We want to spotlight the incredible ways our members are putting their knowledge into action. Whether it’s a new initiative inspired by an IAVM event or session, a training program that elevated your team’s performance, or an innovative solution that made your venue more efficient—your story matters!

This is your chance to showcase the hard work and creativity of your teams and to inspire others across our community.

What We’re Looking For:

• Innovative Programs: Share details on new programs, policies, or initiatives you’ve implemented based on insights gained from IAVM.
• Team Training: Tell us how your staff training has evolved with the help of IAVM resources, and how it’s made a difference in your operations.
• Success Stories: Highlight specific successes or milestones that wouldn’t have been possible without the knowledge and connections gained through IAVM.

How to Participate:

• Submit Your Story: Send us a brief description of your initiative or success, including any relevant details on the impact it has made.
• Photos and Videos: Include any images or videos that showcase your team in action or the results of your efforts.

Complete this form for your chance to be featured on IAVM’s social media channels, blog, and/or newsletter.

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, is excited to announce the launch of the ECA Advocacy Network, the alliance’s new one-stop digital advocacy platform.

The ECA Advocacy Network is the new home for ECA’s signature advocacy programs where anyone can take action on behalf of the industry from anywhere. These include:

• ECA Action Center, which allows anyone in the industry to contact their members of Congress and other elected officials about ECA’s public policy priorities directly from the ECA website with just a few clicks.

• Social Influencer Program, which encourages people who sign up to engage on social media to educate their network, the general public, and policymakers from coast to coast on ECA’s top issues and important advocacy opportunities.

• Show Floor Program, which brings policymakers to trade shows and conferences across the United States to show them first-hand how our industry operates and the direct impact we have in their backyards.

“The business events industry has the best advocates anywhere,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s Vice President. “With the ECA Advocacy Network, now they don’t have to be in Washington, DC or their state capitals to be part of the action. These new programs and tools will let anyone who wants to advocate on behalf of the industry to get involved wherever they are: at home, in the office, or even on the show floor.”

“ECA advocates are the backbone of the business events industry, and that is why the ECA Advocacy Network is so important,” said Austin O’Boyle, Senior Director of Advocacy for Aristotle International, who led the development of the ECA Advocacy Network. “These programs and tools will allow people throughout the industry who want to take action to make their voices heard on key issues across the country when it truly matters most.”

For more information about the ECA Advocacy Network, please visit ECAAdvocacyNetwork.com.

On Thursday, August 29, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance will host a free webinar for the business events industry on the recently passed California zero-emission forklift regulation.

While this new regulation does not take effect until 2028, all business events industry stakeholders operating in California need to be aware of it and start preparing now for what’s ahead in the years to come.

During the webinar, attendees will learn about what’s in the regulation and hear from two industry leaders about how they are beginning to prepare for 2028:

• Chris Schimek, Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services for Freeman
• Rip Rippetoe, President & Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation

To register for this free webinar, which will take place on Thursday, August 29 at 11:00 AM Pacific Time, please click here.

The JustOne membership campaign was designed by the Membership Committee to encourage IAVM’s leadership to recruit and sign one new member annually. The committee warmly invites all volunteers to join them in growing and advocating for IAVM. At VC25, we would like to report that 100% of our servant leaders recruited a new member!

Who makes up the IAVM Leadership? Boards, Committees, and Task Forces. The new term of service began on August 1^st.

Why is this endeavor important? As you spread the word about the importance of joining, our membership grows and becomes more diverse, which encourages new ideas and smart business practices. Your referral might become the next trailblazer in the industry.

GOAL: Our objective is that all 351 volunteers will add just one new member to our community.

PROSPECTS: Encourage your peers, colleagues, stakeholders, employees, interns, and Allied partners to join the Association.

RECOGNITION: The board, committee, task force, and individual that refers the most members will be recognized at VenueConnect in New Orleans.

SAVINGS: Instruct your referral to use the following promotion code, JUSTONE. Applicants that apply as Professional  or Allied members can save the $150.00 one-time initiation fee – they must enter “JUSTONE” while completing their membership application.*

For you to receive credit for your referral, ask your applicant to list you as a reference on the membership application.

With JustOne, help someone to realize their potential, to hone their leadership skills, and gain access to important resources that will aid in their professional success. Refer your JUSTONE new member today. Contact membership@iavm.org if you have any questions.

The campaign kicks off now and runs through December 31, 2024.

*Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; the dues will not be discounted.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is pleased to announce the distribution of $135,000 in community grants to local nonprofits, and $7,500 in hospitality scholarships to three Massachusetts-based culinary and hospitality students at its annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, July 31.

“I’m honored to issue the 2024 community partnership grants and hospitality scholarships on behalf of the MCCA to these worthy nonprofits, as well as the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry.” said Gloria Larson, Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “It was inspiring hearing directly from the recipients the impact these funds will have on the vital work they do in the community, and I would like to thank our internal committee of employees for reviewing all of the applications for this important program.”

The 27 nonprofits were selected to receive funding this year.

The three scholarship winners hail from communities throughout the state:

• Hopkinton – Emmanuel Barris, Boston University
• Hudson – Camille Graffeo, Framingham State University
• North Andover – Jacob Thorn, Michigan State University

Nonprofits were each awarded $5,000 grants and each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Since the launch of the program in 2007, over $2 million has directly supported non-profits operating in neighborhoods across Boston and Massachusetts-based culinary and hospitality students.

For more information on the MCCA’s Community Partnership & Hospitality Fund, please visit:

https://www.massconvention.com/community/grants-program-overview