Meeting Professionals International (MPI) offers a great program called MPI Experiential Event Series that lets meeting and event planners experience behind the scenes of some of the world’s largest events. The first program was the 2016 Miss America Competition, and the most recent one was South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Frequent IAVM contributor Michael Pinchera was on hand for the event and learned about a safety and security element common to the venue industry.

“This successful and intriguing opportunity to learn about and actually see shelter in place in effect at SXSW was but one striking example of what participants of MPI’s Experiential Event Series got to explore late last week,” Pinchera wrote. “Such a shelter-in-place occurrence isn’t unheard of in the meeting and event industry, but seeing this acted upon during the [series] at the mega event that is SXSW seemed somehow preposterously convenient.”

Please read his story on the MPI blog to learn more about  how the sudden change in weather created a real-world experience for the participants.

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Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in February 2016—a total of 77 new members. Thank you for being a part of the association!

Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

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The ICCC Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Please think about someone who comes to mind when you think of outstanding, innovative leaders in the convention center industry and submit a nomination for them by April 15. We appreciate you taking the time to showcase our exceptional colleagues who have made an impact on our industry!

Please consider these criteria when considering who you would like to nominate. Nominees must:

1) Have a minimum of 20 years of service to the convention center industry.

2) Be an IAVM member in good standing for at least 10 years, which need not be consecutive. (IAVM staff can assist in confirming this information.)

Other important considerations are:

3) Leadership contributions, committee work, and outstanding service to the IAVM or other industry related associations. Please give specific details regarding years of service, positions held, involvement in initiatives or programs, and any other accomplishments or awards.

4) A passion for the industry through participation in VenueConnect and ICCC throughout their career by being a contributor of lasting value to the industry as a lecturer, planner, presenter, mentor, author, innovator, or catalyst for positive change.

5) Certifications, specialized training, distinguished achievements and awards of significance to our industry, as well as exemplary work experience with convention centers, exhibit halls, and/or supporting industry related companies.

6) Personal and professional attributes that reflect favorably on the leadership and character of the nominee.

7) Any other thoughts or information you would like to share with the committee about this nominee.

During game breaks on the arena floor below, there’s action on the screen above—the kiss cam. In this short video, Vox takes you behind the scenes to show you the hard work that’s done to make memorable moments for those who happen to find themselves on jumbo displays during games.

A few months into my new position as the operations manager at the Bridge View Center, there has not been a single day that has gone by in which I have not learned something new. Day after day, event after event, there are so many pieces and variables that go into an event regarding the pre-event, event, and post-event process that individuals outside of our industry do not know about. The number of hours, employees, communication, and logistics special events require in order to make an experience guests will never forget is monumental. Before entering this industry, as an event attendee, I would have never thought about the particular layout of chairs (classroom style, theater style, etc.) or how often trash and restrooms must be checked, the means of egress, the guidance and training each part-time and full-time employee needs, and the skill set needed to ensure that all staff members have the tools and information they require in order to do their jobs successfully.

As a young professional, I am sure many of us feel that impatient feeling of wanting to know everything at this exact moment and sometimes feeling a little foolish for not understanding why certain things are done. However, I am now beginning to realize that this is our rite of passage. Every expert was once a beginner. Every venue management professional has made the mistakes necessary to learn and eventually improve their trade. Speaking to colleagues and mentors has helped me realize that I have to enjoy the present. The knowledge necessary for the next step of my journey will come with time. These tough learning experiences must come first in order to have a better understanding of the larger picture. I truly believe that if one is willing to work hard, be willing to learn from mistakes, and ask questions in order to understand larger processes, not simply complete the tasks assigned to them, young professionals will achieve as much they can dream.

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