Here is the harsh truth: you can’t stop weather from disrupting events and potentially endangering visitors at your venue. But you can plan for it and drastically reduce its impact on operations. Taking the weather into account when planning for your events is not a new concept, but getting it right can be tricky. The secret is understanding what you need to focus on, how to go about it and what technologies you need. Having an expert handy wouldn’t hurt. What is your reward for getting it right? The dream result – A drop in event disruptions, as well as increased safety for your visitors and staff. We are here to tell you how to make that a reality.

 

Date: Tuesday, January 22

Time: 1:00PM – 1:45 PM EST

Presenters: Earth Networks Meteorologist Steve Prinzivalli and Ryan Boros, the Director of Safety at NRG Park

Key takeaways:

• Understand severe weather and its threats
• Learn how to develop an effective weather management plan
• Get a crash course on weather technologies

REGISTER NOW

Annually, IAVM recognizes individuals who reach a membership anniversary milestone in five-year increments. A total of 423 awards were mailed out two weeks ago (a lapel pin with an updated member certificate). To see a complete list of recipients, CLICK HERE. We hope you will wear your bronze, silver, or gold pin at an upcoming event. Congratulations to each individual member on your wonderful achievement and most of all, thank you for your ongoing support!

5 Years – 165

10 Years – 92

15 Years – 51

20 Years – 53

25 Years – 24

30 Years – 17

35 Years – 12

40 Years – 3

45 Years – 3

50 Years – 2

55 Years – 1

If you have any questions, contact membership@iavm.org.

As we come to the close of 2018, it is time for — what else? — reflecting.

We here at IAVM wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2019 and look forward to another year of serving you, our valued members.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your editor of Facility Manager magazine and to contribute each week to the IAVM News newsletter. As I have said many times over, I consider myself one of the luckiest dudes around who gets to match his passions of writing and as a frequent customer of events held at our member venues.

As you continue recharging those batteries in preparation for another busy year, I wanted to share with you a brief two-minute video that highlights my 2018, my marriage on June 16 to Charlotte Cariker. I never thought I would be marrying again at age 61, but as those of you who know my story, I never thought I would lose my wife four years ago at age 48 during an otherwise unremarkable day surgery procedure.

God blessed me by finding a Grief Share class I needed to deal with the loss of the love of my life while at the same time introducing me to a lady in the class who had lost her husband just two months prior to my loss. We had plenty in common and share many a night on the phone talking through our grief, often through sobs and tears.

Today, I stand fortunate as someone who has gone from mourning to joy and now along with my wife pay it forward by leading a Grief Share class at our church. Yes, 2018 has been good to me, and it would have been regardless of whether I had remarried or not, for I know I have never been left to go through this alone by God as well as our wonderful IAVM members who have been at my side for these several years.

See you in 2019 and enjoy the video!

State Farm Arena in Atlanta (formerly Philips Arena) will enjoy a serious Wi-Fi network upgrade following an agreement announcement along with Comcast Business.

Oh, and this is not just any run-of-the-mill upgrade. Far from it as according to Comcast it will deliver 10 times the current speed and will nearly double the number of access points that existed before the home venue of the Atlanta Hawks was renovated. The deal was announced recently for Comcast Business to both provide and manage the arena’s Wi-Fi network.

“We view renovation as innovation,” Marcus Wasdin, chief information officer for the Hawks,” said in a statement. “This is the perfect opportunity to solidify a core component of the fan experience. Connectivity is the foundation to our digital initiatives where we seek to allow fans to enjoy the arena in new and immersive ways tailored to them. As an organization, we want to create a one-of-a-kind digital experience to engage fans, and this partnership with Comcast Business will provide the foundation for us to do so.”

Infinite Energy Center partnered with Daktronics to update their double-sided LED video marquee along Interstate 85 in Duluth, Georgia. The upgrade was recently completed as both signs now use premier outdoor LED technology.

“The 85 sign has become a valuable asset to our campus,” says General Manager Joey Dennis. “Not only is it a key locator for visitors, but it is also an excellent promotional tool for our upcoming events and venue partners. We are excited about the new look and technology that Daktronics has brought to the marquee.”

Each display measures approximately 20.5 feet high by 26.5 feet wide and features 15HD pixel layouts to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide angle visibility for maximum appeal. The technology features rigorous environmental testing to ensure the display stands the test of time in the outdoor elements.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Infinite Energy Center to help them get their messages out to the thousands of drivers that pass by the display every day,” said Glen Marts, Daktronics sales representative. “The new technology will improve the image quality of their messaging to help them connect with viewers. We look forward to this installation helping them achieve their goals for years to come.”

These signs can promote upcoming event information and presale ticket opportunities as well as live video for special events outside the venue. Daktronics Venus Control Suite provides an easy-to-use, robust control solution to schedule and run content for the event center.

Daktronics