We’re accepting Venue Education Award nominations through Friday, May 30. The award acknowledges allied organizations, venues, and academic institutions that demonstrate active student involvement, excel in available educational opportunities as well as demonstrate leadership in education. The award also honors individuals who are actively involved in the education and continuous development of the venue management industry. Self-nominations will be accepted.
Last year’s recipient was Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), and the award was accepted by Bob Hunter, CFE (pictured above, right, with Dr. Tim Nash from Northwood University). What made the organization stand out was that it worked with area colleges and universities to develop and execute on formal and rewarding internship programs to the benefit of the venue and educational community and to the students. MLSE also worked with the community in inviting area educational institutions K-12 and beyond to bring student groups through the venue to promote the business, teams, concerts, and events while simultaneously promoting job opportunities and careers.
“This allows students to familiarize themselves with other areas within venue management and network with other employees while contributing to charitable initiatives within the community,” MLSE wrote in its application. “It also gives them an opportunity to gain exposure to some unique events such as rink/court/pitch refurbishments, fundraising dinners/galas, and other exciting opportunities for learning, growth and development.”
If you’re actively encouraging and facilitating educational opportunities for members and future leaders of the venue management industry, then please apply for the Venue Education Award by Friday, May 30.
There was a lot of news this past week. Here are some stories that caught our eyes.
Today’s Not-so-quiet Social Media Revolution Puts the Performing Artist Center Stage
—Technorati
“Performing arts can literally take their greatest assets, the artists, and leverage the power of social media to craft arts celebrities. Not through trickery or false drama, but through the power of story and art; the very core of every successful performing arts organization.”
Do Your Suite Holders Trust You?
—ALSD
“Or maybe more importantly: Do you deserve to have their trust?”
MGM’s New Arena Won’t Stop Goodman From Pursuing Facility Downtown
—Las Vegas Sun
“Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman remains adamant that a downtown stadium will be built and that both venues could be home to professional sports franchises.”
New CEIR Report Reveals Attendee Floor Interaction Preferences
—IAEE
“This report pinpoints the demand for an immersive experience—evidence that attendees look to take advantage of the in-person, physical environment that is unique to live exhibitions and not available online.”
Atlanta Special FX Creates First Ever Man-Made Logo Clouds at Richmond International Raceway
—Lighting & Sound America
“NASCAR fanatics watched the sky all day as the midway was filled with clouds shaped like smiley faces, driver’s numbers, music notes, stars, and much more.”
(photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc)
(UPDATE: Voting has been opened to the general public via Venues Today‘s Facebook page. If you’re visiting its page via a mobile device, it’s recommended you vote at this link. Voting ends on Friday, May 9.)
It’s time to vote for the 2014 Women of Influence award given out by Venues Today. The award honors three women who have made a difference in the sports, music, and convention industries. You have to be a subscriber in order to vote, and you can vote for five women on the ballot.
Congratulations to everyone nominated, including the following IAVM members:
Jan Addison, CFE
Lynn Carlotto
Lisa Cochran
Cheryl Cohen
Wesley Cullen
Millie Dixon
Vicki Hawarden, CMP
Donna P. Julian
Chris Kibler, CPA
Kathy Kramer, CMP, CFE
Kerry Painter, CFE, CEM
Jill Pepper
Carol Pollock
Cheryl Swanson, CFE
Karen Totaro, CFE
Dawn R. Ullrich
Sally Williams
I’m a huge fan of the TV show Portlandia, so when I found out that this year’s VenueConnect takes place in the city where the dream of the 90s is still alive, I got super excited. After the conference, should I go to the feminist bookstore first? Buy some vintage clothes? Visit a restaurant and ask if the chicken is local?
Eating where the show’s characters do is a lot easier now, thanks to Bon Appétit magazine.
“The IFC comedy series is all about food: raw food, coffee snobbery, birthday dinners, and biker bars,” Ashley Hoffman wrote. “Which only makes sense, since the bizarro world dreamed up by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein is not all that far removed from Portland, Oregon, itself. But how far removed, exactly?”
The magazine rewatched all three seasons and some of the forth season and created a map that matches the fictional food locations with their real locations. Now you, too, can sit in the real James John Cafe and one-up your friends on what you’ve read lately.
Please check out the map on Bon Appétit‘s site, join our VenueConnect Facebook page, and I’ll see you in Portland this summer!
(Image: From Portlandia’s Facebook page)
Arcade Fire played in a warehouse in Brooklyn late last year and loved how it felt. That’s when the group turned to its tour production manager, Richard Stembridge, and asked, “How can we take an arena and make it feel like a club?”
One way he did that was to lower the lighting rig above the audience and the band.
“It creates a vibe,” said band member William Butler. “Having that ceiling over your head makes you feel like you’re in a club.”
Part of Arcade Fire‘s success stems from how easily they break down the wall between band and audience.
“The audience is an aspect of the performance, if not the largest aspect,” said musician Dan Deacon, who performed as an opening act on Arcade Fire’s current tour. “You don’t feel you’re in an arena. I feel like I am just playing a giant house.”
Playing to the amount of audience they have, they have to use giant spaces, such as arenas, said Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Perry.
“How do we use them in a way that makes us feel comfortable and makes it cool for the audience?” he said.
Check out the behind-the-scenes video below to learn more about Arcade Fire’s current tour and venue production and how they’re making it fun for themselves and the audience.