In-building wireless coverage and capacity has become akin to a building utility. Today’s wireless subscribers expect anytime, anywhere access to mobile data services and weak signal strength or “dead spots” in and around your buildings won’t be tolerated.

As you make tremendous investments in wireless infrastructure, strategy and planning for the future is paramount, as the technology options, solution providers, and business models available to you constantly evolve.

Get your grounding and keep pace with the dynamic nature of wireless coverage and capacity solutions at the DAS & Small Cells Congress which, for nine years, has been the No. 1 event for in-building/outdoor distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells, and carrier-grade Wi-Fi solutions.

The event attracts 600-plus senior executives and decision makers from wireless carriers, third-party infrastructure owners, system integrators, equipment manufacturers and solution providers, and the heads of IT and technology from building owners and managers across industry verticals.

Whether your wireless project is at the conception stage, in contract, design, installation, or start up, the DAS & Small Cells Congress is a must attend. It features a comprehensive and substantive conference agenda that addresses the business and technical challenges and opportunities. The extensive exhibit hall offers you a “one-stop-shop” to learn about the latest technological advances available and identify potential project partners. There are also a number of organized networking events for you to meet with and learn from other building owners/managers, in addition to representatives from wireless carriers and service providers.

Deep discounts and group rates are available for enterprise representatives to attend. For full details and to register, visit www.DAScongress.com or call 888-224-2480. IAVM members – use this code (P10-999-IAVM16) when registering to qualify for an additional 10 percent off your registration fee.

National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver spoke at the 2016 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference as part of the SXsports convergence track. And because it was at SXSW, his discussion with moderator CNN’s Brian Stelter focused primarily on technology.

“I often find myself using my app more than my TV,” Silver said when asked about his viewing habits.

One app stood out for Silver: Twitter.

“The best way to replicate an arena experience is through social media,” he said. “You can get the same ooh’s and ahh’s via Twitter.”

Silver spoke about how the NBA wants to be on the forefront of technology and how the league is utilizing virtual reality (VR) to market itself and grow audiences.

“There’s no way, yet, that people are going to sit for two-and-a-half hours with a VR headset on,” he said. “But everyone wants a courtside ticket, and not everyone can afford it. Arenas are also broadcast studios for us since most people will never step foot into one of our venues.”

And since the league and arena audiences are growing, offering VR is a way to meet the growing demand for content.

Silver reassured that any new technology the league experiments with will not take away from the live experience of attending a game.

“Arenas are a form of the modern town hall,” Silver said. “People sill have a hunger for a communal experience.”

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The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is pleased to announce Jimmy Earl, CFE, senior associate director of the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, as the recipient of the 2016 Charles A. McElravy Award. The McElravy Award, named in honor of one of IAVM’s founding organizers, Charles A. McElravy, was initiated in 1963 and is granted for extraordinary contributions to the Association and the professional venue management industry it serves.

“Receiving this award is very special to me. To be recognized by peers is the highest honor one can achieve; however, it takes an incredible amount of support from many to accomplish this,” Earl said. “I wish to acknowledge all who have helped along the way—family, mentors, staff, colleagues, friends, and countless others who have been so generous with their time, wisdom, and knowledge. I am humbled and grateful beyond measure to receive this award.”

The award will be presented during IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, VenueConnect, July 23-26, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Jimmy Earl, CFE, is a man with a giant heart and a giant passion for IAVM. He inspires me and so many of us in the industry each and every day,” said Karen Totaro, CFE, general manager of the Atlantic City Convention Center and 2015-2016 IAVM Chair. “A huge highlight of my year as Chair for IAVM was having the opportunity to advise Jimmy of the unanimous vote by the Board of Directors to extend the McElravy Award to him. Join me in a toast to one of our most esteemed colleagues, Jimmy Earl, CFE!”

The IAVM Executive Committee continues to work with SearchWide, our selected executive search firm, to forge the path for selecting IAVM’s next president/CEO. I want to thank the members for reaching out and sharing their thoughts and ideas as it reassures me of the importance this decision will have on our future. The entire board is committed to ensuring we find a leader that will be the right person to embrace our passion for this industry and maximize deliverables for the members. SearchWide not only has the experience in conducting executive searches within our industry, they have also conducted searches with other member-driven industry associations and have first-hand knowledge of our association.

To understand more about finding our next president/CEO, we spoke with Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president at SearchWide, who will lead the search efforts with the executive committee.

What is SearchWide’s background?
Mark Gnatovic: We are an executive recruiting firm that partners with our clients at a very high level. It is not just about moving talent, but understanding our client’s expectations and aligning that with a candidate’s experience and career aspirations. We seek those that are happy but curious to their next career move through a very proactive approach.

Our experience touches the convention, event, travel, and tourism industries. We are aligned within the greater segments IAVM and their members serve. We have partnered with convention centers, performing arts facilities, arenas, and stadiums to find valuable talent at many levels. We have also worked with partners and suppliers of venue managers such as destination marketing organizations, hotels, chamber of commerce, and those that sell a service or product within this industry. Within IAVM and other “industry” associations we hold volunteer leadership positions at the Board level, continue to speak at conferences, host career fairs and sponsor 30|UNDER|30 programs to retain young professionals.

This is an exciting time for IAVM. We are honored to earn the opportunity. We consider our partnership with IAVM a privilege and look forward to working with Karen and her committee.

How is this search different from other searches you’ve done in the past?
MG: Each search is unique in its own right. There are different circumstances that create a mold of the ideal candidate. With all search, we conduct assessments and speak to many people (board of directors, members, and Allied) to understand the dynamics before we make our first candidate call. We look for consistent feedback on what’s working and what’s not, what are the ideal experiences and characteristics needed to be successful. Most importantly what are the immediate priorities the next president/CEO will face on day one.

Whether the search is for a publicly traded company or a 501(C)(3) or (6), each is a bit different in their own space but our goal is to align the expectations to a manageable list of candidates.

What kind of role does emotional intelligence play in finding candidates?
MG: The IAVM president/CEO has to be very collaborative, able to build consensus, and an exceptional listener. I think it’s somebody who listens from the heart, asks a lot of questions, experienced in developing and then executing strategies. This type of position can be very political. The person’s DNA will have to separate personal interest and make decisions that can contribute to the greater audience and create relevance for IAVM as a whole. There are many personality assessments available, we have used most but most clients like DiSC. This behavioral assessment will help the executive committee with their final decision as they compare and contrast a slate of candidates.

How important is diversity in searching for a candidate?
MG: Very important. We strive to identify a diverse slate of candidates in both gender and race. Diversity in the work force is real and we take this very seriously. Our brand and reputation is at stake with the success of this search process and placement.

SearchWide™ is a full-service executive search firm, placing hundreds of executives, primarily for companies in the convention, trade association, and travel/tourism industries. Specializing in C-Level and director-level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in the Twin Cities and several regional offices, SearchWide is able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, they have remained focused on four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT. Find more information at www.searchwide.com.