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Salt Lake City hosts
IAAM Annual Conference & Trade Show

Salt lake City proved to be the salt of the Earth in rolling out the red carpet to attendees at IAAM’s 82nd Annual Conference & Trade Show. The local host committee made sure that attendees enjoyed the city, the conference, the trade show and all the social opportunities that were available throughout the duration of the conference. With a backdrop as majestic as the Wasatch Mountains, who could not enjoy the charms of Salt Lake City?

     The 2007 conference had a distinctive international theme as wished by Larry Perkins, IAAM president, at the conference. It started as early as Friday night with the president’s International Reception, moved forward to Saturday’s keynote presentation byMary Lou Retton as flags representing the nations of attendees were honored, and then on to the trade show floor, where an International Pavilion was constructed, featuring presentations by a number of international delegates.

     As IAAM’s new president, Steve Peters, is carrying forward a combination of themes from the previous two presidents with Making A World Of Difference. Two years ago as president, David Ross embarked on Making A Difference as his theme, and then under president Perkins the theme was Innovations Driving The Future, with one of those innovations being a nod toward the international marketplace.

     For the third year, the National Association of Concessionaires joined with IAAM to bring attendees the industry’s biggest trade show. The IAAM Foundation Silent Auction booth was a beehive of bustle and activity, while the EXTREME Trade Show kept attendees hopping from booth to booth for tickets that would later be drawn for seven fabulous prizes.

     IAAM thanks the Local Host Committee for so graciously opening the city’s arms to the conference. Those members include: Allyson Jackson, co-chair, Salt Palace Convention Center; Scott Williams, CFE, co-chair, EnergySolutions Arena; Doug Balls, LDS Center; David Barber, Salt Lake County Center for the Arts; Carolyn Barney, Salt Palace Convention Center; Brandon Beckstead, Salt Palace Convention Center; Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium; Phil Jordan, Salt Lake County Center for the Arts; Jed Hansen, Salt Palace Convention Center; Jody Lake, CFE, Dee Events Center, Weber State University; and Tamme Thompson, Salt Lake City Convention & Visitors Bureau.

     A special thanks also goes to the entire dedicated staff of the Salt Palace Convention Center for their hard work and hospitality to IAAM, attendees and exhibitors.

Photo Legend

1 A little bull riding never hurt anyone (we think) on Fun Night. 2 Kevin Carroll keeps it optimistic and fun for UVMC attendees. 3 The Leveraging Diversity panel meets prior to the session. 4 UVMC speaker Lt. Stacy Ettel talks about dealing with difficult patrons. 5 A rite of passage at the Annual Conference is the passing of the gavel, which Larry Perkins was happy to do to Steve Peters. 6 Mary Lou Retton and her mega-watt smile light up the crowd during the keynote presentation. 7 Every year at conference is an opportunity for IAAM’s past presidents to meet and greet. 8 IAAM and NAC put on another top-rate trade show. 9 Larry Perkins is joined by his children, Christina, Jonathan and Justin. 10 It is ribbon-cutting time at the IAAM Foundation Silent Auction booth for (from left) Frank Russo, Dick Sherwood, Jane Kleinberger, Fred Maglione, Mich Sauers, Todd Wickner and Joan LeMahieu. 11 The tumbler was full of tickets for those participating in the XTREME Trade Show. Winners included Scott Jenkins, Richard Karamatic, Dick Petersen, Oscar McGaskey, Calvin Dudney, Frank Griffith and Bud Wilcox. 12 Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied recipient Chris Bigelow. 13 IAAM’s newest members gather for a group photo. 14 Mike McGee is honored with the IAAM Foundation’s first Legacy Award. 15 Industry stalwarts Ray Ward and Donna Dowless get together. 16 Brent Stevens, Daktronics, and Larry Perkins visit at the President’s International Reception. 17 Peter Gruber gives the perspective from Europe at the International Pavilion. 18 IAAM Foundation Chair Joan LeMahieu gives a report on the Foundation’s works. 19 (From top left, clockwise) John Benett, David Ross, Bob Mayer, Dexter King, Larry Perkins and Rod Pilbeam make the signing official between IAAM and the VMA. 20 When he wasn’t busy receiving the Charles A. McElravy Award, Lionel Dubay managed to, oh, propose marriage to Cherie Worley.

Photography by Eric Staufer

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