This week’s spotlight of recipients in the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural class of 30|UNDER|30 are asked, “What do you look to take away from VenueConnect?”

Whitney Bishop
Marketing Manager
SMG – Richmond Coliseum, Carpenter Theatre, Altria Theater
Richmond, Virginia

“I would be a first-time attendee. I haven’t been in a position to go previously because I’ve been overseas. Now that I’m back and new to the Richmond market,  I think it would be a great tool for me to meet a lot of people in and around the U.S.”

Sandi Carretero
Operations and Events Manager
SMG – McLane Stadium
Waco, Texas

“I think one of the most important things in this industry is to be able to network and really learn from others what they’re doing in every aspect of venue management so that you continue to be creative.”

Derrick Palms
Executive Director
Night Owl Productions/Kennesaw State University Sports + Entertainment Park
Kennesaw, Georgia

“This will be my second time attending VenueConnect. I look forward to learn more, taking back the best practices, to be able to advocate for our university, and to promote what we have here and try to get this model to more places so that students around the U.S. are able to grow in the industry.”

Nathaniel Porter
Senior Event Manager
SMG – BOK Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma

“The most beneficial aspect of VenueConnect is the educational opportunities. I hope to continue to grow and learn in this industry. I think the best setting for that is a place I can learn from other individuals in the industry.”

Did you miss our latest episode of The Venue? Never fear, you can listen to the above recording of it.

This latest edition featured guest host Joe Durr, director of event services for PORTLAND’5 Centers for the Arts. Together with Durr, we discuss such subjects as ideal outdoor row and aisle spacing, theatre houselights LED retrofits, staff plans for concerts (security, admissions, medical), service animals, volunteer recruitment materials, fountain drinks vs. bottles/cans, and Palcohol.

We also spoke with Paige Grisham, one of our student members at Missouri State University, about her article, “The Millennials and Their Dream Venue,” that she recently wrote for FM magazine.

Thank you to Joe and Paige for speaking with us, and thank you for listening. Our next episode will air live on Friday, July 24, at 2 p.m. (CST).

The IAVM Foundation, in partnership with Western Kentucky University (WKU), has developed a phenomenal program designed to provide unprecedented networking and education for students and young professionals beginning their careers in venue management. On Saturday, August 1, before the full VenueConnect conference begins, young professionals and students will learn career skills from venue industry leaders, make new connections with executives from major venues, and gain fresh professional development insights through a packed schedule of customized sessions and events.

“Have you seen the UpStart schedule?” asked Jason Rittenberry, CFE, chair of the IAVM Foundation, “This is the perfect opportunity for young talent looking for a launchpad into our industry. It is fantastic to see the IAVM Foundation bringing this new experience to VenueConnect, and WKU has been a great partner to help us build what I think is going to be a big hit.”

Recently added to the UpStart program is the opening keynote, Doug Sandler. Author of Nice Guys Finish First (all UpStart attendees are walking away with a copy of his book!), Sandler brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment world with thousands of clients. He’ll tackle the massive threat that not caring poses to companies and systems, and will dive into the art of building relationships with clients versus simply closing deals.

Other session highlights include “Thinking Outside the Box,” lead by Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president of SearchWide; “How Our Generation Can Use LinkedIn For Professional Branding,” lead by Whitney Harmel, director of sales for Brandobility; and “Advancing Your Career,” lead by Bryan Kaminski, senior manager of university recruiting and programs for Under Armour. Attendees will also participant in a new speed-networking program, “The Game Changer,” where they will get crucial face-to-face time and personal introductions to major venue industry leaders.

UpStart is free for students, young professionals, and faculty, and is made possible through the support of IAVM members, venue industry leaders, and other partners that have supported the IAVM Foundation’s Build An Amazing Future campaign.

WKU’s support of UpStart is instrumental in the program’s creation. We spoke with Dr. Evie Oregon, an assistant professor in sport management, to learn more about the university and its involvement in the program.

IAVM: Why did WKU decide to be involved in the UpStart program?
EO: WKU’s School of KRS recognizes that a professional network is imperative for our graduates. By partnering with IAVM in the UpStart program, we are not only helping to facilitate that network, but are also providing uninhibited access to current professionals in the field.

IAVM: What do you hope young professionals and students takeaway with them by participating in the program?
EO: Traditional classroom can only provide so much in terms of knowledge of the current industry. It is our hope that our students, and young professional in general, who attend the UpStart program will not only enhance their knowledge of the field, but also increase their professional network and obtain connections for career advancement and professional development.

IAVM: How do you see this program evolving?
EO: We would like to see that the program grows in the future and have far reaching effects on the careers of participants. It would be great to have the young professionals who are attending this inaugural event to one day be the keynotes who can say…it all began a few years ago with UpStart.

IAVM: What can WKU’s masters program provide to current professionals looking to continue their education?
EO: The Masters in Facility and Event Management at WKU is a 100 percent online program that allows current professional and those looking to enter the field a practical approach to learning more about the industry. The program courses are facilitated by highly experienced professionals who began their own careers in the field of recreation and sport facility management. The program model is flexible while at the same time providing course sequencing that insures a path to degree attainment.

Please check out the UpStart website to learn more about the program. Registrations for both UpStart and VenueConnect are still taking place, but rooms in the main conference hotels are filling quickly, so register soon and visit the VenueConnect travel page for current hotel options.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)’s ConventionCalendar.com has entered into a strategic partnership to feature the 1.6 million-square-foot Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The new convention calendar is available via any Internet connected device and is a valuable resource for event planners, attendees, exhibitors, and local business partners.

Managing Director of IAVM’s ConventionCalendar.com program, Donovan Shia, shared that “The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is a tremendous economic engine for the City of San Antonio and the entire South Central Texas Region – we are very excited about the opportunity to showcase San Antonio”.

Developed and powered by Destination Advantage LLC, the new calendar application will link the San Antonio Convention Center with tens of thousands of meeting planners, guiding them through the site selection process for potential new meetings and events.

With this week’s spotlight of recipients in the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural class of 30|UNDER|30 we ask, “What is your proudest accomplishment?”

Danny Bryant
Arena & Pavilion Services Manager
The Classic Center
Athens, Georgia

“My proudest accomplishment actually stems from a failure I had early in my career here at the Classic Center. I was a young event planner who thought I knew everything I was doing. I shortchanged an event—the delivery I gave them, on the product, and what I could give them as a planner. What I’m really proud of is the way I recovered. I had the opportunity the following year to take that event or not have it again, and I really wanted the opportunity to step back up to the plate. I did, and to this day me and that client are now great friends and have a great working relationship, and I know he truly knows how much I care about his event. It really made me step forward in my career and made me refocus and think if I’m going to do this right how am I going to do it?”

Jason Burnette
Sales Manager
Cox Business Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma

“I’ve had a few proud moments here at the Cox Business Center, and one stands out above the rest. I’d been working with a Fortune 500 company to host their event, and through relationship building I’ve been able to secure their business. Their event will be held in the fall of this year. I look forward to working with this organization and growing their business here at the center.”

Siroun Majarian
Market Research Analyst
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
Boston, Massachusetts

“My proudest accomplishment to this day is having the confidence of IAVM staff and the member volunteers to chair the Research Committee for the 2015-2016 membership year as one of the youngest members ever to chair one of the IAVM committees.”

Annie Salamunovich
Assistant Production Supervisor
Portland’5 Centers for the Arts
Portland, Oregon

“My proudest accomplishment in the venue management world has been completing my operational expense analysis for the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. I did a deep dive using my CPA skills and hashed out a per-use-rate for each of our theaters. From there, I took it one step further and allocated all of our operating expenses to each of our user groups and contrasted that with the revenues we were bringing in so that we could compare and contrast. That was a huge highlight of how much we subsidize our resident companies and our non-profit groups and how much we support their missions and it helps with budge decisions.”