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December 1, 2008      

Association News

Add A Third Person From Your Facility As An IAAM Member And Save Money

Do you have employees who would like to join IAAM? Now is the time for them to save.

IAAM will waive the one-time initiation fee for the third person or more who joins as a member from a facility. That's a savings of $150 per person.*

The best part of this promotion is that it is unlimited… submit an application for as many of your employees as you want; the fee is waived for each applicant.

Encourage a coworker to join the Association by passing this newsletter on to prospective members. Start the new year off and join the Association that delivers value. Call Kristie Todd, Membership & Expositions Coordinator, or Gina Brydson, Membership Marketing Manager, at
(972) 906-7441 to get the promotional code.

*This discount/offer is only applicable to new members of IAAM. Existing members do not qualify for the offer. 

IAAM Staff Spotlight: Marlen Drew

Name: Marlen Drew
Position: Accounting Manager
Describe some of your responsibilities: My responsibilities include managing all Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable duties for both the Association and Foundation; helping to manage all cash and credit card accounts, bank deposits, and transfers; coordinating and distributing weekly Meeting Revenue reports; helping to coordinate general ledger entries and postings for month-end close, and distributing monthly financial reports; working in the registration and Foundation auction areas during Annual Conference.
How long have you been with IAAM: I have been with IAAM for over six years.
Favorite Part of IAAM: My favorite part of IAAM is our growing diversity, and our ability to work with all different types of vendors and members worldwide.
What are some exciting things coming up in your area that you would like our members to know about? For Conference next year, we are in the discussion stages for a possible ‘self-check-in’ kiosk for pre-registered attendees in the registration area. We are hoping that this will help to alleviate some of the rush during registration’s opening hours.
How do you hope to add value to the IAAM members? I hope to add value by doing my job to the best of my ability each and every day. Although I don’t often work with our members directly, my hope is that by completing my given tasks with accuracy and efficiency, I help to ensure that each and every member receives complete and correct information regarding any aspect of IAAM’s financial profile.
Who/What inspires you? My inspirations (heroes) include: My mom and three beautiful children, who have always been there to encourage and push me forward in the face of any adversity, allow no whining when things seem impossible, and are my greatest cheerleaders when I succeed; My amazing boyfriend Dave, who is as constant and as bright in my life as the sun; My precious “volunteer babies,” who teach me more than I do them; My beloved Texas Outlaw music, which keeps me happy, grounded, and sane; And the American spirit, because I have learned that in this country there is nothing that cannot be accomplished with simple will and determination.
What is something that the members don’t know about you? I am fairly superstitious. I always put exactly seven Equals in my coffee every morning. I touch the ceiling of my vehicle when I drive over railroad tracks. I’m extremely wary of full moons, and even more wary of rings around the moon. I believe in ghosts and other phenomena we cannot explain. And I go to the cemetery when I need to get my head right – it brings me peace and perspective.
Hobbies: Napping.

Individuals
Jeff B. Bowen
Dean Dennis
Jill Dotts, CFRE
Greg and Carol Flakus
Joe A. Floreano, CFE
Win Hanssen* (deceased)
Jane Kleinberger
Joan A. LeMahieu
Shura Lindgren, CFE
Brad Mayne, CFE
Mike McGee, CFE
Jay W. Parker
Steve L. Peters, CFE
John Siehl, CFE
Craig H. Skiem
Michele Lotterio Swann
Michael S. Taormina, CFE
Robyn Williams, CFE, in honor of Jane Williams

Corporations/Organizations
Daktronics
Dolphin Stadium, in memory of Jon Stoll
Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
HOK Sport Venue Event
IAAM District I, in honor of District I members
IAAM District I, in memory of Howard Persina
IAAM District IV, in honor of District IV members
PavCo
PETCO Park San Diego Padres
Ticketmaster

President’s Circle Founders
We recognize those individuals who, since its inception, have made an exceptionally generous gift to the Annual Giving Campaign of $5,000 or more in a single year.

Joe A. Floreano, CFE
Richard B. Horrow
Brad Mayne, CFE, in Honor of Cheryl Mayne
Mike McGee, CFE, in Honor of Barbara McGee
Frank Roach
Charles E. Thomas Jr.
IAAM District II, in honor of District IV members
IAAM District IV, in honor of District IV members
Oglebay Alumni Association (former)

IAAM Foundation Global Partners have shown the highest level of corporate leadership by creating a master sponsorship plan with IAAM that combines the highest level of sponsorship along with a significant unrestricted philanthropic gift to the IAAM Foundation in 2008. We are grateful for these companies’ generous support of the future of the public assembly industry:

Daktronics
HOK Sport Venue Event
Ticketmaster

*****************

This reflects pledges and gifts received as of November 20, 2008. Thank you!
For questions or record updates please contact Foundation Director Jill Dotts, CFRE at jill.dotts@iaam.org or phone the Foundation office at (972) 538-1009.

The mission of the IAAM Foundation is to increase the positive impact and vitality of the public assembly industry by funding research, education, and resource development.

Only 48 More Donors To Reach Annual Giving Campaign Goal

The IAAM Foundation Annual Giving Campaign is coming to an end on December 31, and we’re anticipating a “down to the wire” finish. Only $2,095 remains to be raised to reach our $100,000 goal --and we’re looking for 48 more donors to join the rolls and help us cross the finish line to reach 20% member participation. To see a list of colleagues who have contributed to the Campaign so far, click here.

Giving is easy and secure online—just go to www.iaam.org and click on IAAM Foundation to contribute by credit card in the amount you choose. You may also make a pledge online and we will send you a reminder.

Of course, checks may be made payable to “IAAM Foundation” and mailed to:
IAAM Foundation
635 Fritz Drive. Suite 100
Coppell, TX 75019

All contributions to the Annual Giving Campaign are fully tax-deductible to the extent of U.S. tax law.

Your gift will make a difference.
Your professional association is at work for you each and every day, providing unparalleled networking opportunities, advocating for the industry, sharing best practices, and offering leading education and professional development.

When the need arises to develop a school, such as the Public Assembly Facility Management School (Oglebay) or new resources, such as the MegaShelters Handbook or the college textbook, the IAAM Foundation has provided special funding, thanks to generous gifts from donors like you.

Help advance the future of your industry and your career.
You may have received a letter or a call from a colleague or Foundation representative encouraging your support, and we hope you will respond positively. If you have any questions please contact Foundation Director Jill Dotts, CFRE at jill.dotts@iaam.org or phone the Foundation office at (972) 538-1009. Thank you!

Because of your past support, the following projects are ready to begin, currently underway or already complete:

Seed funding to establish the IAAM Venue Research Institute

•  Public assembly venues offer important benefits to their communities, enriching the
    quality of life and increasing economic impact. Seed funding will provide for a
    research structure to increase support for effective day-to-day decision-making, as
    well as to communicate the industry’s impact on the economy and the quality of life
    in communities across the globe.

Seed funding for IAAM oral histories to digitize IAAM archives

•  The industry pioneer with an 83-year heritage, IAAM must capture the wisdom and
    history of its leaders to ensure the lessons of the past are not lost, but are instead
    leveraged, to provide learning opportunities for the future. Start up funds will provide
    infrastructure and initial groundwork for this educational initiative.

Scholarships for college students to attend the 2009 IAAM Annual Conference & Trade Show in Boston

•  Young professionals are the future of the public assembly venue industry. These
    scholarships will be used to enhance the academic education of college students
    studying and preparing to enter the industry, by offering practical, professional-level
    skill development as well as providing them with networking opportunities for their
    future employment.

Public Assembly Facility Evacuation Procedures Template and Training Syllabus

•  This project will draw upon the collective experiences, existing procedure documents,
    lessons learned, expertise and collective wisdom to create a model document for use
    in the preparation of a venue’s evacuation procedures. Additionally, it will create the
    syllabus and training plan for a class in the development of a public assembly
    facilities evacuation plan, which will be held at the IAAM Academy for Venue Safety
    & Security.

  •   Core Tracks Distance Learning Program completed and available at www.iaam.org
  •   12 Student Scholarships awarded for 2008
  •   Diversity Education held at 83rd Annual IAAM Conference
  •   Updates to the MegaShelters Handbook
  •   Development of Graduate Level Text Book in Public Assembly Facility Management
       underway
  •   Development of 2nd Edition Undergraduate Level Text Book in Public Assembly
       Facility Management underway

District I Honors Its Members, Howard Persina Through Gifts To IAAM Foundation Annual Giving Campaign

District I recently made two gifts to the IAAM Foundation’s 2008 Annual Giving Campaign. A gift of $3,000 honors the dedication and hard work of each member in District I, and encourages members in the district to offer their personal support for the Campaign. Plus, a special gift of $1,000 was made in memory of Howard Persina, who was a longtime IAAM member, mentor and leader in District I. These are two very special gifts that will make a great impact in 2009. Thank you, District I!

To make a gift to the IAAM Foundation 2008 Annual Giving Campaign, please visit www.iaam.org and go to Foundation, Contribute.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Walter E. Washington Convention Center Serves Over 5,000 District Residents

The Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA) and Safeway, Inc. celebrated the spirit of giving at the 9th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Wednesday, November 26.

“Each year we are humbled by the spirit of generosity that this occasion fosters,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty. “The Annual Feast of Sharing is instrumental in strengthening our sense of community here in the District and reminds us all to be thankful for the present and hopeful about our future.”

Feast attendees enjoyed a free traditional turkey meal with all of the trimmings served by hundreds of volunteers. They were also invited to participate in an “independence expo” featuring community service organizations, health screenings, including free flu vaccinations from the DC Immunization as well as employment and training opportunities. Elderly citizens took part in “Sit and Be Fit,” a health and nutrition program for the senior population.

Over the past eight years, the Feast of Sharing has benefited more than 40,000 District residents and due to a struggling economy, organizers saw a rise in participation this year.

“What a privilege it is to be able to serve our neighbors in these times of economic hardships. To see the outpouring of support of community participation is a true measure of what it means to give,” said WCCA Board Chairperson Beverly Perry.   

Messe Dusseldorf Wins UFI Operations Award

The Operations Focus Meeting delegates of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) recently voted on trade fair companies’ best solutions and projects designed to enhance travel management and hotel conditions at trade fair locations which are of benefit to the exhibitors. The winner this year is Messe Düsseldorf with its FairFairs Hotel project. According to the UFI delegates, this initiative positions the Düsseldorf fairgrounds as a preferred destination for international trade fair customers. In addition to Messe Düsseldorf, the other finalists were Amsterdam RAI and Messe Frankfurt.

Developed by Messe Düsseldorf and the German hotel and restaurant association DEHOGA, the FairFairs Hotel quality seal has offered exhibitors and hotels a unique service in Germany since March 2004. The program aims to create better transparency between trade fair customers and hotels and guarantees preferred treatment during trade fairs. Exhibitors benefit from a wide range of hotel room options in all categories, preferred booking opportunities and a special booking portal since 2006. Fair payment conditions, clear price structures, special cancellation options and other attractive services are also part of the package.

“It’s no secret among our customers that we will do anything to give them the best possible service. The fact that we won this award for the FairFairs Hotel initiative proves yet again how important it is for hotels to work together with trade fair companies at trade fair locations. Trade fair customers are hotel customers and it’s important to consider that when setting room rates,” commented Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.   

Vancouver Convention Centre's Green Roof Gets Final Touches Before Spring 2009 Opening

Vancouver Convention Centre’s six-acre (2.4 hectare) living roof received some finishing touches in mid-November 2008 when British Columbia’s Premier Gordon Campbell planted the final seedlings before the expansion's official opening in Spring 2009.

The “Living Roof,” the largest green roof in Canada, which was designed to recreate the rolling green landscape along Vancouver's urban waterfront, stretches over six acres, and houses over 20 species from the Northwest, totaling almost 400,000 indigenous plants and grasses (350,000 plants, 40,000 bulbs, 10 species of native grass and herb seeds). The plants were selected to recreate a natural beachfront habitat that one might find on British Columbia’s Gulf Islands.

Grown in six inches of lava rock, topsoil and gravel, some unique plants include beach strawberries and hookers onion, and are irrigated by 43 km of drip irrigation piping. In addition, the roof has drainage and water recovery systems which collect and use rainwater as irrigation.

Going Green and environmental sustainability is important at the Vancouver Convention Centre as the new expansion is constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards, and will be the forefront of environmental design and sustainability.
 

Denver Turf Crew Performs Sod Miracle

The turf crew rarely gets the same recognition as the team playing on the field, but this year the Sports Turf Managers Association “Field of the Year” award goes to the guys who did the literal dirty work at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The award was given not just for maintenance of the fields on which the Colorado Rapids play at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but for care provided to the 24 fields that surround the stadium – this year a Herculean effort that revived the lawn following the inaugural Mile High Music Festival.

Hosting a five-stage music festival for more than 100,000 attendees on the outer fields of the world’s largest soccer complex was a feat in itself, but restoring the turf to a nearly pristine playing quality was nothing short of astounding. The Mile High Music Festival is the only one of its kind in the U.S. to be held on sports turf. The crowds of more than 50,000 per day who saw the Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty and John Mayer, trampled the sod under temperatures that hit 100.

The preparation for a major youth soccer tournament to be held in just three weeks started immediately. A three-day cleanup of the entire site was necessary before the crew was even able to get aid to the 2.2 million square feet of ailing grass. “The concert was over Sunday night, but it wasn’t until 4:15 Wednesday afternoon that everything was finally off of the fields,” DSG Park turf manager Bret Baird said. And that was just the concert equipment – staging, generators, tents and other equipment.

Baird and his crew of 12 people used backpack blowers, bare hands and a 6-foot magnet to harvest the remaining trash and debris from the 24 fields. “We picked up nuts, bolts, bottle caps, batteries, several hundred bobby pins, irrigation flags, guitar strings, cotter pins, little, random pieces of metal – all kinds of stuff,” recalled Baird.

Over the next week, the crew watered heavily and aerated the fields before finally applying over 2,600 lbs. of new seed over the complex. “Then we drug the field with a drag mat so the seed would fall into the holes and the aerating cores would break up. Next, we top dressed the fields with USGA sand. We fertilized the fields and then started ‘seed programs’ with our irrigation systems,” Baird explained.

“Bret was able to start restoration on the Thursday following the event (July 24) and just two weeks later, on Thursday, August 7, the Rush tournament began. The complex was as green as could be,” said Allison Hamilton, senior director, venue operations at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. “These guys are the absolute best. I would walk in to their shop during the festival and see pairs of bare feet sticking out of cubes under blankets! Instead of going home, these guys would actually just sleep here onsite, that’s how dedicated they were to this restoration and their jobs.”

The Field of the Year Award was special recognition for the effort. “The Field of the Year Award validates the intense dedication of our members,” says Kim Heck, CEO of the Sports Turf Managers Association, the sponsoring organization of the award. “Each year STMA awards no more than 13 Fields of the Year, so a very small percentage of our members are winners. Bret Baird and his crew are very deserving of this prestigious award for Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.” 

Global Spectrum To Operate NorthWest Georgia Trade And Convention Center Authority

The NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center Authority Board has selected Global Spectrum to operate the NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton, GA, effective on Thursday, January 1, 2009. Global Spectrum, which earlier this year completed a thorough operations audit of the trade center, was selected unanimously by the Board to operate the center.

In making their selection, Board members said they believe Global Spectrum’s experience can help the trade center improve its operations and the firm’s nationwide contacts can help it bring in new business.

“Global Spectrum is an outstanding company with an incredible track record and a high-level of customer satisfaction which is so important in our industry,” said Board Chairman Harvey Neal.

The NorthWest Georgia Trade Center features a 40,500 sq. ft. exhibit hall that converts into a 5,000 seat entertainment arena with superior acoustical design. It also boasts a 10,800 sq. ft. ballroom, one of the largest in Georgia. In addition there is a full-service learning center with conference and meeting rooms with built-in multi-media equipment, including wireless internet access throughout the facility.

Two Stagehands At Portland Center For The Performing Arts Achieve ESTA Certification

The Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) announced that Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) theatrical rigger/flyman Brent Jahnke and electrician Lorin Sly have been certified by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association’s (ESTA) Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP). Jahnke and Sly join Jim Burbach, head carpenter for PCPA’s Keller Auditorium; Justin Dunlap, head electrician for PCPA’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; and John Rourke, certified relief rigger, as certified technical stage staff for PCPA. PCPA is the only performing arts center in the country to be an ETCP-recognized employer.

“The employees of PCPA all stand out as leaders among their counterparts in other cities,” said Robyn Williams, PCPA’s executive director. “But the fact that our technical theater staff has achieved this rigorous certification makes PCPA distinctive, and, frankly, a leader of the pack.”

ESTA is the primary trade association for a broad range of sectors in the entertainment industry including motion picture and television producers, theater technology specialists, stage employees, and conventions and arena managers. Its ETCP Certification Council, comprised of professionals representing electricians, riggers, marketers, trainers, as well as individuals representing large industry employers, Live Nation and Production Resource Group, developed the training, assessment and standards for certification. ETCP-certified stagehands are subject to a code of ethics and face disciplinary action if that code is violated.

TuEntrade S.A. Selects AudienceView To Power Its Operations

AudienceView Ticketing announced that TuEntrada S.A., a new ticketing company based in Argentina, has licensed AudienceView’s ticketing and CRM software to power its South American operations.

TuEntrada S.A. was recently founded by eight key members of one of the largest ticketing companies in South America, creating a new ticketing company that will offer premium ticketing and CRM services to theaters, venues, soccer clubs, night clubs, sport associations and sporting events throughout South America. TuEntrada is expected to launch in December and will begin operating six theaters in January of 2009.

TuEntrada S.A., in partnership with Tuboleta.com, (TuBoleta Colombia, TuBoleta Ecuador & TuEntrada Peru) will offer a continental solution for promoters and venues throughout South America. TuEntrada will also launch operations in several new markets (Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Venezuela) beginning in the second quarter of 2009. This joint venture of TuEntrada and TuBoleta will create the largest ticketing company in South America with a presence in nine countries.

The company will be managed by Esteban Stalgis, former general manager of Ticketek Argentina S.A. and Ticketmaster Argentina S.A. and Gabriel Zunino, president of Hard Rock Café Argentina.

New Era Tickets Moves To New Location

New Era Tickets has moved to a new location in an effort to better serve its clients and partners. The company will have more than 50 percent more total square footage, 100 percent more fulfillment space and 30 percent more call center seats at its new location at 930 East Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA 19341.

UT-Chattanooga Contracts With Daktronics

As part of major upgrades to McKenzie Arena, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will unveil new LED video displays designed, manufactured and installed by Daktronics Inc.

“Adding video technology in McKenzie Arena is an important step in our efforts to modernize the facility and enhance the event experience for the participants and fans visiting our campus,” said Rick Hart, director of intercollegiate athletics at UTC.

“Daktronics is proud to partner with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to provide this significant upgrade to McKenzie Arena,” added Glen Marts, Daktronics regional sales representative. “We are proud to provide video displays to McKenzie Arena for the first time. The system will provide additional opportunities and overall will enhance the game day experience for everyone associated with UTC athletics.”

Green Building Certification Institute Names New Leader

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) announced that Peter Templeton will assume the new role of President of GBCI. In his leadership role at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Templeton was vital to the early development of the LEED green building certification system, the launch of the LEED Accredited Professional (LEEP AP) program, the expansion of USGBC’s educational programming, and the successful spin-off of GBCI earlier this year.

“Peter’s long history of exceptional leadership within the green building movement makes him the ideal President of GBCI,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC. “Peter has been integrally involved in both USGBC's biggest milestones and its day-to-day achievements, and he will bring the same commitment to the integrity of the work to his new role.”

“I am honored to join the founding team of GBCI," said Templeton. "Our mission is to administer the certification and credentialing programs related to green building practice in a way that is scalable to meet the ever increasing capacity and demand, while also maintaining the highest levels of quality and integrity.”

New Bern Facilities Receive Readers’ Choice Awards

The New Bern/Craven County Convention & Visitors Center and the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina, were presented with ConventionSouth magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for 2008.

More than 18,000 readers were asked to cast their votes for the Readers’ Choice Awards, and only the top vote getters out of approximately 2,000 meeting sites and CVBs received this recognition.

“The value in receiving this recognition is that it comes from the United States’ top meeting professionals who book events in the South,” said ConventionSouth Publisher J. Talty O’Connor. “These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have determined that the recipients of ConventionSouth’s Readers’ Choice Awards do indeed display the commitment to professionalism, creativity, excellence and outstanding customer service they require.”

 

News : On The Move : Career Opportunities : Internships
Classifieds  :  Positions Sought  :  Request for Proposal