Live Nation and IdentoGO are working together to make sure music fans can enter airports and venues faster, Pitchfork reported.

“Attendees at certain Live Nation events can sign up for TSA PreCheck, which enables subscribers to bypass the airport security process,” reported Pitchfork‘s Marc Hogan. “Plus, TSA PreCheck members will have their own ‘Fast Pass’ for expedited entry at these events. [A] spokesperson clarified that, contrary to reports, the partnership with IdentoGO is not for security screening purposes, and applies to only ‘a very limited number of venues and events.'”

The recent Watershed music festival was the first event to offer onsite enrollment and a fast-pass line.

“Shorter lines will be available for TSA PreCheck members during the 2016-2017 concert season at these participating venues: the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey; Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas; Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta; P.N.C. Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey; Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida; and San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernardino, California,” Hogan reported.

Please read “Live Nation Debuts Airport-Style Fast Lane at Music Festivals” for more on the story.

(Image: Live Nation/Pitchfork)

The recent floods in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area have left more than 11,000 people in shelters and eight people dead as of Monday, August 15.

“The number of people seeking shelter increased about 10 percent between Sunday and Monday night,” Julia O’Donoghue reported for The Times-Picayune. “There are at least two shelters in the Baton Rouge area—Celtic Media Centre studios and the Baton Rouge River Center—capable of holding thousands of people.”

Setting up cots at the Baton Rouge River Center. #laflood #lawx pic.twitter.com/Sho4jHqINj

— Julia O’Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) August 15, 2016

The IAVM family has several members in Louisiana, and we reached out to them for updates.

“We are fine in Metairie (home) and in New Orleans (The University of New Orleans and Lakefront Arena),” said Marco Perez, general manager of the Lakefront Arena. “My daughter was stuck in her apartment in Baton Rouge. She has not flooded and we do not anticipate the backwater flooding to reach her either, but that has us a little tense. My understanding is that the waters should start to go down later today, hopefully.

“Another parent was able to get to her and her roommates and safely bring them home so she is safe in her room,” Perez continued. “Her car was here at home so even that was a plus. So much devastation up there. I am blown away. This may turn out to be as bad a Katrina, but without the wind damage. The flooding is amazing. Historical proportions.”

Many other members let us know that they are OK.

“Our area of the state—along with other venues in southwest region—have been spared from flooding issues,” wrote one IAVM member. “It’s very eerie to think that we’re only approximately 40 miles away from the impacted areas.”

Another IAVM member said, “The river came out of its banks and filled part of the yard, then the river crested before reaching the house and has been receding since. Thank God we were spared this time.”

The New Orleans CVB has offered assistance by accepting donations on its loading dock:
—Non-perishable food items. Needed food items include: canned vegetables, fruit, and meats (tuna and chicken), soups and stews, beans and chili. Peanut butter, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, shelf-stable milk. Highly nutritious items such as protein bars, Ensure and PediaSure are also needed.
—Bottled Water – prefer in palettes of 24
—Personal Toiletries
—Cleaning Supplies

The CVB team has volunteered to accept and sort donations between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Friday, August 19.
—All items will be sent along with the existing LRA and Second Harvest transportation in place to Lamar Dixon where authorities have requested that all assistance be filtered and where teams from Centerplate are already setting up temporary facilities to provide meals.
—We will not accept clothing donations or furniture donations, and those should be coordinated through Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office: http://www.opcso.org
—Mayor Landrieu’s office suggests offering support here: http://www.gnof.org/nolapayitforward/
—We will not accept cash donations. Anyone wishing to contribute CASH, we suggest support of Second Harvest food bank which is partnering with us on the distribution of your contributions: https://give.no-hunger.org/checkout/donation?eid=91189

(Image: Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal/Facebook)

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) on its most successful financial and operational year to date. The center tripled the previous year’s profits of more than US$2.8 million to a record-breaking $8.1 million and added $6.1 million to its financial reserve.

“We are impressed with AEG’s LACC team and their ability to consistently deliver exceptional financial results, which in turn save millions of dollars for the City’s General Fund annually,” said Bud Ovrom, executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Convention & Tourism Development (CTD), in a statement. “A strategic business vision, efficient business practices, and entrepreneurial spirit have led the LACC to unprecedented financial achievements; we look forward to our continued partnership and to a bright future ahead.”

The LACC also had a 30 percent increase in citywide convention bookings.

“Forming a cohesive partnership with both the LATCB [Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board] and CTD has been an underpinning of AEG’s success at the LA Convention Center and the substantial rise in citywide bookings attests to the fantastic work being done by the organizations involved,” said Jon F. Vein, president of the board of Los Angeles Convention & Tourism Development Commissioners, in a statement. “Citywide conventions stimulate the local economy and help sustain thousands of jobs through attendee direct and indirect spending.”

The center completed several projects in fiscal year 2015-2016. Some of the highlights include carpet replacement in public areas, repairs to chillers and cooling towers, and the purchase of 20 magnetometers. The venue also added a guest services department in 2015, which now included nine employees.

In 2015, the LACC became the largest U.S. convention center to attain LEED EB:OM GOLD recertification and diverted one million pounds of construction and demolition waste, achieving an overall waste diversion rate of 72 percent.

“While achieving positive financial results and operating in a fiscally responsible manner is important to us, we are also pleased that the LACC remains a symbol of environmental and social responsibility in the local community,” said Brad Gessner, general manager of the LACC and senior vice president at AEG Facilities, in a statement. “Attaining LEED© GOLD recertification was a monumental feat for the LACC-AEG team and we are very proud of this great achievement that would not be possible without the contribution of LACC employees – especially in the Facilities and Operations departments, and support from the Department of Convention & Tourism Development (CTD) and AEG1Earth.”

Do you have news about your venue you’d like to share? Please email it to our senior editor!

(Image: EnerGov)

Another post about virtual reality (VR), Jason? Yes, but this one isn’t about sports, music, or gaming. It’s about training, specifically for disaster response.

“This technology can be used to prepare for disasters in a number of ways. For example, people can be immersed in a virtual environment that allows them to get advanced tactical training. They can perform the planned operations in a controlled manner even before the problem strikes,” Eastern Kentucky University wrote in a post. “In this digital realm, they can practice as many times as necessary until they are able to achieve mastery of the techniques. They will get used to the chaos so that their actions will become automatic. They will no longer be rattled when faced with a real threat.”

The university created a nice infographic promoting the benefits of VR training for safety efforts and its cost savings.

Continue Reading →

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Arena Management Conference (AMC), recognizing deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Jessi Armstrong—Student Internship
California Polytechnic State University

Favorite Team?
My favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My best sports memories come from being able to sit behind home plate at Angels Stadium. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so since I was a kid. I have grown up at the stadium and loved the atmosphere and learning the game ever since.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I am currently exploring several avenues such as marketing and in-game promotions for sports games, working and managing various events, and taking on public relations tasks to aid to a variety of clients. All of these areas have sparked my interest, and I hope to continue to explore and grow in these fields.

Favorite quote?
“Have the courage to be exactly who you are without apology.” — Iyanla Vanzant

Danny Bryant—Young Professional Scholarship
Arena & Pavilion Services Manager, The Classic Center

Favorite team?
Detroit Tigers, Liverpool FC.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
Being in the stands my senior year at Central Michigan University as my Chippewas upset Michigan State 29-27 after a last-minute onside kick recovery and a game-ending field goal.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Probably a dog. You get to go all the fun places with your humans, sleep the rest of the time, chase around the ball and Frisbee, and pretty much get loved on by everybody. Plus you get to defend the house from the scheming neighborhood squirrels and cats.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Homer Simpson as “Pie Man.” Like most of Homer’s ideas that go awry, his heart was in the right place as he was avenging Lisa’s embarrassment. Plus, he made the underwear on the outside of the shorts cool, laying the path for Quail Man and Captain Underpants.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
Aside from owning and operating my own mini-golf course, my dream job would either be opening my own venue or running one of the historic soccer venues in England.

Renee Musson—Industry Women Scholarship
Associate Director, University of Florida Stephen C. O’Connell Center

Favorite team?
University of Florida Gators.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
In 1991, when Billy Joel showed up at our sold-out Garth Brooks concert and they played a few songs together. It was incredible.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
I would love to be a real-life superhero, like Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Mother Teresa, etc. Women whose superpower was to never give up and to change lives. On a fictional note: X-Men’s Jean Gray. She has amazing telepathic and telekinetic powers and is a caring, nurturing, fantastic leader. She is also fierce and shows that with power comes responsibility and struggle.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I would love to be a director of an arena at a university that supports the growth of its students through real-world work experience and professional development.

Favorite quote?
My favorite quote changes depending on the situation but my lifelong favorite: “The first 100 years are the hardest”—spoken by my father many, many times during my life. It was his shortened version of “Life’s a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest” by Wilson Mizner.