President's Message

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Out of Many, We are One

Who knew that an episode that occurred more than 20 years ago in my life would turn out to be the impetus for my presidential theme that will run until David Ross steps into the office next July? There was no way at the time I could begin to realize that those words would stay with me until this day, but they have, and so I introduce you to my theme: Out Of Many, We Are One.

If we are to improve upon Past President Mike Kelly’s theme of “Building Member Value”, then I believe it is incumbent upon us to understand exactly why “Out Of Many, We Are One.”

For me, the roots of that phrase actually took place 22 years ago during my honeymoon on the pristine beach of Negril, Jamaica. Like most people (I suppose), I do not pay too much attention to all of the words and pictures depicted on a piece of United States currency. Like most people (I suppose), the money tends to too often leave my hands before I have a chance to really study it!

But while in Jamaica, I took their paper currency out of my pocket and looked at it. I think that when most of us are in another location and using currency different from our native own, we do take time to turn it over and gaze at it in an almost childlike curiosity. Little did I realize the impact that a piece of currency would have on my life.

Out Of Many, We Are One
I read the powerful phrase, "Out Of Many, We Are One,” and thought to myself just how profound those six simple words were. The copy was enhanced by graphics showing children of different ethnicities and backgrounds. The simplicity of that message on money has remained with me throughout the years and the progression of my career.

While this message carries strong life implications and lessons, it is also applicable to our industry and our association. We are young and we are seniors. We are male and we are female. We are people of different color, origin and nationality. Yet we are bound not only by duty but out of a love for what we do to make every experience the best one possible for the people who enter the doors of our facilities.

We are people who manage 80,000-seat professional sports stadiums. We are people working at the concession stand of a 1,000-seat theater. We are senior level, mid level and entry level staff. Still, that “experience” that Dexter King talks about in his article in this issue is as important to someone going to an intimate venue as it is to someone cheering wildly with 80,000 of his closest friends. It is up to us to make sure that experience happens for that guest.

One of the things I enjoy doing while at the Annual Conference or any other IAAM meeting is looking at the badges of my peers in attendance. It is always fascinating to find out where they are from and at what facility they work. Some facilities I recognize; others I do not. But one common thread I always take from these encounters is that regardless of facility size or facility type, we basically all do the same thing: provide safe, clean, professionally run facilities for our guests to enjoy.

Keeping Their Identity
This is not to suggest that the facility-specific conferences that will begin with September’s Arena Management Conference - and in fact the many facility specific committee meetings and roundtable sessions that take place at the Annual Conference - should be compromised in any way. These are important gatherings that generate useful information and education relevant to the facility types. The ideas and suggestions that like-type venues can share with one another will always have a role within the structure of the industry.

What I do suggest is that our success stories and even our shortcomings should be shared as often as possible with others in our industry to help us all perform our responsibilities to an even higher degree. By keeping the lines of communication open and exchanging frequent dialogue, everyone benefits.

Since coming aboard as your second vice president, I have been fortunate to watch Joe Floreano and then Mike Kelly before me as they served as IAAM president. Both men have a genuine passion for this industry and an even stronger belief this association must offer something for every individual member.

Because of their great example, I too am compelled to strive to meet the needs of every IAAM member … just as I strive to meet the needs of every guest who enters my facility.

IAAM members are many, more than 3,600 of us. But the sooner we understand that “out of many, we are one,” the sooner those goals becomes a reality.

Jimmy Earl, CFE
IAAM President