Wendell Pierce Returns to His Roots as VenueConnect Keynote/Opening Session Speaker
Excitement in his voice comes quite naturally to actor, humanitarian and New Orleans native Wendell Pierce when he talks about his home town. Make that when he talks about anything that is New Orleans.
Want to know where to go to hear some good jazz any night of the week? Pierce can tell you the spots, broken down by night and who is performing. Appearing in the HOB hit “Treme,” Pierce’s trombonist character Antoine Batiste goes to a number of the lesser known bars and venues that are as New Orleans as Preservation Hall.
“A lot of these were undiscovered places,” Pierce said during a recent telephone interview. “The show was giving them exposure.”
Peggy Daidakis to Join a Select Group in CIC Hall of Leaders
Peggy Daidakis has known much success during a stay at the Baltimore Convention Center that started in 1979 when the venue opened, including seven years later when she became the first woman to manage and operate a convention center in the United States.
The list of career achievements for Daidakis continued with the recent announcement that she would enter the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) Hall of Leaders as part of the Class of 2013. The induction takes place during a gala to be held on October 13 in Las Vegas prior to the IMEX America trade show.
Face-to-Face Meetings Pay Off for Attendees and Exhibitors
According to the Convention Industry Council, on average, 205 million people in the United States attend the 1.8M conventions, conferences, congresses, trade shows and exhibitions, incentive events and corporate/business meetings each year. Face-to-face meetings build trust and relationships between professionals that share similar passion, experiences and expertise. Education and training is more effective in a live setting, and live meetings result in a more efficient exchange of ideas and provides the human connection that has become less and less a part of our working lives as we grapple with balancing a virtual business place. Continue Reading →
Boston Venues React in Wake of Patriots Day Bomb Explosions
Few traditions are as sacred to a city as Patriots Day is to Boston. It is a day when the Boston Red Sox host a morning baseball game at Fenway Park and afterwards many fans spill out into the streets to watch runners at the Boston Marathon. The day celebrates all things Boston, New England and even the world as people come from all over the globe to either participate in the marathon or just to soak in the spirit of Boston.
Going forward, though, Patriots Day 2013 will always be remembered for the tragedy when three lives were lost and hundreds injured when two bombs exploded within mere seconds and feet apart near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Just as vividly, stories of heroism will be recounted for the selflessness of first responders and many others who took immediate action to guide runners and spectators of all ages to safety to prevent further injuries.
Boston Explosions: Resources for Venue and Event Managers
IAVM’s condolences and prayers go to those affected by yesterday’s tragic events. We encourage all venues to stay informed and be proactive in their safe operations in the coming days, weeks and months.
IAVM is actively engaged with our venue members in the Boston area and we are in communication with the Department of Homeland Security. We will continue to update this blog post with resources relevant to venue managers as they become available.
Below are several resources that may be helpful as you review your venue’s emergency preparedness plan and safe operations procedures. Continue Reading →