Want to learn more about IAVM’s Academy for Venue Safety & Security? Register now to join our informational webinar on September 28, 2017 at 3:30 pm EDT.

Speakers will include AVSS Chair Paul Turner, CFE, CSSP,  Senior Director of Event Operations at AT&T Stadium, Mark Herrera, IAVM Director of Education/DHS Public Facilities Subsector Council, and a current Year 1 AVSS student.

This webinar is for venue and event managers, security professionals, and key personnel making sound decisions about the safety and security of guests, artists, teams, and staff. Attendees will be provided an overview of the International Association of Venue Mangers-Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS) scheduled for February 15-19, 2018 in Minneapolis MN.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) announced it has received the “Outstanding Venue Award” at the 2017 AFECA Asian Awards in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on September 6. Beating strong competitors from the region, the HKCEC’s leading position as one of the best convention and exhibition venues in the region was reaffirmed.

Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), the

management company of the HKCEC, said, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) and industry peers, as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to service excellence is being recognized by the industry. The award is a clear testimony of our continuous efforts in upgrading the HKCEC’s infrastructure, uplifting our service standards and driving sustainability.”

HML team’s professionalism also wins applauds from international event organizers.

Michael Duck, executive vice President of UBM Asia Limited, said, “The HKCEC is home to many of UBM’s most important regional and global exhibitions and we are very demanding on excellence in our venues. The HKCEC team is definitely one of the best among our venue partners in terms of service delivery, professionalism and dedication. Also, HKCEC’s continuous commitment to sustainability helps raise industry standards.”

Stuart Bailey, managing director of Diversified Communications Hong Kong, LLC, added, “The HKCEC is one of the best exhibition venues in the world and the management team who operate it are the reason for that fact.”

The HKCEC has already garnered 14 international and local awards and certificates since the beginning of 2017, including “Best International Convention and Exhibition Centre 2017” in Hong Kong Business Awards conducted by APAC Insider magazine, “Top 10 Conference Destinations” by Business Destinations magazine, “10 Years Plus Caring Company logo” by Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and “Indoor Air Quality Certificate” by HKSAR Government’s Environmental Protection Department. HML is the first organization in Hong Kong to obtain the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System certificate.

The AFECA Asian Awards is organised by AFECA, the leading MICE industry association in Asia. With judges from various professional disciplines, the Awards is an annual regional event to celebrate and acknowledge excellence in the exhibition and convention industry, based on various criteria such as service standards, facility management, marketing and sustainability. It also promotes best practices in the region, and recognises the contributions of members in the global marketplace.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 2017. 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.

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The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), professionally managed by AEG Facilities, reported generating a record-breaking economic impact of $781 million for the City of Los Angeles in fiscal 2016/2017 with $478 million attributed to convention attendees direct spending. An additional $26.4 million was generated in tax revenues to the City, with $18.2 million in hotel transient-occupancy tax contributions to the City’s general fund. This is an increase over $90 million in total economic impact over last fiscal year.

The convention center also set a record in the number of events they hosted, including an increase in citywide conventions, resulting in an increased occupancy rate of 74 percent – industry standard indicates a convention center is considered fully occupied at 70 percent. During fiscal year 2016/2017, the LACC hosted 2.2 million visitors across 215 events. These events included prestigious consumer shows, industry trade shows, and 32 large-scale citywide conventions such as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and College of Chest Physicians which filled an estimated 526,000 hotel room nights while sustaining 12,700 local jobs.

AEG Facilities, working closely with the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has increased event bookings every year since assuming management in late 2013.

“As a centerpiece of Downtown LA, the Los Angeles Convention Center has proven to be an integral economic impact driver for the City,” said Doane Liu, executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Convention and Tourism Department. “LACC events support L.A.’s economy through the direct and indirect spending by event and convention attendees on travel, lodging, meals, transportation, and entertainment, saving local taxpayer dollars and contributing funds for essential city services.”

Merton Barr, a long-time IAVM member who served as the assistant general manager of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa (now part of the Iowa Events Center), passed away peacefully on Monday, September 11, 2017, at UnityPoint Methodist Hospital.

Merton was born February 4, 1936, in Des Moines, IA to Merton and Mary (Enlow) Barr. He graduated from North High School in 1953 and from Capital City College in 1955. In college he met and married his wife, Louise Erdman.

Merton’s first job as a teenager was delivering bicycles for his father’s business, Barr Bicycle Shop. He was employed 35 years by Veterans Memorial Auditorium. For most of his life, he attended Gatchel United Methodist Church until it closed and then became a member of West Des Moines United Methodist Church.

“Mert was one of the very first people to welcome me to Des Moines in 1979 when I joined the about-to-open Civic Center,” said Bill McElrath, CFE, business director of the Des Moines Performing Arts. “He was a great friend and resource and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was well known in the IAAM/IAVM circles during his career and particularly within District/Region 3. The long-term success of the Veterans Auditorium operation paved the way for what grew into the Iowa Events Center and Wells Fargo Arena.”

Family and friends were very important to him including get-togethers for birthdays, holidays, any excuse to play cards, or going out to eat. When he wasn’t able to go in somewhere, he would love to just take a drive. Merton felt it was an honor and privilege to attend his children and grandchildren’s ballgames, concerts, and plays.

In retirement, he was able to devout more time to his passion for trains and even built a model railroad layout in the basement. Merton was an avid reader, crossword puzzle player, musician, Drake Basketball fan, and he finally got to see his Cubs win the World Series.

Merton is survived by his wife of 61 years, L. Louise (Erdman) Barr; three children, David (Bernita) Barr of Alleman, Stephen (Beth) Barr of Webster Groves, MO, and Susan (Greg) Lynch of Clive; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Brandon, and Emily Barr, Madeline and Anna Barr, and Katelyn and Isabelle Lynch; brothers-in-law, Richard Dalbey and Wayne (Nancy) Erdman of Waukee; sister-in-law, Donna (Erdman) Adamson of West Des Moines; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margaret Dalbey; and brother-in-law, Edward Adamson.

Donations may be made to West Des Moines United Methodist Church or Iowa Food Bank.