MONDAY, MAY 22 – In a devastating attack following an Ariana Grande concert on Monday, May 22, 22 people were killed and dozens more injured. According to multiple news sources, the explosion took place shortly after 10:30 PM as concert attendees were exiting the Britain’s Manchester Arena following the performance. The following facts are from CNN, Fox News, NBC News, and Aljazeera:

• Children are among the 22 dead
• At least 56 more were injured and being treated at surrounding hospitals
• An improvised explosive device was used by one man, who also died on scene
• Police arrested another 23-year-old man in connection with the attack

Concerned families and helpful citizens took to Twitter and other social media, some sharing photos of those who are missing and others offering to provide transportation and even places for stranded people to stay. 

The following is a statement from IAVM’s Board of Directors Chair, Mark Mettes, CFE:

“Yesterday, we saw more tragic events that serve as heartbreaking reminders of what can happen in this world.  There are still many facts in this situation that we don’t know yet, but we do know that this senseless tragedy will impact people far beyond those who attended the concert.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been touched by this attack, especially all of the young victims and their families.

I also include our facility manager colleagues at the Manchester Arena because they will be touched by this tragedy for the rest of their lives.  Although we would love to reach out and help them in some meaningful way, we must recognize through this tragedy the importance of individual and institutional preparedness.  In these times, we must remind ourselves of our personal responsibilities at our venues.  Please make time to review your own Emergency Evacuation Plans and any Emergency Procedures your venue has for Staff.  If your venue doesn’t have these plans or procedures, I strongly encourage you to reach out to the leadership of your venue and do your part in taking the necessary steps toward preparedness.  If you aren’t sure what to do and where to start, please reach out to IAVM.  We can certainly help.

Also, whether you are in your own venue, visiting another or just out in public, please remember if you see something, say something.  Report suspicious activities to your local law enforcement.  Every one of us plays an important part in keeping our venues and our communities safe. 

Obviously we hope that nothing like this tragic event would ever happen again anywhere in the world, but we can each do our part to be prepared in case an emergency situation comes closer to home.

Thank you.”

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) joined local, state and federal public safety officials to host the first full-scale exercise of the City Assisted Evacuation system at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center last week.

Hundreds of volunteers “role played” as evacuees and helped representatives from various agencies practice the steps required to safely evacuate residents in the event of a city-wide emergency. City-Assisted Evacuation provides transportation from 17 Evacuspots to the Union Passenger Terminal (1001 Loyola Ave.) where individuals then board a bus to a State or Federal shelter out of harm’s way.

In 2015, the City received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. DOT Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support a full-scale simulation exercise of the City-Assisted Evacuation plan, with special emphasis on vulnerable/special needs populations.

Respected and accomplished industry veteran Kevin Twohig, CFE, chief executive officer of the Spokane Public Facilities District, announced his impending retirement.

Twohig said that at this point there is not a definitive timeline and “I am in no rush to get out the door.” Twohig will be assisting the Board with identifying the next CEO and will be available to advise the new CEO. There are also a couple of facility projects that he is engaged with and expects to complete before his retirement.

Twohig will attend the Venue Management School at Oglebay and looks forward to seeing his many friends in the industry. IAVM wishes one of the profession’s true good guys all the best in the future!

John Marquardt, CVP, serves as assistant director for event management at the State Farm Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign as well as the chair of IAVM’s Young Professionals Committee. As such, Marquardt leads a dedicated committee whose mission is to “work with IAVM management to promote the venue management industry with students, recent graduates and young professionals under the age of 30. It acts as a think tank for new and emerging trends in communications, social media, technology and membership. Members of this committee may be 30 years of age or under.”

Marquardt steadfastly believes that written mission statement can be even better executed in the future should those same young professionals have an opportunity to vote, a right that will come to fruition for this segment of IAVM membership should a vote pass that began last Friday by current eligible IAVM members on One Member, One Vote. The initiative follows extensive study, review and open discussion over the last two years, at which point the IAVM Board of Directors voted unanimously to bring forward proposed changes to the bylaws that would make the Association more inclusive and diverse in its decision making. As a means to incorporate the perspective of all IAVM members, these changes would allow every member of IAVM equal opportunity to engage in the Association through the right to vote. These proposed changes must be approved by two-thirds of the current voting members of IAVM.

“I support the One Member, One Vote initiative on a variety of fronts as a member of IAVM, but first and foremost because of the impact that it will have on Young Professionals within the IAVM family,” Marquardt said.

“As a one-time Young Professional member of IAVM and current Chair of the Young Professionals Committee, I have seen the significant thought, dedication, and contributions of our Young Professional members, and the impact that they have on our organization. As future leaders of our industry, they already demonstrate a great deal of critical thought, intuition, and innovative energy that helps propel our organization forward. Our Young Professionals help keep our organization relevant in a rapidly-advancing business climate where technology and cutting-edge ideas evolve by the minute. Young Professionals help all of us keep our eye on the proverbial ball of change and innovation in our industry, as they represent our future. By allowing them a seat at the table through One Member, One Vote, we can ensure their contributions will be heard and will help to shape our IAVM family in to perpetuity.”

Marquardt acknowledges that due simply to career experience those just getting started in the industry cannot possibly have the broad base of knowledge that veteran peers enjoy. Nonetheless, as those same peers transition toward retirement or lessening their job responsibilities, it is important to replenish that experience with those who are younger and thirsting for knowledge and participation within IAVM.

“Young Professional members of IAVM still have lots to learn about our industry, no doubt,” Marquardt said. “However, providing them a voice and a vote toward the direction of our future will help keep them engaged, involved, and energized as IAVM accelerates in to the exciting future of our industry.”

Current eligible voters received an email ballot on Friday. The voting period is open now so please look in your inbox for the ballot.

The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) is announced that Jan Szabat, the convention center’s director of engineering services, has been recognized by Venues Today Magazine, Venue Solutions Group and the Venue Operations Summit Board of Advisors for excellence in venue management. The award recognizes one engineer working in a venue in North America who has gone above and beyond in solving problems, instituting new programs and maintaining their facility.

For the past 30 years, Szabat has overseen all maintenance for Edmonton’s iconic, 34-year-old convention center. From flood restoration to multi-million dollar escalator modernization and managing the team that keeps the building running, Szabat has ensured the Shaw Conference Centre continues to be a destination for the meetings, conventions and events industry.

“We’re thrilled Jan is being recognized for leading the way in engineering services and expertise,” said Lisanne Lewis, general manager of the venue. “Jan’s stewardship of our landmark facility helps to build Edmonton’s brand and reputation as a leader in sustainability and venue management. This award is a testament to his dedication and passion for his craft.”

Szabat has played an instrumental role in fulfilling the convention center’s brand promise of sustainability. Under his leadership the Shaw Conference Centre has become BOMA BEST certified, the first conference venue in Canada to receive Green Key level 5 certification, and one of five venues in Canada to receive the prestigious ASTM International sustainability certification.

Pictured: Jan Szabat, Lisanne Lewis