By R.V. Baugus

As priorities and norms in the workplace have shifted for the better in recent years, so too have the titles of those responsible for making organizations the best they can be for today’s employees. Gone (or should be gone) are heavy-handed “my way or the highway” attitudes. As our membership is aware, IAVM fully supports a diverse and inclusive workplace, one that fosters growth and the ability to thrive for individuals in an environment where they are welcomed and listened to.

Thomas Blasucci carries a very interesting title in his position with Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International (MPI). We will save that title a bit later into the Q&A we were fortunate to have with Thomas in advance of his Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee session at VenueConnect in Pittsburgh.

Share with our membership a bit about yourself, including where you were educated and what led you to your current position.

I grew up in Los Angeles, California, but I’ve called Fort Worth, Texas, my home for the past 14 years. My educational journey led me to The University of Texas at Arlington, where I earned a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Management and Human Resources. My passion for problem-solving drew me towards the HR field, as I discovered that the most intriguing challenges for me involved understanding and addressing people’s needs in the workplace. Whether it’s designing a comprehensive benefits and compensation plan or crafting a job description that aligns with an organization’s goals, strategic Human Resources has always captivated me.

Throughout my career, I have held a variety of HR roles in nonprofit organizations, leading efforts in Talent Acquisition, DEI, and Employee Relations. My initial stint at MPI spanned from 2014 to 2018. Afterward, I served as an HR Executive for another Dallas-based nonprofit. I am thrilled to have returned to MPI roughly eight months ago. My varied experiences have honed my skills as an HR leader, and I eagerly look forward to making a meaningful, lasting impact on both employees and organizations in our industry.

Director, People & Performance is a most interesting title and one I would guess is not all that old of a title. What does it mean and what are your major objectives in this role?

As the Director of People and Performance at MPI, I am a firm believer that our people are our most valuable asset. My title, while relatively new in the HR landscape, aptly reflects the essence of my role, which goes beyond traditional HR functions to focus on fostering a high-performance environment where our employees can thrive.

In this capacity, I lead the HR function for Meeting Professionals International, with the primary objective of developing and implementing human resources practices and policies that cultivate an employee-centric, high-performance culture. This culture emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity, and standards, while also prioritizing goal attainment and the recruitment and continuous development of a superior workforce.

As an internal consultant to leaders and employees, I address employee relations issues that impact performance and business relationships. My goal is to provide guidance and support to ensure a harmonious work environment that aligns with the core values and mission established by the association’s leadership. Some of my major objectives in this role include developing and executing talent acquisition and retention strategies that attract, nurture, and retain top talent in the industry; designing and implementing performance management systems that help employees reach their full potential and drive organizational success; and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to create an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. Ultimately, my role as the Director of People and Performance is to create a workplace where our employees can excel, and in turn, contribute to the overall success and growth of Meeting Professionals International.

People and performance are essentially not only keeping companies alive but helps them thrive. Do you find that some organizations still miss the boat on that very otherwise basic principle?

You raise an important point. Organizations that prioritize their people and performance not only survive but truly thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Higher employee engagement scores, better retention rates, and overall happier team members are hallmarks of companies that focus on people and performance. Unfortunately, some organizations still miss the boat, and this oversight has a direct impact on their bottom line.

On average, the cost of losing an employee in their first year is often estimated to be twice the employee’s annual salary. This includes costs of recruitment, onboarding, training, lost productivity, and any potential negative impact on employee morale. According to SHRM, the average cost of replacing an employee at any point in their tenure can range from 90% to 200% of their annual salary.

Organizations that invest in people and performance, by developing policies and procedures that foster an engaging workforce, can experience a direct correlation between their efforts and a decrease in costs related to turnover. By creating a supportive and growth-oriented environment, these organizations can maximize their employees’ potential, which ultimately leads to a more successful and sustainable business.

Talk some about what you will be sharing with our IAVM audience this summer in Pittsburgh?

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential components of any modern workplace. Merely paying lip service to DEI work is not enough. Creating a diverse and inclusive environment requires genuine commitment and intentional effort, ensuring that everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered. This involves implementing equitable hiring processes and fostering a culture that embraces diverse perspectives and continuous learning.

As an HR professional with a strong background in leading DEI work, I am a firm believer that organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusivity as core values and embed them throughout their operations enjoy increased employee engagement and a more satisfied workforce. By focusing on everything from hiring practices and employee development programs to organizational policies and company culture, organizations can demonstrate their authentic commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

I know you have visited some of our leaders on the Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee (of which I am a staff liaison). Talk some about diversity and inclusivity and its importance in today’s workplace.

I am really excited about attending VenueConnect this summer in Pittsburgh, as it presents a fantastic opportunity to share valuable insights and engage in meaningful conversations. My session will be centered on empowering employers to develop diverse candidate pipelines and establish equitable, inclusive hiring processes that foster a thriving workplace culture.

During the session, I will delve into two primary aspects that are critical for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Talent Acquisition:

Ensuring an Equitable Interview and Selection Process: A robust hiring process is essential for creating a fair and unbiased environment for all candidates. In this segment, we will explore various strategies, such as standardizing the interview process, offering training to employees on conducting unbiased interviews, formulating a consistent set of competency-based interview questions, and implementing a structured scoring system to evaluate candidates objectively. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of assembling diverse interview panels and providing them with resources on DEI best practices to minimize the impact of unconscious biases during the decision-making process.

Building a Diverse Candidate Pool: Attracting a wide array of talent is crucial for fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment. In this part of the session, we will discuss best practices for crafting job advertisements that use inclusive language and prominently highlight the organization’s commitment to DEI. We will also explore various methods for expanding outreach, such as partnering with diverse professional organizations, educational institutions, and tapping into specialized job boards and social media platforms.

Through a combination of practical examples and group discussions, participants will leave the session equipped with the knowledge and tools to implement effective DEI strategies in their hiring processes.

I believe that any speaker likes to leave a “takeaway” for his or her audience to return home with and implement. What would be your takeaway you would like for our members to exercise upon returning to their venues?

As an HR speaker, my aim is to empower the audience by providing them with practical, actionable strategies that they can confidently implement in their organizations. Interviewing is a crucial skill that can be honed and perfected through practice and continuous learning. The key takeaway I would like for session participants to emphasize and apply upon returning to their organizations is the importance of proactively incorporating DEI principles throughout every stage of the hiring process. By doing so, they can create an inclusive and equitable work environment that values diversity and fosters a culture of belonging.

(Editor’s Note: Carol Moore, CVE, holds a very special place in my heart. She likely holds a very special place in the heart of everyone in this industry. If she does not, the problem is not with Carol. As she prepares for her June 30 retirement, we could not let Carol leave without sharing some thoughts on this incredible longevity in the public assembly venue industry. On a personal note, I consider Carol one of the dearest friends I have. I can only hope I have “been there” for Carol as she has been for me through life’s ups and downs. Through it all, Carol’s ever-present smile will be in my mind’s eye. Wishing you the very best, Carol. Thank you for everything and God bless. Now on to Carol’s reflections…)

By Carol Moore, CVE

I’ve been asked to write about my career in this industry. As I thought back over my 49-year career, it is amazing to see the vast changes that have happened during that time. I began my career in 1974 as a secretary.

When we rented the facility, there was one main phone line that rang into the building. We had ten button phones on our desks that would allow multiple calls to come through at one time. Everyone was responsible for answering a ringing line. It was always amazing to see all ten buttons light up all at once when Elvis was announced, and they would ring non-stop for eight hours. When we prepared contracts, we used pre-printed forms and inserted carbon paper between each copy. Everything business was handled through mail. At this point there weren’t fax machines yet. We did not have a copier, but rather used a mimeograph machine to print things when you needed a lot of copies. All files were manual and stored in file cabinets as there weren’t computers. Your financial accounting records were all done manually and kept in ledger books. I used shorthand when my boss dictated a letter to be sent out as there weren’t small recording devices back then.

All event tickets were hard tickets that were housed in these wooden boxes with pigeonholes. The tickets were arranged in these boxes as the arena was laid out. Back then a concert ticket was $7.50 – a far cry from today’s prices. Processing a credit card payment was handled by a machine that would imprint the customer’s card information onto a 3-form carbon receipt. The customer received a copy, the building kept a copy, and the third copy was turned into the bank for processing. Then you had to manually add up the total charge card receipts for settlement each day.

Advertising for a show was vastly different as you only had newspaper, radio, and television. Concert show posters were put out around town on the telephone poles announcing the event. Our ticket outlets received a section of hard tickets to sell from their location and we would have to deliver and pick up tickets and money.

Production was very different as well. For years our stage consisted of scaffolding and plywood pieces that were built by the operations team. The power needed for sound and lights back in those days was only 200/400 amp – a huge difference from today’s show needs. The show would consist of two semi-trailers at the dock – not the sometimes 50 semi-trailers you see today! Rigging plots weren’t as elaborate back in those days either.

The first concert I remember that had the stage in the round was Kenny Rogers. I always felt bad for the poor stagehand who kept having to crawl around in circles while Kenny walked the stage. The first audio/visual used for a concert that I remember was for John Denver, who showed video of his then wife Annie. The show riders were so much simpler back in those days as well, although I do remember the Van Halen rider about the chocolate M&Ms.

I remember when we would have hockey or Holiday on Ice, the operations team would have to hose down the concrete floor 24 hours a day with a water hose until they created an ice floor. Such a tedious task and a very expensive one to do as well.

The other difference I have seen is in the aesthetics of the venues. Back in the old days venues were sterile and consisted of a lot of concrete. Today they are state-of-the-art venues with beautiful aesthetics, very high tech, and create an unforgettable experience for the guest. The food and beverage from the old days consisted of your typical concession fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, nachos, etc. Today of course there are chefs at our venues that prepare culinary delights for everyone’s palate.

Security was obviously very different back in those days and nothing like what is faced by our venues today. Technology was non-existent in a venue for me until 1988 when I was first given a desktop computer. I learned the computer by grabbing a co-worker when she would pass by my office door on her way to do something. In those days, the computer was DOS based and you had to type in commands to get it to do what you needed.

There are so many other things that were different that escaped my mind. But let’s leave it to say that “we’ve come a long way, baby!”

By R.V. Baugus

The Miami Beach Convention Center invites you to join them on August 10 for Venue Safety & Security Training provided by IAVM Director of Safety and Security Mark Herrera.

Herrera will bring his recognized and renown teaching and will present on Situational Awareness (Mitigating Risk Through Guest Services), De-Escalation Training for Frontline Teams (Overview), Active Threat/Active Shooter Preparedness and Best Practices for Building Your Security Culture (Practical Exercise).

Here are the details for this FREE event that is sure to improve all facets of safety and security at your venue or business.

To register for this FREE and invaluable training, click here.

Date: August 1Oth, 2023
Time: 9am-1pm
Location:
Miami Beach Convention Center
Sunset Vista Ballroom
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Parking: MBCC Roofdeck
Registration: FREE (must show ticket for entry)

From AEG Worldwide

Starting July 11, L.A. LIVE, AEG’s 4 million-square-foot downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment district will officially bear the Peacock name.

As part of a multi-year naming rights agreement between Peacock, NBCUniversal’s premium streaming service, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, the 7,100-seat concert and special events venue formerly known as Microsoft Theater will be named Peacock Theater and the entertainment district’s 40,000 square foot open-air plaza, formerly known as XBOX Plaza, will be known as Peacock Place. The agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, strategically aligns the brands, and establishes Peacock as the exclusive streaming partner of L.A. LIVE.

“Like Peacock, L.A. LIVE is at the epicenter of premium original entertainment, exhilarating sports, one-of-a-kind experiences and extreme fandom,” said Kelly Campbell, President of Peacock, and Direct-to-Consumer, NBCUniversal. “Through Peacock Theater and Peacock Place, we’ll have the opportunity to bring all the elements of our brand to life with the millions of fans who visit L.A. LIVE each year, while partnering with the incredible team at AEG to further cement Peacock as the ultimate destination for audiences.”

“We are ecstatic for the opportunity to be able to partner with the amazing leadership team at Peacock for this long-term relationship,” said Nick Baker, Chief Operating Officer of AEG Global Partnerships. “The content within the Peacock platform is ideal for our audiences and the synergies between both organizations around our variety of events is limitless.”

“We are incredibly excited for this groundbreaking partnership with Peacock and AEG,” said Lee Zeidman, President, Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater and L.A. LIVE. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Peacock to create new content and programming to complement our existing roster of amazing concerts, awards shows, and special events we are known for at all of our iconic L.A. LIVE venues.”

With the comprehensive new agreement, Peacock will have an enhanced brand presence across L.A. LIVE including significant interior and exterior signage at Peacock Theater, fixed signage at Peacock Place, a branded content studio, and customized fan activations and brand integrations throughout select premium locations of the sports and entertainment district.

Peacock will also engage fans via signature digital signage elements, including a brand-new, dedicated LED marquee, located prominently at the corner of Figueroa and Olympic Blvds., one of downtown L.A.’s busiest intersections. The forthcoming dedicated LED marquee will feature two state-of-the-art video boards permanently attached to L.A. LIVE’s façade and will provide Peacock with 100% share of voice, 365 days a year. With this new signage, Peacock can highlight its latest content including key series premieres, promotions, and special events taking place at L.A. LIVE over the course of the partnership. Once complete, the largest of the two new signs will measure more than 29 feet high and 56 feet wide. The second will stand at more than 29 feet high and 88 feet wide, providing Peacock with premium exposure to millions of people each year. The signs will connect at the corner, with one facing Figueroa and the other facing Olympic and will remain a permanent fixture at L.A. LIVE for the length of the partnership.

(Photo: Business Wire)

From neworleanssaints.com

The New Orleans Saints unveiled the latest updates to the Envision the Future transformation of the Caesars Superdome. The five-year project is a collaborative effort between the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED), the New Orleans Saints and the State of Louisiana, and the project continues to near its 2024 scheduled completion date. As the 2024 finish line rapidly approaches, this colossal project progresses with a team of architects, contractors, designers, and construction workers working around-the-clock to transform the fan experience and functionality of one of the most iconic venues in the world. Saints season ticket holders and their guests will be the first to experience the remarkable evolution of Caesars Superdome, while the building’s global unveil will be completed in advance of the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, which will also mark the stadium’s 50th anniversary.

The Caesars Superdome Club Rooms and Premium Areas have and will continue to be some of the most popular sectors of season ticket holders. Through the Envision the Future campaign the Northeast and Northwest loge clubs no longer exist and have been replaced with an East loge club named the Caesars Legends Club. This dedicated club and suite area provides access to Gate C with access to dedicated escalators and new elevators which will provide fans with a faster entry to the club and premium areas. The upgrades at the Caesars Club include much larger areas that stretch the length of the sideline with improved seating and amenities in state-of-the-art surroundings that enhance the premium ticket holder experiences.

The VIP loge level will also feature an upgraded concourse experience connecting to the new Caesars Club as well as new premium bars, markets, and concessions. New clean, comfortable, and modern restroom and family rooms will adjoin the club on both sides to alleviate wait times for the rest room facilities at the busiest times of gamedays.