In these challenging times, as the wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles and surrounding areas, IAVM wants to express our deepest concern and heartfelt support for all our members affected by this disaster. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and managing through these difficult circumstances.

We understand that the challenges you face are profound, impacting not only your personal lives but also the venues you manage and the communities you serve. The disruption and uncertainty caused by such events are unimaginable, and we want you to know that you are not alone in this.

At IAVM, we are a community bound by shared values and mutual support. We stand ready to assist in any way possible. Whether it’s providing resources, connecting you with support networks, or rallying assistance from fellow members, we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help or guidance.

Your safety and well-being are our utmost priorities. Together, we can navigate these tough times, leaning on the strength of our community. Thank you for your resilience, dedication, and all that you do. Stay safe, and remember, we are here for you every step of the way.

With heartfelt support,

The IAVM Team

The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB and Taney County Partnership have hired Matthew Adkins as Vice President/Chief Economic Development Officer. Adkins assumed the role Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Matthew Adkins, a Kentucky native, is an accomplished economic development leader, having led several community and economic development organizations across Kentucky over the last five years. With expertise in business recruitment and retention, workforce development, and public policy, Adkins has secured significant grants, drafted strategic development plans, and fostered collaboration among local, state, and federal partners. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and enhancing the region’s quality of life. Working for and alongside the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB and the Taney County Partnership will include opportunities to use a holistic approach to economic development.

Adkins holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northern Kentucky University and in 2023 was awarded Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s Young Professional of the Year for securing over $300 million in capital investment and creating 400+ jobs along the I-71 Corridor.

Sharing his enthusiasm for the position, Adkins stated, “I have always found that Chambers of Commerce provide the tools and resources to touch all aspects of economic development, from entrepreneurship to healthcare, childcare, housing, commercial and retail, education, transportation, and even manufacturing. Having the opportunity to work alongside both of these organizations, I feel that we will continue to be able to push the envelope on innovation and improve the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of this region.”

Stan Field, board chair for the Partnership, stated, “Taney County Partnership was formed to help attract new businesses to our area and assist our existing businesses to grow and prosper. Matt brings experience and great leadership skills to move the Partnership forward.”

Finlandia Hall’s main auditorium offers the original design with advanced technology. Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo

Finlandia Hall will open its doors on Saturday, January 4, following three years of renovation. For the first time, the doors will be open daily to all Helsinki residents and tourists. The renovated Finlandia Hall will offer a wider range of services than before, from a restaurant and wine café to accommodation, exhibition space and a design shop.

One of Finland’s most significant event venues, Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto, will open after long anticipation on January 4, 2025. The building has been undergoing renovation since the beginning of 2022. For the first time in its history, the renovated Finlandia Hall will open not only to congress and event visitors but also to all city residents and tourists as a shared, everyday leisure destination and experience venue.

Services and Experiences Make the New Finlandia

Finlandia Events & Meetings: High-quality service and cost-effective beauty
Finlandia Hall has an impressive track record and experience in event organisation, and diverse event services remain at the core of the building’s operations. Finlandia Hall’s annual visitor count has been approximately 200,000, and the goal for 2025 is to double this number.

The state-of-the-art technology and renovated spaces in the renewed Finlandia Hall enable high-quality events, concerts, congresses and meetings–from small to large. The versatile spaces, updated range of services, advanced technology and experienced, professional staff ensure top-level service, care and experience.

Finlandia Bistro: Finnish flavours meet the Mediterranean
Finlandia Hall’s first à la carte restaurant, Finlandia Bistro, is a tribute to Alvar Aalto’s love for Italy. The atmospheric ambiance in Finlandia Bistro is created by Alvar Aalto’s unique architecture and design combined with Finlandia Hall’s original furniture and Finnish art.

Finlandia Cafe & Wine: Above the everyday with a new viewing terrace
Finlandia Hall’s new wine café serves seasonal quality café products with spectacular views. On the terrace, opened to the public for the first time, visitors can stop year-round to admire Helsinki city centre’s most beautiful views over Töölönlahti Bay. The café offers delicious savoury and sweet pastries, hot dishes and salads, as well as carefully selected wines and refreshments.

Finlandia Shop: Hand-picked treasures and unique souvenirs
Adjacent to the café, a design shop specialising in Finnish design will open, offering products from small Finnish design brands, unique Finlandia Collection items, timeless classics, ceramic art pieces from Arabia art department artists, contemporary design utility items, and naturally, Aalto products.

Finlandia Homes: Historically unique accommodation
Finlandia Hall’s new accommodation facilities offer a globally unique opportunity to experience Finnish design and architecture up close, and to stay overnight in a concert and conference venue. These two apartments, originally designed by Alvar Aalto as staff accommodation and now carefully restored, embody functional aesthetics and authentic Finnish home atmosphere. The rooms are now available for booking as accommodation for the first time. The apartments are decorated in respect to Aalto’s style and furnished with Artek classics and the building’s original furniture, making them perfect for admirers of design and cultural heritage.

Finlandia Experience Exhibition: To the roots of the Aaltos
In June 2025, Finlandia Hall will open a permanent exhibition that experientially tells the story of Alvar Aalto’s, Aino Aalto’s and Elissa Aalto’s architectural and creative diversity. The exhibition offers an opportunity to gain deep insight into Alvar Aalto’s legacy and design principles, as well as their influence on modern architecture and Finnish design.

More information about the exhibition will be provided in Spring 2025.

The Board of Directors of the East Montgomery County Improvement District is excited to announce the sale and delivery of just over $159 million in sales tax revenue bonds for the construction of the district’s 210,000 sq. ft. convention center and 813-space attached parking garage at the Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney, TX.

Designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. (HHCP), the venue will feature a 55,000 sq. ft. ballroom/exhibit hall, nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of pre-function and lobby space and outdoor courtyards. The facility is large enough to hold major corporate events, trade shows, local and regional youth sporting events, consumer shows, galas, wedding receptions, graduations, proms and other private events.

The plans also include space for a future full-service conference hotel to connect to the conference center and parking garage.
The Board selected SpawGlass as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) on the project and local subcontractors whenever possible. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in January.

“We have worked tirelessly with the architects, engineers, research groups, and Valley Ranch developer, Signorelli Company, to ensure the center’s location and nearby future amenities will draw visitors and additional restaurants and retail, a layout that is top notch and implements fantastic ideas from other conference centers, and programming that meets the needs of regional groups seeking space for their events,” stated Frank McCrady, EMCID President and CEO. “So far, the Board has already approved an entertainment project, Lumos Social, that will be located near the convention center, and we are in talks with several higher-end restaurant brands that would not have initially had interest in our area but do now expressly because of proximity to a conference center. Our community will also get the benefit of having those brands to dine from.”

The Board began due diligence in 2021 studying various conference centers and engaging Hunden Strategic Partners for a market analysis and feasibility study. Hunden performed an economic, demographic and tourism analysis, as well as a market analysis for the demand for convention, event, and meeting space. Hunden determined the greater Houston area is lacking multi-use space that can accommodate groups that are unable to host events downtown due to rental rates and hotel prices and that demand is great for flat-floor events and court sports.

Hunden expects the project to generate over the next 30 years nearly $1.73 billion in net new spending within the boundaries of the district, $775 million in net new earnings, and more than 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs at stabilization. The project should generate about $35.1 million in sales, hotel, and venue taxes to the district.