Like any winning team, when a group works together towards a goal great things can happen. Similarly, the staff at IAVM Headquarters knows that staff and members working together can make a difference to the success of the Association. IAVM’s membership is truly an inspirational gathering of industry professionals with a rich understanding and a broad perspective of the venue industry landscape. Continue Reading →

These Owls give a hoot.

Amidst the announcement a month ago of a $6 million, 12-year naming rights deal with the GEO Group for its football stadium, Florida Atlantic University — home of the Owls — has had to deal with an internal backlash from its students, faculty and community members. At a time when pomp should rule following such an announcement, it was instead many questioning the circumstances of why the university would close a deal with the GEO Group, a business which operates private prisons in various countries around the world. Continue Reading →

The State of Minnesota’s Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly voted down a bill that would have forced major venues in the state to reveal ticket holdbacks from public sale. The impending vote had been a source of contention in the state for some time, with supporters of the bill arguing that large blocks of tickets are designated for promotions by credit card companies, radio stations and other special arrangements.

Critics, meanwhile, argued that the bill would have made it harder for venues in the state to compete for major shows against other venues throughout the Midwest. David Balcer, director of ticketing at the Target Center in Minneapolis, said that, “Many tours and touring artists will simply bypass our state to avoid the regulations in this bill.”

Ticket reseller StubHub sought the bill, saying that the company is among those unfairly accused of using automated, or “bot,” technology to secure large numbers of tickets for resale. Continue Reading →

Hosting a major event on campus is not the same as in a privately managed building

It’s 5:59 a.m. on a crisp cool Friday morning. Four tour buses and eight tractor trailers are making the turn on to the street that is closed down in order to have secure parking for the tour. The tow truck is on its way to move a student’s car that was illegally parked overnight. As one of the basketball coaches pass by, I have to remind him not to park on the road this morning. The tour bus door opens and I meet the tour manager, hand him his sold map and show him the house. He reminds me about the 30 person crew, bus security and the hot coffee he requested during the advance and I assured him that everything would be ready. I introduce him to our operations manager and the student production director. My operations manager reminds him that our crew is comprised entirely of students and the crew lead is also a student. I can immediately see the worry in his eyes. The old stereotype that students don’t know what they are doing, load-in will take forever and their equipment will end up damaged.

While on a call with the Universities committee recently, I heard people say there was no difference in hosting a major event on a university campus compared to a privately managed building. Most of my industry experience comes from managing a university facility. I know there is a difference. A major event on a college campus has more obstacles and takes a great deal more time, coordination and preparation than the private buildings. In addition, we count on students to manage crews, work with tour staff and make timely critical decisions. Let’s take a look at some of the issues that we faced on the morning described in the first paragraph. Continue Reading →

Many sporting events have become all-day spectacles. Just tune in on any Saturday for college football and any Sunday for pro football and see just how early you can begin getting your fix for the day. Major League Baseball stadiums also get plenty of tailgating action, although not quite as pronounced in a sport that plays 81 homes games.

But when it comes to Opening Day of the baseball season across the United States, you better believe those tailgaters are gearing up … likely about now on how to throw their party at their favorite team’s stadium. Continue Reading →