JustOne Membership Campaign Officially Begins Now!
IAVM’s Membership Committee created this recruitment campaign years ago to encourage volunteer leaders to refer one new member to join the association. Alexis Berggren, Chair, Membership Committee had this to say, “What a milestone for IAVM’s 100th anniversary if JustOne recruits 100 new members!” It is proven that our members make the difference in encouraging colleagues, employees, suppliers, interns, stakeholders, and more to join the organization that solely benefits the venue industry.
Who makes up the IAVM Leadership? Boards, Committees, and Task Forces.
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 400+ volunteer leaders will add just one new member to our network. We are hoping for 100% participation.
RECOGNITION: The board, committee, task force, and individual that refers the most members will be recognized at VenueConnect in Portland.
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.*
For you to receive credit for your referral, ask your applicant to list you as a reference.
With JustOne, you can encourage someone to realize their potential, get involved in IAVM, and have 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 June 30, 2024.
*Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; the dues will not be discounted.
ASM Global Names Mike Wendling as Assistant General Manager for Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center
ASM Global, the premier venue management and services company, announced the addition of Mike Wendling to their team in Oklahoma City as Assistant General Manager for Paycom Center, home to NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mike Wendling, Assistant General Manager for Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center
“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Wendling as the newest addition to the ASM Global leadership team in OKC,” said Paycom Center General Manager, Chris Semrau. “Mike’s experience and strategic mindset will support our talented team to further propel our mission forward.”
Wendling was previously the Sr. Director, Guest Services and Building Operations for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) in Toronto where he oversaw the operations for three sports and entertainment venues – Scotiabank Arena (home of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs), BMO Field (home of Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts), and Coca-Cola Coliseum (home of the Toronto Marlies). He has helped deliver world class events such as the NBA All-Star Game, NHL All-Star Game, World Cup of Hockey, NBA Finals, and World Cup Qualifiers as well as numerous massive shows such as Harry Styles, Adele, Drake, and many more. He served on strategic committees for the $350 Million Scotiabank Arena renovations and FIFA World Cup planning.
Prior to his time in Toronto, Wendling served as the Director of Ticket Sales and Director of Ticketing Analytics for Oklahoma State Athletics at Oklahoma State University. Wendling has earned multiple awards for MLSE including ‘Coach’ of the Year in 2019 and the 2022 NBA Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Award.
Wendling is excited to make the move back to Oklahoma with his wife, two sons, and daughter (due in April). In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his kids and playing sports of all kinds.
Adding Wendling to the team in Oklahoma City will push Paycom Center’s continued success with record-breaking events and award-winning experiences. The arena is preparing for another record-breaking year with top performances from artists like Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Bryan and more.
VenuWorks Becomes Employee-Owned Company – Announces Board of Directors
VenuWorks, a national leader in venue management and operations, launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2023, with the intention to create a secure succession plan, provide employees the benefit of ownership, and develop a strategic plan for the company’s continued investment, growth, and long-term sustainability.
“This is a significant time in our company’s history. The VenuWorks team is dedicated to and takes great pride in creating memories for the patrons of the venues we manage. Our success is a direct result of the passion, drive, and innovation of our employees,” said Steve Peters, VenuWorks Founder & President. “The establishment of the ESOP reinforces our ongoing commitment to our future, the communities we serve, and our dedicated employees.”
As an integral part of the ESOP, VenuWorks also hosted its inaugural Board of Directors meeting at the corporate office in Ames earlier this month.
“It is my honor and privilege to welcome such a dedicated and talented Board of Directors to the VenuWorks family. With each director bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our newly established board, I am confident VenuWorks will benefit from their diverse perspectives,” said Peters.
The VenuWorks Board of Directors include:
Larry B. Perkins, CVE, CPP, CMP
Larry, recently retired, is a 46-year veteran with executive leadership in public assembly, sports, and entertainment management. He most recently served as the Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes/PNC Arena, Raleigh.
Larry is a former president of the International Association of Venue Managers, and recipient of IAVM’s McElravy Award for lifetime achievement. He was one of the founders of IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security that was established after the 9/11 attack.
He is the author of two books: a memoir entitled Buck Seventy-Two, A Destiny of Will; and Life Choices, The Path I Chose. Larry’s technical works include Crowd Safety and Survival – Practical Event and Public Gathering Safety Tips, (2004) and Crowd Management -in the eye of the storm (1997). Larry has appeared on ESPN and NBC TV discussing crowd safety.
Kimberly Mahoney, Ph.D., CVP
Dr. Mahoney has over 30 years of experience in various segments of the sports and entertainment industry. Currently, as Principal with Venulogix, Kim manages a wide range of projects for clients. Kim has worked in public assembly venues as a contractor, client, and part of the venue management team. She has been involved in the opening of three new venues including a convention center, an NFL stadium, and a 20,000-seat arena.
Kim is also the lead author of IAVM’s textbook, Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues (2015 & 2020 editions) and sole author of The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management (2016).
Joel D. Duncan, SPHR, CPES
Joel is a senior executive with 35 years of leadership, sales, and operational experience in human resources outsourcing.
Joel is the Strategic Advisor & Founder of Connectify HR, an Iowa based PEO serving small to midsized Midwest based businesses with human resources planning, technology, compliance, payroll, benefits, and retirement administration. As Strategic Advisor, he is responsibility for collaborating with the partners of the organization in establishing strategic direction.
Joseph Peters
Joseph Peters is a New York licensed CPA with over 25 years of experience in the finance and operations of investment management companies in New York City and Southeast Asia.
Joe has served as a CFO and CCO managing all aspects of finance, tax, legal, compliance and operations for multiple investment management companies, including Avenue Capital Group. During his tenure with Avenue Capital Group, Joe transitioned Avenue Asia’s finance and operations from New York to Singapore, providing him the opportunity to work abroad throughout Southeast Asia.
Joe was a co-owner of VenuWorks before selling his shares in 2023.
Raleigh’s Amphitheaters Drive $40 Million in Economic Impact
Raleigh continues to be a cultural hub for live entertainment as home to some of the hottest concert venues in the Southeast, including Red Hat Amphitheater and Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.
Both amphitheaters are part of The Complex, the City of Raleigh’s premier portfolio of convention and entertainment venues, which also includes the Raleigh Convention Center and Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. Through these venues, The Complex stimulates an innovative, artistic, and cultural presence in the community and continues to highlight Raleigh as a nationally recognized entertainment destination.
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
“Raleigh’s amped up music venues have a reputation of being a favorite for artists and fans alike,” said Kerry Painter, Director/General Manager of The Complex. “Each year, we welcome hundreds of thousands to our amphitheaters and we’re proud to be the hot spot where so many unforgettable moments are made.”
Through a partnership with Live Nation, both amphitheaters host the top touring artists in the world and bring a combined annual $40 million in economic impact to Raleigh. In 2023 alone, Red Hat Amphitheater and Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek welcomed over 300,000 fans across a combined 60 concerts. In addition to enjoying live music, these fans also spend on hotels and lodging, food and beverage, transportation and retail right in Raleigh.
“We’re so proud to be part of Raleigh’s incredible growth story and to play a vital role in the city’s dynamic entertainment scene,” said Jeannine Beson, regional vice president of venue operations for Live Nation. “Significant investments in both amphitheaters over the last few years allowed us to enhance fan experience by expanding entry gates for fast access, adding state-of-the-art LED screens and offering an elevated food and beverage program. We take pride in making these venues better each season and partnering with the City to make Downtown Raleigh a destination for live music fans.”
Located in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, Red Hat Amphitheater offers incredible views of the city skyline with stacked lineups year after year. The amphitheater also offers an elevated fan hospitality experience including a VIP Lounge which was added last season. This year, Red Hat Amphitheater will host Tate McCrae, Lainey Wilson, Queens of the Stone Age, and more to be announced.
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek has over thirty years of live music history, playing host to major tours and festivals during the summer season and laying a foundation for the local music scene. The 2024 calendar already boasts Foo Fighters, HARDY, Hozier, Alanis Morissette, and more. The venue will also take part in Live Nation’s Lawnie Pass program, a popular seasonal pass that allows live music fans to enjoy a lineup of the summer’s best concerts across genres like country, rock, pop, hip-hop and more for around $10 per show.
Red Hat Amphitheater
The Complex is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within its venues and the community. Coastal Credit Union Music Park is one of the leading venues in Live Nation’s Green Nation sustainability program, which has zero waste teams working to reduce single-use plastics and promote recycling, composting and food donations. With a long history of sustainable operations, Coastal Credit Union Music Park also provides artist catering options from their backstage garden and diverted more than 70% of its waste in 2023. Red Hat Amphitheater is also initiating new partnerships with Great Raleigh Clean Up and Compost Now for the 2024 season.
Both venues also provide full time and seasonal employment to residents. The amphitheaters employ more than 600 crew members and are actively hiring for the 2024 season.
Raleigh’s mild climate creates a spectacular season for amphitheater concerts, with both venues operating from as early as April through as late as October. Red Hat Amphitheater and Coastal Credit Union Music have consistently been awarded as Best Outdoor Music Venue and Best Live Music Venue from local publications, plus received national recognition from Pollstar and Venues Now.
IAVM Announces Winners of the 2023 iCommit Campaign
Association members are encouraged to recruit individuals to join IAVM to expand the venue industry network. The iCommit member referral recruitment campaign provides that opportunity each year. The program ran from August 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024.
We are happy to announce that 141 members were entered into the raffle to win the prizes listed below. Their assistance allowed IAVM to gain 350 new members, making this our most successful recruiting drive to date.
- Grand Prize Winner – VenueConnect 2024 free registration goes to:
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- Sam Dores, CVE, CVP, Director, Business Operations, Strategy and Development – ExtraMile Arena – Boise, ID
- Raffle Winners – $500 Gift Cards
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- Karen Westcott, Manager, Event Development – City of Mississauga – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Aaron Hurt, Executive Director – Butler University – Indianapolis, IN
- Charles Starks, President & CEO – Music City Center – Nashville, TN
- Carlene Moore, CEO – 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds – Del Mar, CA
- Steve Schwartz, Senior Advisor to the COO – Walter E Washington Convention Center – Washington, DC
- Region Winner– Region 7 had the largest increase with 67 new members. The current Region Director will select one recipient to have their CVP application fee waived (value $125). The candidate must apply by July 31, 2024.
Congratulations to the winners. We sincerely appreciate our members for continuing to advocate on behalf of IAVM. If you have any questions, contact IAVM’s Director of Membership, Gina Brydson.