Reawakening the spirit of creative confidence in people is important to Kevin Carroll, the closing keynote speaker on Monday, July 28, at VenueConnect 2014.

In an inspiring and often funny presentation, Carroll told attendees his life story and how he discovered that learning and playing are important, especially in relation to innovation.

“Play is serious business,” Carroll said. “I often like to quote Albert Einstein, who said, ‘Play is the highest form of research.'”

Carroll explained the concept of the red rubber ball he carries with him and how it opens up lines of communication.

“We all speak ball,” he said. “It’s an instant connection.”

He asked attendees to reflect on what they’re chasing in their lives, what their rubber balls are, and to always be present and curious.

“There are two great days in a person’s life,” he said, before receiving a standing ovation. “The day you’re born, and the day you discover why.”

You can read more about Carroll in the June/July issue of FM magazine.

(Image: Orange Photography)

Attendees at VenueConnect 2014 experienced a wide range of educational offerings on Sunday, July 27. Some of the sessions included “The Future is Here: Certified Venue Professional (CVP) Coming to You in 2015,” “When a Crisis in a Venue Occurs,” and “A Conversation with Chris McGowan, president and CEO, Portland Trail Blazers & Rip City Management.”

Many of the sessions were well attended, especially the “Live Nation: Standing Out In A Crowd!” panel featuring Gerry Barad, chief operating officer, Live Nation Global Touring; Mike Evans, president, Live Nation Arenas; Brad Wavra, SVP, Live Nation Touring, Live Nation Concerts; and moderated by Cole Gahagan, executive vice president, North America Client Revenue, Ticketmaster.

It was an honest discussion with some key insights from the panelists.

“We need to grow our arena business,” Wavra said. “Honestly, though, the place with the best deal will get the most attention, because you go where you make the most money.”

One strategy the panelists offered is for venues to really know their customers.

“Tell me you can sell tickets,” Wavra said. “Your relationship with your fan base is important to us.”

Attendees were encouraged to really get to know data about what’s happening not only in their venues, but also in the immediate and surrounding community. For example, if you’re in an university town, get data on how many students attend the colleges, what percentage of those students go to events, what’s their gender and ethnic backgrounds, etc.

“The people who pay attention get our attention,” Barad said. “We don’t want robots. We want people who understand their markets.”

Check out some of Sunday’s educational sessions in the photos below, courtesy of Orange Photography.

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(Image: Orange Photography)

Polly LaBarre, co-author of Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win and co-founder of Fast Company magazine, delivered the opening keynote address, Saturday, July 26, at VenueConnect 2014.

LaBarre challenged the attendees to ask themselves how they can create powerful connections with people.

“How do you generate innovative DNA at your workplaces? What is the walk of leadership today?” she asked.

One way to create an innovative culture is to have strategic clarity. You have to define your purpose.

“You have to advocate for a cause,” LaBarre said. “Purpose isn’t nice. It’s about sharpening your points.”

In the end, you want people to retell your purpose. This includes not only customers, but also employees.

“The most successful companies are the ones who have figured out how to unleash their employees’ potentials,” she said.

LaBarre’s presentation, sponsored by Gensler, was full of questions, and that was on purpose.

“You should always ask more questions than give answers,” she said. “Inquiry beats assertions all the time.”

Please read more about LaBarre in the February/March issue of FM magazine.

(Image: Orange Photography)

There was a great turnout for the 2014 VenueConnect Legacy Project. This year, participants built bikes for the benefit of Neighborhood House, a local Portland charity. Fourteen bikes were built and two were anonymously donated after the event.

In addition to the great cause and team-building aspect of the project, the most moving moment was when the children came in to receive the bikes.

“Seeing the kids’ faces light up was amazing,” said Brian Stovall, director of facilities for the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. “It was great see the project’s tangible results. It was also great to see participation across the board. There were so many people from different states and in a variety of leadership roles. It truly represented our industry well, and I’d love to see the Legacy Project continue.”

Check out the photos below to see the project in action and some of the kids who received the bikes.

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(Image: Orange Photography)

VenueConnect attendees kept themselves busy on Friday with several activities that let them experience some of the best of Portland, while also helping raise funds for the IAVM Foundation. From a packed golf tournament to relaxing wine tours to a leadership dinner at Ponzi Vineyards ending with a beautiful sunset behind the Chehalem Mountains, everyone came away invigorated for the upcoming conference days.

“I loved learning about the history of the wines and the tastings at the vineyards,” said Randi Peters from VenuWorks. “WillaKenzie was my favorite, but all the wineries were very kind.”

It’s true, the hospitality in Portland is phenomenal. It’s definitely leaving a great impression on attendees.

Check out some of the photos from the events (including the IAVM tent at the Oregon Brewers Festival), courtesy of our official conference photographers, Orange Photography.

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(Image: Orange Photography)