The Venue Operations Summit (VOS) was created in 2014 for the sole purpose of addressing an acknowledged need for professional development in the areas of public assembly facility operations and engineering. From our first conference in 2015, we have been delighted with the response and support that we have received from the industry. We are looking forward to the third annual event: 

Venue Operations Summit | Nashville, TN | April 30 – May 2, 2017 

Registration for the 2017 Venue Operations Summit is now open. The premier industry conference for public assembly facility operations and engineering professionals will convene with topics including venue sound systems, maintaining concrete and structural elements, preventive maintenance software, deploying appropriate security technology, ice plant/ice floor operations and much more. Regardless of venue type attendees can be assured of a program that will provide actionable information to assist them in their facility responsibilities along with very valuable networking opportunities. Keynote speakers include, industry veterans Sporty Jeralds who will talk about dealing with change in your job, as well as former Madison Square Garden executive Alex Diaz.

Submitted by: Russ Simons, Managing Partner, Venue Operations Summit

Dear IAVM Member,

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and it is only because of the time and knowledge our volunteers contribute that we are able to fulfill our mission. We hope, therefore, that you will consider responding to this Committee Call for Volunteers.

As a volunteer, you will be making a difference to this industry, and giving back to other members. We hope you will also get value out of your service, making connections with other IAVM leaders and learning about the issues that face us all.

Among the many volunteer opportunities is service on one of the association’s committees. IAVM has two types of committees: board committees and management committees. A board committee helps the board do its work, of oversight, strategy and member engagement. Management committees help IAVM’s management do its work, of meeting the board’s goals and effectively operating the association to the benefit of our members.

Read below to find the list of opportunities available and the volunteer roles and responsibilities for each. To volunteer, please click here, or follow the link below to complete the survey and tell us where your interest, skills, and abilities will allow you to make the greatest contribution. Even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue, you must indicate your interest on this application to be considered for renewal as all committee appointments have one-year terms and term limits. You may indicate your interest for no more than three committees, so please make sure that you rank your choices with 1 being your highest preference. Finally, given the level of interest in service, we can generally only place you on one committee with some exceptions, such as the Industry Affairs Committee which is partially filled by specified representatives (sector directors of the board, for example).

The deadline to respond to the Committee Call for Volunteers is March 3, 2017; appointments to board committees will be made by the First Vice Chair, while appointments to management committees will be made by the CEO in consultation with the committee chairs and vice chairs. Volunteers will be notified of their committee assignment by the end of May.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

IAVM welcomes your expertise and commitment to our active and talented group of volunteers.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rosanne Duke.

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Mountain Productions has appointed Simon Franklyn, entertainment industry mainstay, as their Director of West Coast Operations. With over 43 years of experience in project and production management, staging, rigging and structural design, Franklyn has experience in all aspects of the entertainment industry.

“Simon has a spectrum of experience that has made him an invaluable member of the production community and, now, an integral part of Mountain Productions’ expansion to the West Coast market and beyond,” said Mountain Productions’ CEO, Ricky Rose.

Franklyn has previously served as a Tour Production Rigger for the iconic likes of Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and The Who. He also worked as a consultant and project manager on events around the globe, including complex projects in the United States, Japan, Europe, Korea, South America and Australia.

“Having grown up alongside the development of staging and rigging technologies in both the UK and USA, I have worked with almost every type of system used in the entertainment industry,” said Franklyn. “I have been very impressed with the approach that Mountain has taken in streamlining their staging systems across the board with in-house engineering and fabrication, an in-house soft goods department, standardized pre-loaded truck packs and full training for personnel.

Mountain’s focus on safety and equipment organization makes my job a lot easier. I look forward to working with Mountain and helping them to continue to create great new products and staging and rigging innovations as they move west.”

Franklyn has been responsible for the safe installation of hundreds of unique and challenging projects, gaining expert knowledge and practical experience in a variety of fields, including hoisting, lifting, crane work, truss and scaffold structures and work for major film studios. Some of his most notable projects have included installations at Lotte World in Seoul, the 1996 Olympic Games, an 80,000 square-foot scaffolding system for Universal Studios’ Jurassic Park, and work on the main
stages at Desert Trip, Panorama and Coachella, among many other high-profile jobs.

Franklyn will help lead Mountain Productions’ expansion into the Western United States, where the organization now has the largest staging system in the industry, the MTN TRUSS HD+, along with a robust inventory of equipment and rigging services to accommodate any type of project.

By Lisa Plummer Savas

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, had yet another record-breaking year. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and venues throughout the city Jan. 5-8, the 50th annual event for the global technology industry boasted a 2.6 million net square foot show floor occupied by 3,800 exhibitors and more than 175,000 attendees, including 55,000 from 150 countries. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) owns and produces the show.

Last year, CES attracted 177,393 industry professionals representing 158 countries and 3,886 exhibitors, spanning 2,475,646 net sq. ft. of exhibit space.

As a gathering for the world’s greatest innovators, companies, technologies, products and entrepreneurs, the event welcomed the globe’s most well-known technology companies, as well as more than 600 startups showcasing the latest in virtual reality, smart home, 3-D printing, self-driving vehicles, robotics, wearables, health and fitness tech, to name just a few categories.

“From startups to established businesses, traditional tech companies, along with those in new industries like travel and sports, (all) came together and vigorously embraced technology for the 50th anniversary of CES,” said Karen Chupka, CES senior vice president and corporate business strategy, CTA.

She continued, “This year’s show was all about connectivity – both in the form of the technologies unveiled and in the valuable face-to-face business connections happening throughout the show.”

In addition to a plethora of speakers, educational sessions and networking opportunities, the event hosted several competitive contests, including the Best of CES awards, the Mobile App Showdown, and the semi-finals for Richard Branson’s Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC).

Besides welcoming government officials and political leaders from around the world, CES also drew its fair share of world-famous celebrities from Hollywood, sports, eSports and music looking to check out the hottest trends in tech.

The event’s worldwide media coverage continued to be robust, with more than 6,500 members of the media in attendance. This coverage resulted in strong social media momentum, including nearly 1.4 million mentions using #CES2017 hashtags.

“CES 2017 shifted to a new level as large and small companies from around the globe gathered to reveal solutions for many of our world’s most challenging problems,” said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

He added, “Our industry is bettering the world through connectivity and innovation, touching literally every facet of our lives. Today’s connected world was on full display this week at CES 2017 – our largest, boldest show in history.”

CES will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 9-12.

The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) announced the program has now certified 1,000 arena riggers throughout North America. Since 2006, ETCP has issued a total of 2,350 certifications held by 1,978 individuals in the areas of Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician and the newly developed Portable Power Distribution Technician. ETCP has provided an easy-to-use search function for anyone to find a Certified Technicians within your area. The list is searchable by Name, Certification, City, State, or Union Affiliation at http://etcp.esta.org/cert_technicians/search.php.

“Congratulations to ETCP on certifying its 1,000th arena rigger,” said Bill Sapsis, ETCP Arena – Rigging SME chair. “My entire Arena Rigging Subject Matter Experts Team and I are thrilled that we reached such an important milestone. Not only does this mean that all of our hard work writing the exam is being put to good use, but also having that many qualified riggers in the work force means the industry is that much safer. Now we can start working on reaching the 2,000 mark.”

“One thousand ETCP Certified Arena Riggers is an amazing number, added ESTA President Jules Lauve. “However, equally as amazing but impossible to quantify is the great degree to which our industry has been made safer and more efficient. Congratulations to all certificants and everyone who participates in creating and operating the program.”

Interested in studying for one of the examinations? ETCP offers practice examinations for the Arena, Theatre and Electrical certifications and a practice exam for the Portable Power Distribution Technician certification will be offered in April 2017. Looking for other ways to study? Form a study group or attend training events. Over 2,100 technicians have joined the ETCP Study Group on Facebook which includes Certified Technicians who are more than willing to answer questions for those preparing for the exams.