DISTRICT IV MEETING:
 May 1- 4, 2008 Portland, OR

Why should you attend? See below

District IV DVP Report

Winter Greetings from Montana,

In December I represented District 4 at the Mid-Winter Board Meeting in Dallas. The meeting was very productive and I would like to update you on some significant initiatives underway that relate to District 4 and IAAM membership. As many of you are aware, President Steve Peters unveiled plans for his Mission, Membership and Governance Initiative (MMGI) at the close of the Annual Trade Show and Conference in Salt Lake City.

What is the MMGI?

The MMG is an initiative with a singular purpose - to position IAAM for the future. The initiative was designed to test and evaluate current organizational precepts to insure that IAAM is keeping pace with the changing world around us and delivering the best possible value to the next generation of members.

What methods of testing and evaluation were used?

  •   IAAM established a relationship
         with   Association Laboratory, Inc.
         to conduct research and provide
         non-bias recommendations.
   •   IAAM distributed an online survey to
         virtually all members to collect
         in-depth information. 877 members
         completed the survey, representing
         25% of the association.
 

   • Association Laboratories, Inc. created a
        Strategic Business Review for use at a
        Strategic Planning Retreat.

  •  IAAM invited various individuals to
        participate in a Two-day Strategic Planning
        Retreat.

  •   Retreat participants represented a
        diverse sample of the membership,
        including variety in areas such as
        age, membership category, geographical
        location, venue type, etc, to gain the
        broadest perspective possible. Several
        key IAAM staff members were asked to
        participate to give additional viewpoints.
 
  •  Association Laboratories, Inc. facilitated
        the retreat to give unbiased feedback
        unbiased.

What was the outcome of the research, surveys and Strategic Planning Retreat?

At the conclusion of the testing and evaluation, Association Laboratories worked with the IAAM staff, Executive Committee and the participants of the retreat in the formulation of 11 action steps as part of the strategic plan.

At the Mid-Winter Board meeting the board members voted on the 11 action steps that were outlined in the strategic plan, adopting 10 of the 11 recommendations as written. Action step 11, which focuses on realignment of the current district model, was modified after vigorous discussion.

How does this impact District 4?

Under action step 11, the districts as we know them today would no longer exist. This suggested change is spurred by survey responses, which indicated the association may

need to make organizational changes to address concerns relative to the current geographical role the districts play. The seven (7) districts would transition to a larger regional model with an emphasis on chapter meetings to enhance “grass-roots” growth. Specifically, this action step calls for:

   •   Restructuring the current existing seven
          (7) North America Districts into three (3)
          North American regions; Pacific – North
          America, Mid – North America and
          Atlantic – North America.
           •  Several chapters would
                        exist in each region.
   •  IAAM would establish five (5) GLOBAL regions.

This dovetails with action step 10 which focuses on the role of chapter meetings and increasing their involvement in the future with the goal of providing greater opportunity for members/prospective members to become involved. Specifically, action step 10 on chapter meetings calls for:

   •   Designate chapter affiliation for each member.
     •   Provide WHQ resources for success
          of Chapter meetings. (for example:
          training for chapter leaders will be
          available at the Annual Conference
          & Trade Show as a concurrent session)
   •   Focus Membership Dept/Committee
          on Chapter Development.

What is the time frame for these changes?

It is imperative that IAAM receives input from the Districts on Action Step 11 before moving forward; therefore, the timeline for the revisions in the district structure depends on feedback received. IAAM senior officers will present the comprehensive plan to each district at their respective district meeting this spring in conjunction with a town hall discussion to gather feedback. If the districts are amenable to the proposed plan, the action step would then be formulated into bylaw changes that would be presented for approval at the Annual Trade Show and Conference this summer in Anaheim.

 

Where does that leave us?

At the Mid-Winter Board Meeting, the DVPs as a group expressed serious concern about action step 11, particularly in regards to the timeline for potential adoption. It’s vital to note that our reservation was not based necessarily on whether district realignment should occur, but rather that a change of this magnitude needed to be clearly articulated to the general membership and the proper amount of time needed to be provided to consider the wide reaching ramifications.

It was the opinion of the DVPS that before this action step should be considered for membership vote in Anaheim, questions needed to be addressed, including, but not limited to; how would existing separate district funds be handled with the consolidation to three regions? How would scholarships be handled? How would existing contracts (hotels for example) for future district meetings be addressed?

After lengthy discussion on Action Step 11 at the Mid-Winter Board Meeting, a compromise was drafted in the form of a motion that allowed for the DVPs to take this action step back to their respective members for input. The DVPs are to report back to the board on member reaction by March 1st.

I am asking you now for your input on this matter.

       -Are you in favor of consolidating to the seven
        districts into three regions?

      -Will chapter meetings serve your needs as you
       connect with the association?

      -Do you have specific concerns you‘d like to
       see addressed as part of this dialogue at
       the board level?

I represent you as your District 4 Vice President and thus, I want to insure I am representing the wishes of our members in an accurate fashion. I ask that you please email me your thoughts on these matters by February 15th.

Sincerely,

Duane Morris, CFE
District 4 DVP
 

SPOKANE PFD COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

Creating event experiences that make guests say WOW! This is what the Spokane Public Facilities District envisions for all of three of its venues, the Spokane Arena, the Spokane Convention Center, and INB Performing Arts Center. Based on compliments from various planners, promoters and guest comments, it was apparent the staff was already providing a great guest experience, but the PFD wanted to ensure that every team member was consistently delivering quality service.

A secret shopper program was selected that fit this need for evaluation. Each event is assessed by interacting with staff using anonymous shoppers and customized evaluation criteria. Both employees performing their duties (i.e. parking attendants, ticket takers, etc.) and the observation of building areas (i.e. restroom cleanliness, concession wait times, etc.) are rated and scored from 0-100%. The scores are based on established weighted criteria, and are used as a tool for ongoing performance review and evaluation, as well as staff recognition.

Staff members who receive a score of 100% are given a “Standing Ovation” award. This award recognizes them for their accomplishments in helping make the facilities great. Amidst their peers, they are presented with a certificate and $5 District Dollars, which they can use at any of the venues’ concession stands. This has fostered a culture in which employees strive to raise the guests’ experience to an even higher level.

Across the board, this program has dramatically increased the quality of guest experiences and been extremely well received by all members of staff. Since its inception the Secret Shopper has proven itself as a valuable tool in ensuring guests in their facilities say WOW, over and over again.
 

Convention Centres of BC win JMIC “Profile and Power” Award

The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) today announced the winner of the 2007 JMIC Profile and Power Award as The Conventions BC consortium from British Columbia, Canada. The award was made in recognition of their creation of a fully integrated industry development initiative that engaged three levels of government and promoted a better understanding of the meetings industry and its benefits throughout five communities in their province.
“The Conventions BC program is a very appropriate winner of the Profile and Power Award as it combined industry development with an effort to educate and engage the community and local government”, said Council Member and ICCA President Leigh Harry. “In addition to its industry development activities, the program created new tools, including an economic impact model and a set of quality standards for convention centres, to document their economic arguments and enhance their competitive edge. These programs have subsequently been adopted by other industry organizations and are providing a base for demonstrating industry performance in various parts of the world”.
Along with their host communities, Conventions BC engaged city, provincial and national governments. The result of these efforts included program development support which was provided by the provincial and national governments as well as funding for the creation of a formal business plan to advance the industry in this part of Canada. Members of the consortium are the Victoria Conference Centre, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and the Prince George Civic Centre.
The JMIC Power and Profile Award was established by the Council as a way of recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to advancing the awareness and influence of the Meetings Industry in their respective communities. The winner is selected each year
 

based on criteria which evaluate the efforts of an individual or organization in increasing industry profile.
JMIC – the Joint Meetings Industry Council – was established in 1978 as a vehicle for creating a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives amongst international associations engaged in various aspects of the Meetings Industry. It has met annually each year and served as a link between its member organizations as well as a means of reviewing industry conditions and strategies.

JMIC members include AIPC (The International Association of Congress Centres); COCAL (The Latin American Confederation of PCO and Related Companies); ECM (European Cities Marketing); IAPCO (The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers); ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association); MPI (Meeting Professionals International) EVVC, the European Association of Event Centres and SITE (the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives).

For further information contact:
Marianne de Raay, JMIC Secretariat Office
Tel: (32) (2) 534 59 53 Fax: (32) (2) 534 63 38
e-mail: Marianne.de.raay@aipc.org
 

Welcome District IV New Members

John Erickson, Centerplate, Seattle

Michael Dorman, Meydenbauer Center

Alexander P. Desjardins, ENMAX Centre

Diane Bilodeau, Prince George Civic Centre

Diane MacDonald, Vancouver Civic Theatres

Tammi Bryant Olson, Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center/Global Spectrum;

Latest News Updates on the Oregon Convention Center

New and improved web site

The Oregon Convention Center has recently launched a new and improved web site (www.oregoncc.org). They have worked to assemble the most valuable resources possible to assist their clients and visitors alike.

The new site features easy navigation of OCC’s extensive library of planner and exhibitor guides, helpful forms, a regularly updated e-newsletter and RSS newsfeed, online service and ticket ordering, detailed event and contact information, a comprehensive 360 degree virtual tour of the facility, and more.

Online ticket service

Working with TicketsWest (TicketsWest.com), the OCC is now offering new opportunities and marketing strategies that can directly benefit its public ticketed events. The OCC is providing these new services at no direct cost to show managers in order to provide added convenience for their attendees, and ultimately to see an increase in overall attendance.

Salmon-Safe Certification

The OCC has become the first convention center in the U.S. to earn Salmon-Safe certification. The designation was awarded for safeguards the facility deployed to protect water quality and Pacific salmon habitat, as well as commitments the organization has made to further reduce its environmental impact over time.

Oregon Convention Center hires facility operations director

The OCC has chosen Ryan Thorpe to serve as its director of operations. Thorpe will direct building operations and  
 

maintenance services for the one million sq. ft. facility. Thorpe will have oversight of engineering, utility, and building maintenance; custodial and exhibit services; landscape services; and capital improvement projects. Thorpe will manage a $7.8 million operations budget and a workforce of 70 full-time employees. Thorpe began his new post November 5, 2007.

Management film shoot

A scene from the new romantic comedy Management, starring Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn, was recently filmed at the OCC. The center was set up to look like the Baltimore airport for the film, which is directed by Stephan Belber.

Subscribe to the Oregon Convention Center e-newsletter ePoint to receive all of the latest news and event updates from the center…

epoint.oregoncc.org

Contact:

Jeff Blosser
Executive Director
JeffBlosser@oregoncc.org
ph. 503-235-7583


New Logo for Seaside Civic And Convention Center

The Seaside Civic and Convention Center is pleased to announce a new facility logo. We wanted our new logo to reflect a positive image as well as symbolize the location of the center. We feel this logo accomplished both of these objectives.  

Tacoma Dome Installs New Grid

The Tacoma Dome is pleased to announce the installation of a new grid, just in time for our 25th Anniversary this year. Rob Henson, Deputy Director, and Cynthia Davis, Operations Manager, oversaw the process on behalf of the Dome from start to finish. Companies selected for the project were Western Wood Structures (to evaluate the existing roof), PCS Structures (involved in designing the new grid), Xtreme Structures and Fabrication (who made the truss, bridges and brackets) and Athletic Performance Rigging (contracted to remove the old grid and install the new one). The new grid allows shows of any type to rig in record time and paves the way for the opening of our new theatre configuration this coming April (for shows with capacity of 3,500 – 7,000). We are also proud to now claim the largest grid in the Western Hemisphere at a size of 400’ long by 160’ wide (we’re still trying to verify it as the largest grid in the world!). It can hang a 200,000 pound show evenly distributed and contains over 1.5 miles of truss and fall protection lines and 2.5 miles of welding.

Everett PFD Extends
Global Spectrum’s Contract at Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center

The Everett Public Facilities District (EPFD) voted unanimously to extend Global Spectrum’s contract to manage the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center for an additional five years, it was announced today by Earl Dutton, President of the EPFD. “Global Spectrum has done an outstanding job of operating the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center on our behalf,” said Dutton. “This past year, General Manager Kim Bedier and her team not only filled our venues with quality events, but they also achieved an important objective by securing naming rights (with Comcast). The entire Global Spectrum staff and their continued energy to exceed expectations has established the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center as an important part of our community.”

“We are pleased to be rewarded with this long-term extension of our contract with the Everett Public Facilities District,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “It has been an honor to be part of the incredible changes the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center, Comcast Community Ice Rink and the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center have had on the community and the citizens of Everett. We look forward to working and growing in the future with the Everett Public Facilities District.”

Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center is planning for an outstanding 2008 and beyond, including presenting our city to the world when the international skating community and media come to Snohomish County in October for Skate America 2008. Fans can count on the return of annual favorites like the Everett Boat Show and Everett Home & Garden show, community events and graduations galore, Everett Silvertips action, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Blue Man Group, Playhouse Disney Live, Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, and many more. Global Spectrum will also continue to present a vast array of entertainment.