Like many others, I felt such a strong sense of belonging at the 2015 IAVM VenuConnect conference that I was disappointed it had ended so quickly. However, since then, I have had incredible opportunities to continue learning more about my industry from leaders whose footsteps I intend to follow.

In the last few months, I have shadowed and have set up informative interviews with multiple professionals from institutions and venues such as the University of Delaware, Citi Field, Stony Brook University, Prudential Center, MetLife Stadium, and Wagner College. These experiences have allowed me to see the operations of multiple collegiate and professional organizations, which I can bring with me as I begin my new job as the operations supervisor at the VenuWorks Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa.

IAVM conferences are great ways in which young professionals can demonstrate their passion, gather knowledge, and prove their commitment to the industry. For me, it led me to my new job within VenuWorks and it has allowed me to become involved with the Young Professionals Committee where I’m able to promote the industry I’m so passionate about while creating networking and educational opportunities for myself and the members of our group. In addition, the conference gave me the opportunity to become a trained crowd manager, which I can proudly display on my resume and LinkedIn profile.

In the sports and entertainment industry, things are never quiet and being a member of IAVM I have multiple outlets to ensure I continue the upwards climb in my career. I have become a mentee in the Mentor Connector Program, and I soon plan to check items off my checklist to pursue my Certified Venue Professional designation. To all college students and/or fellow young professionals contemplating whether or not to join IAVM, attend a conference, or become further involved by joining a committee, I hope my article can help you see all that IAVM can offer you and more. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

(Image: Orange Photography)

These are selected news articles that showed up in our inboxes on Monday morning that we want to pass along to you.

Cobo Center Looks to Expand, Raise Funds (The Detroit News)
“In six years, a tax subsidy for Cobo ends. The regional authority that controls Cobo has to find another source for that money, which currently is $7 million a year. The center has an annual operating budget of about $16 million.”

Sacramento Kings to Install NBA’s First 4K Ultra HD Video Board in New High-tech Arena (GeekWire)
“The four-screen display, built by Panasonic, is the largest in the NBA and totals more than 32 million pixels. It’s seven times larger than what exists in the team’s current arena.”

Work Completed on Mandalay Bay Convention Center Expansion Project (Vegas Inc.)
“The $70 million project to enlarge and enhance the convention center was completed with the opening of the 70,000-square-foot Oceanside Ballroom.”

Study Links Housing Values to NFL Stadiums (National Mortgage Professional)
“The return of the NFL Rams to Los Angeles has created new conversations on the economic impact of football stadiums on housing markets–specifically, whether the presence of an NFL team helps increase home values. The answer, according to a new study from Trulia, is neither positive nor negative. The situation varies from market to market.”

Spectra by Comcast Spectacor Extends Partnership with MetroTix (EIN News)
“MetroTix is a regional ticketing business powered by Spectra Ticketing & Fan Engagement’s industry-leading ticketing, Access Management and marketing services.”

(Image: Cobo Center)

The first installment of the YP Connection features VenuWorks Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Siehl, CFE. As a member of IAVM for more than 38 years, Siehl served as chairman of the Board of Directors from 2010-2011, been a long-standing faculty member at Venue Management School, and is the current chair for the Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS). Thank you to all the participants and to John for helping lead a lively and informative discussion.

Facebook claims that it is the world’s largest stadium because of its 650 million sports fans. And since those fans already use Facebook to comment on games, the company has built a dedicated place for sports so that you can feel like you’re watching the game with friends and other fans.

“With Facebook Sports Stadium, all the content on Facebook related to the game is in one place, and it comes in real time and appears chronologically,” wrote Steve Kafka, product manager for Facebook.

Users can see comments on plays from friends, posts from team and league experts, live scores and stats, and game info. Here are a couple of screenshots.

“You can follow the action as the game unfolds with a live play-by-play, and even like, comment on, and share individual plays,” Kafka wrote. “You can also get up to speed quickly with live scores and the most discussed plays. It’s a second-screen experience that we hope makes watching the broadcast even better.”

Facebook is focusing on American football games at the moment and will include other sports around the world soon. Also, it’s only available on iPhone in the U.S. at the moment. I’m sure they’ll get to Android, the world’s largest operating system, quickly.

Safety and security has emerged as a top focus at this year’s Performing Arts Managers Conference (PAMC) in San Antonio, March 7-9, with new opportunities for attendees to participate in dynamic learning experiences and expert-led discussions.

“Our goal is to provide an engaging, interactive experience at the Performing Arts Managers Conference. The 2016 program will include situational awareness, resources available to protect our public facility assemblies, and relevant expertise regarding critical infrastructure protection, mass casualty incidents, and staff preparedness during an event,” said Mark Herrera, IAVM’s director of education and a former tactical sergeant. “We’ve added a customized exercise that will enable participants to explore specific issues, consider the use of available, limited resources, and quickly develop action strategies to manage an unexpected incident involving a terrorist attack or hostility during an event. Through discussion and insight from experienced experts, attendees will gain an appreciation for the complexity of managing a critical incident and how to best prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from an incident such as the Paris attacks.”

Herrera, Harvey Perriott, and Justice Narvaez will facilitate the exercise and discussion.

Harvey Perriott is the protective security advisor (PSA) for the North Texas District of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has served in that role for more than seven years. Prior to joining the PSA program, he served as the staff director for the Office of Infrastructure Protection’s Protective Security Coordination Division (PCSD). With more than 25 years’ experience in Department of Defense Special Operations, Perriott has been involved either directly or indirectly in several military operations directed at counterterrorism activities. He has extensive experience in performing studies, analyzes, and evaluations in a wide variety of areas, including surveying, mission capability, force strategy, force structure options, and tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Robert “Justice” Narvaez has trained more than 2,500 U.S. law enforcement officers and more than 600 foreign militaries and federal forces. He was a vital member and former trainer for the Deployable Operations Group (D.O.G.) and led anti-terrorism missions including a specialized team in the Commissioning Court in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that oversaw movements of five terrorists responsible for the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He has trained with and in SWAT tactics for nine years. Throughout his military career, Narvaez has been awarded one Coast Guard Commendation Medal, four Coast Guard Achievement Medals, one Navy Joint Service Achievement Medal, and one Army Achievement Medal for his dedication, knowledge, and professionalism.