A Warm Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in December 2019. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.
Blaine Adams, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Rod Ainsworth, Multiplex Sport & Convention Centre (MSCC), Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Rowan Allsop, First 5 Minutes, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
Jessica Anderson, WESS, A GardaWorld Company, Coon Rapids, MN, United States
Adrian Anderson, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Fyshwick, ACT, Australia
Oscar Argemi Gonzalez, New York University, New York, NY, United States
Tyler Armer, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Braxton Armstrong, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Matthew Asano, Pechanga Arena San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
Michaela Ashworth, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC, United States
Jacob Aug, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Alex Aye, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Alison Bacon, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Giselle Bandley, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
Maria Barton, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Debra Beasley, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Braden Beck, Missouri State University, Kirkwood, MO, United States
Kate Belleman, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA, United States
Casey Bishop, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Neltie Black, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Amanda Blanchard, Southern Aluminum, Magnolia, AR, United States
Nathan Blum, Arup, San Francisco, CA, United States
Alisa Bradley, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Luke Bramblett, Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, KY, United States
Jordan Brehmer, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Michael Brooker, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Moorebank, NSW, Australia
Matthew Burton, Missouri State University, Republic, MO, United States
Kevin Butler, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Dennis Callahan, EMSEAL Joint Systems, Ltd., Westborough, MA, United States
Marissa Carter, Missouri State University, Jefferson City, MO, United States
Ray Cheatham, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
Angela Childs, Multiplex Sport & Convention Centre (MSCC), Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Brenden Coker, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Sam Collins, Vertikal Designs, Varsity Lakes, QLD, Australia
Anna Cooper, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR, United States
Nathan Cox, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR, United States
Angel Cuevas, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Jason Dallavalle, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Steven Davis, Scope Arena, Norfolk, VA, United States
Celia de Latour, NT Major Events Company, Darwin, NT, Australia
Chenoa Dean, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Mark Deller, ALTS Canada, Calgary, AB, Canada
Casey Depew, Missouri State University, Blue Springs, MO, United States
James Dietz, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Shelby Dixon, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Bec Dodunski, Crown Melbourne Ltd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Noell Dooley, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Maureen Doran, AwareManager – a Building Engines Company, Boston, MA, United States
Maren Dougherty, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, United States
Alex Drake, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Dickson, ACT, Australia
Malcolm Dungey, Mediabank Pty Ltd T/As PAM, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Elisha Dunlevie, NIDA Melbourne – National Institute of Dramatic Art, Brighton East, VIC, Australia
Mitch Edwards, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Yatala, QLD, Australia
Tanya Edwards, Grosvenor Engineering Group, North Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Jeffrey Engelken, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Daniela Erni Ruoss, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Joshua Field, WESS, A GardaWorld Company, Coon Rapids, MN, United States
Kaila Finch, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Lauren Fischer, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX, United States
Mike Fiser, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Anthony Franceschini, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Alice Francis, Spark Arena, Auckland, , New Zealand
Jennifer Franz, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Kylie Frueh, The Link Event & Recreation Center, Richland Hills, TX, United States
Herb Ganey, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Luis Garcia-Solorio, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Kim Gartner, The Yamwood Foundry, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
Paris Gathwright, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Anna Giorgianni, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Moorebank, NSW, Australia
Courtney Gladney, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Kirk Godfrey, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Samantha Goessner, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Caitlin Grabowski, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
Kirsten Grimes, First National Bank Arena, Jonesboro, AR, United States
Sandra Guerra, Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto, FL, United States
Rick Halton, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Devonport, TAS, Australia
James Ham, Missouri State University, Poplar Bluff, MO, United States
Shaun Haney, Rose Quarter, Portland, OR, United States
James Harrington, Scope Arena, Norfolk, VA, United States
Adam Harrison, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Lucas Hartgrover, Mason City Arena, Mason City, IA, United States
Chris Hathaway, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Molly Heinzler, Missouri State University, Kearney, MO, United States
Pedro Herrera Rodriguez, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Antonia Herron, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Nathan Hill, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
Charles Holl, Miami Beach Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Robert Hopper, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Angela Horrobin, Vancouver Civic Theatres, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Kelly Hyde, Henderson Engineers, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Glendon Jenkins, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Greg Johnson, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Lisa Jones, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Lloyd Jones, Palais Theatre, Cremorne, VIC, Australia
Benito Joseski, ASM Global Pty Ltd – ICC Sydney, QVB, NSW, Australia
Meghan Kaskoun, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Courtney Kauffman, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR, United States
Chris Kelly, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Tracey Kelly, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Ben Kendrick, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA, United States
Chris Kerr, XA Staffing, Calgary, AB, Canada
Jana Kim, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Beau Kimber, Palais Theatre, Cremorne, VIC, Australia
Albert Kirby, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Christian Koechner, Missouri State University, Caseyville, IL, United States
Alesha Kolbe, Chisholm Dandenong, Doveton, VIC, Australia
Arianna Kopplin, Missouri State University, Altamont, IL, United States
Tanya LaCome, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, United States
Cassandra Lasser, WESS, A GardaWorld Company, Coon Rapids, MN, United States
Michael Lathrop, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
David LaVanne, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa, ID, United States
Nikki Lee, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Kevin Lewis, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Carl Liberatore, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Tim Libra, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Michael Livingston, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Diana Long, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR, United States
Lauren Lopez, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Erica Love, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Loran Lueders, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Natalie Luzi, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
David Marquis, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Haylie Mason, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Kaylahree Mayfield, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Keith Mays, University of South Carolina, Lexington, KY, United States
Derrick McCabe, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA, United States
Ashtyn McCloud, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Matt McGarry, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Marty McGregor, Christchurch Recreation and Sport Centres, Christchurch, , New Zealand
Simone McKenzie, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, ACT, Australia
Alexandra McLain, Missouri State University, Lees Summit, MO, United States
Erin McMahon, Palais Theatre, Cremorne, VIC, Australia
Cheyenne McMicheal, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, United States
Ava McMurry, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Jarena McNeil, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
Tonia Meluso, Missouri State University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Kelly Metter, Missouri State University, Columbia, IL, United States
Trenton Michael, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Matthew Millar, Sydney Cricket Ground – Allianz Stadium, Paddington, NSW, Australia
Ken Miller, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA, United States
Taylor Mitchell, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
Amy Moats, Evraz Place, Regina, SK, Canada
Sharyl Morrison, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Katherine Morton, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Ian Murphy, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Wangara, WA, Australia
Sarah Murphy, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Grace Murray, Missouri State University, St. Peters, MO, United States
Ryan Nall, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
Ashley Nardiello, Scope Arena, Norfolk, VA, United States
Timm Naso, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Elspeth Nelson, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas, TX, United States
Hayley Newby, Missouri State University, Billings, MO, United States
Carolyn Ng, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Emeka Ogu, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR, United States
Rachel Olsavicky, Essity Professional Hygiene North America, Neenah, WI, United States
Ann Orlando, Missouri State University, Lees Summit, MO, United States
Jessica Otten, Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL, United States
Sarah Overman, Infinite Energy Center, Duluth, GA, United States
Jacqueline Paris, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Dattatray Patel, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Matt Pellicer, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Jennifer Pfeister, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Joseph Pham, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Alex Polidoros, IHS Global Alliance – South Pacific, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
LaToya Porter, Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, Washington, DC, United States
Bill Pottorff, STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Shiron Pratt, Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, Washington, DC, United States
Cameron Pritchard, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Regency Park, SA, Australia
Patrick Quinn, SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Victoria Quintero, Missouri State University, Kansas City, MO, United States
Gabriel Ramirez, Centerplate, San Diego, CA, United States
Amy Rasmussen, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
Kristi Reedy, Pechanga Arena San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
Allison Reynolds, Missouri State University, Tulsa, OK, United States
Jarrett Rice, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
Joe Richards, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Elizabeth Rockstroh, The University of Texas at San Antonio – Student Union, San Antonio, TX, United States
Tanner Rust, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Azim Saleem, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Sydney Sallee, Missouri State University, Lake Lotawana, MO, United States
Jacob Sanders, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, United States
Mandip Sangha, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Camden Sapp, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Peter Savoff, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin, NT, Australia
Patrick Scanlon, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Logan Schechter, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Dustin Schwab, Max-R, Sussex, WI, United States
Amy Schwegler, EventAid Pty Ltd, South Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Sadie Scolaro, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS, United States
Darian Scott, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Aaron Shapiro, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, United States
Elliott Shipley, Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN, United States
Paul Shlisky, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Grace Sivcovich, Missouri State University, Ballwin, MO, United States
Sam Slater, Concept3D, Denver, CO, United States
Brett Sorensen, Grosvenor Engineering Group, Yatala, QLD, Australia
Ryan Starkovich, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS, United States
Bryon Starling, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL, United States
Samantha Steury, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Sam Storms, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Cheyenne Struttmann, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Russell Stuart, Force Protection Agency, Beverly Hills, CA, United States
Jeff Sturak, SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, CA, United States
Logan Swadner, Missouri State University, Joplin, MO, United States
Helen Taylor, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Dickson, ACT, Australia
Daunte Tillman, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Brian Timm, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE, United States
Daniel Toscano, Sydney Cricket Ground – Allianz Stadium, Paddington, NSW, Australia
Alexis Trower, Missouri State University, O’Fallon, MO, United States
Jacqui Tudor, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Dickson, ACT, Australia
Renee VanLaningham, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, United States
Katherine Villacorta, UCSB Events Center, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Gregory Waters, Missouri State University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Clayton Weber, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
Jeff Weinkauf, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR, United States
Jacque White, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hollywood, FL, United States
Kanise Wiggins, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA, United States
Esther Williams, Midas Event Supply, Ontario, CA, United States
S.J. Williams, Austin Theatre Alliance, Austin, TX, United States
Devyn Williams, Missouri State University, Windsor, MO, United States
Kelly Williams, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, United States
Haley Wright, Volante Systems, Toronto, ON, Canada
Abigail Yerkovich, WESS, A GardaWorld Company, Coon Rapids, MN, United States
Natasha Zarzosa, Pechanga Arena San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
Centerplate Involved in Several Notable “Firsts” at Super Bowl
By R.V. Baugus
IAVM Allied Member Centerplate scored several touchdowns as the F&B provider for Super Bowl LIV at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
For starters, how about the fact that this was the first major food recovery at the Super Bowl. Food left over from this year’s big game saw Centerplate Hospitality, along with NFL Green Initiative and Food Rescue US, collect and distribute over 30,000 pounds of food to local Miami shelters with the help of an army of volunteers.
Once the scoreboard ticked down to zero in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers, the 
effort began the very next morning when volunteers arrived at the stadium to collect, pack, and ship food remaining from the concession areas, suites, and VIP catered sections.
We’re not talking popcorn here, either. According to ESPN, some of the delicacies included beef tenderloins, barbecue chicken, wings, ribs, and charcuterie plates.
“It’s a full volunteer job. We just want to help people in need,” Ellen Bowen, the director of Food Rescue US-Miami, told ESPN. “It’s amazing to see how much food there is that otherwise would have been thrown in the trash that can now feed so many people.”
The rescued food is being donated to the Broward Outreach Center, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Camillus House, Lotus House Shelter and the Miami Rescue Mission. Bowen said that enough food was collected to feed around 20,000 people in need.
The NFL has been working to make a better impact on the environment through its green initiatives at the Super Bowl and regular season games, from adding recycling to using renewable energy at venues.
First Star Solutions got on Twitter to give its shout out for the effort, writing, Wow Miami, what a show from
@centerplate, @HardRockStadium, @SuperBowl, and @NFL some of the best food seen in venues in years. Great Job!!
Centerplate can be applauded for a couple of other noteworthy performances at the Super Bowl:
1. Chef D
For the first time in history, a woman led the food preparation. Executive Chef Dayanny de la Cruz, or “Chef D,” can tack the game onto an impressive list of overseeing events including the NFL, college football, tennis, professional basketball, U.S. Open tennis tournament, and the Kentucky Derby.
2. Food for All Tastes
Reflecting its international audience both at home and in the stadium, Hard Rock Stadium and Centerplate served up seafood paella from Spain, French macarons), Argentinian asado, Mexican empanadas, Cubano sausage, tuna tartare, and ceviche.
Kudos from the IAVM family to Centerplate on a job exceptionally well done!
Curtis Culwell Center Hosts Dallas/Fort Worth IAVM Chapter Meeting
By Myra Palacios
On January 28th, the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, hosted the DFW IAVM Chapter Meeting, which focused on safety and security. The meeting was open to both members and nonmembers and was free of charge. There were a total of 39 people in attendance.
Harvey Perriott, Chief, Protective Security Region VI, Jeff Murray, Protective Security Advisor, and Bryan Gray, 
Protective Security Advisor, served as the guest speakers and presenters. They spoke on a variety of potential security threats venues face as public gathering places. They followed up by outlining the free resources that the Department of Homeland Security has to offer for the protection and security of our venues. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge by receiving first-hand advice from these professionals.
The event concluded with a social gathering and an opportunity to tour the Curtis Culwell Center. For more information about the event and protective measures discussed, click here.
Myra Palacios is Event Services Manager at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.
2020 Cybersecurity Trends: Expect Things to Get Weird
By Ernie Smith
Security experts say that cyberattackers are more likely to get experimental when distributing malware or attacking businesses in the new year. They may even rely on social engineering rather than a technical payload.
If you’re going to fight the threats that the internet has to offer in 2020, you’re going to have to get a little more creative.
That’s because attackers are getting more clever and trying some weird tactics.
According to security experts at firms such as Trend Micro and Avast, bad actors are trying unconventional things to stay a step ahead of IT staffs.
Speaking to IT World Canada, Trend Micro’s director of technology marketing, Myla Pilao, said that attackers are 
increasingly targeting areas that they might have previously avoided, including malware on the Linux platform and malware that aims to steal information rather than money. She also says that attackers will become harder to detect as they use more nontraditional methods to distribute or spread malware.
“These are the ones that probably would stay in our network, would stay in our devices, for a long time unattended,” Pilao told the outlet. “They would have a nontraditional way to evade detection. They will probably be using more blacklisting techniques. They might be doing more in the evasion techniques.”
One example of this is the PureLocker ransomware attack, which gained notice in November. What was weird about it? Rather than being written in a more traditional programming language like Java, JavaScript, or C++, PureLocker was written in PureBasic, a fairly obscure programming language based on the old-school BASIC language.
Additionally, malware is increasingly moving away from trying to infiltrate the App Store and instead toward trying to game the ad systems many free apps use.
“Getting malicious apps onto the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store is not an easy task, which is why cybercriminals are shifting towards subscription scams and fake apps integrated with aggressive adware to make money,” noted Nikolaos Chrysaidos, the head of mobile threat intelligence and security at Avast, in a recent news release.
Another nontraditional method that experts expect to see, according to MediaPost, is the rise of less-technical cyberattacks that rely on social engineering and attempt to compromise vendors that organizations rely on. Agari CMO and Chief Identity Officer Armen Najarian said that the attacks will involve “low-tech and social-engineered attacks at scale,” which tend to be more effective than more automated approaches.
“We fully expect cybergangs and cybercriminal organizations will organize and attempt fewer technical cyberattacks, like malware, starting early in 2020,” Najarian told the outlet.
To put it all another way: Stay on your toes in 2020. You’re going to need it.
“This article originally appeared on AssociationsNow.com. Reprinted with permission. Copyright ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership (January 2020), Washington, DC.”
IAVM Member Neil McMullin Elected Term President at ESCA
IAVM member Neil McMullin, Senior Vice President, Shared Services, with Fern Exposition & Event Services, has been elected to serve as president of the Exhibition Service & Contractors Association (ESCA) following the organization’s most recent Winter Meeting in Las Vegas.
“Neil brings a level of expertise, passion, and insight to ESCA that will help continue our mission and support the exhibitions industry,” said Larry Arnaudet, Executive Director of ESCA.
McMullin has worked in the meetings and events industry as a general manager of convention centers, conference 
centers, arenas, and performing arts venues in various locations throughout the U.S., working for a private-venue management firm. He graduated with a degree in facility and business management from BYU. He is responsible for Fern’s field operations including quality control and the implementation of best practices in order to ensure a consistent delivery of high-quality services and products. McMullin also oversees all graphic design and production as well as technology services and carpet operations.
“I look forward to continuing to advance ESCA’s contributions to the industry while serving with the board and staff as President this year,” McMullin said. “We are a dedicated group that is passionate about the industry and the impact we create for our members.”
IAVM congratulates Neil on this deserved appointment!