DISTRICT IV DVP UPDATE

Summer Greetings,

This newsletter article marks the end of my time as your district vice president for District 4. It has been an honor to represent our district…a district that has been my home for 17 years. When I first stepped foot into this business, I was 25 years old and at the helm of the Yakima Valley SunDome and literally clueless. Within weeks of taking the job, I was off to Anchorage, Alaska for my first IAAM function, the 1991 District 4 meeting. I remember the halibut were running, drinking a cold beer at a funky little bar way out in the sticks called the Bird House and the closing reception on a glacier.

Birdhouse Bar
Anchorage, AK
1991

At the meeting I met folks like Jim Crow, Jay Green, Ray Ritari and Kevin Twohig. Mike Kobluk from Spokane was serving his term as the IAAM President and I remember thinking that it was pretty remarkable that someone from the smallest district would be leading the entire association.

In the years that followed I watched a steady stream of leaders emerge from within our District 4 boundaries to lead our association. People like John Christison and Dexter King.

Watching and observing these individuals was and continues to be extremely beneficial to me. Some have become friends. Others became my mentors. Most importantly, they taught by example that if you are going to belong, at some point you have to step up and serve.

Standing at the microphone in Portland, looking out over 200 meeting attendees, I realized I had come full circle. In the crowd were the faces I’ve come to expect. They are the pillars of District 4. Their willingness to serve and lead over the years charted a course that allowed us to set an all time attendance record in Portland. To hold the most successful district meeting this year in the entire association.

Small, yes. More importantly, still mighty after all these years. Thank you for the privilege to serve the greatest district in IAAM.

Duane

Greetings D4 Members,

As I take office as your new DVP come this July I wanted to just take a moment and thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to serve all of you in District 4. Duane Morris, the outgoing DVP has been an incredible leader as our VP and a great friend through this process. I know I plan to pick his brain constantly throughout my term. I am looking forward to meeting all of you at National in Anaheim and for those I already know I look forward to catching up and partaking in a few liquid refreshments with you. It was such an honor to be nominated as I am truly passionate about this industry we love. I came up through arenas, have experience in a stadium and am thoroughly enjoying my work at the Oregon Convention Center. There is no better place to be then surrounded by industry mentors in Portland like Jeff Blosser and Robyn Williams.
 

As fellow officers Trish MacDonald and Lori Leyba-Kramer will be phenominal partners over the next two years. No one can do this job alone and we have been so lucky to have so many folks volunteer for various district roles so a special thanks to each of them.
 

Thank you as well to those who were able to attend the D4 meeting in Portland or for sending some of your staff
this past May. All of us at the venues throughout Portland were so excited and proud to show you our beautiful city and amazing array of facilities. Please plan on attending the D4 meeting this coming year in Vancouver. The team planning the meeting in Vancouver are sure to have something for everyone and I personally cannot think of a more perfect locale with the Olympics right around the corner. We are sure to be treated to some special sights.
 

Enjoy your summer, hope to see you all in Anaheim and if I can ever be of any assistance please don't hesitate to contact me personally at karentotaro@oregoncc.org or my direct line is 503-731-7901.

Warm Regards,
Karen Totaro
Assistant Executive Director
Oregon Convention Center

DISTRICT IV DVP UPDATE
 

D4 Leads the Way in
IAAM Foundation Giving

At the IAAM District 4 business meeting in Portland last month, a motion was made and passed to make a $20.00 donation to the IAAM Foundation on behalf and in the name of every District 4 member. The total amount of the donation totaled $5,380 and we AGAIN have 100% giving participation in District 4!

District 4 continues to lead the way.
We are now asking each of our District 4 members to make a matching contribution to the Foundation of at least $20.00 per member.

Since its creation in 1982, the Foundation has supported over 132 grants, educational programs and professional development efforts totaling over $2.8 million dollars. In other words, WE ALL BENEFIT.

We encourage you to make a matching contribution (which is fully deductible to the extent of U.S. tax law) in support of the Foundation today.

Secure online donations can be made at: www.iaam.org
Checks should be made payable to IAAM Foundation and mailed to:
 

IAAM Foundation
635 Fritz Drive, Suite 100
Coppell, TX 75019

Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation..

District IV

Canadian Provinces & Territories
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, NW Territories. Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon

United States:
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,
Washington, Wyoming

Membership... Delivering The Promise
District IV welcomes its 17 new members who joined in the 2nd quarter of 2008. Why not take a few minutes to welcome them aboard? If you'd like to find out more about their facility or products and services, go to www.iaam.org., click on the "Member Directory" link and login. The Online Membership Guide has the most up-to-date information on all members of IAAM. You can also update your own membership record.

Active
Bruce Burnett - Oregon Convention Center;
Nicholas Brown - Oregon Convention Center;
Karen Conway - TCU Place;
Krista Daniel - Washington State Convention and Trade Center;
Gunnar Fox - EnCana Centre;
Sandra Gajic - EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts; William Gardner - Portland Center for the Performing Arts;
Lars Larsen - Prospera Centre, Canlan Ice Sports;
Scott Marshall - Key Arena;
Dell O'Neal - Rose Garden & Memorial Coliseum;
Jeff Reed - Seattle Center;
Julie Reed - Metropolitan Exposition-Recreation Commission;
Natascha Robinson - Qwest Field & Event Center;
Geoff Tanizawa - UBC Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre;
Justin Turk - Ford Field/Detroit Lions;

Allied
James Mead - Delta AV, Delta Systems Integration, Inc.; Murdo Paterson - Cascadia Sports Systems Inc.;

Public Assembly Facility Management School 2008 D4 Attendees
 

IAAM NATIONAL NEWS
 

Discover It
Experience It
Hear It
Learn About It
Touch It
Taste It
Find It
Support It
 

If you would like more information visit the website at www.iaam.org.
 

MMG Initiative Update

Over the course of the past few months, you have received several messages from me via email about the MMG initiative, updating its progress. During this time, I trust you have become better acquainted with its purpose and the intent.

Now that the last of our district meetings have concluded, I would like to take another opportunity, prior to the 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show, to update you on the Mission, Membership and Governance Initiative that was undertaken by your Board of Directors this year.

In response to feedback, the Board of Directors has decided the initiative needs more time. We will continue the MMGI dialogue at the Annual Conference & Trade Show and through the Arena Management Conference and the International Convention Center Conference this fall. Therefore, we are postponing a vote for the ratification of new bylaws until November 2008. I hope this will provide you ample opportunity to provide us with more of your comments.

Where does this leave us? Included below are areas that will be addressed in the new bylaws.

Strategy #9 – Executive Name Changes:
The offices of the President and Executive Director should be modified to position the Executive Director as the association’s primary leader [Pres/CEO] and the President as the Board’s presiding officer [Chair]. There are two important points that might help members evaluate this strategy. First, it is not changing anything other than titles. The President/CEO position will essentially have the same responsibilities and accountabilities as the Executive Director does right now. Second, the title change brings IAAM into line with other organizations. What we have always called “President” is usually the Chairman of the Board in other associations and the corporate world, and the same can be said for the President/CEO position.

Strategy #11 – District Restructuring:
The current arrangement of nine international districts, with seven in North America, will continue. However, they will be referred to as “regions” rather than “districts”.
• Each region will have a representative on its Board from each state or province in the region.
• Regional Boards will be charged with the task of developing chapter meetings within their region, using the state representatives for chapter development outreach.
• The current district boundaries will remain intact as regional boundaries.
• District meetings will transition to become “Regional Symposiums” and will be offered every other year within the region. Even numbered regions will offer symposiums in even numbered years, and odd numbered regions will offer symposiums in odd numbered years. The symposiums will include more operations/mid-manager programming.
• Regional boards and host committees may continue to solicit sponsorships as a means of supplementing revenue streams. Regions will be encouraged to continue to fund scholarships and contributions to the IAAM Foundation.
• The current district representation on the Board of Directors will not change except in title, with all nine “Regional Directors” representing their specific regional areas.

Please do not hesitate to share your perspectives or inquiries with the Board of Directors and officers. You may do so by contacting Rosanne Duke rosanne.duke@iaam.org or Meredith Craig meredith.craig@iaam.org via email or by calling the IAAM WHQ office at 972-906-7441. I hope to see you at the 83rd IAAM Annual Conference & Trade Show in Anaheim, CA July 25 – 29, 2008.

Take care,


Steve Peters, CFE
President
 

DISTRICT IV VENUE UPDATES
ROSE QUARTER– PORTLAND, OR
 

Dinosaurs Invade Portland…Mayor Potter Declares 2008 The Year of The Dinosaur

If you happen to be in Portland in 2008, be sure to watch out for the dinosaurs that took the city by storm. The New Year marked Oregon’s most realistic dinosaur experience since the great extinction. It seems that just about on every turn you will discover a dinosaur either standing, walking, running, or waiting to be explored. As Mayor Tom Potter declared 2008 the Year of the Dinosaur, Portlanders and visitors alike enjoyed the introduction of the most exciting dinosaur exhibits, shows and works of art to ever grace this city.
 

Many renowned organizations around Portland joined in on the spirit of the Year of the Dinosaur by showcasing distinct 9ft dinosaur statues designed by local artists and schools. With each statue having its own unique theme and positive message, it was an exciting demonstration of prehistoric magnitude around the city. Additionally, it proved a fantastic opportunity for Portland to display the creativity of its residents and youth, as well as provided an enlightening and artistic project for all to enjoy. Locals and visitors could find the statues at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Children’s Museum, the Art Institute of Portland, the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center, Leach Botanical Gardens and at the Rose Quarter among others. This project sparked a heightened interest in the prehistoric period sweeping the city, and received an enormous amount of public attention from residents, tourists, organizations and the media. When one wasn’t caught up by the hunt for the next dinosaur around the corner, they could also check out the most magnificent and realistic dinosaur spectacle on earth right in Portland’s very own Rose Garden with Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Experience.

Rose Quarter Lowers Curtain on
Memorial Coliseum

15-Year Old Curtain Lowered in Effort to Go Green
Rose Quarter staff lowered the curtain and let the light shine into the Memorial Coliseum bowl for the first time in fifteen years. With the curtains down, patrons will be able to enjoy natural light and the beautiful Portland skyline from inside the bowl. The first event to truly benefit from this change was the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. Bringing down the curtains is one of the Rose Quarter’s initiatives to turn the “Glass Palace” green, as the natural light will help to save electricity during daytime hours.

Barack Obama rallied at the Memorial Coliseum in March 2008. The Presidential Candidate stopped to talk with (LtoR): Collin Sanders, Director of Security Operations; Matt Mason, Production Manager; Howard Zuckerman, Executive Director of Facility Sales and Management; Justin Brady, Production Manager; Mike Scanlon, General Manager; Sheri Alderman, Director of Marketing.
.

SPOKANE PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT – SPOKANE, WA
 

It's confirmed - the Rexall Edmonton Indy shifts into high gear at the Rexall Speedway, July 24-26, 2008. Northlands, operator of the Rexall Edmonton Indy, has signed a three-year agreement with the Indy Racing League, sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series, to bring the excitement of IndyCar Series racing to the extremely fast and technically challenging Rexall Speedway through 2010.

"We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Indy Racing League during such an exciting time," said Ken Knowles, Northlands President. "The Edmonton Indy has a proven track record with terrific support from our fans and partners. Under this new partnership, we expect that this year's event will be the biggest and best to date."

Edmonton becomes the 17th race on the 2008 IndyCar Series schedule. "The city of Edmonton and Northlands have put together a first-class event, and we're excited that we can bring the IndyCar Series to such a great venue," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division for the Indy Racing League.

"In just three years of operation, we have shown that Edmonton is in the top tier of racing cities across North America," commented Jim Haskins, General Manager, Rexall Edmonton Indy.

"This announcement is great news for Edmonton and for race fans across Canada," said Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. "The economic benefits to our city are extensive and our citizens and corporate sector have really embraced this event, making it one of the most successful racing venues in North America."

As part of the IndyCar Series schedule, the Rexall Edmonton Indy is positioned to be one of the most exciting races in the world. In 2007, more than 167,000 spectators watched the Grand Prix of Edmonton while injecting more than $25 million into Edmonton's economy.

TACOMA DOME – TACOMA, WA
 

Tacoma Dome installs largest
grid in the western hemisphere
 

The newly installed rigging grid is having a positive effect on the Tacoma Dome’s business plan. No longer is rigging for large concert events laborious and expensive. Major promoters are finally seeing the new direction of the Tacoma Dome and are embracing the changes by routing more concert events into our facility. To quote a national promoter “the Tacoma Dome will be the one of the most configurable facilities in the country with the installation of the new rigging grid and curtains”. By increasing the number of events while reducing the staffing and event expenses, we will generate more revenue and event programming while giving promoters another option for a smaller facility in our marketplace.

2010 US Figure Skating Championships
at the Spokane Arena

With approximately a year and a half until the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships take place in Spokane, WA, the event has already eclipsed the previous initial weekend ticket sales record, with 2,692 All Event Ticket Packages and 2,026 Skating Spectacular tickets being sold in the first 48 hours.

Tickets for the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships went on sale May 31. As of Monday, June 2, organizers report an increase of 25 percent over the past record that was set March 15, 2004 for the initial ticket launch of the 2007 State Farm US Championships, which were also held in Spokane.

"The 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane set the all-time attendance record for the Championships," said David Raith, executive director of US Figure Skating. "When Spokane was selected to again host in 2010, it was done with the mission to provide our athletes and fans an exciting atmosphere for the week. Spokane raised the bar in 2007, and we fully expected the city to do it again."

The US Figure Skating Championships, held annually since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event. The 2010 competition will take place January 15-24 at the Spokane Arena in Spokane and be nationally televised live on NBC and webcast on icenetwork.com. Over the course of a week, the event will crown 12 national champions in ladies, men's, pairs and ice dancing on the senior, junior and novice levels.

COMCAST ARENA AT EVERETT – EVERETT, WA
 

Comcast Arena Show Debuts ON DEMAND

Comcast debuted a new ON DEMAND show featuring upcoming performances at the Comcast Arena at Everett.

The monthly show, hosted by Global Spectrum’s Marketing Manager for Comcast Arena at Everett, Stevi Boskovich, is called Comcast Arena 360, and features a look ahead at upcoming performers, sports teams, musicians, and family shows as well as interviews with the performers.

“We are producing this show so that Comcast customers will be able to see what’s going on at the Arena from the comfort of their living rooms.” said John Dietrich, Area Vice President for Comcast.

“This is a terrific marketing tool to promote upcoming events like no other facility can,” stated Global Spectrum’s General Manager, Kim Bedier. “The program will have a positive impact on ticket sales while showcasing the venue and our partnership with Comcast to the Seattle Metro area. It gives us a competitive advantage that we can offer to promoters as they are booking tours.”

ALL FOUR REIGNING U.S. CHAMPIONS TO
COMPETE AT 2008 SKATE AMERICA

The reigning U.S. champions in all four figure skating disciplines will compete at 2008 Skate America, at the Comcast Arena at Everett. Skate America is the first event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, which enters its 14th season.

Among the field at 2008 Skate America are 18 top U.S. athletes, including:
• 2006 World champion Kimmie Meissner
• Reigning U.S. champion Mirai Nagasu
• Reigning World Junior champion Rachael Flatt
• Two-time reigning U.S. champion Evan Lysacek
• World bronze medalist Johnny Weir
• U.S. pairs champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker
• Olympic silver medalist ice dancers Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto

Non-U.S. Competitors of Note:
• Reigning World ice dancing champions
Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder
• Five-time reigning British ice dancing champions
Sinead Kerr and John Kerr
• 2007 World Champion, Japan’s Miki Ando
• Two-time World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim.

Global Spectrum has been turning over a new leaf at the Comcast Arena at Everett and the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center. Environmental initiatives have taken root and the venue’s recycling and composting programs were in full bloom for the 12 graduations hosted at the Arena.

In addition to the recycling program, in cooperation with food and beverage provider Centerplate, food service throughout the venue utilizes sustainable and compostable food wares. A Cedar Grove composting program in place in the kitchen for several months is estimated to reduce the garbage from Chef Larry Fontaine and his catering staff by 18 tons each year. Bottles and cans are recycled through bins donated by Crown Distributing and Anheuser-Busch. The goal is to achieve an 80% diversion from landfills.

Other environmentally sound projects implemented by Global Spectrum at the Comcast Arena include:
• Green Power purchases from Snohomish County PUD
• Lighting retrofits. Lights are programmed with motion-sensors and timers throughout the office, meeting and restroom facilities.
• Bio-based cleaning products, recycled mops, and changeover to green-certified equipment.
• Sustainable food purchasing program from Centerplate including purchasing locally grown organic produce.
• Cooking oil from kitchen and concession fryers is recycled to create biodiesel and glycerin.

Comcast Arena Employees Participate in
“Comcast Cares Day”

Global Spectrum staff from the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center volunteered to improve the Everett Arboretum and Gardens on Wednesday, April 30, as part of Comcast’s seventh annual “Comcast Cares Day.”

The nearly 50,000 Comcast employees, families, friends and community partners, in this year’s day of service, made it one of the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts.

The Comcast Arena team in Everett literally got down and dirty to help beautify the Everett Arboretum and Gardens. The group of volunteers pulled weeds and spread a 3”-4” layer of mulch to the gardens which will reduce the need to water during the hot weather..

VANCOUVER CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE – VANCOUVER, BC
 

Going Spring Green in Vancouver

It’s not only the new green grass shoots and blossoms that signify the spring greening of Vancouver’s waterfront – there’s also some more “green” to celebrate this spring at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre(VCEC).

Since opening its doors over twenty years ago, VCEC has made “going green” a priority.

In February, VCEC was awarded the 2008 “Environmentally Responsible Tourism Award” by Tourism BC and the Council of Tourism Associations for facility-wide programs addressing key areas such as energy efficiency and conservation.

And just announced this past April at IMEX, the global meetings industry exhibition in Frankfurt, VCEC is the silver recipient for the IMEX and Green Meeting Industry Council’s Green Supplier Award, “recognizing the efforts of suppliers within the global meetings industry to measure and improve the environmental impact of the facilities and services they offer to clients.”

Along with a managed program of energy consumption, VCEC’s facility-wide recycling program recovers nearly half the total volume of waste generated, including paper and cardboard, wood, metal, plastics, glass, batteries, food and organic waste and electronic equipment. As well, VCEC also sources fresh, locally and organically produced foods to our kitchens and prepares everything from “scratch” on site, minimizing use of packaged goods.

VCEC is busy working with many groups coming to Vancouver from around the world who are interested in hosting “green” meetings. Last November 2007, VCEC hosted Vancouver’s first ever audited “zero-waste” event at the Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo.

The “green” theme is also being applied to the design of the VCEC expansion, which is now poised to take the facility’s environmental efforts to a whole new level.

As construction continues on the expansion site, environmental consideration and sensitivity is setting new standards, with a living roof, a seawater heating and cooling system, on-site water treatment and energy efficient lighting.

“We want to set the standard and become industry champions for environmental sustainability and service excellence within the convention and exhibition marketplace,” says Catherine Wong, VP Operations.

VCEC Staff proudly display their 2008 IMEX Award

VCEC Expansion Aerial View

VCEC Expansion Marine Skirt

Submissions for the 3rd Quarter Newsletter can be sent to: acook@comcastarenaeverett.com