Microsoft unveiled its HoloLens product during its Window 10 event. I’m sure you’re saying, “Oh great, another virtual reality device.” That’s where you’d be incorrect.

“Microsoft’s glasses are different from Oculus Rift goggles, which promise to transport you to a different world and open up numerous possibilities for film, TV, sports, and other entertainment,” Nick Statt reported for CNET. “HoloLens uses a technology called augmented reality, which overlays images onto real life and lets you interact with them.”

See, totally different.

The company is focusing on HoloLens as a new way to play video games. But Statt found something more practical for the device.

“Perhaps the most stunning demo, however, was the most practical: Skype’s videoconferencing software,” Statt reported. “Microsoft had us repair a light switch by video chatting with someone using a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. Their face bobbed in front of my line of vision while I received instructions. To help us maneuver around the various tools, the Microsoft employee was able to draw on our line of sight in real time, using arrows and rudimentary diagrams to describe the best way to position electronics and how to piece everything together.”

From a venue professional perspective, imagine using HoloLens to interact with seating set-ups or safety procedures or facility construction. Go on. Imagine the possibilities.

(Image: Microsoft)

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) created an economic impact of more than $64 million for the Nashville community during its 2013-2014 season. That’s just one of four records the organization broke, according to its annual report. The other three records are

—A new record of $20 million in ticket sales, including tickets to the 2013-14 HCA/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC season, Broadway specials, TPAC Presents, rentals, and performances of three resident companies: Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre;

—A new record of $1,080,590 in fundraising, including contributions from sponsors, government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individual donors;

—And a new record for food and beverage sales.

The IAVM-member venue also saw growth in audience engagement on 13 social media platforms, volunteer participation, and outreach efforts.

“Like any non-profit charged with delivering mission-based programs, such as arts education and cultural programs, we deal with a fragile financial structure. We strive to manage within our resources, including outside funding and support, to provide exceptional programs and offerings,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC president and CEO. “Sometimes the challenges are great, and we are mindful that not all years deliver this kind of financial result. That is why we’re especially excited to celebrate this record-breaking success, which ultimately benefits the arts and entertainment industry, the state and local economies, education, and communities.”

Performance venues managed by TPAC include the Andrew Jackson Hall, the James K. Polk Theater, the Andrew Johnson Theater, and the War Memorial Auditorium. The economic impact number is based on the nationally accepted formula from Americans for the Arts.

(Image: Rick McBride/TPAC)

Congratulations to IAVM member venue AmericanAirlines Arena for achieving LEED Gold recertification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Miami-based arena received its first LEED Silver for Existing Buildings certification in 2009.

“The HEAT Group is very proud to be a leader of the sustainability movement in both our industry and our beloved city,” said Eric Woolworth, president of The HEAT Group’s Business Operations. “Achieving LEED Gold is the fantastic culmination of our ongoing efforts over the past five years to behave in an environmentally responsible way that has a positive effect on our community and our planet.”

Examples of how the venue achieved gold status include ensuring 75 percent of its annual electricity use comes from renewable energy, having a solar reflective roof, and efficient plumbing fixtures, among other items.

“This is an extraordinary act of leadership and stewardship by The HEAT Group,” said USGBC CEO and founding chair Rick Fedrizzi. “Buildings are like people in that both can perform at their peak when they pay attention to their performance every day. It’s that attention to thousands of little details that helped this facility not only match but actually outperform its first certification. That’s a tremendous achievement and we congratulate them.”

(photo credit: locationsite via photopin cc. h/t FFMA)

New Year’s Resolution: To be green, or not to be green? That is the question.

According to recent studies, the trend continues to be that it is popular to “be green” in every aspect of business. And not only is it popular, but it is expected. From a recent public opinion poll, “more than 90 percent of Americans say it’s important to recycle, moderate household use of energy, and conserve water” and “three in five Americans say they will make a New Year’s resolution to live a ‘greener’ or more environmentally friendly lifestyle in 2015.”

However, there are more than just a couple of us that may feel guilty about not being sustainable in our personal lives…and we are not alone. Turns out that the corporate VP for McDonald’s still loves to drive his 1960’s Ford Mustang, Sodexo’s VP for corporate social responsibility admits to drinking bottled water, and the program manager of energy efficiency and sustainability for Yahoo! only drinks coffee from disposable paper cups. See this link for some more interesting admissions: http://www.greenbiz.com/article/unsustainable-guilty-pleasures-greenbiz-executive-network

But it is the start of a brand new year, so anything is possible. We on the IAVM Sustainability Committee want to know—what will you resolve to do?

(photo credit: romanboed via photopin cc)

IAVM’s Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS) is a two-year school built to train venue and event managers, security professionals, and other key personnel involved in every aspect of venue safety and security. The new 2015 curriculum, developed and taught by a diverse team of experts, is designed to equip each and every attendee with the best practices, resources, and tools needed to face the evolving challenge of providing a safe venue for everyone.

Tremendous collaboration and effort has gone into developing AVSS 2015, and we took a moment to talk with a few people working behind the scenes on this year’s academy.

John Siehl, CFE
chief operating officer, VenuWorks
chair, AVSS

With your involvement over the years as an AVSS faculty member and now as the chair, what do you feel is timeless about AVSS, and what do you see evolving to address emerging threats and challenges? 

Siehl: AVSS equips the industry professional with information, techniques, and resources that will enhance any position that they progress to in the sports and entertainment industry. The concepts and awareness that are the focus of AVSS are timeless. For many of the attendees, the basic principles are utilized in everyday management, and the ability to plan for the next “legitimate threat” is inherently built into the concepts and curriculum at AVSS. We cannot determine the exact nature of any threat for the future—the key is training, planning, and preparation.

To someone that attended AVSS in the past, what should they know about AVSS 2015? 

Siehl: The 2015 AVSS is being approached with a slightly different perspective, as we’ve refined delivery methods while maintaining the content that AVSS has become successful with. Experts from the safety and security industry will continue to present relevant and timely information, techniques, and practices. The curriculum has been thoroughly reviewed and refined with input from faculty and advisory personnel.

Mark Herrera
director of education, IAVM

AVSS 2015 is a story of collaboration. Who has contributed to the focus and curriculum for the Year 1 and Year 2 programs?

Herrera: AVSS 2015 is exploring new territory and has been collaboratively built to meet the current and emerging needs of venue and event professionals involved with safety and security. AVSS is bringing together a collective of experts, each recognized and respected for their expertise in safety and security. Our faculty is simply exceptional, and every 2015 student will experience a great environment to develop and refine skills, discuss critical concepts and issues, and identify best practices to implement. (See the AVSS 2015 faculty.)

As someone with a background in safety and security, what does it mean to you to be a part of such a significant program focused on the safety and security at venues and events?

Herrera: It is a true honor to be a part of a program that supports venue and event professionals in protecting people and infrastructure. My own background in safety and security, and exposure to life-threatening situations, has instilled a passion for supporting a high quality of life, and it is very rewarding to work with the AVSS faculty to ensure that our 2015 students return home much stronger, more self-aware, and better equipped to be leaders when it counts.