The Portland "Facility Operations Day Camp" committee just met and we have set a date of July 18th for the First NW Regional Operations Workshop.

Registration is $25.00 per person

The event will be 9am - 3:30pm at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon.

Continental Breakfast and a Box Lunch will be included in the registration price. There will be an option of 8 different workshops/sessions throughout the day led or via panels of their peers.

Registration information is to go out in April. Please contact karentotaro@oregoncc.org if interested in receiving the packet.

Billboard Charts Out for 2005

Billboard 2005 year-end rankings for the 2005 Year in Music and Touring were just released with the Everett Events Center coming in at #8 in the world for mid-sized venues with capacities ranging from 5,001 to 10,000 seats. The Global Spectrum-managed facility’s placement is based on total gross sales. The venue also ranks at #5 for attendance, and #5 in number of shows for the year 2005. The Everett Events Center’s total gross of $7,868,456 includes concerts and tours only and does not include sporting or community events held at the venue.

“2005 has been a great year for the Everett Events Center,” commented Global Spectrum’s Kim Bedier, General Manager for the Everett Events Center. “Thanks to the fans and community for all their support, as well as the artists and promoters who bring the shows here. We can’t wait to have an even better 2006!”

• Board ratified the contract of Carl Martin to build IAAM Europe membership.
• First district meeting is scheduled in January, in Vienna to elect officers.

Oglebay Scholarship Awarded
District IV has awarded a two-year Oglebay scholarship to David Richardson, Theatre Production Assistant at Montana State University. Congrats David

Oregon Convention Center Awards

Bruce McKinney - Senior Events Manager at the Oregon Convention Center was just selected as "Convention Services Manager of the Year" by the Association of Convention Operations Managers (ACOM)

Aramark National Award Winners:
Brendan Coffey - General Manager of Aramark/OCC - 3rd highest revenue producer in the U.S

Aramark/OCC - Highest service revenue for a single event in the U.S.

Going From Good To Great:
Spokane

Guests at Spokane Public Facilities District venues are very aware of some subtle changes going on. The employees of the Spokane Arena, Spokane Opera House, and Spokane Convention Center have always treated Guest Services very seriously. However, there is now a new reason to treat every Guest like a VIP: Secret Shoppers.

"We realized that our people were good but we wanted them to be great," said Kevin Twohig, Executive Director of the SPFD. "The revisions that we have made to our Standing Ovation program are already making a big difference with the guest experience at the venues.”

Standing Ovation , the Guest Services program of the SPFD, was implemented in 2004 as an employee incentive tool. Staff members recognized by supervisors for their excellent work during events are treated to a special certificate, some “PFDBucks” and a chance to win two Southwest Airlines tickets. The Southwest tickets are given away annually at the SPFD’s Guest Services Training session in September.

But even supervisors can be in all places at all times. Something was needed to help recognize staff that went above and beyond the call of duty and also to fine tune operations from the Guest’s perspective. Service Solutions, a “secret shopper” provider located in San Diego, was brought on board in January 2006 to employ personnel to attend events. After each event, the “shoppers” submit completed reports to the SPFD staff about the look and feel of each Guest experience. The reports identify employees that deserve special recognition. Reports also address areas needing improvement.

The program has been received very warmly by the staff as a chance to prove their capabilities. The improvements are already apparent to staff and our Guests. More employees are winning accolades and there is a palpable, renewed energy at each event. Events at District venues are indeed turning from good to great very quickly.

DISTRICT IV SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
AVSS & GRADUATE INSTITUTE

IAAM District IV will be providing two $500 scholarships to either the Academy for Venue Safety and Security being held August 19 – 24, 2006, in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, or the PAFMS Graduate Institute being held June 3 - 7, 2006, at Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia.

 Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must need some financial assistance, be employed in the public assembly facility industry or directly related business such as concessions, ticketing, crowd management and other facility service related companies. Preference, however, will be given to active members and applicants employed in public assembly facilities.

Applicant and/or his/her facility must commit to attending the 2006 session for either AVSS or Graduate Institute.

The following information and documentation must be submitted to Lori Leyba-Kramer at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-2999. Deadline is 5:00 pm PDT April 28, 2006.

Name
Date of Application
Facility Name
Current Position/Title
IAAM Member?           Yes      No

ATTACH THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THIS APPLICATIONFORM: 

• An explanation of your financial need.
• A resume outlining your professional career.
• A description of your present position and responsibilities.
• A summary of your career goals and objectives.
• Indicate what program you would be using this scholarship for.
• A one-page typed essay on “Why I should be awarded a $500 Scholarship”.

Theatre stagehands receive certified theatre riggers designation

( Portland, OR) -Two theatre stagehands from the Portland Center for the Performing Arts recently were among the first group of 111 entertainment industry technicians to receive a Certified Theatre Riggers designation from The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council. The Portland rigging graduates are James Burbach and John Rourke.

The ETCP theatre rigging certifications are designed for highly experienced riggers who must pass rigorous, competency-based examinations in theatre rigging. The first certification testing took place in November 2005. In addition, the graduates have also agreed to abide by the ETCP Certified Entertainment Technician Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to advance the integrity, honor and prestige of this profession.

Congratulations to these outstanding riggers who have made this important professional commitment to personal and public safety in their service to the entertainment industry. Get more information about the ETCP certification program and to see a complete list of the certified riggers at www.etcp.esta.org.

SMG to Manage Carlson Center

The Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fairbanks, Alaska, has awarded the management contract of the Carlson Center to SMG of Alaska, according toJoyce White, General Manager. Ms. White indicated that the current management staff is pleased with the announcement and excited about the opportunity to continue serving the residents of Fairbanks and the Interior of Alaska with a wide variety of events and entertainment."

New Lynnwood Convention Center
Exceeds Expectations

The Lynnwood Convention Center, the region’s newest public facility, making its debut in April 2005, is living up to all predictions of a thriving future. The Center has more than exceeded expectations, hosting more than one hundred meetings and events in its first 8 months of operation. Over 40,000 guests have visited the facility.

The new Lynnwood Convention Center celebrated its grand opening with an invitation-only Black Tie Gala attended by over 400 dignitaries from throughout Snohomish and King Counties. On Saturday April 2, 2005, the Convention Center opened its doors to the public with the Lynnwood Multicultural fair. Over 2,000 local residents had an opportunity to tour the facility, engage in interactive cultural arts and enjoy traditional musical and dance performances. This exciting public event is returning on April 22, 2006!

The Lynnwood Convention Center has hosted a wide variety of groups from throughout the region. Examples include the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties, Lockheed Martin, and the Washington State Medical Association, Lynnwood Rotary Club. Additional events booked into 2008 indicate the high interest in the many amenities of the beautiful new facility. In addition, the Lynnwood Convention Center was named Best New Facility in Evening Magazine’s 2005 Best of Western Washington Viewer’s Poll.

Venues Today 2005 Charts

Venues Today year-end rankings for Top Stops on tour were just released with the Everett Events Center coming in at #11 in the world for mid-sized venues with capacities ranging from 5,001 to10,000 seats.

Pollstar Magazine Rankings

Recent Pollstar magazine rankings for the third quarter Top 100 Arena Venue Ticket Sales reports were released with the Everett Events Center charting at #59. Other Washington venues on this chart included KeyArena at Seattle Center at #75 and Tacoma Dome at #81. Year-end rankings are expected soon from Pollstar and another leading industry publication, Billboard magazine.

George Robertson Wins Contract

George Robertson, principal architect and President of GRA, recently won a contract with Seattle design and architecture firm Emick Howard & Seibert (EHS) for the design of a new corporate retreat facility for Peace Health in Bellevue, Washington.  He also announced that he and EHS have decided to permanently join forces.  Robertson brings his consulting architectural practice providing architecture planning and management services to clients developing exhibition halls, arenas, convention centers and other public assembly facilities to the firm.  Robertson and EHS principal Jim Haack have worked on numerous projects together and find that merging their capabilities offers clients a much more comprehensive set of feasibility assessment, design, architecture, and planning services.  Together, Robertson and EHS plan on offering directors of convention and meeting facilities, many of whom are facing unprecedented competition, new tools to help improve market penetration and to grow their bottom line.

George Robertson has concentrated on convention and meeting facilities exclusively; offering a highly focused and in-depth feasibility and architectural design expertise.  EHS is a full-service design and architecture firm with expertise in customer and market analysis, retail and branded environments, cost/benefit feasibility assessment, and in repositioning and new facility development.

In other news, Robertson announced the completion and opening of the Ocean Shores Convention Center.  This new facility replaces the older convention facilities that for two decades served this coastal Washington resort city.  GRA's design significantly upgrades and revitalizes the meetings capability of this recreational destination.

Oregon Convention Center Hires Operations Director

The Oregon Convention Center has selected Mike Brown, FMA, to serve as Director of Operations. Brown will oversee the center’s operations and maintenance services including engineering, utility services, exhibit services, housekeeping, building and landscape maintenance. Brown will manage an operations budget of $7.8 million and a workforce of 70 full-time employees. Brown has 25 years experience and expertise in facilties maintenance and mechanical, environmental and technical systems design and operations. He recently received his Facilities Management Administrator designation from the Building Operators and Management Institute and is also a graduate of the IAAM Public Assembly Facility Management School.