Video: Join us at VenueConnect for 4 days of…
VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, La.
July 27-30, 2013
Important Links
Register here
VenueConnect 2013 website
Hotel information (*Note: Hotel cut off for discounted nightly rates is July 5, 2013)
Industry News Weekly Roundup
Petitions Could Throw Wrench in Miami Beach Convention Center Redevelopment
–Miami Herald
Seven thousand signatures could stand in the way of a billion-dollar plan to overhaul the Miami Beach Convention Center District.
The signatures were collected in a petition drive that takes aim at one of the most ambitious urban development projects going on in the country: Miami Beach’s plan to lease public land in the heart of South Beach to pay for renovations to the city’s inadequate convention center.
Philadelphia Building Collapse Has Venue Industry Applications for Evacuation
In response to the recent building collapse in Philadelphia, individuals and businesses should be sure they are following a set of several emergency preparedness guidelines. Here are some valuable crisis management tips to ensure buildings across the country are better prepared for emergency events:
Plan for the worst-case scenario. Over the past few years, the U.S. has experienced a record number of destructive natural disasters and, sadly, an increase in manmade disasters such as bomb incidents, creating new worst-case scenarios that must be considered in evacuation planning. When developing evacuation plans and drills, emergency planning professionals should plan for the worst.
New Jersey Venue Sets Re-opening Date After Rebuilding from Superstorm Sandy
As the 2013 hurricane season begins, one venue in Sayreville, New Jersey, is reopening seven months after its near destruction at the hands of Superstorm Sandy.
The Starland Ballroom has completed extensive repairs and renovations and begins selling tickets on June 7 in advance of a scheduled September re-open. Country star Billy Currington performs on September 7 in a much-anticipated return to music for the entire community.
“The months following Superstorm Sandy have been challenging here in New Jersey,” said Colin Conway, vice president, AEG Live – Eastern Region and general manager of Starland Ballroom. “Like many of our neighbors and area businesses, we sustained significant damage but we are determined to persevere. We’ve looked forward to the announcement letting the public know we’re back. We have a few more months of renovations remaining, but we’re now positioned to announce these shows and triumphantly announce Starland’s return.”
Excerpts From VenueConnect Keynote Speaker Wendell Pierce Interview
Wendell Pierce, native son to New Orleans, accomplished television and film actor and stage personality, is counting down the days before he delivers a keynote message during IAVM’s VenueConnect from July 27-30 in Pierce’s home town.
When Pierce is not appearing in HBO’s Treme, he is busy helping revitalize communities in New Orleans, specifically the region around Pontchartrain Park. He also recently opened his first Sterling Farms grocery store in an area where quality and healthy produce and food is hard to get.
Facility Manager magazine recently interviewed Pierce about the above topics as well as his appearance before the IAVM audience in New Orleans. Here are some excerpts from the article that will appear in the June/July issue of the magazine.