By Kaitlyn Spinney

When the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D. wanted to position the arena and convention center as a go-to wedding destination — as well as showcase several dozen wedding vendors — they married a local couple in front of a room full of “wedding crashers.”

Shelby Looker and I were ready to step out of a 10’ x 10’ vendor show booth and really show what our facility can do for weddings and receptions.

On November 8, the sales department at Alerus partnered with The White House Co. to host the inaugural “To Have and To Hold: A LIVE Wedding Show,” but several months before the event, the venue launched a social media campaign inviting people to nominate a couple (or self-nominate) who would not only be willing to get married in front of strangers but also have no control over the planning. After reading more than 70 applications and conducting in-person interviews, the team selected Carly and Tyler.

Truthfully, when we met Carly and Tyler, it felt like a first date and a proposal. They were the perfect couple for the event because they were willing to sit back and let us make all the creative decisions, which was a must.

Next, the Alerus sales department signed on 27 local wedding vendors, ranging from photography to flowers to attire, to contribute their talent and creativity to create a perfect wedding for Carly and Tyler.

Because this event was so new, the Alerus team was tasked with explaining the unique event to each vendor, but most were on board to try something new. Vendors were required to bring their newest ideas and products to showcase during the event. The room set up for the day of the wedding highlighted each vendor’s contributions and provided them with a small cocktail table around the outside of the room where they could meet interested brides. Additionally, one of the DJs for the evening gave tasteful shoutouts throughout the night to point out vendor contributions.

The event was geared toward two target markets: brides and wedding crashers. Potential brides could come see their vendors in action, and shop for new ideas. Wedding crashers were invited to buy a $20 ticket so they could enjoy the wedding, champagne toast, a three course meal, and dance the night away. The evening was perfect for a date night, or people who love weddings but don’t want to deal with family drama or bringing a gift.

At the end of the event, the bride and groom could not have been happier. They danced the night away, and their families complimented the whole process. As an added bonus, each vendor received a number of high-quality photos that showcase their work, which was an important selling point.

Couples and vendors are already asking if this will be an annual event!

Kaitlyn Spinney is Director of Conference Sales & Marketing for Spectra Venue Management’s Alerus Center.

Photo by Fernweh and Lieb Photography

By R.V. Baugus

The LinkedIn profile says it all about Bill McElrath: RETIRED at Des Moines Performing Arts.

That, folks, would seemingly say it all, but it really does not scratch the surface of the career of an industry icon who spent 47 years in the business, the last 20 as business director of said Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA), where he served in two different time periods working in nearly every single department area.

McElrath also worked at the venue in 1979 as assistant manager, the same year he joined then IAAM to start a 31-year run as a dedicated volunteer and worked on the Association’s Certification Board for 14 years where he worked tirelessly to create the new Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation.

After working with so many, I can say that there is a certain beautiful quality about IAVM members in the Midwest, many whom never leave the region to work in the industry while others like McElrath who go elsewhere only to return to those calling roots.

IAVM Chair Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, attended McElrath’s retirement celebration over the holidays to pay tribute to her long-time friend, and was happy to hear the accolades bestowed on McElrath by DMPA President and CEO Jeff Chelesvig.

McElrath, who graduated from Iowa State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering with an added emphasis on Economics (there’s that business director link!), began his career at his alma mater in 1972 when he was recruited by Al Dyer to become a stagehand at the Iowa State Center.

After his stint at DMPA beginning in 1979, McElrath departed in 1985 to work first at the Salt Lake County Fine Arts Division and later the San Diego Convention & Performing Arts Center.

“He returned to DMPA in 1999 and has served in various leadership roles as our organization grew and evolved,” Chelesvig said. “His impact can be seen today in our organization and across our industry.

“As a dedicated Apple user, he oversaw the first all-Macintosh computer network in a performing arts venue.”

How is that for trivia and innovation? And it is also not surprising of a true Midwest gentleman who loved his work and loved his association.

Photo: Jeff Chelsvig, DMPA; Tammy Koolbeck, IAVM Chair; Bill McElrath, DMPA; and Laura Sweet, DMPA.

By R.V. Baugus

As our friends in Australia remain on alert for continuing wildfires that started in September, the public assembly venue industry and its tenants are rallying to the cause to help provide financial help in the wake of a disaster that has seen Prime Minister Scott Morrison put a death toll at 27 with more than 2,000 homes burned across an area larger than the size of West Virginia. Experts add that more than 1 billion animals are feared dead from the fires.

Against that backdrop, the AFL Aussie rules football league confirmed that Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium will host a landmark State of Origin match to raise funds for the bushfire relief effort. Victoria will play against an all-star roster on February, with money raised being donated to a community relief fund set up by the AFL to help rebuild Aussie rules facilities demolished by the fires. Already, the AFL has earmarked $926,000 toward the effort. The AFL Women’s match between Collingwood and Melbourne scheduled for February 28 at Victoria Park will now be played at Marvel Stadium as part of a double-header with the State of Origin fixture.

Sydney’s ANZ Stadium is also raising money through a February 16 concert with the “Fire Fight Australia” event including performances from local and international artists.

As firefighters continue battling the inferno, Prime Minister Morrison made it a point to urge the foreign tourists who would now be gathering on the beaches in Australia’s summer to keep their plans while local authorities continue urging evacuation of several coastal towns.

“Our industry is heartbroken by the devastation that the fires are causing around the country and our clubs and players have suggested a number of initiatives where we can support affected communities in the short and longer term as they deal with the aftermath of these fires,” AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said in a release. “A game of footy can’t change what has happened but it is a way for all of our clubs, our players and our fans to acknowledge the incredible sacrifice that so many have made in battling the fires and to support those communities that have been impacted by the bushfires.”

It is also a shining example of how IAVM member venues always stand at the ready whether as shelters or places where events can take place to help those in needy times.

By Lauren Polito

Levy Convention Centers and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) proudly partner with Green City Growers to cultivate and harvest the The Chef Garden. The Chef Garden is about 800 square feet and it provides fresh produce and herbs for Pine Street Inn. It is conveniently located at The Lawn On D, a 2.7-acre outdoor event and entertainment space next to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Throughout the 2019 season, over 500 pounds of fresh produce and herbs have been harvested and donated to the community.

Each Monday from May to November, Levy and Green City Growers harvest the Chef Garden. Depending on the time of year, there are always new herbs or vegetables available, a typical harvest includes basil, peppers, carrots, beans, bok choy, and so much more. In the last harvest of November 2019, the team harvested turnips, rosemary, and thyme. Each harvest is then donated to the Pine Street Inn.

“It’s an amazing experience to walk into a local food bank’s kitchen and see the chef’s eyes light up because they are receiving fresh, local, in season produce to incorporate into their meal,” said Director of Experience for Levy at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, William O’Brien. “It encourages them to experiment with new recipes and flavors that they don’t have the resources to provide.”

The Chef Garden is now prepared to weather the winter, and the Green City Growers team have planted garlic, which will be one of the first things to emerge in the spring, and harvested in the summer. Salt marsh hay protects the garden for the time being. With 2019 being the inaugural year for the garden, the groups are eager to continue to making an impact within the local Boston community. Looking forward to next season Levy and the MCCA are looking into doubling the harvest to provide over 1,000 pounds of produce in 2020. Brainstorming and research for next season has already begun, focusing on new combinations of produce and herbs that will bring the most fruitful harvest yet for many to enjoy throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Lauren Polito is Associate Manager, Communications, for Levy Restaurants. Photo provided by Levy.

By R.V. Baugus

The news came across my phone as I was driving to lunch after church on Sunday, December 29: Two parishioners killed by gunman at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement (near Fort Worth).

Here we go again. It was barely more than two years ago when a madman fatally shot 26 people and wounded 20 others during a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, near San Antonio. The murderer managed to leave the church and drive away but crashed in a field and died from three gunshot wounds and a fourth shot that was self-inflicted.

The difference between the two shooting might have had a similar number of deaths – if not greater – had not multiple members of the church security team responded immediately to the shots. Jack Wilson, 71, a former reserve deputy sheriff and a firearms instructor, was the only person to fire back and killed the shooter with one shot.

This is not a piece on gun control or politics. It is a piece on vigilance, awareness, preparation, and response for when such occasions occur – and they do occur in a matter of when and not if.

Our Mark Herrera does an incredible job and spends exhaustive hours hopscotching the country to speak to venues about life safety, situational awareness, active shooters, and so much more. This is an unabashed plug to say that if you have not touched base with Mark and IAVM to discuss having him address your staff, please consider doing so now. Just click here.

Mark’s presentation is often heard by more than venue personnel as many also bring in government leaders, police, fire, first responders, and more to understand just how serious these issues are in our world today.

Even though it was late in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve and because Mark and I are such dedicated employees (hey, cut us some slack!), we chatted by phone to discuss the sad event at the church and just to talk some more about faith-based organizations when it comes to the balance between security and welcoming people to worship.

“We must become more vigilant on behavioral detection than the traditional security measures in place to protect others,” Mark would share later by email after gathering his thoughts. “Understanding behavioral patterns of conduct not conducive to an environment that leads a prudent person to reasonably believe that the behavior is outside of the baseline is what we should focus on. This should be followed up by a plan or action that one must immediately take to assure their safety and the safety of others.

“Many in the world today are consumed with their daily lives to the point that they fail to be situationally aware. Technology has consumed our attention and the threat can identify with those not aware of their environment. A threat wants to succeed in carrying out a violent act and needs a path of least resistance. Knowing what to look for and responding immediately can deter and effect an individual’s desire and ability to carry out a violent act.”

Mark then shared some advice that he offers at his venue training classes.

“The important thing to do is practice visualization and mental preparation in advance to build upon scenarios with an immediate response to avoid loop reset or the ability to orientate to a condition that was never in the planning phase. “Hesitation and complacency in the world today are not options.”

Scary thoughts, huh? Hesitation and complacency. How many of us go anywhere where the public assembles and even give fleeting thought to what COULD happen? I raise my own hand as a guilty party to that question. We just don’t think it can happen, but it can, and it does, even in what we consider the most safe and sacred of places, our houses of worship.

“We must continue to look beyond the traditional security measures and equip others with the ability to increase observational capabilities,” Mark concluded. “Condition inoculation by actually being involved, if survived, equips others to better prepare for future situations similar to the one encountered. “Mental preparation and visualization with at least three response objectives will build upon the subconscious mind and allow an individual to immediately respond to crisis.

“It’s about being fully committed to any potential situation.”

As we sadly continue to see in a world of evil.