I am grateful for the opportunity to serve IAVM’s diverse membership. It’s been an eye-opening experience to move from being a member to actually working in the association industry. I always thought I knew what IAVM staff members did, but have learned that they do so much more. I am proud to say I am part of a team of professionals who are passionate and want to serve our member’s needs.

I want to thank our members and let you know what a phenomenal resource you are to the betterment of our association. Separately, our members individually support one another. Together, and more importantly, our members are strong economic and social influencers and difference makers. Your collective work and success in the local community give us all additional strength in our communities.

My successful career was made possible through participating in IAVM committees, task forces, boards and special projects, and many of you have accomplished the same results. Those of you who have not participated in giving your resources are missing out on the rewarding feeling of serving others in the association. In my 30 years of IAVM membership, I learned that as I gave my time, talents, and funds that I experienced a greater return on my investment than I have in many of my other endeavors.

As we journey into the thanksgiving holiday, I hope you’ll consider giving to others, and that you’ll consider giving some of that to the International Association of Venue Managers.  

Enjoy your family, friends, and colleagues during the Thanksgiving holiday. Be a fountain, not a drain, and make our world a better place to reside.

Brad Mayne

As we roll into the holiday season, giving becomes a second nature for many of us, and there is no better time than right now to exercise our desire to give back.

“#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.” (Information from givingtuesday.org)

On or before Tuesday, November 29, we are asking sectors and individuals/groups to give to your IAVM Foundation. Giving is a simple yet rewarding endeavor, and you can even make it enjoyable.

AND in the spirit of giving, we are offering the organization or individual who donates the most money and the venue with the most participants one complimentary registration each to the 2017 VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee.

Think of it like buying a lunch for a friend or a colleague. And in the words of Winston S. Churchill, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

“I’m at $500 n I wan $550, $550, bid n $550, I’m at $500 will you go $550, $550…”

Intentional spelling errors aside, this narrative is a prime example of the imprecise sounds that an auctioneer might chant at his audience. Auctions provide the opportunity for bidders to compete against one another for items leaving the highest bidder to walk away with one heck-of-a-deal. And while it’s very easy to get lost in the magical moment of an intense bidding war, physically attending an auction is not the only way to find incredible deals.

Of course, this information isn’t news. I mean, everyone has heard of eBay, right? But what if I told you that the money earned from a specific auction could go straight into your very own industry? Whoa. I’ll give you a second to catch your breath.

By going to the IAVM Foundation‘s Bidding for Good auction page, you can place your bid electronically on incredible entertainment packages, sports memorabilia, and other great items. And YES, all of the money raised goes straight back into the venue industry! “How,” you ask? 

The IAVM Foundation supports industry educational programs, development, and funds research. Some of these programs are things like 30 | Under | 30, VenueDataSource, Venue Management School, and the Certified Facility Executive and Certified Venue Professional certifications.

Since the start of the 2016 Online Auction (which began on August 16), more than 50 items have been donated from venues, organizations, and individuals all over the world. From those 50 items, we have raised more than $6,239 so far, which will be funneled straight back into those Foundation funded programs we just mentioned. But we need your help to reach our goal of having your continuous support of the Foundation.

The auction as a whole doesn’t end until January 15, 2017, so it’s not too late to visit our web page and place your bid. But be quick, because each item has its own individual end date, and that’s the deadline you don’t want to miss.

Unfortunately, you don’t have the pleasure of an auctioneer rambling off numbers to you while you anxiously wait to see if you’ve won. But the satisfaction from claiming an item as your own is just as prominent and rewarding as a physical auction victory. And the bonus is that no one can see you jumping around with excitement while you’re doing your happy dance.

Take a look at some of these hot auction items, or visit our main page to view all of our available items. See how giving back can also give back to you.

EDMONTON, AB – The Shaw ConferenceCentre (SCC) is offering local artists a chance to have their artwork displayed to over 500,000 guests annually. Submissions are being accepted until January 8, 2017.

Artists are encouraged to visit the public spaces of the convention centre and visualize where they can see their artwork being displayed. Artwork must be representative of the culture or geography of Edmonton, and can take the form of ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or photography. Those selected will have the opportunity to sell their piece after being on display for one year. 

“With over 650 events booked at our venue each year, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase the talent of Edmonton artists to our community and guests from across Canada and the world,” says Lisanne Lewis, General Manager, Shaw Conference Centre. “The new program will help us activate underutilized space and allow Edmontonians to see their convention centre as a community canvas.”

An iconic Edmonton venue, the Shaw Conference Centre has supported local artists by displaying their work both in and outside the venue for over 30 years. From the Paskwamostos (Bison) that stands guard over the River Valley and gigantic murals by Clay Ellis in the Hall D foyer to the pARTnership Gallery featuring the work of grade 1 to 12 students, locals and visitors from around the world can be seen stopping to snap a photo or pose for a memento in front of these works.

Selected artists will be paid full artist fees according to Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC) and all submissions will be judged by a panel of employees from Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. For full details, visit http://bit.ly/2fWEjhP.
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The Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta welcomes Serge Belair to the position of executive chef on February 1, 2017. The appointment, announced by venue General Manager Lisanne Lewis, brings one of the rising chefs into the job after Chef Serge received the award of Edmonton’s top 40 under 50 in 2015. He is no stranger to the venue, however, after working his way up the ranks since joining in 2005.

“Chef Serge has been a rising star that has proven he has the skillset and leadership to take over the culinary operations of Edmonton’s convention centre. His appointment ensures there is a smooth transition and the quality and consistency of meals served at the Shaw Conference Centre continues to be exceptional,” Lewis said.

He will replace the retiring Simon Smotkowicz, who departs the facility after 28 years to embark on a new chapter in his career. The footsteps that Belair replaces are huge as his predecessor has won numerous medals as a part of Canada’s Olympic Culinary team and has mentored many young chefs throughout the years.

Lewis acknowledged the outgoing chef and his work, noting that he “leaves behind a dedicated team and strong brand.”

Chef Serge’s impressive resume includes studying at Commission scolaire la Vallee de la Lievre and practical experience at Hotel Clarion Gatineau’s Restaurant La Pergola from 1999 to 2005. His rise within Shaw Conference Centre included stints as chef de partie in 2005, sous chef in 2007 and senior sous chef in 2011.

Photo by Curtis Comeau