Richard Branson, chairman and founder of Virgin Group Ltd., recently invested $30 million in BitPay, a software program that processes Bitcoin payments.

“Bitpay has proven itself to process Bitcoin safely and reliably, growing the market and increasing adoption, which continues to build trust, legitimacy and momentum in this exciting currency revolution,” Branson told Business Insider.

Branson has always been a visionary, and he’s not the only one. Many venues and universities accept Bitcoin for payments, and event though the value has fluctuated over the past year, the digital currency appears to be growing in popularity. According to CoinDesk survey, approximately 60,000 businesses now accept Bitcoin, and by the end of 2014, there will be 7.3 million Bitcoin wallets (a service that holds your coins for you).

One of our features in the April/May issue of FM magazine is about Bitcoin and how some organizations, such as the Sacramento Kings, are using it to keep on the cutting edge in their industries.

“In the short time since announcing its Bitcoin program, the Kings organization has been approached by other professional sports teams as well as local businesses that are now interested in accepting the virtual currency…,” Michael Pinchera wrote. “Beyond the value of sales attributable to Bitcoins, the organization is reaping other benefits as a result of its bold move: It’s seen as an industry innovator while simultaneously gaining valuable experience transacting with the future of currency.”

Please read the story, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section about Bitcoin.

(Image: Flickr CC/Antana)

There was a lot of news this past week. Here are some stories that caught our eyes.

Michael Jackson Hologram Rocks Billboard Music Awards: Watch & Go Behind the Scenes
—Billboard
“The Michael Jackson performance on the 2014 Billboard Music Awards was the result of nearly half a year of planning, choreography and filming, not to mention the development of new technology. Producers of the Billboard Music Awards did not see even a portion of the film until eight days before the broadcast.”

Some NFL Teams Are Going Green
—The Wall Street Journal
“The NFL is part of a general effort among U.S. professional and collegiate sports leagues to embrace cleaner energy, led in part by a group launched in 2011 calling itself the Green Sports Alliance, co-founded by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s Vulcan Inc.”

NT and ATG to Trial New Technology for Deaf Audiences
—The Stage
“Ambassador Theatre Group and the National Theatre will be among the first organisations that will trial new technology, aimed at increasing access for deaf and hard of hearing audiences and providing more accurate automated captioning.”

Is Work Your Happy Place?
—The New York Times
“While work is widely viewed as the major source of stress for Americans, new research shows that people have significantly lower stress levels when they are at the office compared to their time at home.”

No Time
—The New Yorker
“How did we get so busy?”

(photo credit: PhotosByDavid via photopin cc)

I don’t remember the last time someone asked me to play a game of flag football. In fact, the last team sport I played was sandlot kickball about five years ago. Today, if I’m asked to do something sporty, it’s usually along the lines of kayaking on White Rock Lake or running away from zombies in an open field.

It appears that we Americans are no longer in love with team sports. We’d rather bike, backpack, or kickbox.

Consider a recently released survey from the Sport & Fitness Industry Association that showed physical activity last year was flat. That’s actually good, because it’s been in decline for a long time.

“Individual sports and activities, though, showed bigger changes, some of them dramatic,” Carl Bialik wrote on FiveThirtyEight.com. “The number of people who participated at least once in adventure racing or a traditional triathlon increased by more than 25 percent last year compared with the year before.”

Speaking of adventure racing, in the April/May issue of FM magazine, the “Up Close” profile features The Great Bull Run that took place April 5 at Texas Motorplex. The picture above is from the race, which had 36 bulls chasing hundreds of participants.

“We had suite holders with premier seating avoid their suites completely just to get down on the fence and see the action closer,” said IAVM member Gabrielle Stevenson, president and general manager of Texas Motorplex. “We have heart-pounding action at the track often, but this takes the win for the most Go-Pros, selfies, and tomatoes I’ve ever seen.”

Oh yes, there was a tomato fight, too, which could be considered another individual sport. Well, I guess there could be tomato teams, but that would be crazy. Okay, not as crazy as being chased by bulls.

Below is a video from the bull run.

(Image: Ted Marek)

The International Association of Venue Managers Foundation (IAVMF) is pleased to announce Joe Floreano, CFE, as recipient of the 2014 Legacy Award for venue management excellence. Floreano is the executive director of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center in New York.

The purpose of the Legacy Award is to recognize significant contributions of an individual or company that benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation, leaving a legacy for the advancement of the venue management industry.

“Joe Floreano truly embodies everything that the Legacy Award represents and more. Joe is a recognized industry leader, the ultimate professional and a friend to all,” said Jason Rittenberry, CFE, chief executive officer for IRG Sports + Entertainment™ and chair of the IAVMF. “Joe has consistently encouraged his peers to support the IAVM Foundation as a way to give back to the industry. He has lead by example and inspired this commitment in others. This award could not go to a more deserving individual.”

Floreano’s legacy is legendary. He’s a past chairman of IAVM, a Charles A. McElravy Award honoree, and has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years from New York’s senate, assembly, and governor.

“Receiving the Legacy Award marks the pinnacle of a long career in an industry I love,” Floreano said.

His contributions to the industry stem from an innate desire to serve others and lead by example.

“Because of my work experience, I’ve been there and done that,” he told Facility Manager magazine in 2013. “I have the respect of everybody that works for me from the standpoint that I know their job. When they see me mopping the floor, it says a lot.”

Floreano joined IAVM in 1976. He earned his Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation in 1989. Floreano has served on numerous committees and received several awards including the Membership Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee, District 2 Leadership, 75th Anniversary Committee, International Task Force, IAVM’s Board of Directors, the Foundation Board of Trustees, and a Presidential Citation in 2012.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Joe for this recognition. He has been tireless in his support of the Foundation for many years, and he always leads by example, giving of his own time and money to ensure the success of others,” said IAVM President and CEO Vicki Hawarden, CMP. “Anyone who knows Joe knows how much of himself he gives to anything he does, and what a huge contribution he has made to this industry.”

Floreano manages a staff of more than 700 full-time and part-time employees, and says he leads by the face he shows them, because, “You never know in your life how you have affected people.”

Floreano’s dedication to the IAVMF will definitely affect the industry positively for years to come, and for that, we’re proud to honor him with the Legacy Award.

Please join us in the congratulations by sharing your thoughts in the comments section.

Related News:

“Joe Floreano honored for achievements,” Democrat and Chronicle

“Beloved Joe Floreano honored for local work,” Democrat and Chronicle

@IAVMWHQ @JMRittenberry @visitrochester and Joe Floreano receiving the 2014 IAVM Foundation Legacy Award pic.twitter.com/T7sCF5KBdk

— Brad Mayne (@bradmayne) June 20, 2014

(Images: Ira Morris and the Rochester Riverside Convention Center)

The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the American Maglev Technology company this week the opportunity to lease right-of-way space between the Orlando International Airport and the Orange County Convention Center.

The train system will run approximately 15 miles, and a one-way trip will take around 30 minutes. Construction is expected to be completed in 18 months.

“The Orange County Convention Center is very pleased that the Florida Department of Transportation cleared another hurdle for a potential fixed guideway transportation system,” said IAVM member Jan Addison, CFE, deputy general manager at the Orange County Convention Center. “A quality transportation system providing easy connectivity is a critical component for all destinations. Also, having a system that would eventually provide for connectivity from the airport to the convention center would not only be valuable for our attendees, but would also support sustainability efforts by having fewer cars on the road. [It’s a] win:win.”

The rail line is a privately funded project, and it’s expected that more than four million passengers a year will use it.

(Image: American Maglev Technology Inc.)