You’re invited to the “world’s largest tailgate” next week when Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, reopens after a $485 million renovation led by Populous.

Students, former students, and fans around the world are encouraged to join those in College Station by virtually tailgating on September 12.

“We invite everyone who loves Kyle Field – home of the 12th Man – to take part in this celebration, whether right here in College Station or anywhere around the globe,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “Through the power of social media, we can all be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event on the day that Kyle Field comes back to life.”

According to the press release from Texas A&M, to join (and for a chance to have Aggie tailgate photos from anywhere in the world shown on the video boards at Kyle Field), follow these steps:

· Register your tailgate prior to September 11 at www.kylefield.com and provide the location and estimated number of attendees at the tailgate;

· Regardless of location and time differences, once your tailgate begins, tweet photos using the hashtag #KyleField;

· The hashtag will be monitored, and photos from the global tailgate will be streamed to the video board in the redeveloped Kyle Field.

To learn more about Kyle Field’s renovation, please watch the video below from Populous.

(Image: Populous)

There is a wonderful YouTube video showing a young man dressed in black shorts, dancing (badly) alone on a hill at a music festival. The video [screenshot above] shows him dancing for about 30 seconds before he is joined by another man who mimics his outrageous moves. They embrace each other’s terrible dancing, but carry on none the less. A third man joins in, and before long this maverick, crazy, dancing man is surrounded by hundreds of people dancing to the music. His courage and that of his first and second follower have created a movement and he, the lone maverick, has disappeared inside the group of people who are all now dancing together. It is a funny video but really does showcase leadership quite well. Every leader needs to share his vision, he needs a follower who he embraces and treats as an equal, and before he knows it, he has started a movement.

I often wonder about the qualities of a good leader, and it reminded me of a story my dad once told me. When Attila the Hun gathered the Hun tribes together, with the intention of ruling parts of Europe, he outlined his plans and asked if anyone had any objections. One of the leaders stood up and objected to going to war against the Roman Empire. According to my dad, Attila drew his sword and cut off this head, turned to the rest of the gathered Huns and asked if anyone else had any objections. I don’t know how true that story was, but perhaps my dad was simply enforcing the idea to 13-year-old me that it was not a good idea to challenge the pack leader. Growing up in a conservative society in South Africa, our leaders appeared to be strong, decisive, and unyielding. They barked orders and uncompromisingly enforced their will. Leadership through fear is seldom a recipe for success, and these types of leaders are often toppled.

So what is the language and behavior of a leader, as opposed to a manager?

Leadership vs. Management comparisons categories according to professor Fred C. Lunenburg, PhD, are listed below:

Leaders don’t have all the answers; leaders don’t pretend to have the answers. Leaders care. Leadership is about creating the vision, sharing and articulating it, and taking people on the journey.

Leadership creates trust, not an easy thing to do. Trust is one of those qualities that takes a lifetime to create and seconds to destroy. I have found myself working my career with either start-up or financially distressed businesses. The very first thing I do is agree to a value system with the staff. Defined values creates an environment where people can flourish knowing that they operate in a circle of trust. Leaders need certain traits, either naturally or learnt. While at VenueConnect in Baltimore, I attended two sessions on leadership led by Curt Cronin, an ex-Navy Seal. Cronin is a great speaker and obviously a deep thinker with brilliant content and well worth learning from. There were a few aspects of his discussion that really resonated with me. He told a story of going to work at the embassy in Yemen and gained trust by empting bins and making coffee. He spoke about earning trust and aligning leadership through humility rather than ego. He also spoke about fear. One seldom links Navy Seals with fear, but he said leaders remove fear and foster empowerment. He also said something that astounded me about the Seals—they learn mental resilience rather than physical prowess. This really struck a chord with me about leadership and the need to persevere. I have often stood in front of our staff body, waxed lyrical about values, inclusion, and how we as team leaders need to be active listeners to find that days later nothing had changed. Leadership needs resilience—change doesn’t happen merely because one says it should. It happens when one demonstrates change through one’s own action.

I remember having a discussion with John Key (New Zealand’s Prime Minister, and yes I am name dropping). He told me the one thing he disliked most about politics is that when you come up with a great idea, at least 30 percent of people will tear it to shreds without ever providing a different solution or alternative answer, whereas in business, a good idea is embraced with debate and positive input to make a good idea a great idea. Often when one is working in distressed businesses, they come with staff who, despite all their hard work, have had the enthusiasm knocked out of them. Once we have created the values, the circle of trust and removed the fear, I take advice from the band Walk The Moon with a little poetic license and say,

“Oh don’t you dare look back.
Just keep your eyes on me.
He said, ‘You’re holding back,’
I said, ‘Shut up and dance with me!’
This team is your destiny
I said, ‘Ooh-ooh-hoo,
Shut up and dance with me.'”

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2015 International Convention Center Conference (ICCC), recognizing five, deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Mac Campbell, Outstanding Leadership Scholarship
Director of Guest Services, Baltimore Convention Center

Favorite team? The Washington Capitals.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? As a spectator, it would be Sergei Fedorov’s 2009 Game Seven winner against the Rangers. The closest thing to being able to actually “taste” energy/excitement.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bulldog without a second thought. The wrinklier and fatter the better. There’s a certain calm-cool-and-collected air about bulldogs that you just can’t beat.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Professor X would work for me…would make labor negotiations a breeze!

“What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? General manager of a convention center or performing arts center.

Favorite quote? “Nobody in life gets exactly what they tought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen. –Conan O’Brien.

@Twitter handle: @mcampbell930

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcampbell83

Shannon McCullough, Outstanding Leadership Scholarship
Director of Operations, The Classic Center

Favorite musician/band? Eric Church.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Superman, because I like saving the day.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would like to be the executive director of a large convention center.

Favorite quote? You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” –Maya Angelou

Favorite childhood snack? Moon pie.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/shannon-mccullough/b/63b/5a3

Marieliz Collazo, Industry Women Scholarship
Sponsorship Account Manager, Jose Dueño Entertainment 

Favorite bands? Coldplay and Café Tacuba.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? Definitely going to see Coldplay’s concert in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2011. I’ve been a fan since they started playing, but unfortunately they’ve never performed in Puerto Rico.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My dream job in the industry is to be the general manager of a venue in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Latin America.

Favorite quote? “Do things with passion or not at all.”

Do you have previous experiences with IAVM? No, this will be the first time that I’ll be involved with IAVM.

@Twitter handle: @MaCo7

LinkedIn: https://pr.linkedin.com/in/marielizcollazo

Tim DeMott, Young Professional Scholarship
Event Planner, The Classic Center

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? Probably going to the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta when I was 12. Macbeth was the first professional performance I ever saw, and I remember being in awe at how the troupe was able to completely capture my imagination.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? If I had my choice of superpower, I think I would have to go with the mental powers of X-Men’s Professor X. I think mind reading and mind control would be a very practical power…but then again, flying would be pretty cool, too.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would love to work in some way with touring Broadway groups.

Favorite quote? “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Do you have previous experience with IAVM? Other than receiving the emails and newsletters, I’ve had no real previous experience with IAVM.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=279963536

Irina Tuluca, Student Intern
Expected Graduation: December 2015—Missouri State University, Entertainment Management

Favorite team? The Chicago Blackhawks.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? One of my favorite memories is going to Pollstar Live as a student volunteer in 2014. It was my first experience at an industry conference, and it was so great I came back for a second year and continue to do internships at conferences.

Favorite quote? “When it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars.”

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? I was a student intern at VenueConnect 2015 working with event support while helping with the Foundation’s silent auction and raffle. I had an amazing experience and met great professionals who wanted to give back to students and young professionals through their advice and support.

@Twitter handle: @irinatuluca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinatuluca

David Muller, Green Sports Alliance membership director, speaks at 2015 VenueConnect.

Did you know that food waste is the largest contributor to U.S. landfills, and it is responsible for 135 million tons of greenhouse gases every year? This is one of several eye-opening facts presented at VenuceConnect this year in the Composting Mini Session. This session, presented by Mike Tully—national executive, sports, entertainment and gambling for Sodexo—highlighted to rising cost of food waste and sustainable practices that can help reduce waste and impact the bottom line. You can view a copy of the presentation here.

In the Green Sports Alliance (GSA) Mini Session, David Muller, GSA membership director, introduced IAVM members to the Greener Cleaning Playbook. This publication is a guide to help venue operators develop and maintain green cleaning programs. The presentation highlighted a several key components to consider when implementing a program: training, types of chemicals, health benefits to front-line workers, and basic RFP information. A copy of the presentation can be found here, and the complete Greener Cleaning Playbook can be downloaded from the Green Sports Alliance website here.

These mini sessions are part of the educational offerings of the IAVM Sustainability Committee, whose focus is to foster partnerships and relationships with industry organizations and provide educational content on sustainability in IAVM conferences and publications.

(Image: Orange Photography)

The 2015 Arena Management Conference features a full schedule of great sessions and amazing networking—with some amazing people working backstage to make it all happen. In addition to their full-time jobs, our rock star committee members volunteer their time to collaborate with staff on session topics, speakers, and networking events that help build a one-of-a-kind experience for every attendee.

So, while you’re enjoying the amazing view from the 360 rooftop bar at the AMC host hotel, here are a few people to connect with that helped bring it all together:

Lynda Reinhart
Chair, 2015-2016 AMC Committee
Director, Stephen C. O’Connell Center

Lynda, you took the lead as Chair of the AMC 2015 programming committee—why did you do it?
I have been active in IAVM and various conference programming for many years, and take pride in creating meaningful educational opportunities to further the growth of professionals in this industry.

What stands out this year at AMC?
There are so many great things in the program that it’s hard to pick just one. The opening and closing keynotes should be fantastic and we’ve got some really great networking events scheduled.

If you were giving the keynote presentation, what would be your walk-up song?
What’s the topic of the presentation? (I know, I’m difficult!) While the topic would ultimately determine my choice, I’ll go with “All Star” by Smashmouth.

Andrew Prince
Executive Vice President, Venue Coalition

Andrew, what’s your AMC elevator pitch?
A great event to meet like-minded arena managers and an opportunity to get up to speed on the latest and greatest in the arena business.

Anything you’re specifically looking forward to?
Since I wake up everyday motivated to book events in arenas, my top-two panels would be the music and non-music agent/promoter panels.

Why did you serve on the committee this year?
IAVM is a great organization that supports an industry I love; the least I can do is pay it forward.

If you were giving the keynote presentation, what would be your walk-up song?
“Simple Man” — Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Glenn Walinski, CFE
Facility Manager, Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena

Glenn, what do you look forward to at AMC?
Seeing old friends and making new ones.

How do you describe the conference?
AMC is the best conference for talking directly to managers of arenas of all sizes from around the country/world. You can interact with managers of all levels, and everyone shares information.

Why did you help plan AMC 2015?
I want to give back a little to an industry that has given me so much over the past 25 years, and I want the new managers in the industry to get as much education and information as possible to tack back home to their facilities.

If you were giving the keynote presentation, what would be your walk-up song?
The theme to Star Wars.

Matt Gibson, CFE
General Manager, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

What are you most looking forward to at AMC 2015?
I was promised that I could throw out the first pitch at the Cards game.  That’s still happening, right?

Um, well, in case that falls through… anything else?
“The Show MUST Go On!” session of course!  How can you turn away from a panel full of stories of chaos and carnage?!?

What is AMC all about for you?
It is THE annual event where a venue manager can network, talk shop, secure progressive ideas and let loose with friends and colleagues.  DON’T. MISS. IT.

If you were giving the keynote presentation, what would be your intro song?
“Enter Sandman” – Metallica.

Josh Small
Director, USC Aiken Convocation Center/Global Spectrum

What’s at the top of your AMC itinerary?
The opening reception at Anheuser-Busch! The promoter/agent panel is also always entertaining and informative.

Why did you help on the AMC committee this year?
I wanted to find a way to give back to an organization that has provided several opportunities to myself and others.

Your keynote walkup song?
“Rollercoaster” —Bleachers.

Jeff Davis, CMP
General Manager, College Park Center – UT Arlington

What is AMC?
It is THE “can’t miss” conference for anyone in the arena industry, with a great balance of education, industry hot topics and networking.

Any specific can’t miss moments for you?
All of it??? Ok, if I had to narrow to one session… I’m most looking forward to the Food & Beverage session discussing new EMV chip technology for POS terminals. It’s something we’re looking at right now in our operations, both F&B and Box Office, so very timely.

What song would play before your big presentation?
Easy…. Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.”

Maybe that says too much about the industry… or barely scratches the surface, depending on the time of day. But it fits my laid back personality. And when it comes to work, one thing I know is that I enjoy creating experiences and memories for fans that walk through the doors. It’s rare I get the opportunity to be the “fan”… to fully enjoy the experience for myself… except when Jimmy comes to town.

Todd Hunt, CFE
Director, BancorpSouth Arena

Given your skills on a kit, let’s start with the walk-up music you would play if you were giving the keynote?
“Unchained” —Van Halen.

Why AMC?
AMC is the premier conference for arena personnel. Not only can you pick up tips on how to better manage your venue, you can also come home with content via the agent/promoter sessions.

Anything specific that you’re looking forward to this year?
Reconnecting with old friends and checking out the ballpark!

You’ve helped build AMC, and you now serve on the IAVM Board of Directors as the Arenas Director. Why?
My good friend Terry Butler convinced me that I needed to give back to the association by getting involved. As usual, his advice was spot on!

To the entire AMC 2015 crew: Thank you for your passion and creativity, and we can’t wait to experience the conference you helped build. To everyone else, check out the AMC schedule, register, book your hotel, and see you at the rooftop bar.