| |
By Carl A H Martin
When this magazine’s venerable editor, R.V.
Baugus, asked me to report on the first meeting of the former District 8,
now officially known as IAAM Europe, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity —
even though I had only two days to complete this missive. The event, held
April 19-21, 2006, was superb.
Let’s Get It Started
The meeting began with a meet and greet on Wednesday evening,
with food and drinks sponsored by the Stadthalle Wien. It was quite a lively
night, and the delegates attending obviously intended to make the most of
the opportunity to meet with fellow IAAM Europe members and non-members, new
and old, all together for the first time.
On Thursday morning the serious business started with a welcome from Peter
Gruber, CEO of the Stadthalle Wien and chair of IAAM Europe’s Steering
Committee, followed by an introduction and welcome from IAAM President David
Ross, and Dexter King, IAAM CEO. Next up was past president Bob C. Mayer,
who — along with King and Jimmy Earl — was responsible for the Steering
Committee commencing, and indeed was part of it. Mayer enthused about IAAM
and the burgeoning IAAM Europe.
It’s My Turn
At this point it was my turn to speak, and I introduced the
Academy of Venue Management that we in IAAM Europe intend to launch in
September. This Academy, in my view (and that of others), is likely to be
the catalyst for the expansion of IAAM Europe.
Linda Bull, director of arenas in Birmingham, England, asked about the
certification the pupils would receive. David Ross said this course could
count towards a CFE, something we had not previously discussed, and it was
agreed this was something needing definition. We have always meant for the
certificate to be stand-alone but industry recognized. As Bob Mayer pointed
out, the certificate from Oglebay is recognized as a good qualification, and
ours could be as well.
Then I realized I had forgotten to say that there would be translators at
each session to cover the myriad of languages in Europe. You would think I
had threatened to do something unspeakable, as the meeting became extremely
heated. Henk Markerink from Amsterdam in the Netherlands stated quite
forcefully that English is the international business language, and it ought
to be the Academy’s language.
It was pure, dead brilliant, as they say in Scotland. Everybody and his
brother had a point of view — just what we needed to get the meeting going.
Shortly afterwards we had a coffee break, and the discussions continued in a
wonderful way. In the end we agreed that the education subcommittee would
find a resolution in the spirit of compromise.
New Recruits
The discussion then turned to the expansion of IAAM Europe, and it was
agreed that everyone attending would need to do some recruitment among their
peers, as well as local and international associations.
IAAM Europe member Wilfrid Spronk, from Olympic Park, Munich, Germany (who
also happens to be president of the European Arenas Association), said he
would recommend to all his members at their next meeting that they become
members. New and old members were vociferous in their belief that we had
proven the IAAM Europe movement was serious and that we could go forward.
Interestingly, two members — Jordi Vallverdu (an IAAM member since 1989) and
Guy Dunstan (a member recently joined) — put forward their views about the
value of the IAAM. Both, without prompting, said education followed by
networking.
Finally, Ron Castles (an Australian by birth) of Sico Europe, said that the
start up of the VMA was aided by the formation of an Allied Members
subcommittee, which helped with recruitment and in other ways. Mike Varnals,
an Allied member from the U.K., has offered to take on this task.
Show Time
After a scrumptious lunch, again provided by the Stadthalle
Wien, it was time for the main event, which involved Greg Davis from the
Cajundome, Lafayette, La., and Mark Hamilton, CEO of RockSteady Security in
Edinburgh. RockSteady is responsible for safety and security in a number of
arenas and stadia throughout the U.K. and Hamilton was in charge of security
at Live Eight last year. He is also managing director of the security
company responsible for Sir Paul McCartney’s personal, touring and family
safety. The purpose of the session was to discuss the shelter plan written
by IAAM under Davis’s leadership after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
I was privileged to act as the “talk show host” for this session, and it was
absolutely mind-blowing. Davis talked about the “guests” they looked after
following the hurricanes, when all else had failed these poor souls, and
Hamilton had a few warnings for Europeans.
I initially had asked Davis whether he wanted to
use his Power Point presentation but after talking to him for several hours
on a couple of nights, I advised against it. He is one of the most eloquent,
powerful speakers I have ever listened to, and he did not need backup. It
was difficult to have to stop him, as I had to do to give both speakers a
chance, and it was equally so with Hamilton. The consensus of opinion
between Davis and Hamilton was that the shelter plan is a document of our
time, unfortunately.
The United States has an annual guarantee of hurricanes and other disasters
such as tornadoes, all exacerbated by global warming, along with the danger
of a flu pandemic, which Europe shares. In Europe, the biggest threat is
terrorism, Hamilton said.
Horror in New Orleans
Davis’ story was harrowing, and at some point all of us listening were close
to tears. He told us about one of the first families to arrive from New
Orleans — a family that was rescued by helicopter from the roof of their
house and then just dropped on dry land. After they saw the problems at the
Superdome, they kept walking and hitchhiking for 150 miles until they
reached Lafayette where, for the first time, they were offered shelter.
He went on to tell us that the husband was a coffee lover who hadn’t had any
for several days, so they made him a couple of liters. Then Davis recounted
what the wife had told him: As the waters rose during the hurricane, her
family made a decision to wait for rescue on the roof, after the rescue by
bus that had been promised previously never happened. As they clung to the
roof in the darkness, they could hear screams all around them, mainly from
women and children. Gradually the screams stopped, and it became apparent
that those people weren’t on their roofs but inside their houses. As the
waters rose, space ran out — and so did the air.
There were more stories just as brutal as this.
It was obvious from what Davis said that the authorities were not ready for
what happened, and those who were placed in control had no idea how to
handle the situation. Fortunately he and other like-minded people were on
hand to take the situation back, offer shelter and guide the situation
forward. He told us of the police officer in Lafayette who instructed his
men that incoming refugees were to be treated as good people unless they
showed otherwise (unlike the stories broadcast in the media that said the
opposite). He told us of the volunteers who greeted each refugee as warmly
as they would their own family, no matter their condition. It must have been
totally overwhelming.
If you have not had a chance to hear Davis speak I urge you to find the
opportunity.
The European Situation
Hamilton came out with a couple of bombshells as well. Nobody
in the room was aware that European governments are talking about using
arenas and other large facilities as mass inoculation facilities and
clearing stations, should the bird flu pandemic strike. It would be the same
situation as in the States: people with little understanding just marching
in and taking over the facilities.
We determined that IAAM Europe would investigate this situation situation
with the EU and report back to our members. Members were also urged to talk
to their own state and national governments. It would be the same if
terrorist strikes were made and areas laid to waste: There would be a need
for emergency treatment shelters, morgues, etc.
Hamilton went on to explain different scenarios, none of which I want to
repeat in print. They can and, frighteningly, probably will happen, and
Hamilton made it obvious that we are not being consulted by the authorities.
This scenario of non-dialogue is relevant to North America and Europe.
We finished the main session, having overrun by 1.5 hours, on a high note:
Davis told us of families who had been relocated by various communities from
Louisiana to Alaska, rather than by government agencies, and how happy these
families are.
The two words that summed this session up for me were “compassion” and
“dialogue.” We all got so much from these two gentlemen, both of whom
spurred a high level of discussion from the floor. Thanks to you both.
Next Up
After a short break, we had the elections for the IAAM Europe board. Peter
Gruber had been nominated and recommended by the Steering Committee as DVP,
and since no one stood against him the position became his by the
acclimation of the president.
Five members had put their names forward for the Board. The feeling was that
losing any one of these five members would produce a Board not totally
representing all the areas of Europe, so all were accepted onto the Board.
The five Board members are: Peter Gruber (Austria), DVP; Rolf Neumann
(Switzerland), treasurer; Guy Dunstan (England), secretary; and Terry Selzer
(Denmark), Jordi Vallverdu (Spain) and Henk Markerink (Netherlands).
That evening we were treated to dinner by Stadthalle Wien. Then the majority
of the delegates took the opportunity to watch a concert in the arena. The
artiste was the Italian superstar Eros Ramazzotti.
Last Call
On the final morning, a short meeting was held to allow, firstly, Joan
LeMahieu to tell delegates all about the IAAM Foundation, then Dexter King
to show the annual accounts and details about membership. Finally, David
Ross gave a presentation about this year’s annual conference in San Antonio.
Afterwards, delegates were given a short tour around the Stadthalle Wien and
its myriad of halls. Finally we were given more food (!) before departing.
It has to be said that the level of hospitality and sponsorship given by the
Stadthalle Wien went above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you. We also
offer sincere thanks to Feld Entertainment and Daktronics for their
sponsorship.
Finally, on behalf of IAAM Europe, I say, “Let’s repeat the success.” See
you all in Amsterdam next year on the provisional dates: April 18-20, 2007.
Carl A H Martin is director, European services, for IAAM Europe. |
|
Back to Facility Manager
Contents
