Greetings from Montana,

As we head into fall I wanted to take a moment to bring everyone up to speed on a variety of issues that impact our District.

• Plans are underway for the combined District 4, 6 & 7 Combined Meeting in Las Vegas April 13 -16, 2007 and we hope you will join us.
• At our business meeting in San Antonio there was discussion relative to our district meeting in 2008, specifically whether we would be meeting with another district or separate. With the guiding principle of doing what’s in the best interest for District 4 membership, we have made the decision to meet separately in 2008. Jeff Blosser and his staff at the Oregon Convention Center have agreed to host us in 2008 in Portland on May 1-4. Formal adoption of this will occur by vote at our business meeting in Las Vegas. 2009 will also see us meeting as a solo district when we convene in Vancouver.
• The site selection committee for the IAAM Annual Conference & Trade Show has selected Phoenix as the host city for 2011.
• Tom Cornwall, Director of City Venue Operations for Vancouver 2010 Olympics, has agreed to serve as the District 4 Foundation Representative. At the board meeting in San Antonito the foundation reported a 19% increase in annual giving.
• We are seeking a District 4 representative who would be willing to serve on the History & Awards Committee. The time commitment required is very light. If you are interested, please contact me directly.
• The Mega-Shelter Management Best Practices Guide is now available and I encourage you go explore this resource as a means of better preparing your facility and staff.

Lastly I would like to extend my appreciation to outgoing District Vice President, Ron Yorita for his commitment during his tenure of addressing the financial standing of our district. Ron’s skillful guidance returned our finances to solid ground thus allowing the district to continue with its commitment towards scholarships and other membership driven initiatives.

I look forward to serving as your District Vice President for the next two years and welcome any feedback you may have relative to our district.

See you in Las Vegas!

TACOMA DOME PROGRESS

The Tacoma Dome received a $2.7 million loan from the City of Tacoma to replace the full-field playing surface with a new PureGrass HPG portable synthetic turf provided by Sports Construction Group and installation of a new 160’ x 400’ full roof rigging grid and curtaining system allowing for a theater configuration for more intimate live events. The inaugural events on the new playing surface will be the 2006 State Football Playoffs & Championships, this November & December. The Tacoma Dome is currently marketing the naming rights for the Theater and anticipates a partnership in conjunction of the launch of new business in early 2007.”

The Tacoma Dome has renewed its relationship with Staff Pro as their selected vendor for Guest Services. Staff Pro has provided the Tacoma Dome with quality guest services, parking lot management and 24-Hour security for 10 years, and the new agreement will continue that partnership until 2009.

The Tacoma Dome has joined the Arena Network and will also be a part of the Arena Network Theater Group with the installation of their new center-hung rigging grid and curtaining system in early 2007.

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 second-grade 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.

Spokane Shock Wins It All
Spokane af2 Franchise Does The Impossible In Its First Year

The inaugural season of the new arenafootball2 franchise Spokane Shock was one of those amazing sports stories usually seen in the movies. 

Eight home games and two playoff games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena this summer brought almost 100,000 fans to check out the new game in town.

The Shock were led by Coach Chris Siegfried, the winningest coach in the af2, and came up with a 17-2 record for the season including the final win at the ArenaCup7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The real success came from Spokane’s many football fans which came out in droves to see their team play at the Spokane Arena. Many wore costumes, displayed props such as picket fences and cowbells, or showed off signs to cheer the players to victory time and time again this summer Kevin Twohig, CFE, general manager of the Spokane Arena, described the first season this way: “It’s a gorgeous summer night in one of the best cities in America. There is a packed Arena crowd screaming at the top of their lungs. The building looks great and on the field the fans witness a 41-40 hometown win as the last few seconds tick away in the game. What could be better?”

Although Coach Siegfried accepted an offer to be an offensive assistant coach for the arenafootball franchise Kansas City Brigade at the beginning of September, the Spokane Shock are busily planning for the 2007 season at the Spokane Arena along with the venue’s staff. It’s a whole new ball game.

DISTRICT IV SCHOLARSHIPS

Lori Leyba Kramer, Scholarship Chair, reports the following update on scholarships awarded by District IV this past year: The District IV 2006 scholarship was awarded to Colleen Van Mook, General Manager, Prince George Civic Centre, for attending the IAAM Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Brian Joerg attended the IAAM Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay, graduating upon completion of his second year with a District IV scholarship. Congratulations, Brian! David Richardson, Montana State University was awarded a District IV scholarship for attending his first year of the IAAM PAFMS in June, 2006.

Also, two $500 scholarships were awarded to IAAM members attending the IAAM Graduate Institute: Mary Muse, Executive Director, The Adams Center, and Justin Zeulner, Global Spectrum/Rose Quarter Events Complex.

Washington State Convention and Trade Center Showcases Local Art

The Washington State Convention & Trade Center is pleased to announce a call for artists for an upcoming juried exhibition of fine art showcasing the beauty of all of Washington's diverse agricultural regions and the people who are employed by the state's leading industry. The exhibition, Apples to Zinfandel - Aberdeen to Zillah, will celebrate both the creativity of our state's photographers and the splendor of Washington agriculture.

From the entries submitted, up to 40 images will be selected by a panel and placed on public exhibition. An illustrated exhibition program will be produced with information on the participating photographers so patrons may contact photographers for purchase of works. The exhibition will open in December with a reception in the gallery to recognize the photographers and their works.

Why agriculture at the Convention Center? Each year, hundreds of thousands of delegates come from around the world to attend events at the Center, providing opportunities to introduce the bounty of our state to many new markets. Presenting guests with the freshest and finest in Washington food and beverage products has become an important factor in the success of the Center and also provides significant financial benefit for our agricultural community.
 

EVERETT EVENTS CENTER

EVERETT PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT EXTENDS GLOBAL SPECTRUM’S MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AT EVERETT EVENTS CENTER

By unanimous vote, the Everett Public Facilities District extended the management contract for the Everett Events Center to operators Global Spectrum, according to President of the Everett Public Facilities Department Board Earl Dutton.

“Global Spectrum has done an incredible job of operating and maintaining the Everett Events Center for us,” said Dutton. “Under the leadership of General Manager Kim Bedier, Global Spectrum’s dedication to bringing top-notch entertainment to Everett residents and beyond is second to none. We are also impressed with their high-level of customer service.”

Everett Events Center News
The Everett Events Center and Comcast closed down Hewitt Avenue from Broadway to Lombard for the first time ever to host the biggest Block Party Everett has seen! Four thousand + were entertained prior to the Martina McBride concert. Four live bands performed on the main stage, two radio stations broadcast live, and a mechanical bull gripped patrons. Everett Silvertips hosted a slap shot contest, Aquasox a slow pitch contest, and many other local partners provided games and prizes for attendees.

OREGON CONVENTION CENTER RECOGNIZED AS #1

Portland, Oregon was named the top green meeting destination in North America for its leadership in sustainability by Meetings and Conventions magazine in August 2006. Portland has earned an international reputation as a “green” city through a long-term public policy commitment and industry leadership in recycling and land use, natural resource protection, its award winning public transit systems, and for its abundance of natural resources and public parks. It also has the distinction of having the most LEED-certified buildings per capita in the nation, including having only one of two convention centers in the nation with a LEED rating.

The Oregon Convention Center seized the chance to embrace the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED criteria when it planned the expansion of the center in 2001. “We saw the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and to distinguish Portland as a place that takes very seriously its protection of the environment,” said Jeff Blosser, executive director. “We designed and constructed the expanded center to the demanding standards required by the LEED program, and it’s paying off.”

A notable and frequently photographed feature of the expanded center is the Rain Garden, a bioengineered storm water management system that collects rainwater from the roof into a system of rock terraces and ponds that naturally filters the water and helps prevent pollutants from reaching the nearby Willamette River..

The center foraged into a new green territory when it started composting food waste from banquet and catering operations in 2005. In the first year the center started the program, it collected 45 tons of food that were prevented from going to the landfill and boosted its recycling rate by ten percent. The composted material is being turned into garden mulch by a processing facility in Washington. That “garden gold” just might be coming to a lawn or garden near you.

Seattle’s Qwest Field and Event Center partners with AEG to Create WaMu Theater within Exhibit Hall

SEATTLE, WASH. - AEG Live, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies (“AEG”), and Seattle-based First & Goal Inc. (“FGI”) have formed a partnership to create a unique, multi purpose theater and corporate events facility within Seattle’s Qwest Field Event Center.

AEG and FGI are also announcing that WaMu, a Seattle based bank, has agreed to a 10 year naming rights agreement for the new venue to be called the WaMu Theater.

The state-of-the-art music and live entertainment venue, which features a flexible seating capacity ranging from 3,300 to 7,000, will showcase the industry’s newest sound, lighting and other technological features as well as an array of guest friendly amenities and comforts. The theater’s unique design and versatility will accommodate corporate and special events, seminars, television productions and other hospitality-related functions in record changeover times.

“We are delighted to offer a new music experience in Seattle and believe this will be an outstanding venue within the Qwest Field Event Center,” said Tod Leiweke, CEO, First & Goal. “The new design elements, technology and additional space, along with our partnership with AEG Live will enable us to bring additional high profile concerts and corporate meetings to the venue. We also are pleased that WaMu will become our naming rights partner for this wonderful theater. Not only do they share our vision of creating the finest venue of its kind for Seattle, their philosophy of providing outstanding customer service is one that both AEG and FGI are clearly committed to as well” Leiweke add

Shevaun Seibert Promotion
Shevaun Seibert will transition from her Service Manager role into the position of Premium Sales Account Executive. She has done a great job of servicing clients, being a leader in the department, and helping generate renewal & new business for Premium Seating. Shevaun has worked for Global Spectrum at the Rose Quarter since February 2005.

Renovations Completed
The Rose Garden’s $12 million renovations were unveiled to Premium Seating season ticket holders, select media partners and communities leaders on August 30, which included the Suite Level, Club Level, and Courtside Lounge. Over 500 attendees got a sneak peek of the re-new and improved Club Level that has two 60-foot bars, new concourse lounge areas, and gas pizza ovens. Over 400 LCD televisions were added to all Premium Seating levels. The Courtside Lounge tripled in size and now includes 60-foot bar as well as a glass wall to view the opposing team take the court. The suite level received new carpeting and wood treatment along the concourse, paint, furniture, and carpeting inside the suites in addition to two LCD televisions.

Rose Quarter Wins Two Big Bids
The Rose Quarter recently received two large bids including the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball first and second round games and the 2012 Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention.

The Rose Garden was selected to host the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball first and second round games by the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. This is the first time the Rose Garden will host the NCAA Tournament and the first time Portland has hosted the event in 34 years (1975 NCAA Regional).

Games will be played at the Rose Garden on Thursday, March 19th and Saturday, March 21st, 2009 with the University of Oregon being the host school.

The Rose Quarter was also selected to host the 2012 “Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention.” This is one of the top ten conventions in the United States in terms of economic impact and number of attendees. This convention will have a $3.5 million dollar impact on the Portland economy. Scheduled to take place on July 1-8, 2021, the convention will attract over 10,000 attendees.

The Barbershop Harmony Society has competitions for approximately 50 quartets and 30 choruses. During the course of the week the convention will hold Opening Ceremonies, Good News! Gospel Sing, Association of International Champions (AIC) Show, College Quartet Celebration, MBNA American Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest, Grandfather-Father-Son Chorus and caps off the week by crowing the chorus and quartet champions. Many competitors take this opportunity to extend their vacations.

Dew Action Sports Tour

The second year of the Dew Action Sports Tour at the Rose Quarter was even more successful than the inaugural season. Portland was third out of five stops for the pro tour in terms of attendance, and utilized all areas on the Rose Quarter campus. The event was featured nationally on NBC and USA networks, and a special MTVu show was filmed during the Portland date. Because of this year’s success, talks are underway to extend the partnership an additional 2 years. Stay Tuned.

ST ALBERT LEISURE CENTER

Servus Credit Union Place located in St. Albert is proud to be the largest facility of its kind in the region and following its vision of inspiring healthy experiences through ageless play – has created diverse options for play at any age, interest or level of ability.

St. Albert is a community with a great appreciation of sports and recreation, and this facility meets the growing needs of an expanding population. The new leisure centre includes two existing ice arenas, a brand-new 2,000-seat performance arena, two 300-seat field houses, and a 150-seat community gymnasium. With the addition of the performance arena, playing as a team is easier than ever before. The leisure centre not only has the capability of hosting national and international tournaments, but can also offer an enhanced package because events can hold their championship game or medal ceremonies in front of a larger crowd.

For people interested in sports without the time to commit to an organized league – the leisure centre also offers many opportunities to get involved during our drop-in activities. Need equipment? No problem, equipment is available to borrow from the guest services desk. If, instead, visitors would prefer to purchase - St. Albert Source for Sports, located within the facility, will cater to most sporting needs!

With a 12,000 square foot fitness & wellness centre providing members with strength and cardio fitness equipment, free weights and an accompanying “mind and body room,” playing for one’s health is an interesting combination of traditional and non-traditional opportunities. The “mind and body room” contains a revolutionary kinesis system consisting of cables, grips, and weight stacks that allow movements to be easy, natural and without restriction; with over 500 free flowing motions, kinesis is the ultimate life and body changing experiences.

Additionally visitors can play for their health on the 300m track, which is available for walking, jogging or running and is located on the third-level suspended from the roof, overlooking the two field houses and the community gymnasium.

Guests can also play for fun in one of the many spontaneous-use areas. They are invited to splash around in the water play centre, go for a skate on the leisure ice, work up a sweat in the community gymnasium, and enjoy some carefree fun in the children’s play zone. Additional amenities include an active living room, boardroom and community/multipurpose rooms. The active living room contains a nutrition kitchen and will offer cooking programs and instruction, nutrition consultations, health and wellness information, a health and nutrition resource centre, cooking programs for and information on chronic conditions and much more!

After a hard day of play, what better way to re-energize than to enjoy one of the many establishments offered within the facility? Mootastic, a locally owned and operated ice cream shop, will offer coffee and snacks, while Booster Juice will soothe tired muscles with one of its famous smoothies. Don Cherry’s, a family restaurant, lounge and outdoor patio will cater to those looking for the full dining experience.

Residents can define their style of play at Servus Credit Union Place, which opened its doors to the public on September 30th, 2006.

Check out www.playitup.org for full program and facility information!

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 second-grade 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.

The Premiere of Too Much Coffee Man Opera presented by
Portland Center for the
Performing Arts

In what is believed to be the first opera inspired by a comic book, the Too Much Coffee Man Opera, presented by the Portland Center for the Performing Arts debuted at Brunish Hall in Portland in September. The contemporary opera – based on Too Much Coffee Man, a syndicated comic strip featured in books and alternative weeklies nationwide – blends post-modern caffeine humor and traditional opera.
Created by Shannon Wheeler and co-written with Damian Willcox, the one-act opera details the tragedy of Too Much Coffee Man, a caffeine-addled everyman in love with his Barista. Trouble brews when Espresso Guy, cynical opportunities, also makes a play for the ambitious, but frustrated, young Barista. But, the Barista has other plans that have nothing to do with either of them. The characters must resolve the age-old dilemma: Can coffee and relationships co-exist?