The IAVM Foundation opened its online silent auction last week, and the bids are rolling in. By bidding on items, you’re helping increase the positive impact of the venue industry by funding research, education, and resource development.

Supporting the venue industry is important, and here’s why.

“The potential return on the venue investment expands when led and operated by an educated, experienced, and capable workforce that can identify, prevent, and respond to problems, protect the millions in their care on a daily basis, and ensure financial viability and for the landmark assets in their communities,” the IAVM Foundation said. “As the world and the industry becomes more complex, the need is greater than ever to ensure that each and every public assembly venue has a professional workforce, base of knowledge, and adequate resources to ensure safety and enjoyment of the public, security of assets, and business results that contribute to economic development and quality of life.”

The online silent auction includes collectibles, tickets, fitness items, and more. If you would like to donate items for the auction, please email Sandra Franklin.

The Baton Rouge River Center provided a safe home for thousands of people stranded due to the recent flooding in Louisiana.

“The arena arranged to sleep more than a thousand people with resources on standby including a list that includes a makeshift hospital thanks to doctors and nurses who saw a need and stepped up,” Mark Armstrong reported for WGNO.

More than 2,800 residents remain in shelters, and an estimated 60,000 homes were damaged. The Advocate offered a great resource for those seeking to help flood victims. Visit “How to Donate Money, Items for Flood Victims,” to learn more. And check out the video above to see how the Baton Rouge River Center helped those in need.

The Green Sports Alliance is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to examine the current state of energy and water performance and identify the opportunities and challenges in advancing the design, construction, and operation of high-performance facilities. One element of this project involves conducting a survey of current practices, barriers, and opportunities venue operators face when it comes to energy and water efficiency. The findings from this survey will help identify opportunities to reduce energy and water use, save money, and potentially develop an ENERGY STAR score and certification for stadiums and arenas.

On this webinar, we will learn about how the Green Sports Alliance is working with the DOE and NIBS to support energy and water efficiency across sports venues. Our partners at the EPA will then provide the audience with an overview of the Stadium and Arena Energy and Water Efficiency Survey, conduct a walk-through of key questions and sections, and provide the audience with an opportunity to ask questions.

Join us to learn more about how you can contribute to this initiative!

Date: Wednesday, August 31 
Time: 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5396739895472708868

Speakers include:
1. Green Sports Alliance Board Member
2. Dania Gutierrez | Program Manager, Green Sports Alliance
3. Ryan Colker | Director, Consultative Council/Presidential Advisor, National Institute of Building Sciences
4. Adam Guzzo | Policy Adviser, US Department of Energy
5. Clark Reed | National Program Manager, ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Your employees are going to make mistakes from time to time. However, how you react to those mistakes shows the type of leader you are.

Consider this story from jazz musician Herbie Hancock about a time he made a mistake while performing with Miles Davis.

“I remember when we were playing ‘So What,’ and it was a really hot night. The music was on,” Hancock said in the above video. “Right in the middle of Miles’ solo, when he was playing one of his amazing solos, I played the wrong chord. Completely wrong. It sounded like a big mistake. And Miles paused for a second, and then he played some notes that made my chord right. He made it ‘correct.’ Miles didn’t hear it as a mistake. He heard it as something that happened. Just an event. And so, that was part of the reality of what was happening at that moment. And he dealt with it. Since he didn’t hear it as a mistake, he felt it was his responsibility to find something that fit. That taught me a very big lesson about not only music but about life.”

Shakespeare had the same idea when he wrote, “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” A reaction is what separates bad leaders from good ones. And if you want to be considered a good leader, one that your employees look up to and emulate, then choose to find a way to make a mistake fit that will help them look just as good as you.

These are selected news articles that showed up in our inboxes on Monday morning that we want to pass along to you.

With Opening of Cowboys’ New HQ, The Star in Frisco, “The Best is Here Today” (Dallas Morning News)
“The price tag for the city-owned portion of the complex is more than $261.8 million. That figure includes the cost for the 12,000-seat stadium, two outdoor practice fields for the Cowboys, the plaza in front of the stadium and the underground parking garage. The city, its entities and the school district contributed $90 million. The rest has been funded by the Cowboys.”

Industry Honor Given to BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center (WTVA.com)
“The honor goes to arenas based on criteria such as seating, staff and staging.”

VenuWorks Plans Quick Start at Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet (The Herald-News)
“VenuWorks plans to take the management reins Sept. 1 at the Rialto Square Theatre – and begin looking for shows even sooner – after being selected Wednesday as the firm to run the theater.”

Roof Collapses During Steve Aoki Concert in Norway, Injuring 15 (NBC News)
“None of the injuries were serious, police said, adding that it was unclear if Aoki was on stage at the time.”

Indy Studying Convention Center Expansion, New Hotel Space (IndyStar)
“The last such study, completed in 2004, resulted in a $275 million expansion of the center, as well as the development of the 1,000-room JW Marriott hotel.”

(Image: Dallas Cowboys)