When a baseball player has just been described as “napping in the outfield,” chances are good he has missed what should have been a catchable fly ball. But last Saturday night at The Ballpark in Arlington, home to the Texas Rangers, some 2,000 paying guests actually had an opportunity to grab a night’s worth of z’s in the outfield thanks to a Fan Sleepover event.

The team had been heavily promoting this most non-traditional revenue event during its broadcasts on Fox Sports Southwest, and the result was an advance sellout that somewhat surprised but certainly thrilled the team and venue.

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VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, is a must-attend event for exhibitors targeting venue managers from the complete range of venue types. Our Allied community probably already knows about most of the benefits and access available to VenueConnect exhibitors, such as the local NOLA entertainment at our one-of-a-kind, high-energy trade show; a QR Code scavenger hunt that brings venue professionals directly to your booth; DirectConnect, a hosted buyer program connecting exhibitors to pre-qualified buyers in one-on-one meetings; complimentary tickets to the Closing Night; and access to the Award Luncheon ($50).

We’d like to remind our exhibitors of another VenueConnect benefit, one that is all too often overlooked and available at no extra charge – access to educational sessions.

There’s no better way to communicate with your potential venue customers than to be familiar with the new industry challenges and opportunities they face. Take advantage of the complete VenueConnect educational program to keep up with what’s going on in your customers’ world and better speak to their needs.

Here are the top 5 VenueConnect sessions exhibitors shouldn’t miss:

Session #1: Crowded Markets for Public Venues
Attend this session to: Learn about venue managers’ top concerns regarding staying financially sustainable in an increasingly crowded venue market, and consider how you can better speak to those concerns. Continue Reading →

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12, and for the fifth consecutive year the St. Charles (MO) Convention Center will host a brunch to not only celebrate moms but to turn some extra non-traditional revenue as well.

“This event provides a great opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Global Spectrum (the venue’s management firm) to the local community and the overall beauty of the space itself,” said Joe Capitanelli, marketing manager at the venue that opened in 2005. “If you haven’t attended a wedding or other meeting or conference here, it’s possible the general public probably hasn’t had a chance to experience what we can do. This event allows the community to enjoy the Center in other ways than just attending public and consumer events.”

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While “good things come to those who wait” is a well-known expression, there is also a time and place not to wait. We’ve listed several reasons why, when it comes to registering for VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, you might want to seize the moment. Some are monetary incentives, others are for the sheer fact that if you wait, you’ll be left out.

Reason #1 – Early Bird Registration Ends Friday!
Registration is underway for IAVM’s annual conference and trade show and early bird registration will save you more than $100 if you register by this Friday, May 10.

Reason #2 – Foundation Friday Networking Events
Join us for the first social events before the opening of VenueConnect, with the annual Foundation Golf Tournament, presented by MillerCoors and the Foundation Cooking School, presented by Sodexo! In addition to a fun day of networking and fundraising, these events provide sponsors the first opportunity to showcase products and services and get a head start on business in a relaxed atmosphere. Space is limited so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot. Learn more by contacting Sarah Rogers at sarah.rogers@iavm.org.

Reason #3 – Leave Behind a Legacy
Don’t get left behind – Saturday morning will also be an opportunity to give back to our host city of New Orleans by helping to beautify the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood. Venue managers and allied attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and feel great by participating in this important Legacy Project.

Reason #4 – Venue Tours Always Top Out
These behind-the-scenes tours, taking place on July 30, the final day of the conference, are hosted by amazing local venues and always fill up fast. With the opportunity to see some of the industry’s leading venues, attendees will certainly gain a fresh perspective and gather new ideas to take back home. This year’s attendees will have access to tours of the Saenger Theater, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Lakefront Arena at the University of New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Reason #5 – Take Advantage of Your Buying Power and Come to VenueConnect for FREE!
IAVM is offering a new opportunity to connect our network of Venue Managers and Allied Members. DirectConnect is a one-on-one appointment program that matches prequalified Venue Managers who are actively seeking product or service solutions for their buildings with Allied Members who may meet these distinct needs. Members participating in this program will receive a complimentary registration and a (2) two-night hotel room stay at VenueConnect in New Orleans. DirectConnect participants will attend 10 pre-set meetings on Monday, July 29, 2013. Learn more by contacting Christy Jacobs at Christy.Jacobs@iavm.org.

Reason #6 – Save on Airfare and Secure Your Room
IAVM members who book travel through American Airlines can get a 5% discount on airfare when they use the promo code 7873BY, and the earlier you book the better the fares. So don’t wait to book your flight and reserve your room at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, which is just steps away from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

REGISTER TODAY for VenueConnect 2013 in New Orleans.

Photo courtesy of zoutedrop via photopin cc