Congratulations to IAVM member Brad Gessner, CFE, the senior vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center – AEG Facilities. The Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Department named him executive-in-residence, November 6-8.

“I’ve had the pleasure of teaching as an adjunct professor and guest lecturing at the university level for many years, and feel it is important for us to share our knowledge and experiences with the next generation of hospitality professionals,” Gessner said. “I am honored Cal Poly extended this opportunity to me, and I look forward to sharing what I know and interacting with the students and faculty.”

Gessner will lecture in classes and meet with faculty, students, industry members, and the community to share his expertise regarding convention services, revenue generation, green practices, and sustainable programs. The public is invited to attend Gessner’s keynote presentation on November 7, at 6 p.m., at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center Pavilion located in building 6, room 128.

The 2016 International Convention Center Conference (ICCC) is quickly approaching (October 27-29 in Pasadena, California), and one of our keynote speakers is Jim McCarthy, co-founder and CEO of Goldstar, the largest seller of half-price tickets to live entertainment.

McCarthy is an 18-year veteran of the Internet and e-commerce trade and has spent his entire career in high-growth businesses. He’s the curator and co-founder of TEDxBroadway, and he has presented at conferences around the world, including TED, SXSW, and INTIX. We’re excited to have him at ICCC, and we recently spoke with him about experiences in the industry.

IAVM: Your keynote at the conference will address emerging technologies and how they impact communications. Can you touch on that subject a bit and share one or two examples and how they’re affecting the industry?

Jim McCarthy: Every business, every organization now has to be living in the reality that what some people call Gen Y or Millennials have taken charge of the culture. As a Gen Xer, my group got skipped entirely, but we transitioned rapidly from a Baby Boomer culture to a Millennial culture in the last few years. That means the values and habits of Millennials are the default values and habits of our culture now. You can still market to the Boomer group, based on their values and habits, but that’s now a niche or a specialty.

IAVM: What are some live event or ticketing trends you’re most excited about and why?

JM: Ticketing, for the most part, is pretty boring. We’re going to get rid of “print at home” tickets hopefully in the next few years, which is good, and move that ticket onto your phone or something else you’re always carrying with you. Or, ironically, for those who want it, a big, beautiful souvenir ticket.

More importantly, for the content itself, I love the trend toward “total experiences.” This is where producers finally come to accept that it’s not just what’s on the stage (or field) that matters, but the entirety of what happens before, during, and after the event. Food is more important. Convenience is more important. Ways to connect the person to the event before and after are more important, and that’s pretty exciting when you see what somebody like Randy Weiner in New York (who produces Sleep No More and Queen of the Night) has done.

IAVM: How has your professional background prepared you for a role as CEO?

JM: I spent a lot of time in high-growth companies, running entire chunks of organizations and, for whatever reason, being given responsibility for big, new initiatives before I was CEO of Goldstar. Getting a general management perspective on business is very helpful, as is being in high-growth companies because you compress lots of experience in a short time.

It helps to be a founder of a company if you want a CEO job. 🙂

IAVM: Who has influenced you most in your career and how?

JM: I worked with some great people in my previous jobs in the Internet business, and I can name five or six people who had not only strong experience, and good insight into that experience, but the willingness to spend a little time helping me learn from them.

When I really think about it, though, I’d have to say my career has been influenced most by my co-founders of Goldstar, Rich Webster and Robert Graff. We’ve done so much together.

IAVM: Finally, you tweeted that your dream is to produce Godzilla, The Musical. Is that for real? I’d totally see that!

JM: Only if I could give the monster a big dramatic solo in the second act. I will probably leave the production of shows to the professionals, but you know, sometimes all it takes to be considered a producer is to write a check! Maybe I’ll be able to convince a real Broadway producer to do that someday. We’re going to need a big set!

Register now for the International Convention Center Conference.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in September 2016—a total of 62 new members. 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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Here’s where we spotlight some of our favorite Instagram photos we’ve seen from the past week. The photos are from members and venues worldwide. If you haven’t followed us on Instagram yet, now is a good time. We may just include your photos in a future post.

By following us, you’re also entered into our monthly drawing where you can win such prizes as conference registrations, full-page ads in FM magazine, and textbooks. Congratulations to Bridgestone Arena, who is our recent winner. The next drawing will be in October.

Behold, this week’s top five!

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2017 Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) application due by Nov. 1, 2016.

You may have taken the first step in the process toward becoming a CFE by completing the “CFE Checklist” to ascertain if you have accumulated the 300 points needed to apply and start the formal process, or perhaps this is the first time you have considered pursuing certification.

Now’s the time to take the second step and join that group of your peers who have reached the pinnacle of achievement with IAVM by becoming Certified Facilities Executives. Remember—Applications and three written references are due no later than Nov. 1, 2016.

The written essay is due by Feb. 1, 2017—allowing you extra time to enjoy the holidays and end-of-the-year activities.

Don’t delay, apply today. All the information you need to begin the process is found on our website. Make 2017 the year that you earn your CFE!