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How do you describe a year that has come and
gone in the blink of an eye? The theme for this year was “Making A
Difference,” and I truly believe we have. We have been successful in many
areas of increasing the profile of IAAM.
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David B. Ross, CFE
IAAM President |
In many respects, Hurricane Katrina will be
remembered as the signature event during FY06. Together with Hurricanes
Wilma and Rita, they created devastation of epic proportions in the
southeastern region of the U.S. When you picture the Louisiana Superdome’s
roof being blown off or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum being flooded, you
know you’ve experienced the wrath of Mother Nature.
If there were ever a time for competent facility management, it was during
the Katrina disaster, when facilities were pressed into service as shelters
of refuge. Although our facilities are not designed to accommodate people
for long periods of time, many facilities made adjustments and did just
that. What a testimonial to competent professional facility management.
One of the things that made me the most proud was the compassion and concern
that our members had for our fellow managers. Immediate offers of help by
sending money or volunteering time were genuine and heartwarming. Is there a
better example of the value of networking and association membership?
A silver lining to the dark clouds of Katrina has been the document produced
by the Shelter Management Task Force. Under the guidance of co-chairs Greg
Davis and John Smith, the Task Force wrote the “Mega Shelters Best
Practices. ”Without a doubt, it will be “must-have” reference material for
every facility manager in the future. To the members of the Shelter
Management Task Force, the leadership of the Life Safety Council and the
wisdom of the IAAM Foundation Trustees for underwriting this project, I
salute you for making a difference!
Another key highlight to this year has been the collaborations we had with
other organizations to increase the profile of IAAM. By working with our
industry partners — Major League Baseball (MLB); the National Football
League (NFL); the National Basketball Association (NBA); the National Hockey
League (NHL); Major League Soccer (MLS); NASCAR; and the TEAM Coalition on
life safety issues — we have been able to establish the quality of
professional facility management through IAAM and set a course for improving
the standards of our comprehensive industry.
Throughout the course of the year we met with other associations to discuss
common issues and strengthen our industry influence. These associations
included the National Association of Concessionaires (NAC); the
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA); International
Association of Exhibition Managers (IAEM); Destination Marketing Association
Intl. (DMAI); Association Performing Arts Presenters (APAP); Stadium
Managers Association (SMA); School for Ice Technologies (SIT); and the
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE).
The common thread of making a difference by working with others had an
impact on membership as well. In Beijing, China, at the request of the China
Sports Industry Intl. (CSII), we presented the benefits of being involved in
a professional facility management association like IAAM.
We continue to work with the Venue Management Association (VMA) in
Australia, as well as the World Council of Venue Management, to increase the
professionalism of facility management around the world. Through our
efforts, we have observed the world getting smaller. As an association, we
must adjust our mindset to think globally and include an international
approach.
The IAAM took a very important step in that direction this year with the
formation of IAAM Europe and the installation of Peter Gruber as the first
international district vice president on the IAAM Board of Directors. It is
not inconceivable that the international membership could soon match the
membership from North America.
One of the valuable lessons we’ve learned through our international efforts
is to embrace our diversity. Through our differences we can learn as well as
teach different ways to accomplish the same goals and objectives of facility
management.
It will be increasingly important for the membership of IAAM to identify the
diverse language skills and cultural backgrounds our members already possess
and utilize those skills to communicate with others around the world. It is
hard to appreciate the challenges others face unless you have stepped out of
your own comfort zone and become a member of the minority. Imagine being in
another country where you don’t understand the language and how grateful you
would feel to receive assistance from someone who did understand.
It is critical that IAAM mentor its women and minorities, and encourage
their growth and success in the field of facility management. Their views,
background and mindset will serve to make our association stronger and
improve our ability to communicate.
There has been much to celebrate this year:
• The $750,000 grant award to the IAAM Foundation from the Department of
Homeland Security.
• The growth of our membership participation in the Annual Giving campaign.
• The 20th Anniversary of the Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS)
at Oglebay.
• The undeniable success of the Academy for Venue Safety & Security (AVSS)
and the Senior Executive Symposium (SES).
• The financial success of the World Headquarters.
To all of you who have given their time and effort or money this year, I
truly thank you for making a difference in the success of IAAM.
Sincerely,
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David B.
Ross, CFE
IAAM President
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