Illustration by Thomas Porostocky for TIME

New technology that provides real-time analytics of crowd behavior made its debut at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference earlier this month. Named as one of TIME Magazine’s 10 Ideas That Make A Difference, the software is able to instantly scan an event crowd to identify major behaviors (cheering, using a mobile device, staring at media screens…), providing valuable, accurate data back to venues craving such precise feedback.

From a marketing standpoint, TIME writer Sean Gregory points out that “a company can measure, for example, how many eyeballs are attached to the Jumbotron ad (are fans looking?) and how well it’s being received (are they laughing? smiling? fiddling on their phones and ignoring it?).”

Powerful insight into your guest experiences, and a helpful way to decide where to aim those t-shirt cannons. Read the full story over at TIME Magazine.

IAVM is excited to introduce a new weekly blog post highlighting some of the most important, interesting and entertaining pieces of industry news from the week. We encourage your news submissions; just email your recommendations to Lauren Kubicki, IAVM’s Interactive Marketing Manager. We hope you enjoy!

Security Beefed Up at Venues After Boston Marathon Bombings
-NOLA.com

A few hours after the Boston Marathon bombings, and more than 1,000 miles away, a police officer with a German shepherd patrolled near an entrance to the baseball stadium where Miami hosted Washington on Monday evening — an unusual sight at Marlins Park.

Inside, on the field, two Marlins officials gave a security supervisor a briefing about the ballpark’s layout.

“We are taking additional precautions and have intensified our security efforts in and around the ballpark to ensure everyone’s safety,” Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said.

See also: Boston Venues React in Wake of Patriots Day Bomb Explosions
And: Boston Explosions: Resources for Venue and Event Managers Continue Reading →

The IAVM Mentor Connector Program is where both those new and veteran in the industry go to grow. If you have any interest in learning more about becoming a mentor, protégé or coach for the pairings, you will want to be sure to participate in the IAVM Mentor Connector Webinar on Wednesday, April 24 from 2-3 pm Eastern Daylight Time. This is a free webinar and one that will answer all the questions to set you on your path into a program that offers a lifetime of reward.

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Led by veteran anthem singer Rene Rancourt, the National Anthem preceding last night’s Boston Bruins game was a moving reminder that more than just entertainment is happening in our venues.

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.”

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