Meeting Professionals International released the 2016 Winter Edition of its Meetings Outlook survey, and for the first time safety and security showed a strong emergence.

According to the survey, 44 percent of industry professionals anticipate changes to the meeting and event industry due to the increasing prevalence and threat of terrorism, and 28 percent of survey respondents say they are changing how they produce meetings because of recent terrorist incidents.

Other stats found relating to safety and security in the survey include

—15 percent of respondents are adding more security staff
—14 percent of respondents are developing new security plans
—9 percent of respondents of respondents are updating procedures and contingency plans
—5 percent of respondents are working with local and federal law enforcement

“Meeting professionals’ concerns about terrorism are contributing to an overall mood of caution in the industry—one that also extends to projections about budgets and business conditions,” Elaine Pofeldt reported in the survey.

Please read the Meetings Outlook to learn more about meeting and event professionals’ concerns about safety and security and other trends affecting the industry.

(Image: Thomas Hawk/Creative Commons)

After a big accomplishment, appreciation and adulation are not only well received, they are well deserved. From December 2014 to November 2015, experienced venue professionals were matched with individuals seeking to enhance their industry knowledge. Each pair then created a unique program tailored to their own goals, paces, and styles.

As a mentee, eight people entered into a year-long commitment to be open, vulnerable, and willing to listen in order to cultivate themselves personally and professionally. As a mentor, eight people agreed to share insights, encourage exploration, foster growth, and make time in busy schedules. To bring the team together, four industry veterans nurtured, coached, and guided these eight partnerships.  While we know it was fun, we know it may not have been easy, so these 20 people, IAVM and the Mentor Connector Committee want to say, “Thank you!”

It’s time to celebrate! Twenty people now have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with one another than they did a year ago. One of the most valuable aspects of IAVM membership is the access to a vast network of experienced venue professionals and dedicated Allied members. The Mentor Connector Program provides a crucial point of connection to people who may not otherwise meet. Twenty people who started out as strangers, or perhaps at best acquaintances, now have a stronger, life-long relationship with others who are passionate about our industry. To those people, we want to say, “Congratulations!”

The Mentor Connector Committee proudly recognizes the following fall 2014-2015 participants who successfully completed their programs:

Successful participants also qualified for Certified Facilities Executive (CFE), Certified Venue Professional (CVP), and continuing education points.

If you would like to become a Mentor Connector Committee Member and help grow this amazing program, the Call for Volunteers is now posted on www.iavm.org/volunteer-opportunities. The deadline to apply is February 26.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a mentor, mentee, or coach to further your professional development, an informational webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at 2 p.m. (CST). Go to www.iavm.org/webinars for details and a link to register.

We accept applications all throughout the year for any IAVM members who are interested in participating in the Mentor Connector Program. There are two cycles per year – one starting in April and one starting in October. The deadline to apply for the April 2016 program will be Friday, March 25, 2016. The application process is simple and can be completed online at www.iavm.org/mentor.

Curbed published a wonderful article today written by Patrick Sisson titled “Introducing the Stadium of the Future, Where Technology is King.” It’s a long read that offers several choice quotes. Here are few to tease you:

“Since technology has made it so easy for people to engage with the event in their own way in their own space, it’s easy to disengage from the live event. We’re competing against the cost of gas, parking passes, tailgating, it goes on. There’s continuing pressure on the design side to create venues that are more flexible, more amazing, and can one-up what you can get at home.” — Bill Johnson, design principal, HOK

“With tailgating, going to a football game can be a six-hour experience. And the real, live action takes between 25 and 30 minutes. People want to see more content and strategy. We think it’s enhancing the gameday experience. But a mobile device can never enhance the camaraderie, sights, and sounds of the stadium.” — 49ers Chief Operating Officer Al Guido

“Twenty years ago it was all about the in-seat experience, but for the next generation of consumers, it’s more about a choose-your-own-adventure-type experience. They’re in their seats for a play, then they’re watching the game from different vantage points, socializing … It’s all geared towards making it more friendly, more high technology, and more immersive.”
 — Jeremy Krug, senior associate and project designer, Populous

“These stadiums are so much more than what they were in the past. They’re highly dynamic entertainment complexes. More and more, we’re asking, how do you extend the experience of the building beyond the walls?” — Brian Mirakian, principal, Populous

Please visit Curbed to read the full story, and let us know your thoughts about the stadium (and other venues) of the future in the comment section below.

(Image: HOK)

It is a privilege and an honor to serve this association in my new capacity as interim president and CEO. Please know I admire and greatly respect the passion IAVM members have for this industry. My promise to you is that I, and your talented staff team, will meet this latest challenge and continue to move the association forward.

Our primary area of focus will be to make our existing programs the best they can be. Our initial goal is to have IAVM reach two “Best Ever” milestones in the coming months. The first milestone target is that AVSS, our safety and security academy, will generate the highest total revenue in the 10-year history of the program. Secondly, PAMC is on track to reach its highest total revenue in the 24-year history of the program. These accomplishments are vitally important to us, as success has a way of building confidence, creativity, and morale, which are all qualities that enable us to better serve you.

Two additional areas of focus will be the exciting new efforts we have with the branding and conference strategy initiatives. The results of these initiatives will be presented at VenueConnect 2016 in Minneapolis. The entire staff team is excited about sharing these initiatives and the potential they have in driving IAVM’s future.

I appreciate the vote of confidence and support our team has received from the IAVM Board of Directors. We also want you, the members of IAVM, to know that we are committed to serving you and to continue to move this association forward.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS) school. The awards recognize two deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. Kevin Henry is also returning as the Year 2 scholarship recipient.

AVSS Year 1 + 2 Scholarship Recipient

Mike Santa, general manager at Indiana University Event Services

Favorite team? The Green Bay Packers.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? Before I was a venue manager, I worked for the IU Basketball team. While I have some incredible memories from that experience, my all-time favorite was being part of the 2013 Big Ten Championship!

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I think I would be a lion. I like the idea of being king of the jungle but also having a pack to rely on as well.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Batman for sure. He is the ultimate superhero, yet still just a man. Plus he gets to play with cool gadgets and cars.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would love to be the GM of a building someday. My ultimate dream job is to be the tournament director of the Mau Invitational and spend all my time in Hawaii preparing.

Favorite quote? “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi.

Do you currently volunteer with IAVM? What do you enjoy most about it? I am currently on the Young Professionals Committee. It’s been fun working with other YPs on projects to help bring IAVM to a younger generation of venue managers.

Favorite childhood snack? Any kind of candy but Mike & Ike’s are the best!

@Twitter handle? @mwsanta

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-santa-8305226a

AVSS Student Intern

Johnny Roe, Missouri State University – Entertainment Management

Anticipated Graduation? Fall 2016.

 Favorite team? Die-hard Kansas City sports fan.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? The Kansas City Royals winning the 2015 World Series.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A wolf. They know when to lead and when to follow. They have a small circle and know how to survive when they are by themselves.

If you could be any superhero, what would you be and why? Batman. He made himself a hero, didn’t have to have some crazy mutation to be great. (Helped that he had billions of dollars to inherit, though.)

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? General Manager of a Major League Baseball team. There are only 30 of them so the odds are not in my favor, but someone has to be one of 30 so why not me?

Favorite Quote? “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to act in the presence of fear.” – Bruce Lee.

Favorite childhood snack? Anything my mom cooks! She is the Michael Jordan of the kitchen.

@Twitter handle? @roeboat11 — I know, puns are incredible.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-roe-9aaa43b9