We brought up the issue of live-streaming apps a couple of weeks ago here on the blog, and now we have a real-work example of them being used to broadcast a sporting event—the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight on May 2, 2015.

“Rather than pay the $100 pay-per-view fee to watch the fight at home, many people watched streams of the fight on video-sharing apps such as Periscope and other technology,” Stuart Pfeifer reported for the Los Angeles Times. “Some boasted on social media that they were using Periscope to watch the fight for free.”

Pfeifer wrote that Top Rank, co-promoter of the fight, plans to pursue legal action against the streaming companies and individuals who broadcast the fight. Many of the streams came from people pointing their phones at their TVs.

“The number of streams was almost overwhelming,” Christina Warren reported for Mashable. “Some Periscopers were shooting in portrait mode (as is standard for Periscope), while others were shooting in landscape to capture more of a TV screen.”

Warren wrote that the stream she ended up watching the fight on had more than 10,000 people tuned in at the same time. And that’s what made it exciting.

“The experience of watching the fight on Periscope was inherently more social—and frankly, more interactive—than watching via one of the many pirate PPV or HBO streams available on the Internet,” Warren wrote.

Yes, an event is a much better experience in person, but we’re seeing now that live-streaming apps can create a new version of sociability. It’s a new twist in the sofa vs. venue front, and one venue managers, promoters, organizations…basically anyone that has a finger in this industry should be paying attention to.

(Image: Marketingland.com)

Artist rendering showing how fans can view live events from different angles on personal monitors at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Asahi Shimbun is reporting some interesting news about the National Stadium in Tokyo, which is the main facility for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The paper wrote that the Japan Sport Council invited several companies to participate in seminars about new technology for the stadium.

“Among the proposals at the latest seminar were toilets that will record a user’s blood pressure and body temperature simply by sitting on the seat, and dedicated monitors mounted to each spectator seat in the venue that will provide multi-angle views of the action on the playing field,” the paper reported. “Other ideas presented were providing information using a multilingual translation system; creating a Wi-Fi connection that would enable 80,000 people to use the Internet at the same time; the use of hydrogen energy; and the utilization of the stadium as an evacuation center in the event of a disaster.”

Think about that. Use the bathroom AND get your blood pressured check. Dang, I love technology.

(Image: Japan Sport Council)

“On behalf of all of us in Baltimore, I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to all of my IAVM colleagues and friends. We are strong and committed to overcome the experiences that we are going through,” said Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center. “There is so much good about Baltimore that the media is not showing. Citizens cleaning up their neighborhoods after the destruction; children handing out water to the police; students organizing peaceful protests; food, beverages, and words of appreciation to the National Guard and other law enforcement officers for keeping us safe and maintaining order.”

IAVM is going to Baltimore. We are supporting a vibrant city, great venues, and inspiring members. Through your attendance at VenueConnect, through our events in the city (including our meet-up at Camden Yards!), and through the Foundation Legacy Project, we are preparing to bring the best of who we are and what we do to a wonderful host city.

“When you visit Baltimore for VenueConnect, we will show you the Baltimore filled with wonderful attractions, cultural events, great restaurants, the Baltimore Orioles, and friendly people who want you to have the best experience while you are here,” Daidakis said. “You will not be disappointed.”

The opportunity for meaningful connections is bigger than ever, with our two-day trade show and six networking events—at Camden Yards, the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Convention Center, Bulle Rock golf course—and more.

“Our friends and colleagues in Baltimore need our support now more than ever. We can all be part of the solution and the healing for this wonderful city,” said Kim Bedier, CFE, chair of IAVM. “I look forward to attending VenueConnect in Baltimore in August and hope you will join us for an outstanding professional development experience.”

“VenueConnect is shaping up to be a tremendous event for everyone that attends, and it could not be more important than now for all of us to commit to making IAVM’s 90th conference a resounding success for our association and the city of Baltimore,” said Vicki Hawarden, CMP, president and CEO of IAVM. “Our support from local members and the city of Baltimore has been fantastic, and it will be on full display when we all arrive this August.”

This summer’s conference marks the 90th year for IAVM, and plans are well underway for a celebration that truly embodies the association’s legacy of enduring support to the people, companies, and venues that bring unforgettable experiences to cities throughout the world.

“I am so lucky to be a part of an industry with so many good and caring people,” Daidakis said. “I have been overwhelmed with the personal emails from many of you. I cannot thank you enough. All the best to all of you, and see you this summer. We want you to come and experience a great city!”

Music has the power to bring people together, and with that in mind the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra played a free, outdoor concert this afternoon (April 29) in front of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Quoting Leonard Bernstein, the orchestra wrote on its Facebook page: “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”

The orchestra’s music director, Marin Alsop, wrote this on Facebook: “I am heartbroken for our dear city. With so much need alongside so much possibility, I hope we can use any opportunities we get to set an example and inspire others to join us in trying to change the world.”

Well done, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Well done.

Check out the video above from CNN of the orchestra performing for the city.

The 2015 IAVM Region 4 Meeting in Tacoma, Washington, April 19-21, was another resounding success. More than 125 attendees and 21 partner companies participated in the outstanding networking and educational opportunities provided over the three days. Drawing from the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, the conference boasted a broad range of venue types and career levels, from those just started out to stalwart veterans.

Session highlights included a fantastic discussion led by Richard Andersen, CFE, of Lighthouse Management, on leadership styles. Under Andresen’s guidance, attendees self-determined their own leadership preferences and learned how they can affect their interactions with others. Steve Adelman led a rousing session on the reasonable actions a venue can take to help limit liability, and Tyler Borders encouraged the group to clearly define their company’s brand to help create a more authentic connection with our fans and guests.

The meeting also hosted several panel sessions from some of the region’s top minds. Whether it was best practices for EDM security, how to work the political system for capital improvements, or the latest trends in food and beverage, everyone was sure to come away with some great ideas to bring home. Of particular note were two sessions new to the meeting this year. Speed Networking was introduced on the opening afternoon, providing all attendees a chance to meet and interact in a rapid one-on-one setting for three minutes before moving on to someone new. Day Two provided great insight into the future with a fast-paced Pecha Kucha session hosted by young leaders throughout the region. Eight speakers had 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide to discuss their visions for the future of venue management. With these eight at the helm, the future is definitely bright.

As always, the chance to interact and network with colleagues from around the region was a big meeting highlight. Evening receptions hosted by the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center and the Tacoma Art Museum provided beautiful backdrops and a relaxed atmosphere for old friends to catch up and new friends to be made. The annual golf tournament hosted at Chambers Bay Golf Course, home of the 2015 U.S. Open, proved a particular treat for those that participated.

As the attendees headed home, they were sure to leave with a head full of new ideas and inspiration, and a desire to make sure they make it to the next Region 4 Meeting in Seattle, Washington, May 10-12, 2016.