In IAVM Board news, Phil Jordan, CVE, has stepped down as the Performing Arts Sector Director for the IAVM Board as he has recently moved into the consulting world. IAVM Board Chair, Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, has appointed Jennifer Norris, CVE, Assistant Managing Director for the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, to serve the remainder of Phil’s term which expires in July 2021.

“We appreciate Phil’s commitment and service representing Performing Arts and look forward to welcoming Jennifer to the IAVM Board,” Koolbeck said.

By Justin Ochsner

Video board manufacturer Daktronics has partnered with Major League Soccer franchise Houston Dynamo to design, manufacture, and install four new LED boards at the team’s BBVA Stadium.

Installation is underway and the boards will be ready for use by early 2020 in time for the new MLS season.

The main video board will measure approximately 34 feet high by 73 feet wide and feature a 15HD pixel layout to bring clear images to every seat. The main display will also feature environmental protection to ensure optimal performance during adverse weather conditions.

The main display will be capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones of live video, instant replay, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.

Additionally, two auxiliary displays and a new marquee display will be fitted at the stadium. The auxiliary displays will measure around 15 feet high by 26 feet wide and provide supplementary content to the main display, while the exterior marquee will measure 25 feet high by 37 feet wide and promote current and upcoming events at the stadium.

Daktronics’ Show Control System will also be included in the installation. The system provides a combination of display control software, video processing, data integration and playback hardware to offer a user-friendly production solution.

Dynamo president John Walker said: “We’re excited to team up with Daktronics to continue to improve the game-day experience for our fans through improved video boards. We’re grateful to Gabriel Brener and our ownership group for their continued commitment to invest in all aspects of our club, both on and off the pitch. These video boards will help us continue to deliver a first-class experience for all fans at BBVA Stadium for years to come.”

Dan Fjeldheim, Daktronics sales representative, added: “The new video technology at BBVA Stadium is going to be a significant upgrade in both size and resolution. The fan experience will be lifted to a whole new level and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide the new displays for the stadium.”

Justin Ochsner is in the media relations department with Daktronics.

Eric LeBlanc has been named Creative Services Manager for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the sixth largest convention center in the nation. In his new position, LeBlanc will oversee the newly created Creative Services Division, which will handle creation and distribution of graphic design work, room set diagrams, and digital signage for internal and external customers.

The Convention Center is embarking on an ambitious half-billion dollar makeover of the facility including a robust digital signage program. The first-phase of the program is in place with each of the 140 meeting rooms having a 53” video display screen that provides the event planner a number of sponsor opportunities, in addition to informing the viewer of the agenda for the meeting room. Wayfinding kiosks and large video displays are planned, all of which will come under LeBlanc’s oversight.

A graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans, LeBlanc began his tenure at the facility in 2007 as a Communications Coordinator, and was later promoted to Communications Specialist. In that role, LeBlanc provided graphic design, photography, and digital signage needs in support of the sales and communications departments.

Before his time at the Convention Center, LeBlanc worked at the St. Charles Herald-Guide Newspaper as their Sports Editor, and at SELAbration Entertainment Magazine as its Editor and Publisher.

LeBlanc previously served as a board member and Co-Producer of BayouCon, a comic-con style pop culture convention that was held in Lake Charles, Louisiana for eight years.

This release is from the communications department of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

As a member of IAVM, you know all about the inspiration, expertise, and lifelong connections that the association provides. Now is the perfect opportunity to share the wealth of endless opportunities with your colleagues. This is a fabulous present for someone deserving. No shipping required with the Gift of IAVM Membership – just a few minutes of your time is needed to sign up online. 

Member Services will provide the recipient with the link for the appropriate membership application. We will contact you, the sponsor, for payment. After one year, once they experience firsthand what IAVM has to offer, they may renew their membership.

Your chosen recipient now has the chance to connect to the industry’s professional core, plug into its powerful network, be enlightened by visionaries, and be inspired by once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Dues will depend on which membership category is appropriate for the recipient. For your reference, categories, eligibility, and respective dues are listed below.

IAVM Membership Categories:

• Professional – Individuals who manage or are actively involved in the management, administration or operation of a public venue. – Dues $495
• Young Professional – Individuals who are actively involved in the management, administration or operation of a public venue at a level below the top two levels of management at the venue, i.e., Executive, General Manager or Department Head and who are 30 years of age and younger. – Dues $250
• Student – Individual enrolled at a university, college, or post-secondary technical school and is actively pursuing a degree in fields associated with, or appropriate to public venue management or operations. If the individual is employed full-time with a venue or industry provider, he or she is ineligible for Student Membership. – Dues $75
• Faculty – Open to individuals who are employed full-time as faculty of an accredited, post-secondary educational institution, providing instruction and training in disciplines and/or areas associated with the venue management industry, such as sports or venue management and/or hospitality. – Dues $180
• Allied – Any firm, organization, or individual engaged in providing product, equipment, services or attractions for public venues. – Dues $655
• Allied Extra – Additional employee(s) of a current member company providing product, equipment, services or attractions for public venues. A principal must already be a member to receive this rate. – Dues $495

 
Your chosen recipient will have the chance to connect to the industry’s professional core, plug into its powerful network, be enlightened by visionaries, and be inspired by once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

Questions? Email the IAVM Membership Department, or give us a call at 972-906-7441.

By R.V. Baugus

When Daniel Huerta announced his retirement as assistant director from the City of Dallas Park & Recreation Department, it was with the sincere heart of a man ready for his next calling in life while at the same time moving away from an industry he has known for so long and to which he has contributed on many volunteer levels within IAVM.

“I will definitely miss the industry,” Daniel said, “but more that that I will miss the people in it that give so much of their time and effort.”

He qualified the comment by saying he is still in his capacity through the summer, so let’s not move Daniel out the door so fast.

In fact, we wish we could keep him forever. It’s what you want when you get someone with a beaming personality who is always smiling and laughing.

Daniel has been in the venue management industry for 36 glorious years and calls the time with the City professionally and personally rewarding.

Daniel is a friend to the City of Dallas and in addition to his work at Fair Park, he has also oversaw management of the Dallas Convention Center (now Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center), Reunion Arena, Union Station, Dallas Farmers Market, and the City’s Office of Special Events.

Daniel’s volunteer service is legendary. In addition to his many contributions to IAVM, he has worked with Dallas Aquatics, Volunteer Services, Youth Services, Youth Sports, Marketing, Community Engagement, Reservations and Special Events, and the Kiest Softball Quadplex.

Daniel summed it up best this way: “I am proud of what we have achieved over the years by working collectively with our citizens, volunteers, friends’ groups, partners, and the City of Dallas organization. The numerous initiatives implemented by our exceptional executive team and staff, under the leadership of the Park and Recreation Board and the Mayor and City Council, have made us a spotlight on the national stage of the park and recreation industry once again.”

Daniel will always be in the spotlight for his humility and dedication, certainly not because he goes seeking a spotlight.