It was 20 years ago today that a nation watched a white Bronco SUV drive up, down, and around L.A. freeways. O.J. Simpson was in the vehicle, and the former football standout was wanted by the police for questioning in a double murder. It was gripping television, as O.J. sat in the back of the Bronco with a gun in his hand, leaving many wondering if it would all end tragically.

The police chase wasn’t the only thing happening that day. Arnold Palmer was playing in his last U.S. Open, the New York Rangers were celebrating their Stanley Cup win with a parade down Broadway, the World Cup opened with a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, and the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets were playing game five of the NBA finals.

None of that mattered much once that Bronco starting rolling. ESPN Films’ 30 For 30 series captures the day’s events perfectly in Brett Morgen’s “June 17th, 1994.” Unlike many documentaries, Morgen’s doesn’t include cutaways to interviews. He presents archival footage of the day’s events chronologically to tell the story. It’s similar to watching TV and changing the channels, with each channel contributing to the narrative. It’s a marvelous piece of work, and I encourage you to watch it below.

(Image: martinsvillechat.com)

The June 2014 issue of The Meeting Professional features a good story about convention centers and the creative things they’re doing to help keep their spaces filled. The issue also features IAVM member Rémy Crégut, general manager of the Montreux Music & Convention Centre in Switzerland, on the cover (that’s him in the photo above).

Crégut said that one way his venue worked to fill space during the recent economic downturn was by diversifying the client base.

“We hosted more local cultural events, more national congresses and more local assemblies,” he told author Peter Gorman. “Anything that didn’t require the expense of travel.”

He also suggested long-term agreements and guaranteed rates for repeat clients and international bookings.

“Now, even though we are back to regular business here, we are ready for the next crisis and prepared to react immediately,” he said. “That’s something we learned this time.”

Crégut wasn’t the only IAVM member featured in the story—Maura Gast, FCDME, executive director of the Irving CVB, also weighed in.

“Weddings and amateur sporting events are recession proof,” Gast said. “And while we didn’t envision being in the market for those sorts of things, well, they’re now staples for us. We’ve had large weddings, judo events, and gymnastics competitions. We recently had a wheelchair motocross event. We aim to build weekend demand for our hotels and restaurants.”

Please read the rest of the article for more ideas, and let us know in the comments section some new ways you’re helping to keep your venues filled.

(Image: Studio Bôregard)

The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in the United National Maintenance vs. San Diego Convention Center appeal last month. Previously, a district court had determined that the San Diego Convention Center’s (SDC) decision to implement an exclusives policy for cleaning services was immune from antitrust scrutiny under the state action doctrine. For the appeal, the IAVM Foundation submitted an amicus brief that supported the district court’s reasoning, arguing that the legislation authorizing the SDC must be understood as carrying with it a delegation of authority for management to structure and manage the SDC’s internal operations, even if competition to perform those operations is displaced.

The Ninth Circuit agreed and affirmed the district court’s conclusions on this point. The appeals court applied reasoning that draws from IAVM Foundation’s brief, including the observation that legislation authorizing the SDC necessarily contemplated a broad delegation of managerial authority.

“This is an important and very favorable opinion for any public convention center or similar space that has (or is contemplating adopting) exclusives policies,” said Cortlin H. Lannin, an associate at Covington & Burling LLP. “Assuming those facilities operate pursuant to authorizing legislation that is similar in character to SDC’s authorizing legislation, this opinion suggests those exclusives policies are immune from antitrust review.”

This case was a landmark win for the venue management industry, said Jason Rittenberry, CFE, as it set the precedent for venues to be able to operate and manage their buildings as they see fit.

“As a Foundation, this is what we are about, having the resources on hand to fund something that makes a significant difference to the industry when an urgent issue arises,” said Rittenberry, the IAVM Foundation chair. “We are honored that we were able to step up quickly and support our members.”

Part of IAVM’s mission is to advocate for its members, said Vicki Hawarden, CMP, president and CEO of IAVM.

“We felt the issue facing San Diego was one that could have far reaching consequences for our entire industry,” Hawarden said. “Thanks to the support of the IAVM Foundation, our voices were heard, and we are pleased with the decision.”

(photo credit: Justin in SD via photopin cc)

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

Unpaid Intern Files Class Action Lawsuit Against the L.A. Clippers
—Matter
“Frank Cooper, 29, interned for the Clippers in the fall of 2012 as a ‘fan relations intern,’ organizing autograph sessions, mailing season tickets, and distributing prizes. The suit claims Cooper ‘regularly worked between 40 and 50 hours a week.'”

DJs Don’t Even Have To Show Up To Venues Anymore
—Music Feeds
“…Clubcast is a new platform founded by EDM live-streaming service Mixify, which allows venues to stream an HD video feed of a DJ’s performance directly into their premises. Clubcast uses a two-way video system, so that not only can punters view the DJ, but the DJ can also watch their audience to gauge their reactions to the music and change their set accordingly.”

Performing Without Net: Stars of YouTube Take to the Stage
—The New York Times
“As YouTube personalities grow in popularity and prove more than flashes in the pan, traditional media businesses—talent agencies, book publishers and television networks—are rushing to capitalize. The biggest push has come from concert promoters betting that millions of clicks on popular videos will translate into ticket sales.”

Convention Center (Economic) Blues
—The Meeting Professional
“Nearly six years from the start of the great worldwide recession, convention centers are getting creative to keep their buildings full.”

For 1st Time in 93 years, UIL Basketball Tournament Likely Leaving the University of Texas at Austin Campus
—The Dallas Morning News
“With hotel pricing and availability a problem because of a scheduling conflict with the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference, the UIL will move the 2015 boys and girls basketball tournaments to San Antonio’s Alamodome.”

(Image: Matt Bors)

Jane Chu—president and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri—was confirmed at the 11th chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) yesterday the the U.S. Senate.

“I’m honored to receive the Senate’s vote of confirmation, and I look forward to serving our nation as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts,” Chu said. “Together, we have the opportunity to show the value of connecting the arts to all Americans, and the importance of the arts in bringing communities together.”

The White House is set to make the official appointment soon, and then Chu will begin work after that.

“I’m glad the Senate confirmed Dr. Chu’s nomination as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts today,” said U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.). “I was impressed by her successful oversight of the more than $400 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts project and I enjoyed visiting with her in Kansas City several weeks ago. I have no doubt Dr. Chu will serve as a valuable asset to the NEA.”

Chu holds master’s degrees in music and piano pedagogy from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University and a PhD in philanthropic studies from Indiana University, as well as an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.

(Image: NEA)