APRIL 2, 2006

• Debbie Kling (Secretary/Treasurer) reported that the District IV bank account was balance was currently $20,993. Preliminary indications reflect a positive financial outcome from the Boise Combined District meeting this year, with updated budget numbers to be announced in San Antonio.
• Lori Leyba (Scholarship Chair) reported that there was only one applicant for the Senior Executive Symposium Scholarship. A motion to extend the application deadline from April 3rd to April 13th was passed to allow for additional applications to be received.
     o Lori reminded everyone that planned to attend either the Graduate Institute at Oglebay or AVSS, that there were two (2) $500 partial scholarships available and waiting on applicants.

• Ron Yorita (DVP) announced that District VII had extended an offer to both Districts IV and VI to join them in Las Vegas April 13-16, 2007. A motion to join both districts in Las Vegas was passed.
     o Ron also informed the District that we had informally been invited to join District VI in Denver in 2008, but would wait until they formally extend an offer to us before voting.
     o Ron also informed the district that District VII was moving ahead and planning to go to Phoenix in 2009, and would be extending District IV an offer to join. This meant skipping District IV in the rotation, which we would talk about later.

• Kevin Twohig (Nomination Chair) reported that the nominating committee recommended the following: o District IV Vice President: Duane Morris, Montana State University o District IV Assistant Vice President: Debbie Kling, Qwest Arena – Boise
     o District IV Secretary/Treasurer: Kim Bedier, Everett Events Center A motion to approve the nominations as stated was passed. There was discussion regarding separating the position of secretary/treasurer into two positions. This was tabled until the San Antonio meeting pending further research and discussion.

• Kevin Twohig (Nomination Chair) reported that the nominating committee recommended the following:
     o District IV Vice President: Duane Morris, Montana State University
     o District IV Assistant Vice President: Debbie Kling, Qwest Arena – Boise
     o District IV Secretary/Treasurer: Kim Bedier, Everett Events Center A motion to approve the nominations as stated was passed. There was discussion regarding separating the position of secretary/treasurer into two positions. This was tabled until the San Antonio meeting pending further research and discussion.

• Johnna Boxley (Communications Chair) reported that the deadline for the next newsletter would be May 15th. She stated that it was a great communications tool and that everyone should please send information for content. Johnna was recognized for her excellent contribution in creating the newsletter for District IV.

• Andy Green of District VII came in to pitch Las Vegas for 2007, and was informed that District IV had voted and would be joining District VII in 2007. Andy informed the District that the meetings would most likely be held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino just off the strip. Andy brought up the subject of joining District VI in Denver in 2008. We informed him that once the city was finally determined that we would most likely vote on 2008 at the San Antonio meeting.

Andy brought up the subject of District VII planning to go to Phoenix in 2009 and extending an offer to District IV. This brought much discussion concerning district meeting rotation and other subjects. The subject of holding the 2009 district meeting in Vancouver, BC was brought up and tabled so that District IV officers could talk to Vancouver reps. More discussion concerning the 2009 district meeting will occur in San Antonio.

• IAAM has formed a “History & Recognition Committee”. Max Torbert of the Casper Events Center is graciously representing District IV, and will continue up to the San Antonio meeting. o Debbie Kling has suggested that this be an annual chair assignment or that the Secretary/Treasurer position be split to take on this roll. The subject will be taken up and discussed at the San Antonio meeting.

• We’ve got a lot of items to cover, please join us for much discussion this August in San Antonio!

GROWTH AT THE PRINCE GEORGE CIVIC CENTRE

The bustling Prince George Civic Centre is the only convention centre servicing Northern British Columbia, and this facility has found its niche in the market of event hosting. Now just over a decade old, the Prince George Civic Centre is experiencing its busiest years ever.

Specializing in conferences, trade shows, banquets and sporting events, the facility is currently experiencing unprecedented popularity. By the end of 2005, the Prince George Civic Centre had hosted 705 events – an increase of 145 over the 590 events hosted the year before. Of the 705 events hosted in 2005, 54.47% were meetings, 14.61% were educational courses, 8.09% were sport/recreation, 5.25% special events, and 4.54% convention/conferences. The most significant increase was noticed in the convention/conference category that increased from 12 in 2004 to 32 in 2005. “Our increased events can largely be attributed to the growth we have seen in conventions & meetings,” says Colleen Van Mook, Manager of Community Services. “This industry is very competitive, but also lucrative. At the start of the new millennium we hosted between 9-14 conventions per year, and in 2005 we were up to 32. We see continued growth in the future.”

To enhance the city’s involvement with the convention sector, the Prince George Civic Centre has joined Conventions British Columbia. This consortium of British Columbia’s five major convention centres (Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver, Penticton, and Prince George) was created to address the challenge of growing and sharing the province’s convention business through a combination of activities designed to enhance operational efficiencies and market readiness. In addition, the Prince George Civic Centre is currently collaborating with Events Prince George, Northern British Columbia Tourism, and Tourism Prince George on several projects that are designed to boost tourism revenues from conventions hosted in Prince George. The Prince George Civic Centre has already developed a reputation for exceptional event hosting capabilities, and with these partnerships we will continue to target potential business in the conventions industry.

The Prince George Civic Centre features a dividable 18,000sqft auditorium; a 7,000sqft landscaped pre function area, 8 versatile meeting rooms and an outdoor plaza. The facility is well known for staff who go above and beyond with quality service. All in all, the Prince George Civic Centre continues to stretch the limits with hosting events while receiving many favourable reviews from customers.

Northwest Regional Operations Day Camp 2006 

July 18 from 9am - 3:30pm at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon.

Continental Breakfast and a Box Lunch will be included in the registration price of $25.. There will be an option of 8 different workshops/sessions throughout the day led or via panels of their peers. Workshops include:

o Why do the Sales & Event Teams Make the Decision they do?,
o Recycling & LEEDS Certification…Going Green, First Impressions – Let’s talk Landscaping, Emergency Preparedness & Safety Practices…Are you Ready, o Rigging…the Certification Process & Safety Review,
o How to add 10 years to your equipment & carpet,
o Supervising an OPS Team…what works,
o A commitment to maintenance...how to get your team there,
o Customer Service…what works, what’s new. Please contact karentotaro@oregoncc.org for more information.
 

Convention Center Chef Recognized for Excellence

Winners of the Culinary Excellence Award. Seated left to right are Executive Sous Chef Mayra Melka-Baldwin, Sous Chef Bob Mizzi and Pastry Chef Lois Sietman. Standing are Sous Chef Brooks Magnuson and Chef José Chavez.


SEATTLE: Executive Chef José Chavez of the Washington State Convention & Trade Center has received the Culinary Excellence Award from ARAMARK’s Convention Centers and Cultural Attractions division. Nearly 160 entrants competed for this award, including chefs from 43 other convention centers.

John Christison, Convention Center President, was pleased to hear Chavez had earned the award. “Chef José’s commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork, as well as his creative use of Washington state’s outstanding variety of fresh food products easily set him apart from his competition.” Christison continued, “José spent 20 years honing his skills at Seattle’s most famous hotel. His experience allows us to provide the finest food service found at any meeting facility in the country.”

Several members of Chavez’s staff also received recognition from ARAMARK. These include Executive Sous Chef Mayra Melka- Baldwin, Sous Chefs Brooks Magnuson and Bob Mizzi, and Pastry Chef Lois Sietman. Steve Kiely, the Convention Center’s Director of Food Services said of Chavez and his team, “They can do it all and they do it all very well. Whether it is a tasting for three meeting planners or dinner for 4,000, it is done seemingly without effort and always with exceptional taste and style.”

 

Seaside Civic and Convention Center Hires GM

The Seaside Civic and Convention Center would like to announce the hiring of Russell Vandenberg as the new General Manager. Russell previously spent 17 years employed as the Events Manager for the Bren Events Center at the University of California at Irvine. We would also like to announce the promotion of Roy Ford to the position of Operations Supervisor.

The Seaside Civic and Convention Center announces the launching of our new Website www.seasideconvention.com. Our new site will enable guest the ability to preview the Center by taking a virtual 360-degree tour of our meeting rooms and exhibit space. Additional features include: Events Calendar, Photo Gallery, and Online Information Request Forms, Facility Application Forms and Additional Facility Information.

The Seaside Civic and Convention Center has also recently installed a fully wireless, high speed DSL Internet system. We are pleased to offer this new service to clients free of charge. Providing wireless Internet service will allow our guest the ability to surf the internet, or check their email while attending meetings and conventions.

Rose Quarter News

Capital Improvements

Phase one of major capital improvements for the Rose Garden continues throughout the summer. This initial phase consists of substantial upgrades in the Premium Seating areas of the 20,000-seat arena, including the Courtside Lounge, the Club Level (previously known as the Preferred Level), the Suite Level, and the back of house preparation facilities.

New Era Ticketing
On March 1st, the Rose Quarter transitioned to the New Era Ticketing service. The first event on sale with the new service was April 8th's Sportfight XV Tribute. All newly announced events at the Rose Quarter will now be Rose Quarter Ticketing, and the André Rieu concert on October 21, 2006 will conclude the use of Ticketmaster. Tickets can now be purchased through a direct link from RoseQuarter.com and at participating Safeway outlets in Oregon and Washington.

Theater of the Clouds gives opportunity for diverse events - Sold Out!
Throughout the past three months the Rose Quarter has found success in the diversity of events for the Theater of the Clouds. Madea Goes to Jail a theatrical production by Tyler Perry sold out the Theater of the Clouds on January 3. This was followed by Latin-Grammy winner, Juanes who also played to a sold out audience on February 7. As a result of the success of Juanes the Rose Garden booked RBD a Mexican pop group that came to Portland on May 5. These wide-range of events also vary from Il Divo, the pop-opera quartet, to Korn, the heavy metal band, that both sold out the Theater of the Clouds choosing to play at the Rose Garden over smaller venues in Portland.

New Event to the Rose Quarter
The Rose Quarter is excited to bring a new event to the Rose Garden World Sumo League 2006 Mega Tour. This is the first time the World Sumo League will be coming to the Rose Garden. Twenty-four wrestlers ranging from 200 to 600 pounds step into the dohyo (ring) wearing their mawashis (traditional loin cover) as they battle in 31 round-robin matches throughout the evening. The World Sumo League will be at the Everett Events Center on June 20.

New to the Rose Quarter
Chad Ludkey has joined the Global Spectrum family as a Guest Services Manager. His wellrounded talents stem from the last 4 plus years with Arizona State as an Event and Security Coordinator working with the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State football and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Earns Prestigious BOMA Environment Certification 

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre has become the first Calgary Building to be certified BOMA Go Green in recognition of responsible environmental practices in Building Operations.

Go Green was introduced by BOMA, (Building Owners and Managers Association) Canada in April 2005 as a National Environmental Certification of best practices in building operations. BOMA Go Green is the only industry-recognized environmental program and the only program endorsed by BOMA.

BOMA Go Green focuses on five key areas where commercial buildings have environmental impacts: Resource consumption (energy); waste reduction and recycling; building materials; interior environment and tenant awareness.

From left to right: Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Marcia Lyons GM CTCC, William Partridge Executive VP BOMA, Terry Schmitt President BOMA, Jim Harvie Director of Operations CTCC, Mark Zivot Chair CTCC

According to Bill Partridge, BOMA Calgary’s Executive Vice President, “Tenants are much more sophisticated in their lease requirements and some are specifying certain indoor environmental standards. It is a logical extension of this practice that down the road, tenants will also require specific levels of performance in terms of environmental stewardship. BOMA Go Green provides that measurement tool.” Tenants can be confident that buildings maintaining the BOMA Go Green Certification maintain a very high standard of environmental responsibility and performance.

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Director of Operations, Jim Harvie explains: “The convention centre’s environmental and energyefficient features include such things as compact fluorescent lighting and variable-speed escalators, along with a sophisticated computercontrolled heating and cooling systems. Go Green Certification is important to us as it recognizes what the Centre is doing to benefit the environment.”

“We are pleased to have received the BOMA Award. This is a tribute to the function and design of the centre which has allowed us to improve operational efficiencies and provide a better meetings space for our clients.” said Marcia Lyons, General Manager of the facility. “This award coupled with the recent service excellence award from M & IT Magazine (Meetings and Incentive Travel), which we received earlier in the year, helps to confirm that our approach to good service is on the right track”.

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre’s expansion in 2000 received the BOMA Building of the Year – Government/Institutional Facility for 2002. The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre has been a leader in the Canadian marketplace since 1972 when it became the first convention centre to be built in Canada. In 2000 it continued its tradition of firsts when it became the first convention centre in Canada to install Category- 6 cabling and the first to install a 177-foot long floor-to-ceiling feature window which runs the entire width of a 50,000 square foot free-span tradeshow floor. In June 2005 the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre was the first facility to receive the Go Green Environmental Certificate in the province of Alberta, Canada.

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre is one of Canada’s premier convention and meeting facilities. It is operated by The Calgary Convention Centre Authority on behalf of the City of Calgary. The facility provides over 132, 000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space to the conventions and meetings industry, trade and consumer shows, corporations and private individuals.

SPOKANE FACILITIES WELCOME NEW PARTNERS

In recent weeks, the Spokane Public Facilities District has been fortunate to partner with two fantastic organizations. First up is the incredibly unique new facility at the Spokane Convention Center. Group Health is the naming rights partner of the new Group Health Exhibit Halls, being dedicated to the public on Wednesday, July 19 with an open house on Thursday, July 20. Group Health will be included on all way finding maps on the Spokane Convention Center campus and building identification signage.

An equally exciting development: Inland Northwest Bank has agreed to sponsor the Spokane Opera House. The newly christened INB Performing Arts Center was announced in a press conference on Tuesday, May 31.

"We are thrilled to have Group Health and INB as the naming rights sponsors," said General Manager Johnna Boxley. "The Group Health Exhibit Halls will be a great addition to the Spokane community and look incredible thanks to their support. We are moving forward on numerous renovation projects at the INB Performing Arts Center this summer and INB is helping to make these projects possible."

Renovation projects slated for 2006 include the renovation of all exterior site work, new airconditioning chillers and cooling towers, and a new state-of-the-art marquee, and, most exciting of all to our Guests, expanded restroom facilities on all levels of the INB Performing Arts Center.

Seattle Center Changes…

Jyo Singh taken on an expanded role at Seattle Center as Director of Commercial Facilities and Events. Jyo will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Team while assuming leadership responsibility for McCaw Hall, KeyArena and Campus Event Servicing.

Edie Burke has been promoted to the position of KeyArena Manager. Her work experience and her dedication to our organization are much admired by staff and clients alike and will serve her well in her new position.

NEW OPERATIONS MANAGER TO OVERSEE TECHNICAL SERVICES AT THE OREGON CONVENTION CENTER

The Oregon Convention Center recently selected Matthew Uchtman to serve as its operations manager of technical services. Uchtman will manage a department of 35 employees that provide facility operations and maintenance services for the nearly one million sq. ft. venue. He replaces Mike Brown, who recently was appointed to serve as the convention center’s director of operations.

Uchtman brings seven years of facility operations and event management experience to his position at the Oregon Convention Center. “Matt’s strengths and management style perfectly compliment our progressive approach to operating the Northwest’s largest convention center,” said Assistant Executive Director Karen Totaro. Uchtman recently relocated from Dayton, Ohio where he served as assistant director for the University of Dayton Arena and Sports Complex. “Matt’s resourcefulness and his experience managing facility operations and events at a high-profile public venue will bring positive results for our clients and the center’s technical services team," said Mike Brown, director of operations for the convention center.

VCEC Appoints Director of Sales and International Sales Manager

The Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC) has added two key members to its growing sales team as the facility’s major expansion project continues to progress towards opening in 2008.

Gayle Morris has been appointed Director of Sales, where she will lead efforts to generate business for the expanded facility, recruit and manage the sales team, generate strategic partnerships, and manage revenue systems. With more than twenty years of sales and marketing experience, Morris joins the VCEC from ResortQuest International where she was the Western Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. Prior to that, she held senior sales positions in Whistler, San Francisco and Laguna Beach. Morris also owned and managed a sales and marketing business which assisted in the pre-opening of hotel properties and provided support to the group and incentive markets. She holds a BA from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma of Marketing from BCIT.

With nearly ten years of sales experience, Alex Keane is the VCEC’s new International Sales Manager where he is responsible for business development and positioning the facility in international markets. Keane, who hails from the UK, was previously responsible for global marketing and travel trade sales for the All England Lawn Tennis Club, otherwise known as Wimbledon. He also has a background in tour and travel sales from organizations such as Virgin.com and Travelbag and holds a BA (with Honours) in Leisure and Tourism Management from the University of York in Yorkshire, England.

“Both Gayle and Alex bring an ideal mix of skills and experience to the VCEC,” said Judi Helfrich, Vice President of Business Development. “Gayle’s depth of leadership experience and high-performing sales record will be crucial as she drives the team into expansion and beyond. And while the VCEC already has a solid global presence, Alex’s knowledge and expertise will further strengthen our position in the international congress, trade show and exhibition markets.”

GROUP HEALTH EXHIBIT HALLS TO BE DEDICATED ON JULY 19 

The Group Health Exhibit Halls at the Spokane Convention Center will be dedicated on Wednesday, July 19. Festivities include the unveiling of a beautiful new memorial to Luke Willliams, who played an enormous role in getting the original Convention Center built in the 1970s; a ceremony dedicating the facility including Governor Christine Gregoire; and public open house on July 20. The strikingly modern treatments and finishes will finally be presented to the public after two years of construction. The facility will be open a full two months ahead of schedule thanks to the dedication of our construction team, Hoffman/Bouten Joint Venture. 

SPFD SALES AND MARKETING TEAM ADDS TWO! 

The Spokane Public Facilities District has hired two great people for the new Convention Center Sales Manager and the new Design Specialist positions: Mimi de Quesada and Matt Golnick!

Responsibilities for Mimi will include assisting with the coordinated sales and booking strategies to generate additional conference, convention, exhibition and trade show business. She will work closely with the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau and will be their primary contact with the Spokane Public Facilities District.

Matt will be the primary web master and graphic designer for projects representing the venues. We are very proud to welcome them aboard.

Crystal Centre hosts World Curling Championship

Crystal Centre, located in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada hosted the Ford World Women’s Curling Championship March 18 – 26, 2006. Twelve teams from around the globe descended on this northern community and celebrated one of the most successful events ever. Near sell out crowds at every draw along with sold out semis and finals once again ensured Grande Prairie’s place on the event map.

The World Curling Federation at the closing banquet for the very first time presented one of their three volunteer awards to the venue for its contribution to the event. Crystal Centre General Manager Jane Cada-Sharp says, “The award was definitely icing on the cake for the entire staff and a lovely surprise. It was a pleasure working with the WCF, Canadian Curling Association, participants, host committee, volunteers, sponsors and patrons throughout the championship. The days were long but we had a ton of fun and to receive this type of recognition just added to the experience.”

The 2006 championship was the venue’s first curling event and according to WCF Vice- President Les Harrison they will definitely be back and it had better be soon! Cada-Sharp says, “Those comments and many others like it are a real testament to the loyalty and commitment of this very hard working group of people I have the privilege to be associated with. This small but mighty staff is only satisfied with the best and has done our City, Province and Country proud.”

For you curling fans out there, Sweden took the Gold, U.S. the silver and Canada the bronze.
 

Allied meeting Recap By Jack Lucas

a. We reviewed the nomination for the Joseph Anzivino Distinguished allied Member Award - the public announcement of the nominee will be announced at a later date

b. reviewed the PAFMS @ Olgebay for Allied Members, the criteria, etc.

c. reviewed the criteria and made a statement that Allied Members can attend the Senior Executive Symposium

d. nomination's for District Allied Chair were considered

e . nomination's for Chairman, Allied Group, were considered

f. discussed the election process for Allied Officers

g. reviewed the details of the Foundation Friday Golf Tournament and the Annual Conference and Trade Show in San Antonio
h. again there was a serious discussion about district meetings vs. specialty meetings. Are the decision makers coming to the district meetings? 2nd and 3rd tier management attending the district meetings vs. the decision maker?
 

GF Strategies Adds New Fairgrounds Customer.

GF Strategies has added the Northwest Washington Fair to its list of customers for 2006. “WE are pleased to bring our proven program to the Fair in 2006”, said company President Greg Flakus. The company worked with the Fair on pre-planning for the event, providing a report on the revenue areas for the Fair, including carnival, food, and attractions.

In addition to this new contract, GF Strategies will work with all of the customers that were part of its fair audits segment again in 2006. The Deschutes County Fair, will return for its twefth year with GF Strategies. Other events that will work with the firm are Lane County Fair, Clark County Fair, Spokane Interstate Fair,Western Idaho Fair,and Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

The company provides food service planning for profit for events, expo centers, stadiums and arenas in North America.Clients that continue to use the GF Strategies program include the Houston Livestock Show, Tulsa State Fair, Alameda County Fair, Kern County Fair, San Diego County Fair and others throughout North America. The company also does revenue improvement studies for convention centers and other facilities. These studies provide the facility management with recommendations on how to increase revenues from all areas, that may include food service, admissions, concierge, mobile banking, add- on events and other revenue sources.

For more information, you may contact GF Strategies at (360)573-7027.

Everett Events Center 

On May 16, 2006, the Conference Center at the Everett Events Center was recently renamed the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center after Hansen, 66, who was elected Everett mayor three times and who recently retired as general manager of the Snohomish County PUD. He left a permanent stamp on Snohomish County, succeeding at a high level in politics, law, business, government and sports and overcoming criticism and “almost singlehandedly” pushing through the idea of the Everett Events Center.

Quote from the Everett Herald (May 7, 2006) Ed Hansen is Everett’s renaissance man: “The arena has been widely popular during its nearly three years of existence, sparking a visible turnaround in the downtown area and drawing people in after dark. "I've had a number of former critics come up afterwards and kind of apologize," Hansen said.”

Global Spectrum named Adam Cook Event Manager for the Everett Events Center overseeing Conference Center and Arena events. Michelle Daniels has been named Event Coordinator for the Everett Events Center. Prior to relocating to Everett, where Cook spent the past year working as the Event Coordinator at the Everett Events Center, he worked for Contemporary Service Company (CSC) as an Event Manager in Miami. Adam started his career as a Special Events Coordinator at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, his alma mater, where he managed student events including concerts, performing arts and campus events.

Global Spectrum named Rich Stewart as Director of Finance for the Everett Events Center. He will oversee all financial and accounting functions for the Center. Prior to accepting his new position in Everett, Rich spent 20 years in the broadcast industry in the Seattle area. He held various accounting positions at KIRO radio and television then moved to KING television where he held the position of Assistant Controller. Most recently Rich was the Director of Finance at Fox Sports Northwest.

A brand-new Everett City Concierge kiosk opened in April in the Arena at the Everett Events Center. The Everett City Concierge will supply information about local restaurants, hotels, attractions, and events, while also providing guest services for Arena events. The Everett City Concierge is a complimentary service to visitors and local residents, providing information on hotels, transportation, restaurants, events, attractions and more. The City Concierge is managed by Global Spectrum and funded by the City of Everett.
 

International Association of Assembly Managers    81st Annual Conference & Trade Show Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center August 4-8, 2006 San Antonio, TX Visit www.iaam.org to register See you at the Dist IV Meeting Sunday, August 6 8:45am

The Black Eyed Peas Sell Out and Set New Concert Attendance Record May 15, 2006. The Black Eyed Peas, with special guests Pussycat Dolls and Flipsyde, has set a new record concert attendance for the Everett Events Center at 8,701 tickets. The Everett Events Center’s previous attendance record was set by Cher, when the icon played to a sold out crowd of 8,287 in January of 2005.

Portland Center for the Performing Arts Helps Produce Two World Premiere Opera Productions

Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) recently helped produce a second world premiere opera: Hollywood Mystery Theatre by the 34 Dragon Opera Company of Clarendon Elementary School. Yes, opera. Yes, elementary school students. Seven and eight year old second graders spent eight months creating, producing and practicing their own three-act opera. How did the PCPA get involved?

PCPA director Robyn Williams saw a March 2005 newspaper story describing two secondgrade teachers who were helping their students write and perform an original opera. The teachers received training through the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s education initiative which stresses the importance of music and arts in developing math and reading skills. Clarendon Elementary in North Portland has families who are low- and middle-income, with more than half of the students speaking English as a second language and 80% receiving free or reduced meals at school.

The teachers were doing the program well—students created every bit of the work. But the production needed some assistance. After meeting with the teachers, PCPA loaned theatrical materials and lighting equipment for the tiny classroom performance. Since the school has no auditorium, Ms. Williams offered free use of the PCPA’s 290-seat Winningstad Theatre so that family and friends could see the opera the students had created. PCPA also donated ticketing services and admissions and stage crews’ costs.

At the first rehearsal visit to the theatre lobbies one little girl exclaimed “It’s a palace!” In June 2005, the 2nd grade Titanic 51 Kids Opera Company premiered A Visit to Grandpa’s Farm Where a Girl Finds Her Power to a standing ovation. This May, PCPA’s 880-seat Newmark Theatre hosted Hollywood Theatre Mystery. The students were writers, musicians, actors, singers, stage hands, light and sound board operators, ushers, box office, PR committee, and historians. The students job shadowed PCPA’s professional crews for the 60-minute, three-act opera. Again, the second graders received a standing ovation. Of course, every student got to take a bow and receive flowers.

The PCPA is proud of this association and looks forward to working with Clarendon Elementary School for many years.

Welcome New District IV Members 

Courtney Palmer
OREGON CONVENTION CENTRE
Portland,OR
(courtneypalmer@oregoncc.org)

Kimberly Zirfas
IKON CENTRE
Cheyenne, WY
(kzirfas@ikoncenter.com)

Mohnie Mangat
LYNNWOOD CONVENTION CENTER
Lynnwood, Washington
(mohnie@lynnwoodcc.com)