The IAVM community is deeply saddened by the loss of Tanya Baugus, and we extend our support and sympathy to our friend and former colleague, R.V. Baugus, and to the family and friends of Tanya.

Coaches Outreach will be establishing an annual scholarship in honor of Tanya, and a tribute from the Dallas Mavericks honoring one of their loyal, passionate, season ticket holders will be presented during an upcoming game.

Tanya Renee Baugus of Grand Prairie passed away January 30, 2015. She was born on September 16, 1966 to LaVerne and Marie Bailey. Tanya was a graduate of Hawkins High School and she attended Dallas Baptist University. She was a member of Oak View Baptist Church in Irving and worked as an event coordinator and office manager for Coaches Outreach for 8 years. She is preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband R. V. Baugus, Jr. of Grand Prairie; 2 two brothers; 1 sister and aunt Carrie “Honey” Marshall and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. on February 6, 2015 at Oak View Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Oak View Baptist church with Dr. Jim Gerlach officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Seagoville. Services are being coordinated by Browns Memorial Funeral Home.

The FCC has issued a new advisory regarding Wi-Fi Hot Spot interference. The current language from the FCC includes the following:

No hotel, convention center, or other commercial establishment or the network operator providing services at such establishments may intentionally block or disrupt personal Wi-Fi hot spots on such premises, including as part of an effort to force consumers to purchase access to the property owner’s Wi-Fi network. Such action is illegal and violations could lead to the assessment of substantial monetary penalties.

This advisory, in part, is related to the 2014 petition filed by Marriott International, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and Ryman Hospitality Partners. The petition sought clarification from the FCC on reasonable Wi-Fi network management practices after a $600,000 fine was administered by the FCC for intentional interference with consumer Wi-Fi networks.

Marriott has withdrawn the petition, leaving venue managers and network operators with the difficult task of deciphering the broad language of the FCC advisory. The rhetoric in the petition and the subsequently filed comments focused primarily on cybersecurity and concerns related to malicious, rogue hotspots. Comments from Google, Microsoft, and others challenged the legitimacy of this argument, and the recent FCC advisory appears to support that view.

A secure network is undoubtedly essential for the transactions, point-of-sale verifications, and data exchanges happening by exhibitors and in-house services in the convention environment, but it is not a sufficient summary of the legitimate challenges affecting network management.

Another frequently encountered issue— the one affecting most convention centers and shows—is one of density and network capacity.

As corporate event consultant Brandt Krueger points out in his summary of the Marriott Wi-Fi incident, network density is an important part of the conversation that is being overpowered by the security argument:

Marriott did make one more point that was barely mentioned in the petition, or in their subsequent statements in the PR battle to follow. Sadly, I think it’s their strongest argument, at least it could have been when it came to public opinion. Wi-Fi pollution is real, and the more hotspots that are jammed into an area, the more the integrity of the signals is degraded due to natural interference. When Marriott offers high speed Wi-Fi to their meeting and convention guests, usually for what some might call exorbitant rates, their guests are going to expect it to work properly.  They do indeed have an obligation to provide certain levels of service to their guests, and they can’t offer that level of service if things are all jammed up with Wi-Fi traffic.

The density issue was also raised in the reply comment filed with the FCC by Smart City Networks:

[M]ost of the parties supporting the Petition seem to agree that devices in normal operation that do not pose a threat to security or to network reliability and that are operating in a public space should not be subject to containment. These parties are urging the Commission to balance the public interest in protecting against carte blanche interference with the need for reasonable network management practices that ensure safe and reliable Wi-Fi service in non-public spaces and during private events. The Commission can and should chart a course that advances both of these legitimate objectives.

Convention centers are some of the highest density Wi-Fi environments in the world, and the congestion experienced from the volume of Wi-Fi enabled devices legitimately undermines the throughput and reliability for everyone accessing the network.

The current language offered by the FCC provides little guidance for venue managers and network operators seeking acceptable policies, and appears to be a direct response to the perception that every instance of containment is, as Google states in its opposing comment, “to drive traffic to the interfering operator’s own network (often for a fee).”

IAVM is actively following this issue, and is pursuing collaboration with the IAVM Industry Affairs Council, convention center managers, partner companies, convention center customers, and fellow industry associations (CIC, ESCA, IAEE, SISO) to determine appropriate ways to equip the FCC with information that can assist with future clarifications and policies.

Updates will continue to be shared on this blog and in communications to the IAVM community.

Related Links:

• Proceeding RM-11737; Petition filed by Marriott, AHLA, and Ryman Hospitality Properties: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60000983387

• All public filings (comments) associated with Proceeding RM-11737: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=RM-11737
• FCC Public Notice, published January 27, 2015: http://www.fcc.gov/document/warning-wi-fi-blocking-prohibited

• (ASAE) What We Learned From the FCC’s Wi-Fi Blocking Sagahttp://associationsnow.com/2015/02/learned-fccs-wifi-blocking-saga/?utm_source=AN%2BDaily%2BNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20150203%2BTuesday

• (National Journal) FCC Warns Hotels Not to Block Wi-Fi: http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/fcc-warns-hotels-not-to-block-wi-fi-20150127

• (Brandt Krueger) The Marriott WiFi Kerfuffle: A Deep Dive: http://www.brandtkrueger.com/blog/2015/1/9/deep-dive-into-marriott-wifi

Left to Right: Ed Weninger, Jim Morgan, and Brent Berger stand in front of Daktronics’ first Matside three-sided wrestling scoreboard in 1971.

The massive video display over the south end zone at University of Phoenix Stadium, built by Daktronics, was one of the many upgrades made in anticipation of hosting Super Bowl XLIX. Spanning 164ft. across the stadium, it is modern proof of the incredible evolution in scoreboard technology that Daktronics has helped realize since their very first board in 1971.

“As of this year, Daktronics products have been used at all of the past 11 venues to host football’s biggest game,” said Will Ellerbruch, Daktronics national sales manager. “It’s a testament to our product development and services that teams at the professional level of sports select our company to manufacture their displays, and the Arizona Cardinals and University of Phoenix Stadium are no exception. The upgrades to their video display system this season are sure to provide an extra level of excitement at the game on Sunday.”

To tell more of the story, CBS News traveled to Brookings, South Dakota to spotlight the history and people behind the technology:

There are companies experimenting with eliminating hierarchy in their organizations (Zappos is one that immediately comes to mind) in an effort to increase innovation output from all staff levels. It’s a noble cause; however, as with most things in life, a balance needs to be struck in order to find success.

Columbia Business School and INSEAD researchers recently analyzed more than 30,000 Himalayan climbers and 5,000 expeditions over the past 100 years to evaluate the role that hierarchy plays in high-pressure group situations. The researchers suggest that their findings are applicable to a wide variety of industries and not just mountain climbers.

What they found was that a strong hierarchy can increase both summit and fatality rates in the Himalayas. A clear hierarchy helps groups achieve the best outcomes through better organization and coordination and less conflicts during high-pressure situations.

“These processes explain why a strong hierarchy can help expeditions reach the top of the mountain: like the symphonic movement of a beehive, hierarchy helps the group become more than the sum of its parts,” said Roderick Swaab of INSEAD.

The researchers also found that a hierarchy can foster an environment that discourages low-ranking team members from speaking up and sharing valuable information. This could lead to disastrous endings.

“Our findings show that hierarchy can simultaneously improve and undermine group performance,” said Adam Galinsky of the Columbia Business School. “The key to finding the right balance in a hierarchy is identifying the barriers that keep lower-ranking team members from voicing their perspective and providing them with opportunities for empowerment, like owning a task or having authority over a specific initiative. Take surgery teams: the surgeon needs to be in charge to facilitate coordination. But lower-power members of the team also need to be able to speak up. This is why surgery teams put nurses in charge of the all-important check-list of procedures.”

Swaab said that leaders need to set clear norms that facilitate constructive dialogue, because hierarchical values are hard to change once they’re implemented.

“Whether a team is climbing a mountain in the Himalayas or tackling a high-stakes business challenge in the boardroom, it’s critical to leverage the coordination benefits of hierarchy while also embracing an environment that encourages and rewards participation and input from all levels,” said Eric Anicich of the Columbia Business School.

(photo credit: jackol via photopin cc)

Privatization of the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has proven to be effective in improving operational efficiency, enhancing building maintenance and aesthetics, and increasing client and attendee satisfaction while saving millions of dollars for the City’s General Fund.

“Converting to a private sector contract to operate the Convention Center was a bold experiment and AEG’s performance has exceeded our highest expectations,” remarked Bud Ovrom, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Department of Convention & Tourism Development, which has management oversight of the AEG Facilities’ contract as well as the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board’s (LATCB) contract for marketing and sales.

AEG Facilities improved operational efficiencies, enhancing facility functionality and aesthetics, while reducing the environmental footprint by investing in sustainable products and technology. “We’ve observed a significant investment in preventative building maintenance as well as the completion of numerous projects ranging from painting to washing all the windows to replacing and improving lighting systems throughout the building. Undeniably, these projects have contributed to the positive responses received in the electronic post-show client surveys – the LACC has received an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. In addition to enhancing the overall maintenance of the facility, we commend AEG for elevating customer service standards and increasing building security,” added Ovrom.

AEG Facilities has also instituted new polices and upgraded amenities to support the LACC’s commitment to excellence by partnering with industry-leading contractors to offer resources and event support to meeting and event planners. AEG 1Source and the LACC negotiated and completed over 30 new contracts with service providers, contractors, and suppliers to reduce costs. “Utilizing the approved-vendor model has allowed the LACC to open up its partnership opportunities and bring in the best talent to support shows and events of all types and sizes held at the venue,” said Ovrom. “AEG has also drastically increased the business inclusion program, exceeding the 20% goal put forth by the City,” concluded Ovrom.

In addition to improved operational efficiencies and upgraded amenities, a notable component of LACC’s success has been the strategic use of technology. “In order to stand-out and compete in our industry we have embraced technology and strengthened our communication channels. The modernization and launch of LACC’s new, user-friendly website and integration of its social media platforms has given the Center a cohesive voice and a consistent presence in the online community. We value engaging with our audience and find these channels to be very effective in our communication strategy. 2015 will continue to bring exciting improvements to the LACC both on and off-line,” commented Jon F. Vein, President, Board of Los Angeles Convention & Tourism Development Commissioners.

Maintaining peaceful labor relations during the transition from public to private management has also contributed to AEG Facilities’ successful management of the LACC. Recently, AEG Facilities successfully completed negotiations with the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO, who represent the Convention Center’s electricians, painters, plumbers, and carpenters. “This new partnership between AEG and the Building Trades once again shows that fair and professional labor relations are a strong foundation for success in the City of Los Angeles,” said Ron Miller, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

In the realm of finance, transitioning the LACC from a publicly operated facility to private management has been a great success for the City of Angels. According to City records, privatization of the Los Angeles Convention Center had the potential of reducing City General Fund costs by approximately $2M-$6M in the first year. AEG Facilities’ management of the LACC has met the aforementioned goal of improved fiscal responsibility in its first year of operations.

“The convention industry is a huge economic force for Los Angeles and AEG Facilities has collaborated extensively with the LATCB to secure new business for L.A. in just its first year. We look forward to a productive and rewarding year as we work in tandem to attract Citywide Conventions, tradeshows and corporate events in our effort to drive the LACC to a top tier convention destination,” commented Ernest Wooden Jr., President and CEO of LA Tourism.

“The synergy created by the partnership between the City, the LATCB, and AEG Facilities has contributed to the overall success and improvement of the city-owned facility and continued collaboration will propel the LACC to be recognized as an industry leader,” added Jon F. Vein, President, Board of Los Angeles Convention & Tourism Development Commissioners.

AEG Facilities and the City of Los Angeles are proud of the positive achievements privatization has brought to the facility in such a brief period of time. “We look forward to an even better second year,” concluded Brad Gessner, Sr. Vice President & General Manager Los Angeles Convention Center, AEG Facilities.

Photo: EnerGov