want it to be simple and easy to host, plan, and produce amazing events in Jefferson County. Clients, guests, partners and vendors at Boettcher Mansion and Jeffco Fairgrounds will benefit from the combined expertise and skills from both groups, distinguished portfolio of facilities and services and continued focus on service excellence.”

Boettcher Mansion was built in 1917 as a summer home and seasonal hunting lodge for Charles Boettcher. The former “Lorraine Lodge” was donated to Jefferson County in the 1970s for public use and enjoyment. In 1984, the Arts and Crafts estate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now serves as Jefferson County Colorado’s premier historic events venue. Jeffco Fairgrounds was established in the early 1950’s and has served Jefferson County ever since with a growing and changing slate of events and facilities, including Jefferson County’s signature summer celebration, the Jeffco Fair & Festival. Organizations such as Jefferson County CSU Extension, 4-H, Jeffco High School Rodeo and the world-renowned Westernaires all call Jeffco Fairgrounds home. Together, both venues host and produce thousands of events annually from trade shows, weddings, rodeos, and other happenings across 13 different indoor and outdoor facilities.

“As one group, we now have shared access to all of the talent and resources to meet our client and guests’ needs,” added Dexter Foxworth, who has been named the Director for Jeffco Events & Venues. “The quality of work and caliber of facilities from both groups, which have always been high, will be amplified. Together, we will build on the great work that Boettcher Mansion and Jeffco Fairgrounds have done and offer the benefits of that partnership to our clients and guests.”

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and Hawaii Convention Center announced the securing of agreements with three national sports organizations to host futsal (indoor soccer), basketball, and volleyball tournaments played on the Center’s new sports courts, starting this year.

All three tournaments, which will be held in the Hawaii Convention Center’s Kamehameha Exhibit Hall, will collectively attract multitudes of teams of youth players in different age groups from outside the state, accompanied by families and supporters, to compete with teams from within the islands.

The four-year agreement with U.S. Futsal to host the Pacific Futsal Cup, from 2018 to 2021, is the organization’s first international tournament. The three-year agreement with Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Basketball, from 2018 to 2020, will bring the Jam on It Pacific Rim Championships to Hawaii. AAU Volleyball, the first organization to host a tournament on the new sports courts in February 2017 featuring hundreds of girls competing in age-group team matches, is returning for a tournament this year.

“The Hawaii Convention Center’s sports courts are proving to be a valuable contributor to our sports marketing strategy for the state, both in motivating groups to come here who might not otherwise do so, and also giving our local teams the opportunity to compete against teams from outside Hawaii without having to travel abroad,” said George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO. “Ultimately, the sports courts are helping to support Hawaii’s tourism industry, particularly the service providers that visiting teams rely upon to play in the tournament and enjoy their experience in the islands.”

Introduced in 2017, the fully portable sports courts can be configured to simultaneously stage up to 28 regulation volleyball or badminton matches, 18 high school basketball games or 11 futsal matches. The Center also has a regulation NBA- and NCAA-approved basketball court with a solid wood floor.

In addition to volleyball, basketball, futsal, and badminton tournaments, the sports courts can also accommodate events and competitions for wrestling, gymnastics, martial arts, table tennis, dance, cheerleading, and group fitness activities. Elevated seating can be added for spectators.

“The sports courts are allowing us to diversify our development of group business opportunities for Hawaii and to help fill hotel room nights by offering a first-class venue to accommodate events with participants from around the world,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawaii Convention Center. “The response from tournament organizers has been very positive and these new agreements to host futsal, basketball, and volleyball tournaments in the coming years will help us to attract more events and teams from domestic and international markets.”

In 2017, the Hawaii Convention Center hosted AAU volleyball and basketball tournaments featuring youth teams from outside Hawaii and within the state, as well as the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic Tournament, the first-ever NCAA basketball tournament held at the Center.

Because of its new sports courts, the Hawaii Convention Center was recently recognized by SportsEvents “2018 Readers’ Choice Awards” in the categories of “Venues for Youth & Amateur Sports” and “Sports Events Planners & Rights Holders to Watch.” More than 5,000 sports events planners and industry professionals cast votes in determining the winners. SportsEvents Media Group, publisher of SportsEvents magazine, is the industry leader in providing products and services designed to connect sports events organizers with sports commissions, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, insurance companies and other sports events industry suppliers.