The AVSS Severe Weather Planning and Preparedness Conference is not until March 4-5, 2014, but it is one meeting that based on some of the content in the new Man of Steel movie, Superman and even his dad might want to attend.

When it comes to action, taking out bad guys, rescuing damsels and other such acts of bravery and heroism, the mild-mannered-reporter-turned-Superman (hey, I could go for that life!) is your guy. But in the movie when it comes to directing folks where to go when a tornado roars across a highway, meh, not so much.

Technically, it is Clark Kent’s dad, played by Kevin Costner, who urges his family and motorists to seek shelter on the highway underpass. Bad idea, dad, unless you want to be part of a wind tunnel effect.

Continue Reading →

As general manager of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Carl Adkins understands that everything else takes a back seat to safety and security at public assembly venues of any kind. If he did not believe that way then chances are good he would be working in another profession.

Over the years, I have found Carl to be one of the most interesting IAVM members to talk to because of his refreshing candor that is not meant so much to debate or challenge as simply to ask, “What if?”

There is nothing wrong with questioning and in fact by asking questions the lines of dialogue and communication expand and better and better measures and outcomes are often the positive end results.

In addressing the NFL’s new bag policy, Adkins foremost dwelled on his role as a venue leader while at the same time posing some intriguing “What if” questions shared by many on message boards concerning the policy.

Continue Reading →

The National Football League is all about statistics and numbers. So many millions watch the Super Bowl. Stadiums have various capacities. Teams have certain amounts tied up in player salaries.

Add to the around-the-corner-and-out-the-door list the following for 2013: 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches.

Those are the dimensions that are the legal maximum for fans to bring bags into NFL stadiums beginning with the 2013 season. Not only that, but the bags can be only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags. In essence, leave the purse at home, but the small clutch bag is allowed provided they are no bigger than “the size of a hand.”

Continue Reading →

It has become abundantly clear that sustainability efforts within venues are not a trend, but are in fact a new staple of venue operations – and they are constantly becoming more extensive and innovative. Whether a venue incorporates green practices and programs to gain a marketing advantage, because it is a board priority, or it needs to meet a city mandate, the bottom line is, sustainability matters.

VenueDataSource, IAVM’s data research tool funded by the IAVM Foundation, completed a sustainability survey last year covering many of the most common green efforts undertaken by venues. Below are some of the statistics from that report.

So how do your venue’s greening efforts compare to other venues? If implementing sustainable practices is not on your venue’s radar just yet, expect that to change sooner than later with the ever-progressing green expectations of cities, boards, staff and guests. View the interactive graph below or purchase the comprehensive sustainability survey results here.

NBA Finals – From the GMs
–Venues Today

Seven small Super Bowls. That’s how Kim Stone, GM for AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, looks at the National Basketball Association Finals, which can last a total of seven games.

This is Stone’s third year in a row hosting NBA Finals games. Last year, the building’s tenant Miami Heat won the championship at home.

“The more times you do something the easier it becomes, and we pride ourselves on being a learning organization,” said Stone. “We keep a lot of detailed notes and review them prior to the next time we have a similar event so we can make improvements. We’re big on always wanting to learn and get better.” Continue Reading →