It’s the first day of spring. It’s also the International Day of Happiness, as proclaimed by the United Nations in 2012.  To honor this day, here’s another “59 Seconds” video that shows even if you force yourself to smile when you don’t feel like it, you’ll change your disposition and be much happier.

“Next time you want quick dose of delight,” said Richard Wiseman in the video, “just spend 30 seconds or so behaving like a happy person.”

Think of the country’s most famous bridges. Now, think about them as venues for concerts, festivals, and other events. That’s what one Pittsburgh councilman has done.

Ed Kress is exploring the possibility of turning into venues the Roberto Clemente, Rachel Carson, and Andy Warhol bridges as a way to generate revenue for Allegheny County. He told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that if a bridge is closed for a weekend and used for an event, it could draw attendees from outside the city.

“Kress wants the county to look at what improvements need to be made to the bridge to make it better suited for large events,” reported Bob Hazen for Action News 4. “One obvious upgrade would be electrical outlets. At past events, vendors have had to bring generators. The county would also have to examine liability issues and how much security for the events would cost.”

Kress says that if the bridges can be opened for events, then entrepreneurs can decide the best way to increase revenue on them.

What do you think? Would you like to see an iconic bridge used as a large venue in your city? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

(photo credit: JC McGreehan via photopin cc)

Our International Stadium Management Conference takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, May 7-9. This is a great opportunity for stadium and racetrack  managers to meet together, learn from one other, and make new connections.

Over the weeks leading up to the conference, we’ll have many of the presenters and organizers offer their thoughts about the event and why you should attend. This week we feature Lee A. Esckilsen, CFE, CHE, an associate professor at The Center for Sports, Entertainment and Event Management at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Why do you feel it’s important for managers to attend this conference?

I believe that it is important for stadium managers to attend this conference because it will give them an opportunity to meet with their colleagues face-to-face. It can be lonely at the top, and this will give managers the opportunity to hear and talk about issues that they are confronting as stadium managers on a daily basis and find possible solutions from their peers.

What’s one topic or session that attendees will benefit from and why?

I think that all the sessions will be enjoyable and enlightening. Just as there are many facets to managing a stadium there will be many new and interesting ideas presented at this years ISMC conference.

TED 2014 started yesterday. The annual talk-fest takes places in Vancouver, British Columbia, this year instead of its regular home in Long Beach, California. Moving the event to a new venue caused it to try something new, namely, building its own 20,000-square-foot theater inside the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“The custom, pop-up theater created by renown New York architect David Rockwell marks an unprecedented foray into designing around the unique experience that is TED, taking into account the needs, desires, and comforts necessary to create the intimate experience TED promises for both speaker and audience,” Shaunacy Ferro wrote for Fast Company. “Most theaters are designed for viewing a two-hour play or a musical performance, an experience that differs vastly from listening to speaker after speaker for days at a time, and one that requires a host of different design considerations.”

Ferro’s article features interviews with Rockwell and TED curator Chris Anderson about the design, seating, and portability of the theater.

“The theater was built nearby in more than 8,000 structural timber pieces created with the help of a computer-aided cutting machine, which arrived at Vancouver Convention Center on 50 trucks,” Kate Torgovnick May wrote on the official TED blog. “The theater was designed as individual “boxes” of approximately 10’ x 12’ x 20’, which fit together for easy assembly. Each individual ‘box’ withstands the dynamic forces imposed when moved and, in total, it’s designed to stand up to the normal live/dead loads in any other building.”

Check out the time-lapse video below to see how the theater was created, and please visit Ferro and May‘s articles for more information about the project.

(Image: TED/Rockwell Group)

The 2014 Senior Executive Symposium (SES) is quickly approaching. It takes place May 12-15 in Ithaca, New York, at Cornell University. In order to learn more about the program and what it offers leaders and future leaders, we spoke with IAVM member and past SES attendee, Kerry Painter, CFE, CEM, assistant general manager at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

What does SES provide that you do not get anywhere else?

More time to engage in higher level thinking. Classes deep-dive into a subject as opposed to one-hour surface learning. At SES, there is the chance for interaction with brilliant minds that are gathering the best information from the world at large, not just the U.S. or Canada. And, once you leave, those professors are resources for you going forward…not just that one-week period.

Is there a key takeaway that has remained with you from SES?

I was always in awe at the ability of the professors to analyze trends and cross-pollinate our industry with another. About seven years ago, I was in the “future trends” class and the professor talked about how “Toasted sandwiches” are the next big thing. I remember thinking…Really? And then not long after, Subway, Quiznos, etc… all started the toasted sandwich trend along with several other coffee chains and high-end restaurants. Wow, to be able to incorporate that into your concession/food offerings sooner than the rest of our market is to get a jump on impressing clients and gaining revenues.

The classes that analyze your personality leadership styles to such an in-depth level really help you go away and be a stronger leader. If you are aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, then you can better direct others without going in your own biases.

Is there someone that is now a part of your network that SES enabled you to connect with?

I met several industry colleagues in my SES time who are my “go-to” people now. Right off, I think of Leslee Stewart from California, who has served since with me on many things including this year’s new Women in Leadership committee. Karen Totaro, our IAVM 2nd Vice Chair, was also in my class and we talk regularly. Bob Perry (the rock-star professor at SES) is a friend that I have continued to connect and converse with over the years outside of the program. He is an abundant resource for learning opportunities, such as new books and studies.

Applications for the 2014 Senior Executive Symposium (SES) close on March 31. This year’s focus is on leadership culture, and sessions will cover topics such as diversity in the workplace, ethical dimensions of leadership loyalty and brand management, and applied HR strategies. The curriculum is co-developed by IAVM and Cornell University, and it’s geared toward senior-level venue managers and other individuals on leadership tracks.