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By Michele Swann
On July 25, 2008, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow venue managers as you
support excellence in the public assembly industry; plus take in the
thrills of California’s northern Orange County at Los Serranos Country
Club, a qualifier course for the L.A. stop of the men’s PGA Tour.
Generosity and personal commitment to IAAM and the public assembly
industry are the true reasons for success behind this enjoyable morning
of golf. Thanks to a rich history of dedicated allied leadership,
Foundation Friday has become a part of the IAAM membership experience
and continues to be a classic combination of business development,
networking, sports, relaxation and philanthropy. In 2008, we will be
celebrating the 20th anniversary of Foundation Friday.
The IAAM Foundation Friday Golf Tournament presented by Miller Brewing
Co. will be a best-ball scramble format played on two adjacent 18-hole
courses with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. You’ll be driven to the course on
a deluxe motor coach departing from the Hilton Anaheim and be treated to
a continental breakfast and an awards luncheon following the tournament.
The Organizers
Co-chairing the Foundation Friday Golf Tournament this year are Chris
Lamberth, AIA, of 360 Architecture, and Dean Dennis of Comcast-Spectacor.
Lamberth, in his fourth year of involvement with the tournament, says,
“Obviously it’s a big event for the Foundation and the largest
fundraiser we
 have. What golfers may not know is that their registration
fees cover not only their individual green fees and food and beverage
but also include a portion [typically 50 percent] that goes directly to
the Foundation exclusively and not IAAM, the convention or toward the
association’s operation or management.”
“We are tweaking a few things this year by putting additional staffing
in place on-site,” Dennis says. “We also plan to add some exciting
raffle items during the awards luncheon. The tournament
is an ideal opportunity for members to reconnect with each other.”
The Sponsors
One of our most loyal supporters is Miller Brewing Co., which has been
the beer sponsor of the IAAM Foundation Friday Golf Tournament for more
than 10 years, and a title sponsor for the past two years.
“It is a win-win for everyone,” says Randy Martin, spokesperson for
Miller Brewing Co. “Being title sponsor gives Miller Brewing high
visibility for our brands while at the same time clearly demonstrating
our commitment to the IAAM Foundation. But equally important, it gives
us an opportunity to spend some quality time with all our friends from
the concessions, stadium and arena communities. There is also a
value-added benefit for IAAM members. They get a chance to spend five
hours with a key customer or with colleagues — and that means stronger
relationships that in turn equate to a better business environment and
more opportunities. All that and we get to play a little golf too!”
Stepping up once again as tournament-level sponsors are Ticketmaster and
Winstead. Ticketmaster’s Mike McGee, CFE, considers their support of the
Foundation a gift that continues to keep on giving by helping to fund
professional development and educational programming. “As a company, we
feel obligated as an industry leader to step up and give something
back,” he says. “The golf tournament is the one single event that has
created the most identity for the Foundation. It’s a way of bringing
people together who would not likely have the opportunity to network and
socialize, and in the process, it also raises a substantial amount of
money for our Foundation.”
Denis Braham, chairman and CEO of Winstead, agrees. “As professionals in
this business, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure the valuable
lessons we learn through our work are shared with others so that we can
continue to grow and improve. The Foundation is focused on supporting
IAAM’s professional development and education projects, and as a trustee
of the Foundation, I enjoy watching as our efforts are executed and we
succeed in spreading knowledge and instilling commitment and passion in
this business and profession.”
For more information, contact Timberly Eyssen at (972) 538- 1009 or
timberly.eyssen@iaam.org
fm
Michele Swann is general manager/CEO of the Cobb Galleria Centre in
Atlanta.
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Motorcycle Mayhem
Make a statement on the road in support of the IAAM Foundation by
joining your fellow Harley enthusiasts for the 2nd Annual IAAM
Foundation Harley Ride.
“We’re planning a terrific ride with some beautiful California desert, a
famous lake, a challenging twisting mountain canyon and a cruise up the
world-famous Pacific Coast Highway,” says Steve Macfadyen, who rides an
’07 Road King Custom, is the founder of the ride and co-chairs this
year’s event along with Mark Prows, CFE. “Some really great, well-known
stops along the way will make for a great day of riding for people of
all skill levels.”
“Motorcycle riding is very different from golf. You have to have a
license and some experience,” says Prows, VP of the MGM Grand Garden
Arena. He has developed a ride at nearly every annual conference that
he’s attended, including the Concert Industry Consortium (CIC),
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), and now the IAAM
District conference and the IAAM International Conference & Trade Show.
“You would be surprised how many people do ride [Allied members
included], and I know that as this gains steam, it could have as many
riders as there are signed up for golf.
“The camaraderie is similar between golfers and motorcycle enthusiasts.
And riding is definitely cheaper and might be less risky than golf …
depending on who you golf with, of course.”
So whether you are a golfer or a biker, and whether you have a lot of
experience or are new to the sport, come on out and enjoy the
camaraderie and California sites and scenes with your fellow
enthusiasts. And who knows, you just might find yourself in hog heaven.
For more information, contact Timberly Eyssen at (972) 538-1009 or
timberly.eyssen@iaam.org.
Michele Swann is general manager/CEO of the Cobb Galleria Centre in
Atlanta.
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