Erin Rowland, the sustainability coordinator with the Oregon Convention Center (OCC), prepared a sustainability report for VenueConnect 2014 and recently shared the results with IAVM headquarters.

Some of the interesting findings include that for each day of the event the average attendee consumed only

— 12 gallons of water

— 58 kWh of electricity

— Less than .15 therm of natural gas

— Less than one pound of garbage

— 1.5 pounds of recyclable and compostable material

“VenueConnect is the first conference that OCC has measured the water, waste, and energy statistics,” Rowland said. “Normally, we just measure the waste diversion rate. Waste diversion rates for other conferences/event have varied between 60 percent to 85 percent. Conferences/events with diversion rate above 75 percent usually have a very focused and detailed plan striving to host a ‘zero waste show.’”

Reaching a 67 percent diversion rate for the event, Rowland said, is a great starting point for IAVM.

“This achievement shows that the IAVM conference planning staff and OCC partnered to ensure that most of the material generated during the show could be recycled (sign), composted (food service ware), and was re-usable (durable service ware),” she said. “It also shows that attendees did a good job correctly sorting their waste in our recycling bins.”

Rowland said that the OCC has converted all plumbing fixtures to low-flow fixtures, upgraded more than 70 percent of its lighting fixtures, and during VenueConnect the major heating system was shut off, allowing attendee usage of water and electricity to be very minimal.

Several suggestions were offered in the report for ongoing event success, such as sustainability focused experiences. However, one suggestion came out on top.

“Moving forward, I think engaging conference exhibitors/planners to develop ‘zero waste’ exhibits and to not leave material at convention centers would increase the understanding among the exhibitors/planners about the environmental impact they bring to events,” Rowland said. “It would also have a big impact on the event’s diversion rate.”

Hugh Jackman was on Good Morning America yesterday talking about his new Broadway play, The River. One of the interesting parts of the interview was about how his team and producer are making sure pricing allows anyone that wants to see the show will not have to worry about scalpers. I thought it was very clever, and I wanted to share it with you. Check out the video.

In short, the answer is yes. However, Cindi May—a professor of psychology at the College of Charleston—offers a fuller explanation on the Scientific American website, where she explains new research on the benefits of limiting talent on teams.

Here, May writes about why too much talent is bad.

“Think teamwork. In many endeavors, success requires collaborative, cooperative work towards a goal that is beyond the capability of any one individual. Even Emmitt Smith needed effective blocking from the Cowboy offensive line to gain yardage. When a team roster is flooded with individual talent, pursuit of personal star status may prevent the attainment of team goals. The basketball player chasing a point record, for example, may cost the team by taking risky shots instead of passing to a teammate who is open and ready to score.”

Even though the study focused on sports teams, May writes that the finding’s implications “extent beyond the ball field to any group or endeavor that must balance competitive and collaborative efforts, including corporate teams, financial research groups, and brainstorming exercises.”

Check out the full article at Scientific American to learn more.

(photo credit: xavi talleda via photopin cc)

We have two great upcoming webinars next week that many of you may be interested in attending.

HOW TO BECOME A CFE
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m MT / 12:00 p.m. PT /
Duration: 1 Hour
Fee: FREE
Register Here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/844412774

You may have taken the first step in the process toward becoming a CFE by reviewing the “One Minute Guide” to ascertain if you had earned the 300 points needed to fill out an application and start the formal process, or perhaps this is the first time you have considered pursuing certification, but you still have questions and aren’t sure where to look for answers. Join us for the “How To Become A CFE” webinar.

A panel of Certification Board members will walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

It’s time to take the step and understand what it takes to join that group of your peers who have reached the pinnacle of achievement with IAVM by becoming Certified Facilities Executives.

Presenters: Keith Baulk, CFE; Paula Kirchman, CFE; Matt Hollander, CFE; and Jody Lake, CFE

IAVM MENTOR CONNECTOR PROGRAM
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m MT / 12:00 p.m. PT /
Duration: 1 Hour
Fee: FREE
Register Here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/342522798

IAVM is offering a free one-hour webinar on the Mentor Connector Program. You are invited and encouraged to participate, especially if you are participating in the program this year or if you are just curious about how the program works. Remember, your participation in the Mentor Connector Program earns you CFE points. Plus, it is a great opportunity for growth for the protégés and for the mentors, sharing your wealth of experience in—and knowledge of—the venue management industry. Be sure to schedule time to participate in this very informative opportunity.

Presenters: Joe Durr and Beth Wade, CFE

Also, to submit your application to participate in the IAVM Mentor Connector program either as a mentor or mentee, click on this link. The deadline to apply is October 24. You will be notified who your assigned partner is within a few weeks. If you have any questions, contact Gina Brydson at gina.brydson@IAVM.org.

This is Part 2 of the log I’m keeping about Google Glass. Click here to read Part 1.

Captain’s Log No. 3
Google Glass travels from Portland, Oregon, to Buckhorn, California. Remote home in Sierra Nevada mountain range has no cell phone service. Relied on cable Wi-Fi router in the house; device paired with smartphone using Wi-Fi. Google Gmail account and GLASS mobile app required.

Preferring a single name like other celebrities, glass (lower case) loaned to 16-year old nephew and his friend.
“Cool” and “I might need my dad to buy me one of these.”
Michael and Tommy figured out how to use glass in less than 20 minutes. Would have been faster but they were distracted by a re-run of The Shining on television. Irony or…?

Instructions to the teens included:
1 – Determine how to use glass: Take photos, videos; share same. Get, create, send email. Listen to music. Get directions. Use Google (the search engine). Else?
2 – Determine if glass would be useful to them as they begin senior year of high school and especially in their theatre program.

“ok glass” is the opening image on the ice cube viewer. Using verbal command, “ok glass” displays a text list of options including Google search engine, take picture, take video, share photo/video. Read email. Then one speaks out loud to ask questions and activate commands: “Take picture.” “How many feet in a mile?” “How old is Harrison Ford?” “Get directions to liquor store.” Tap and swipe right side of glasses frame also needed.

People stare at you while you ask questions out of thin air and tap side of your head.

16-year-olds report back observations:
• even fully charged, glass doesn’t seem to display for longer than 40 minutes
• glass gets hot on right side frame—bothersome/worrisome
• learning curve steep, even for them
• irritated eyes (right eye) to keep glancing up to the side; causes eye strain
• can cube be re-set for the left eye?
• software app wanted to download all contacts, appointments, messages from other sites to Google Chrome/Gmail
• “too much Google stuff”—they don’t like Google
• could not think of a single use in their school. A video camera or iPhone on a tripod would record a rehearsal or dance number better. Maybe a point-of-view from the back row of the chorus looking out across the stage?
• can’t play games on it
• don’t want one after all

Side note: Other family members also interested in glass, especially brother in aero-space industry, where bosses previously voiced interest in having all employees wear devices to record what employees are doing, how quickly, and with what accuracy/quality assurance. Union response imminent.

Captain’s Log No. 4
Back in Portland. In truth, have been too busy to use glass, as it is not comfortable to wear, hold battery charge for long periods, or easily applicable to daily office tasks. However, I was able to quickly re-acquaint and re-learn the basic commands, view the screen images, use motions to tap or swipe side of frame for options, verbally say commands.

Learned that glass can be re-set to factory settings, or able to add other Gmail accounts via the GLASS mobile app on the host mobile device (smartphone).

Scheduled to pass glass to Annie Salamunovich, Portland’5 marketing and sponsorships, as part of job and as member of the Performing Arts Managers Conference planning team.

“ok glass” go to new home.

(photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc)