The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2015 Venue Management School (VMS), recognizing individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.

“One young professional and eight student interns’ lives will be forever changed by being a recipient of the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program that gives them the ability to attend VMS this year,” said Kerry Painter, CFE, CMP, CEM, assistant general manager at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “This school is a powerful tool to catapult careers and industry networking. These young professionals are about to experience a life-changing week. As a VMS Board of Regent and strong supporter of the Foundation, I love witnessing the difference being awarded one of these scholarships/internships can make for a person. Building a future one at a time is our honor.”

The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of the VMS Board of Regents and committed donors—together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Click each image to view the recipient’s LinkedIn profile.

The post Announcing VMS Scholarship + Internship Recipients appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

To paraphrase Ferris Bueller: Life moves pretty fast—if you don’t keep up, you could miss out. The venue management industry isn’t immune to the fast-pace of the world around it, which makes a new textbook that much more important.

Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues is the latest publication from IAVM.

Built upon the legacy of IAVM’s previous publications (2004, 2009), the new textbook was written for undergraduate and graduate students within sport management, event management, hospitality management, and other related disciplines. It was written to assist faculty in teaching the important theoretical and conceptual issues within the context of public assembly venue management. And it was written as a resource for entry-level venue management professionals and to support IAVM and its professional development programs

“The objective of this book is to introduce the reader to the business of public assembly venue management,” the authors wrote in the book’s Preface. “Such venues are found throughout the world, and, while their purposes and goals may be different, the management, principles, and practices are fundamentally alike. The reader should be able to glean relevant information that applies to venues of all types, large and small, local and international.”

We asked the authors some questions to learn more about the book.

This is not a third edition of IAVM’s previous textbook, but rather an entirely new book. What factors contributed to the scope of the new content?
While we set out to simply update the second edition, our passion for the industry and our desire to support faculty in the education of students with an easy-to-use textbook and companion materials drove us to go deeper. In addition, the speed in which the industry is evolving, especially in the area of technology, required more extensive review and update of the content.

Are there any topics covered in the textbook that reinforce the pace of change happening in venue management?
The industry is constantly changing and advancing. As a result, we have updated existing content, and added content regarding social media, analytics, and ticketing advancements. We have also added a dedicated chapter for safety and security.

What are you most proud of regarding this new project?
We are very proud of the time and dedication invested to produce a textbook that accomplished the goals we set. We are especially appreciative of the many industry colleagues that assisted us in a variety of capacities. This textbook provides a comprehensive look at public assembly venue management and covers topics noticeably absent in other facility management texts. In addition, the textbook and companion materials can be used by faculty for undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as used by practitioners.

This textbook is part of a new collection of education tools being produced for venue managers and students. What else is available, and what is in development?
The textbook is just one element of the collection of educational tools available for faculty. We have also compiled extensive companion materials for faculty including a sample syllabus, PowerPoint presentations, test banks, case studies, class discussion topics/class activities, and four sample class projects.

Simultaneously, the IAVM eBooks Task Force has been working on their first eBook, which will also be released this year. While the textbook provides a comprehensive look at public assembly venue management, the intent of the eBook is to take one topic/chapter from the textbook and expand it with significantly greater detail and an enhanced focus on the practitioner. Event management within a public assembly venue is the first topic to be addressed in an eBook, and to help ensure consistency, Dr. Kimberly Mahoney is working on both projects.

Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues is now available for faculty to preview. It will be released to the public in July 2015.

The post Announcing IAVM’s Latest Resource for Students, Faculty, and Industry Professionals appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The International Association of Venue Managers Foundation announces a US$50,000 fundraising initiative backed by Steve Peters, CFE, and VenuWorks to support the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program. The initiative will help fund 38 scholarships + internships to IAVM sector meetings, schools, and VenueConnect each year.

The Foundation has been committed to programs, ideas, and initiatives that build amazing careers and a strong future for the industry for more than 32 years. It has bestowed more than 300 scholarships worth approximately $350,000.

Last July at VenueConnect in Portland, the Foundation continued this legacy by announcing its newest campaign, Build an Amazing Future. This campaign is a three-prong approach focused on students, young professionals, and mid-level management in the venue management industry.

The program was established after the passing of Joseph A. Floreano, CFE, a long-time IAVM member, Foundation Trustee, and the first-and-only Honorary Chairman of the Foundation Board of Trustees. Floreano was known for giving selflessly in both time and money to worthy industry causes. His leadership was aspirational, and he took great pride in mentoring and supporting the advancement in the development of the Foundation’s Build an Amazing Future campaign but also became the inspiration as he truly resembled and embodied everything it stands for. The contributions Floreano made to the Foundation are immeasurable, and he will forever leave a mark on the Foundation.

This new fundraising initiative will include a $5,000 matching challenge from Steve Peters, CFE, and VenuWorks as part of a fundraising matching challenge to industry peers, community partners, and friends of Joe Floreano.

“Joe was a friend and a true leader in IAVM,” said Peters, founder and president of VenuWorks. “It just feels right to honor him with a gift to the IAVM Foundation, which was and is dear to both of us. Joe believed in the Foundation and felt it was worthwhile of his efforts.”

To date, 15 recipients have been positively impacted by the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program through opportunities to attend IAVM’s Performing Arts Managers Conference (PAMC), IAVM’s Academy of Safety and Security (AVSS), and IAVM’s Venue Management School at Oglebay (VMS) since the program launched in 2015.

To join this fundraising initiative, you can make your donation by visiting www.classy.org/scholarships.

The post VenuWorks Makes Generous Contribution in Memory of Joe Floreano to IAVM Foundation appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

As the IAVM Foundation begins a new fiscal giving year, it gives me pleasure to work with Sarah Rogers and the Foundation Board of Trustees on a challenge grant to honor my friend, Joe Floreano. My company, VenuWorks, is pleased to announce a $5,000 lead gift as part of a matching challenge for the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program to raise $50,000 from May thru September.

Joe was one of the first people I met back in the 1970s when we were known as IAAM—the International Association of Auditorium Managers. If you ask any of the old-timers from District III, they will probably tell you the most fun they have ever had at a District Meeting was when Joe hosted in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The attendee gift that year was a lacquered buffalo chip nailed to a varnished board…yes, that kind of buffalo chip. The “gift” held a unique place of honor in my garage for many years.

The Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship program was established after the passing of Joseph A. Floreano, CFE, a long-time IAVM member, Foundation Trustee, and the first-and-only Honorary Chairman of the Foundation Board of Trustees. Floreano was known for giving selflessly in both time and money to worthy industry causes. His leadership was aspirational and he took great pride in mentoring and supporting the advancement in the development of the Foundation’s Build an Amazing Future campaign but also became the inspiration as he truly resembled and embodied everything it stands for. The contributions Floreano made to the Foundation are immeasurable and he will forever leave a mark on the Foundation.

This new fundraising initiative will be a matching challenge to my industry friends and colleagues to support and honor our friend, Joe Floreano. To join me with your support, please visit www.classy.org/scholarships.

Joe was a friend and a true leader in IAVM. It just feels right to honor him with a gift to the IAVM Foundation, which was and is dear to both of us. Joe believed in the Foundation and felt it was worthwhile of his efforts. I hope you do as well.

The post Honoring My Friend, Joe Floreano appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Thanks to the generous support of SearchWide and Ungerboeck Software International, 30 young professionals, 30 years of age and under, will receive full complimentary registration to VenueConnect in Baltimore, a travel stipend of $850, and a one-year complimentary Young Professional IAVM Membership.

“Identifying and developing future leaders is an important priority, and IAVM has stepped up to the plate in a big way with this initiative. Venue management is an exciting and challenging career path, and it is crucial we prepare this group for the complexities of leading this industry forward,” said Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president of SearchWide and a Foundation Trustee. “Having access to industry education and industry leaders will create significant learning opportunities for these individuals. I’m looking forward to meeting the 2015 IAVM 30|UNDER|30 inaugural class.”

In addition to over $2,000 in benefits, the 30|UNDER|30 recipients will be recognized at the Venue Industry Awards Luncheon at VenueConnect on Monday, August 3. They will also be provided year-round continued education for professional growth in the venue industry to help program participants become better, more productive employees through increased access and exposure to industry networking and thought leadership.

As part of the Build an Amazing Future campaign focused on students, young professionals, and mid-level venue management, the IAVM Foundation’s Board of Trustees are thrilled to see this program come to life.

“On behalf of the IAVM Foundation’s Board of Trustees and committed donors, we are honored to announce the inaugural 30|UNDER|30 class of 2015,” said Jason Rittenberry, CFE, president and CEO of IRG Sports + Entertainment and chair of the IAVM Foundation. “We are truly building amazing futures for some of the top rising stars in the industry!”

Over the next few weeks, we’ll individually spotlight this year’s recipients. For now, let’s meet the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural 30|UNDER|30 class of 2015:

The post The IAVM Foundation is Proud to Announce the Inaugural 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2015 appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

I feel like there was a time when the media talked a lot about millennials, then stopped talking so much about them, and now we’re back to talking about them again. It’s probably because that generation is increasingly becoming the decision-makers at companies, so if you’re not paying attention to them now, you will be soon because by 2025, 75 percent of the workforce will be millennials.

Concerning venues, Cvent recently conducted a survey of millennial meeting planner sourcing behaviors and found that they value cost as the most influential factor in deciding to host an event at a facility. Older generations value customer service as the most influential factor.

“As the next generation of meeting planners rises in the work place, hotels and event venues need to better understand their behaviors to close more group business,” said Kevin Fliess, vice president of product marketing at Cvent, in a statement. “It is clear from the survey findings that both the influx of millennial planners and advances in event planning processes and technologies are changing how hotels compete for lucrative group business.”

According to the survey, 25 percent of millennial planners say that negotiations are the most difficult part of sourcing a venue. In fact, they want to avoid one-on-one interactions as much as possible. Other generations, though, are much more open to face-to-face negotiations.

One of the more interesting findings (and I think it’s so important that I’m going to bold it) is that 50 percent of millennial meeting planners indicate that social media and blogs are highly influential when it comes to evaluating a venue compared to other generations. They rely on online reviews, ratings, and opinions, compared to traditional media.

Visit Cvent to get the full 2015 “Planner Sourcing Report.”

(Image: Tech Cocktail/Creative Commons)

The post What Millennial Meeting Planners Value appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon recently conducted a study to discover how to get students into stadiums and keep them there until the event is over.

“It’s definitely a huge concern to capture their attention and get them to games while they’re in school because once you lose them, it’s that much harder to increase that fandom,” lead investigator Andrew Guerra to USA Today. “You can get fans there but if they’re not engaged in the game, not only does it deplete the fan experience but it depletes the home-field advantage that these teams have.”

The report, “Student Attendance at Collegiate Sporting Events,” used survey data from 18,876 students at schools in 32 conferences and focused on attendance at football and men’s basketball games. Study participants were asked what influences them to attends games, viewing preferences, and social media habits, among others.

Some of the key findings from the USA Today story include

— Average student affinity was 7.1 out of 10, with 81 percent of students attending at least one live sporting event.

— Interest in the sport, game time, ticket price, opponent, and team record were the most influential in students’ determination whether to attend a sporting event.

— Students indicated their favorite parts of the game-day experience were watching live game action (23 percent), in-stadium atmosphere (17 percent) and tailgating (15 percent). Of overall respondents, 28 percent chose stadium and concession food as the most enjoyable part of attending home games, with that option ranking first among Power Five and FBS schools.

— Of students who follow the team on Facebook, 72 percent attended three or more home football games. Of those who didn’t, 44 percent attended three or more games. Facebook followers of teams were 63 percent more likely to attend three or more home games than students who didn’t follow the team on Facebook, and that trend held for other social media. Twitter (61 percent), Snapchat (47 percent), and Instagram (48 percent) made students more likely to attend three or more home games.

— Students who said Wi-Fi connectivity was not important in their decision to attend games did so at a higher rate than students who said it was.

— Although 67 percent of students agreed watching games is “more comfortable at home,” it scored lower than 2.5 on a scale of 5 on how likely it would be to prevent game attendance.

— Personal errands, hanging out with friends and family, and using the Internet were the biggest competing interests in deciding whether students attended three or more games.

— Nearly a quarter of respondents reported leaving before a game is 75 percent complete. Potential incentives for them to stay for the entire game included free T-shirts, a sponsored post-game party, loyalty points, and concession discounts, in that order. Loyalty points and meet and greets with players yielded the strongest results.

Check out our article, “How to Increase Student Attendance at Games” for more ideas on this subject.

(Image: Erik Drost/Creative Commons)

The post Students Sound Off on Game Attendance appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

I graduated college in 2005 and was lucky enough to get a gig at Strathmore, an arts complex in Bethesda, Maryland, where I had interned the year prior. I’m certain I bombed the interview. They still poke fun at me about how I was expecting to have “more time to play video games” now that I was out of the college grind. WHAT A MORON! I guess I was lucky enough to have the other, more interview-ready competition get other job offers. I still remember the offer call. You ready for this? I accepted under the condition that I could have my already scheduled beach week one week after I was to start. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!! If I was my boss, I not only would have laughed on the other end of the phone, I would have retracted the offer. Yet I think he was desperate. Yup. He must have been because he agreed. He never let me forget that either…but I still had a job. So far so good.

As a communications and music double major, I didn’t have the foggiest idea of what venue management entailed, and as Strathmore had just opened a new concert hall, there wasn’t a whole lot of past practice for me to learn from. I made my way…somehow…and went from a glorified paper-pusher to operations manager after about 16 months. I think at the time, my only real qualifications were that I managed to not get lost in the building and didn’t get anyone killed.

Shortly after the promotion, I was told that I was signed up for IAAM. Boy was I stoked for the new magazine subscription! When I got my first issue and started to look at the pictures (I’m not much for words), I realized what I really had been given—an opportunity to right all my previous bone-headed, immature, wrongs and actually learn how to be a venue manager. I jumped at the opportunity.

I read each FM issue from cover to cover. I remember the day I saw the ad for the Mentoring Program. I was 23 and living in my mom’s basement and it said “free” so sign me up! The experience got me in touch with a wonderful mentor, Terry Genovese, CFE, who I will never forget for the advice, the connections, and the opportunities she afforded me. She encouraged me to apply for PAFMS (now Venue Management School). She called ahead to industry pillars like John Siehl, CFE, and Adina Erwin to warn….I mean…let them know that a rookie who she was humoring as a mentee was headed their way and to try not to let me do anything stupid. They took time to seek me out, introduce themselves, and offered their support in finding my niche. After that week in Oglebay, I think I knew this was in my blood. From that moment on I was drinking the Kool-Aid and preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen.

A few years ago I heard a taskforce was being assembled to promote and add value to the Young Professionals membership; I immediately threw my hat in the ring to be a part of it. Now as the chair of the soon-to-be Young Professionals Committee (read—“HERE TO STAY!!”), I couldn’t be happier to be in the position to help younger folks to utilize what IAAM, now IAVM, has to offer to the future of this industry. I owe my livelihood to getting that first chance at employment and then working every last ounce of opportunity I could out of that “magazine subscription” called the International Association of Venue Managers.

If you’ve read this far (thanks for that btw), I ask two things, 1: If you are still early in your career in this crazy industry we love so much, reach out to me or anyone involved in the Young Professional Committee, Mentoring Program, or Universities Committee as soon as you can. We’ll find you some way to get involved, and we’ll drop what we’re doing to give you the guidance and resources that so many of us benefited from. And 2: If you have the opportunity to recognize staff or students in your organization that just might need a taste of what IAVM has to offer, get them to us. Let us speak in you classrooms, or send them to us for a shadow experience or internship. The future VMS instructors, committee chairs, and mentors of this industry need to start their journeys today!

To put a spin on a famous Jack Nicholson quote: “We want you on that wall…We need you on that wall.”

If I managed to make something of myself through IAVM, anyone can.  Help me make some more Kool-Aid, and if you’re thirsty, we’re serving!

Hope to see everyone in Baltimore!

(Image: Bre Pettis/Creative Commons)

The post Serving the Young Professional Kool-Aid appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

When is the last time you experienced a “mountaintop experience” in your professional career? You hear people describe these experiences in their personal lives after they come back from a thrilling adventure or exotic vacation. Something happens that is uplifting and inspiring, maybe even life-changing. I would guess that most of us have experienced something similar in our personal lives. But have you had that mountaintop experience in your career?

Attending Venue Management School (VMS) earlier this summer was exactly that for me. I mean literally, Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, the permanent home of VMS, is on the top of a mountain. The views are incredible, especially compared to the rolling hills of farmland that I am used to in Southern Indiana. But beyond that, VMS is a powerful tool in the development of a young professional’s career. VMS effectively teaches the venue management industry, positions attendees to effortlessly network with other industry colleagues, and inspires you no matter what stage of career you are in. If you are a young professional in the venue management industry, you need to find a way to get to VMS.

Teaching the Venue Management Industry

At its core mission, VMS successfully teaches the venue management industry. The amount of information I was able to absorb in this week-long course (taken in two consecutive years) about the industry was incredible. I’m sure many young professionals out there are similar to me, in that you sort of fell into this career. For me, I was a basketball junkie. I grew up as an athletic director’s son, played sports throughout my entire life, and was a staff member for the IU Basketball team during college. Sports were (are) my passion. So when I saw an opportunity to gain valuable experience managing people and a budget but also to be involved with athletic events, I jumped at the opportunity. What could be a better job just out of college? But my lack of industry knowledge was very evident, and I was not as effective in my role as I could have been. Fortunately, my boss is a true believer in professional development and an even bigger believer in IAVM. VMS has helped fill this void of venue management knowledge over the past two years. Topics like booking and scheduling, tenant/management relations, venue law, crowd management, and dozens of others that directly target issues we all deal with are taught by instructors who are industry veterans.

Even for those young professionals who have always wanted a career in the venue industry and already know the ins and outs of venue management, VMS will further your education. Other classes, such as controlling costs, creativity, and strategic business planning challenge your thinking and look to enhance your career development. VMS truly is for everyone, but especially for all the young professionals in the industry.

Networking

I know, I know, the term networking is used far too often these days. Articles, book, research studies, and TV segments are specifically devoted to the importance of networking. We all understand how value it can be. We have grown up with our parents, teachers, and the media shoving it down our throats. We get it: networking is important. But truth be told, networking can still be awkward for all of us from time to time. I remember thinking going into Year 1 of VMS last summer, “I don’t know if I will be able to handle six straight days of networking.” I felt like a kid whose parents were shipping him off to summer camp where I knew no one. I was more than a little bit nervous. But by the end of day one, all of my fears and reservations were gone.

VMS finds a way to put all of its attendees in easy, convenient situations for networking. Peer mentor groups (led by Year 2 students), ideal class sizes, group events in the evening, and late night “study groups” in the library (also known as GlassWorks Bar) make networking easy and simple. And because all other VMS attendees are looking to network as well, it takes the pressure off meeting people. In my two years at VMS, I am confident that I have made friends for life. These are other young professionals that I will be able to go to for advice or questions as things come up, but they are also the people that I will look forward to spending time with at future IAVM conferences or the next time I visit their city. And as a bonus, at VMS you are not only networking with other young professionals but seasoned veterans of the venue industry as well. Attendees range in all ages and stages of careers—I had classmates who were directors and vice presidents of their venues. Additionally, the professors (who are all big wigs in the industry) make themselves available daily to network, interact with, and ask advice. Networking at VMS goes far beyond business card-sharing; it creates meaningful, long term relationships with other industry professionals.

Career-inspiring

While learning about the venue industry and being able to network were great aspects of VMS, the best part of the experience for anyone, but especially Young Professionals, is how VMS inspires you in your career. Remember that mountaintop experience I was referring to earlier? I have come back from VMS with countless ideas on components to implement into our organization, ways to streamline our processes, and approaches to inspire our employees.

Some of these are very specific things we have already begun to implement. Paul Turner, director of event operations and security at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, taught the “Planning Life Safety” course. At IU, we have already adapted a version of his “Life Safety Briefing” to use for all of our supervisors on game days to more effectively communicate to our staff about emergency preparedness. The “Employee Training Programs” class taught by Kerry Painter, assistant general manager at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, inspired me to revamp our employee training programs to include elements that directly engage multiple generations of staff. IRG Sports + Entertainment’s President/CEO Jason Rittenbery taught “Enhancing the Experience,” making me appreciate that we can always be doing something more to improve our guest’s experience at our events. I will be issuing a challenge to all of my managers of events to continually find ways to enhance the experience. And the list of practical ideas and tools that I came away with from the classes at VMS goes on and on.

But it’s not just the classes that inspire and teach. Between round-table discussions, dinner conversations, and networking opportunities, you constantly find yourself surrounded by other young professionals that have gone through similar difficulties in their career or workplace. VMS cultivates an atmosphere of question-asking and idea-sharing. And I know this atmosphere will continue far beyond the week at VMS.

So…Attend VMS!

If you are a young professional and have not attended Venue Management School, start the conversation with your superiors. The investment will not only help you in your professional career, but it will also benefit your organization. I have been privileged to experience something as powerful as VMS early in my professional career. The tools and skills that I have learned through the program have already proved useful, and I know that I will rely on this education for years to come. If you have any questions, reservations, or concerns about VMS, I would love to chat with you. Feel free to contact me at mwsanta@indiana.edu. I will also be in Baltimore at VenueConnect, so feel free to look me up!

The post A Young Professional’s Take on Venue Management School appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation, in partnership with Western Kentucky University (WKU), has developed a phenomenal program designed to provide unprecedented networking and education for students and young professionals beginning their careers in venue management. On Saturday, August 1, before the full VenueConnect conference begins, young professionals and students will learn career skills from venue industry leaders, make new connections with executives from major venues, and gain fresh professional development insights through a packed schedule of customized sessions and events.

“Have you seen the UpStart schedule?” asked Jason Rittenberry, CFE, chair of the IAVM Foundation, “This is the perfect opportunity for young talent looking for a launchpad into our industry. It is fantastic to see the IAVM Foundation bringing this new experience to VenueConnect, and WKU has been a great partner to help us build what I think is going to be a big hit.”

Recently added to the UpStart program is the opening keynote, Doug Sandler. Author of Nice Guys Finish First (all UpStart attendees are walking away with a copy of his book!), Sandler brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment world with thousands of clients. He’ll tackle the massive threat that not caring poses to companies and systems, and will dive into the art of building relationships with clients versus simply closing deals.

Other session highlights include “Thinking Outside the Box,” lead by Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president of SearchWide; “How Our Generation Can Use LinkedIn For Professional Branding,” lead by Whitney Harmel, director of sales for Brandobility; and “Advancing Your Career,” lead by Bryan Kaminski, senior manager of university recruiting and programs for Under Armour. Attendees will also participant in a new speed-networking program, “The Game Changer,” where they will get crucial face-to-face time and personal introductions to major venue industry leaders.

UpStart is free for students, young professionals, and faculty, and is made possible through the support of IAVM members, venue industry leaders, and other partners that have supported the IAVM Foundation’s Build An Amazing Future campaign.

WKU’s support of UpStart is instrumental in the program’s creation. We spoke with Dr. Evie Oregon, an assistant professor in sport management, to learn more about the university and its involvement in the program.

IAVM: Why did WKU decide to be involved in the UpStart program?
EO: WKU’s School of KRS recognizes that a professional network is imperative for our graduates. By partnering with IAVM in the UpStart program, we are not only helping to facilitate that network, but are also providing uninhibited access to current professionals in the field.

IAVM: What do you hope young professionals and students takeaway with them by participating in the program?
EO: Traditional classroom can only provide so much in terms of knowledge of the current industry. It is our hope that our students, and young professional in general, who attend the UpStart program will not only enhance their knowledge of the field, but also increase their professional network and obtain connections for career advancement and professional development.

IAVM: How do you see this program evolving?
EO: We would like to see that the program grows in the future and have far reaching effects on the careers of participants. It would be great to have the young professionals who are attending this inaugural event to one day be the keynotes who can say…it all began a few years ago with UpStart.

IAVM: What can WKU’s masters program provide to current professionals looking to continue their education?
EO: The Masters in Facility and Event Management at WKU is a 100 percent online program that allows current professional and those looking to enter the field a practical approach to learning more about the industry. The program courses are facilitated by highly experienced professionals who began their own careers in the field of recreation and sport facility management. The program model is flexible while at the same time providing course sequencing that insures a path to degree attainment.

Please check out the UpStart website to learn more about the program. Registrations for both UpStart and VenueConnect are still taking place, but rooms in the main conference hotels are filling quickly, so register soon and visit the VenueConnect travel page for current hotel options.

The post UpStart: Emerging Leaders Experience appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Did you miss our latest episode of The Venue? Never fear, you can listen to the above recording of it.

This latest edition featured guest host Joe Durr, director of event services for PORTLAND’5 Centers for the Arts. Together with Durr, we discuss such subjects as ideal outdoor row and aisle spacing, theatre houselights LED retrofits, staff plans for concerts (security, admissions, medical), service animals, volunteer recruitment materials, fountain drinks vs. bottles/cans, and Palcohol.

We also spoke with Paige Grisham, one of our student members at Missouri State University, about her article, “The Millennials and Their Dream Venue,” that she recently wrote for FM magazine.

Thank you to Joe and Paige for speaking with us, and thank you for listening. Our next episode will air live on Friday, July 24, at 2 p.m. (CST).

The post Podcast: The Venue, Episode 2 appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program intern recipients for the 2015 VenueConnect conference, recognizing deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.

The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Raymond Caraballo, Sport Management, Baldwin Wallace University

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? If I could be any superhero, I would be Batman. Growing up as a child, Batman was my favorite superhero, because he meant more than just himself. He had a passion for saving his beloved city of Gotham and stopped at nothing to ensure the safety of the citizens. I can relate to Batman in the sense that I work hard each and every day to represent my family and the great city of Cleveland, Ohio. Any time I do an assignment for my job, I always think about how it reflects on my boss and the company. While I always work hard on every task, I constantly remind myself that what I do is for the betterment of the event and others around me. I always work hard, like Batman, to ensure that a positive result is reached each and every time.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My ultimate goal as a professional is to maintain a vice president role in a facility operations department. Specifically, I would like to maintain that role with an NBA venue. Learning from someone like Antony Bonavita, CFE, with the Cleveland Cavaliers has inspired me to reach that goal, because he instills every characteristic I aspire to be when I am older. Also, being in a vice president role would mean a lot because with that role, I can help produce a positive experience to not only the workers around me, but also to the fans at the venue/arena.

What is your favorite quote? “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.” -Roberto Clemente

What #hashtag would best describe you? #Tenacity

Mikal Daskivich; Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management; Penn State University

Favorite team? The Pittsburgh Penguins.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? My favorite entertainment memory was working six Garth Brooks shows at the Bryce Jordan Center over a two-weekend span while also running Movin’ On, Penn State’s annual spring music festival, at the same time.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would love to be a Tiger, because they’re such big, beautiful, and majestic creatures while also being extremely powerful. At the same time, they’re just a super-sized version of your pet cats.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My ultimate dream job in the industry is to be an event and entertainment manager at a prestigious venue, such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, or Staples Center.

What is your favorite quote? “Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.” – Joe Paterno

Aaron Dimatulac, Entertainment Management, Missouri State University

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I haven’t thought of animal I’d love to be, but for my current job’s last Christmas party, we were all given “Spirit Animal” awards. I was awarded the Blue-footed Booby, for rarity, majesty, and secrecy.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I have a few dream jobs and those are being the general manager of an arena, stadium, or amphitheater, maybe being the president of a record label, or being a guitar/backline technician for a full-time touring, major-label band.

What is your favorite quote? “Failure to plan is planning to fail.”

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? What did you enjoy most? I was the intern for IAVM’s 2015 Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS) in Dallas, Texas. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I enjoyed the networking opportunities that came with the events. I started a handful of relationships at AVSS and cannot wait to network with many more industry professionals at VenueConnect.

@Twitter handle? @aaronkinskywlkr

Anthony Espinoza; Sports, Event, and Entertainment Management; Johnson & Wales University

Favorite musician or band? Of Monsters and Men.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? Going to the first World Series game in Colorado. It wasn’t an exciting game, but just being there with a sold-out crowd during a World Series game was an amazing feeling.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My dream job in the industry would to be a production manager for a large scale music festival. The logistics of large scale festivals fascinate me, while the building of different stages and areas for activities with the flow of thousands of people would be challenging.

What is your favorite quote? “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky. This quote forces me to take chances, while making me realize that the chances I don’t take will never change me for the better. The shots I take and miss will only make me stronger and force me to try harder so I can make the next shot when given the chance.

Favorite childhood snack? Handi-Snacks cheese and crackers.

Brandon Kress, Business Management, University of Montana

Favorite team? The Philadelphia Eagles.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A cheetah so I can run fast for once in my life.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Ironman so I could be a billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, and still fly around in a cool iron suite and fight crime.

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? What did you enjoy most? Yes, I volunteered at VenueConnect last year. I enjoyed the networking opportunities and getting to know the other volunteers and interns who will be the next leaders in the industry.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? To run a sports venue, whether it be an arena or a stadium.

Favorite childhood snack? Scooby-Doo! Fruit Flavored Snacks.

Stacey Mielke, Sport Management & Business Administration, University of Florida

Favorite musician or band? Brad Paisley.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be a leopard, because they are stealth, observant, and quicker than the rest of their competition.

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? I would switch places with Bill Gates to prove that money doesn’t buy happiness.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? Ultimately, I want to work in international sports, hosting global events and international camps and use sports to bridge cultural and political gaps around the world.

What is your favorite quote? “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” – C. S. Lewis

Favorite childhood snack? Rice Krispies Treats.

Ashley Molina, Sport Management, University of Florida

Favorite musician or band? Ryan Tedder.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? I worked all week alongside 300 other student employees building a stage in “The Swamp” for the University of Florida’s homecoming pep rally. I was then able to perform on that same stage homecoming night next to my closest friends for over 500 people. The experience was unreal. The fun didn’t stop there—we then had to strike this massive stage over night to have the stadium ready for the homecoming football game the next day. The transformation was incredible.

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? If I could switch places with anyone it would have to be Misty Copeland. I’d love the opportunity to share the stage one more time as Juliet. To exemplify such grace and beauty that leave people in awe. To have the power to move those in the audience without saying one word. That is why I would want to switch places with Misty Copeland for a day.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? Director of operations within an multi-purpose sporting arena. I love the thought of having the power to build a team of competent, reliable people who share my passion for entertainment to work alongside me.

Favorite childhood snack? Dunkaroos.

What #hashtag would best describe you? #treatyoself

@Twitter handle? @swolina

Miah Moore, Entertainment Management, Missouri State University

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) 2012. Held at the Las Vegas Speedway, it’s my favorite festival held in the U.S. I was able to see so many of my favorite composers and DJs. Seeing over 150k+ people in one venue all for the same purpose is amazing to me. You could feel the music before you walked into the track, and the environment they create is beyond imagination.

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? Pasquale Rotella. He is the creator and CEO of Insomniac Events, which is the producer of EDC and various other EDM festivals around the world. I’d want to see what his daily life is like and find out what he does to continue his success.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My ultimate dream job is to be in the festival business working with large scale events throughout the world. Talent buying, site ops, and marketing are all key interests. My passion for music and creating experiences is what drives me to do what I do every day.

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? What did you enjoy most?  Yes, I was an intern at Venue Management School in June 2015. I had the greatest experience with my time at this school because of the people who were present the entire week. The board of regents and students were very welcoming of all the interns and inspired me to keep working for whatever I wish to obtain with my future in entertainment.

@Twitter handle? @miahluzion

What #hashtag would best describe you? #AdventureTime

Jahmar Plummer, Hospitality and Event Management, Monroe Community College

Favorite Team? The Miami Heat.

What person in the venue management industry has inspired you most and why? Without a doubt it was and is Joseph A. Floreano. Joe selected me out of hundreds of part-time employees as an individual he saw potential in, even when I didn’t necessarily see that in myself. His support and guidance gave me the confidence to step up and meet this wonderful opportunity. Joe passed away this past September, but he continues to inspire and motivate me to continue on the path as not only a manager, but also as someone who can respect and be respected by others. He was a person of such wonderful wit, humor, and knowledge, and I have been so fortunate to benefit from his kindness and generosity.

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? What did you enjoy most? I was able to be a student volunteer at last summer’s VenueConnect in Portland, Oregon, as well as a student intern at Venue Management School this year. I enjoyed the opportunities to network with so many wonderful people, including students, members, allied members, and exhibitors. The professional development programs were outstanding, and I felt that I learned so much in such a short time.

Favorite quote? “Don’t forget to smile!”

Irina Tuluca, Entertainment Management, Missouri State University

Favorite musician or band? Ed Sheeran.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? One time I woke at up 6 a.m. to watch Eminem perform at Lollapalooza at 9 p.m. that night. I got front row and spent the whole day not eating, drinking water, or using the restroom since 9 a.m. to keep my spot. Well worth it during the concert!

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? Teddy Roosevelt. Not only was he the youngest president, but he finished giving his speech with a bullet in his chest—that’s a guy worth learning a thing or two from.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would love to be an event planner for huge live events like an awards show or festivals that would involve a lot of work with venue managers and professionals in the entertainment industry. I love working with people, and to do it for a career would make working so much fun.

What is your favorite quote? “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, and something great will come of it.”

@Twitter handle? @irinatuluca

The post Meet This Year’s VenueConnect Interns appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Miah Moore (right) and the 2015 VMS interns.

When I applied for the VMS internship, I didn’t realize what a great opportunity IAVM was offering student members. I have been to other conferences that focus on my interests in the business and had always walked away feeling like I didn’t make a good impact on the people who were in attendance or felt that I wasn’t worth talking to. Even before arriving in Wheeling, I had a few individuals reach out through social media and via email congratulating me on the award and welcoming me to IAVM as a member. This really caught me off guard in a good way.

I had no idea what a great opportunity being a part of VMS was going to be or how willing the students and board members would be to talk to us interns. We were all greeted with smiles and friendly conversation about what they have done in the industry and what we interns hoped and dreamed to do with our careers. We were given plenty of opportunities to meet board members and teachers through luncheons, dinning out in Wheeling, and a dinner as well as breakfast with the board of regents. With over 300 in attendance at VMS, the networking opportunities were endless and allowed us interns to maximize our networking opportunities and meet people where our interests lie in the entertainment industry. Not only that, but we were able to sit through all the classes offered and learn about different and important aspects that drive the industry to positive outcomes. I myself learned about architecture; food service management; enhancing the experience with live events; marketing, advertising, and PR; making and delivering the deal; creativity in the workplace; event management; controlling costs; media relations; leadership and image; tort law; and seven elements of formulation.

I’ve had a particular interest in festivals and had this dream of working in this part of the industry for the last few years. I was able to meet a few individuals who play a big part in this area of the industry. Not only did they educate and share their stories but they also met with me in hopes of helping connect me with the right individuals so that I may get experience and even land a job after graduation. Individuals who aren’t even a part of the festival business reached out and said if I ever need anything or if I think they could help me in any way, that I could get in contact with them and they would help me in any way possible. Hearing this from people I had never met before that week was the best feeling in the world. It made me feel appreciated and helped me believe that people are starting to see that we are the future. Applying for the VMS internship is the best time I’ve ever spent and the best decision I’ve ever made. I want to encourage any students reading this to apply. Take the time and apply for all of the opportunities because I promise you that you WILL take something away from your experience. You won’t regret it.

I want to send a special thanks to Greg Wolfe, Jason LoRusso, Jason Rittenberry, and Mark Herrera for making us interns feel welcome and giving us the experience of a lifetime!

Please visit the IAVM Foundation page for more information on upcoming scholarship and internship opportunities.

The post VMS Internship: The Best Decision I’ve Ever Made appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2015 Arena Management Conference (AMC), recognizing five, deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

David Angeles, Outstanding Leadership Scholarship
General Manager, Allen Event Center

Favorite team? The Michigan State Spartans.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Monkey, four hands and a tail that acts like a fifth. Talk about the opportunity to be an ultimate multi-tasker!

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Inspector Gadget, he is a super hero right? Surround yourself with a good team and even when you aren’t perfect you can still get the desired results! Plus, I want the helicopter hat!

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? I would like to get inside the mind of the GM at a Super Bowl venue or managing director of an Olympic Stadium…one month after the event/closing ceremony. I would love the reflection and knowledge, but skip the gray hair! Seriously, the entire world is watching.

Favorite quote? Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving”—Albert Einstein

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? I currently serve on the IAVM Membership Committee, part of the Mentor/Mentee Program, and have worked on various IAVM projects over the past few years. I recently found out I am considered a VenueDataSource “Super User.” That made me smile.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dave-angeles/77/58a/58b

Jeremy Huelsing, Young Professional Scholarship
Director of Finance, Chaifetz Arena

Favorite team? The St. Louis Cardinals.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? My favorite sports memory is when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series on a walk off home run by David Freese. They went on to win game 7 of the World Series the following night.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be an Alaskan Husky. They work well in a team environment, they have an inspiring work ethic, they are athletic, and they love the outdoors.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I would be Leonardo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He always led by example, and the other turtles looked up to him. He was always willing to work and train. And they always seemed to be eating pizza, so that’s a plus.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? The general manager of an NBA arena.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/jeremy-huelsing/8a/382/518

Daniel Salamone, Young Professional Scholarship
Booking and Scheduling Manager, Taco Bell Arena

Favorite team? The Chicago Blackhawks.

Favorite sports or entertainment memory? My most memorable concert moment was standing on the 30-yard line in Soldier Field and having Kenny Chesney swing in on the QB camera cables and stop right above us. I think it was his sunshine stadium tour.

If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be and why? I would switch places with Warren Buffett’s assistant and spend the day with him to learn as much as I could from him and his team so I could come back and make the most out of my investments.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I am still trying to decide, but I would say either a GM of a building or marketing director for one of the large promoters.

Favorite quote? “It is easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.”

@Twitter handle: @Salamone01

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsalamone

Brooke Ginther, Industry Women Scholarship
Event Coordinator, Prairie Capital Convention Center

Favorite team? The St. Louis Cardinals.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? My first Chicago Bears football game at Soldier Field.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I would be The Flash so I could accomplish more tasks in a short amount of time.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My ultimate dream job is to own and operate a small venue of my own.

Favorite quote? “Choose being kind over being right, and you’ll be right every time.”—Richard Carlson

Gregory Conroy, Student Intern
Master’s Degree in Sport and Leisure Commerce from the University of Memphis
Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management from Penn State University

Favorite Team? The Pittsburgh Penguins.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? Working a Bruce Springsteen show shortly after Hurricane Sandy his his hometown. He put on an incredible show that lasted about 4.5 hours.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My ultimate dream job would be the general manager of a major arena.

Favorite quote? “Life is never easy for those who dream.”—Robert James Waller

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? Yes, I interned at Venue Management School (VMS) in 2014. Just to be in the same place as some of the major people in the industry was an experience in itself. I was also very grateful to sit in on the classes even though I wasn’t going to be tested at the end of the week. Winning the golf tournament on activity day was a pretty big plus!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAIAAA4egqwBamFOibnmxv4BCk2dB45M5HyRysg&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

The post Meet This Year’s AMC Scholarship + Internship Recipients appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

I was telling a friend of mine that the millennial generation seems to continually take a little bit of a beating. At VenueConnect, I heard some comments about work ethic, about not wanting to pay their dues, and about wanting a perfect balance with work and life. These words were generally uttered with disdain as if, “The nerve of someone just out of college looking for these things. Don’t they know it doesn’t work that way? This generation ….”

My friend suggested that when we were in our 20s we wanted everything, too. I reminded him that all I remember wanting was to be able to afford better beer in the fridge. But I admitted that my memory might not be totally clear on that. Regardless, he made me stop and realize that while I am at the back end of the baby boomer generation and have a lot of those typical boomer traits, who am I to judge what’s right or wrong? After all, I have certainly questioned whether spending 60-80 hours a week at work is too many and whether my relationships have suffered as a result. Besides, there are usually many ways to get something accomplished, and how presumptuous am I to think mine is the best one?

The other reality whether any of us curmudgeons like it or not is that this coming generation is our future. By 2025, millennials will make up 75 percent of the work force according to our VenueConnect keynote speaker, Betsy Meyers. Further, as we learned in the session on capital improvement this generation is impacting design of our venues with more craft beer (which is not really a bad thing), large open areas for socializing as opposed to great views of the game (which draws casual fans and utilizes under-performing spaces), and phone-charging stations. Great Wi-Fi is essential, and many of us are either already upgrading our systems or planning to. These are our customers now and into the future, so we only benefit from embracing this generation and its needs.

The millennials are here. In fact, as part of the Upstart Emerging Leaders program this year at VenueConnect I was able to meet many of the 30|UNDER|30 award winners. Those I met are all engaged in our industry and have the same desire to make an impact that we all had when we were young and that many of us still have. They are working on their own continuing education and growth and will be the leaders of our industry one day in the not too distant future. However, they are not willing to sacrifice everything else to accomplish that.

I don’t know. But somehow that does not seem like such a bad thing. Maybe the world could use professionals that know how to turn off work once in a while. Maybe we could all benefit from seeing people that are as passionate about their friends and families as they are about work. Balance may seem like too much to ask, but as we have all learned by now, you never get what you don’t at least ask for.

From talking to these emerging leaders, I feel like our future is in good hands and I am excited to see where it will go. The 30|UNDER|30 and the other Young Professionals in our industry have a lot to offer. They want to enjoy the journey, but that does not mean they are not serious about the job they have been asked to do. They want to do a good job, but are not afraid to question the status quo. And maybe that is our dilemma. We are the status quo. Maybe we don’t like being questioned. Hmmm. Interesting problem, but I guess we are going to have to find a way to get over that.

Change is constant. We either adapt or become extinct. The Millennial generation is bringing change. We have all had to change before, and we will be able to change again. We all love this industry, or we would not be involved with it. We will figure it out just like we have always done when faced with a challenge. I even suspect that many of us will come to love the coming generation of employees and customers as much as we have loved those that came before. Our experience with their passion should be unstoppable. Maybe we can change the world together. Maybe we can even learn how to use all our vacation time to see our friends and families.

(Image: Orange Photography)

The post Our Future is in Good Hands appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

More than 30 students from all over the U.S. were in Baltimore, Maryland, for IAVM’s 90th VenueConnect. We asked them to share their experiences with us. Here are some responses.

“Interning at VennueConnect 2015 was a great experience that will last a lifetime. The UpStart session tailored to young professionals gave me tools to help with my resume and LinkedIn profile, while giving me pointers on what to do when starting my career in venue management. IAVM seems very excited for the next generation of venue managers to come into the industry. The working professionals love the industry they are a part of and don’t want to see it fail, so they try to help the young professionals to grow, continuing the advancement of the industry. Everyone I met at the conference and trade show was very appreciative of the interns and was willing to talk about the industry and the association.”—Anthony Espinoza, Johnson & Wales University

“IAVM’s VenueConnect in Baltimore can be summed up in one word: enlightening…Many key points were stressed throughout the weekend, but none more so than to bringing value to your network. Shaking hands and making connections is only the first step. What makes those handshakes worthwhile is when you take the next step and allow them to grow into relationships. As young professionals, our relationships are going to be our best asset moving forward. It’s up to us to determine how strong those connections to others will be.”—Jarren Nixon, Western Kentucky University

“The entire conference was a great experience from start to finish. The UpStart program was an incredible opportunity to learn from several people with years of experience. The trade show provided countless opportunities to network and learn from managers from everywhere. Also, helping out during the Legacy Project provided a chance to give back to the community and feed several families. Overall, VenueConnect gave me a chance to grow in the industry and improve my skills.”—Jabari Earl, University of Texas at San Antonio

“I was scared of ‘networking.’ I am a very shy person, and introducing as well as promoting myself isn’t a strong point of mine. I gained confidence in myself and what I do as well as learned more about this industry and what it takes to be a successful part of it. Though we are graduate students, they treated us like we were the most important people there. Whatever career path I choose to take in my future, this weekend has taught me how to be professional, be productive, and to make sure I always have fun and enjoy whatever I do.”—Erin Keith, Western Kentucky University

“Being a student intern at VenueConnect was one of the best experiences I have had as a college student for my future career. IAVM is such a helpful and uplifting organization that puts a lot of time into helping young professionals succeed in the venue management industry. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I loved the people that I met and plan on staying in contact with them throughout my career. I learned a lot and got great exposure to an industry I am passionate about. One of my favorite experiences is how inspired I got after mingling with other students like myself at the Young Professionals Mixer. I felt connected and educated leaving Baltimore and look forward to my next experience at an IAVM event.”—Irina Tuluca, Missouri State University

“Exploring Baltimore and learning new things about our industry was an experience I won’t forget. The highlight of the trip for me was networking with professionals, getting to know them, and most importantly, knowing that they are willing to help us anyway they can.”—Keisha Ray, Western Kentucky University

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet amazing professionals from around the world. I even met a couple people who work for the same university that I will be working for this fall. These connections made will be extremely beneficial as I start my career, and I’m grateful for everyone involved in the process for making this event happen.”—Kevin Holcombe, Georgetown University

“VenueConnect was my second internship with IAVM. The experience I had reminded me of my time at my first internship at the Academy for Venue Safety & Security in Dallas earlier this year—exciting, full of great opportunities to learn and network, and a very valuable experience to be a part of. Before VC15, I heard it was a bigger event than the other IAVM conferences, and since this year was the 90th anniversary of VenueConnect, it was just that—bigger, better, and a hit with the attendees, speakers, trade show, interns, and a handful more…if anyone in the venue industry is providing the best with conferences, opportunities to network, knowledge and information, and everything in between, it’s IAVM and they’re doing it right.”—Aaron Dimatulac, Missouri State University

“This trip was one of the most influential and reassuring events that I have ever been to. It took my thought process and perception of the event and facility management industry to a whole new horizon of what all there is that you can get involved with and pursue. One of the big things that hit home for me was being able to meet and network with top industry professionals and hearing their stories of how they ended up in the positions that they are in was amazing. It was also great to be reassured by industry leaders that I am on the right path and to keep pursuing my dreams. To have them genuinely say keep in contact and they would help out with as much as they can truly spoke wonders. I can honestly say that before this conference I had no idea exactly what career path I exactly wanted to take after graduation, but after I can confidently say that I believe that the event and facility management industry is where I see my future heading. So for me, I would have to say that the 2015 IAVM cConference was a ‘Game Changer.’”—Houston Croney, Western Kentucky University

“I really enjoyed meeting and networking with the current venue professionals as well as building relationships with the future of the venue industry with all of the young professionals and interns. There were lots of takeaways from VenueConnect, but the biggest thing I learned is that you are never alone. You build a network of people that are always there to help you when the times get rough or if you have a problem you can’t figure out. Along with what I learned, there were many things that stood out. Overall I really enjoyed VC15 and will hold on to the knowledge and relationships I built with everyone I met. Hopefully, you will see me as a member at the conference in the future.”—Brandon Kress, University of Montana

“From the very first speaker at the UpStart program, I was intrigued with what all the professionals had to say. They have so much experience within the world of venue management, and I felt like I learned a lot from them. Also, the round-table discussion with top executives within the venue business was one of my favorite parts about the conference. They helped me realize how important it is to be a leader and not just a manager of your staff. I was already well aware of this, but hearing it from people that are high within a huge organization only confirmed what I need to continue to work towards.”—David Christian, Western Kentucky University

“I absolutely loved my experience at VenueConnect. Each person that I met was more willing to reach out and help more than the previous person that I talked to. I loved getting to hear each person’s different background and story during the Game Changer session. That was definitely my favorite part about the conference. I also feel that I made connections and friendships that will last for years to come, even though we only connected for a short time at the conference.”—Mikal Daskivich, Penn State University

“Having the privilege to be part of VenueConnect as an intern was extremely rewarding, and I can’t thank IAVM enough for the the opportunity. Not only is EVERYONE approachable but they are also willing to share insight on the industry. VC15 introduced a new session called UpStart that allowed young professionals to sit in on important information on what we should be doing to make ourselves more competitive candidates and improving ourselves. My favorite part had to have been the Game Changer, being able to sit down with the individuals I look up to and hear their stories was something I would have never thought I would be able to do. I made valuable connections at VC15, especially with the interns. We clicked, so well we felt like family by the end. I can’t wait to attend the next conference and be reunited with these wonderful people.”—Ashley Molina, University of Florida

“I was granted the opportunity to connect with people from all around the U.S. who are making an impact on the industry and giving young professionals like myself an opportunity to learn and understand what it takes to be successful in this business. Throughout the time at the conference, we had the chance to sit in on numerous sessions; however, one of my favorite sessions was called UpStart. This session focused on young professionals’ development, included speakers that talked about how we can make ourselves more marketable using LinkedIn and other social media.”—Sherrice Dubose, Western Kentucky University

“VenueConnect was a great experience with it being my second IAVM event. I was able to interact with the organization’s members and see how everyone contributes to this ever-growing industry. Experienced advice, endless networking, and industry professionals were at the tip of my fingers. IAVM provides the best in educational and professional opportunities for individuals who are looking to advance in the venue management industry as well as the entertainment industry as a whole. Thanks to the Foundation Board of Trustees for your vision of furthering young professionals’ goals and aspirations in this industry. Also thanks to Jason LoRusso, Sarah Rogers, Greg Wolfe, and Jessie Khoury for all you did for us interns during the conference!”—Miah Moore, Missouri State University

(Image: Orange Photography)

The post VenueConnect Through the Eyes of Students appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

A new episode of our monthly podcast, The Venue, will air this Friday, August 28, at 2 p.m. (CST).

You can register at this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/50090377894186342

Our guest host will be Jeremy Huelsing, director of finance at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Young Professional Scholarship recipient for this year’s Arena Management Conference. We’ll discuss a variety of topics culled from VenueNet and beyond.

We hope you join us on Friday by calling in or listening!

The post Join Us for a New Episode of The Venue appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Some of you may have seen the YouTube series “College Life Presents” in which vlogger Jesse Weiland visits universities across the nation to capture the unique qualities of each respective university. Upon finding out that my alma mater, Kansas State University (KSU), was added to his collection, I was more than thrilled.

This video had captured K-State just as I remembered it. My favorite part comes in when Weiland highlights the heart of our K-State “Family,” Bill Snyder Family Stadium (BFSF). One student describes our football program as “where it all started” and others reference the electric atmosphere of the town and BSFS during football season. In watching this, I found myself reflecting on my first experience at the stadium.

In 2008, my junior year of high school, I had a friend invite me on my first real road trip to Manhattan, Kansas, for the KSU v. Nebraska game. Before this, I had only been there for a campus visit with my parents, still unsure whether this would be the place to spend my undergrad career. Gameday morning, we woke up early and prepared ourselves, decked out in purple with hand warmers at the ready. I remember showing up almost two hours before kickoff, finding our seats near the visitor section on the far south end of the field, all the way at the top. As more people filled the stadium, I felt as though the excitement became palpable. Despite the freezing cold, the energy and warmth of the fanbase amazed me. I had never been to a sporting event where I felt such a strong sense of belonging. The funniest part about all of this is that the ‘Cats were losing the game that day, but to me that didn’t matter. The stadium and “Family” had won me over.

Throughout my five years in Manhattan, I returned to that stadium every fall, ready for my “Family” reunion. I will never forget the memories made in that place, and I will go back each season, with as much excitement as my first.

The post My Stadium Family appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2015 International Convention Center Conference (ICCC), recognizing five, deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Mac Campbell, Outstanding Leadership Scholarship
Director of Guest Services, Baltimore Convention Center

Favorite team? The Washington Capitals.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? As a spectator, it would be Sergei Fedorov’s 2009 Game Seven winner against the Rangers. The closest thing to being able to actually “taste” energy/excitement.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bulldog without a second thought. The wrinklier and fatter the better. There’s a certain calm-cool-and-collected air about bulldogs that you just can’t beat.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Professor X would work for me…would make labor negotiations a breeze!

“What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? General manager of a convention center or performing arts center.

Favorite quote? “Nobody in life gets exactly what they tought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen. –Conan O’Brien.

@Twitter handle: @mcampbell930

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcampbell83

Shannon McCullough, Outstanding Leadership Scholarship
Director of Operations, The Classic Center

Favorite musician/band? Eric Church.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Superman, because I like saving the day.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would like to be the executive director of a large convention center.

Favorite quote? You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” –Maya Angelou

Favorite childhood snack? Moon pie.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/shannon-mccullough/b/63b/5a3

Marieliz Collazo, Industry Women Scholarship
Sponsorship Account Manager, Jose Dueño Entertainment 

Favorite bands? Coldplay and Café Tacuba.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? Definitely going to see Coldplay’s concert in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2011. I’ve been a fan since they started playing, but unfortunately they’ve never performed in Puerto Rico.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? My dream job in the industry is to be the general manager of a venue in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Latin America.

Favorite quote? “Do things with passion or not at all.”

Do you have previous experiences with IAVM? No, this will be the first time that I’ll be involved with IAVM.

@Twitter handle: @MaCo7

LinkedIn: https://pr.linkedin.com/in/marielizcollazo

Tim DeMott, Young Professional Scholarship
Event Planner, The Classic Center

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? Probably going to the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta when I was 12. Macbeth was the first professional performance I ever saw, and I remember being in awe at how the troupe was able to completely capture my imagination.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? If I had my choice of superpower, I think I would have to go with the mental powers of X-Men’s Professor X. I think mind reading and mind control would be a very practical power…but then again, flying would be pretty cool, too.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry? I would love to work in some way with touring Broadway groups.

Favorite quote? “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Do you have previous experience with IAVM? Other than receiving the emails and newsletters, I’ve had no real previous experience with IAVM.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=279963536

Irina Tuluca, Student Intern
Expected Graduation: December 2015—Missouri State University, Entertainment Management

Favorite team? The Chicago Blackhawks.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory? One of my favorite memories is going to Pollstar Live as a student volunteer in 2014. It was my first experience at an industry conference, and it was so great I came back for a second year and continue to do internships at conferences.

Favorite quote? “When it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars.”

Do you have previous experience working with IAVM? I was a student intern at VenueConnect 2015 working with event support while helping with the Foundation’s silent auction and raffle. I had an amazing experience and met great professionals who wanted to give back to students and young professionals through their advice and support.

@Twitter handle: @irinatuluca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinatuluca

The post Meet This Year’s ICCC Scholarship + Internship Recipients appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

If I asked you to name mentors from your life, it probably would not take you long to come up with a list. For myself, the two that immediately come to mind are Al Murray and Paul Brailsford.

In my first swim meet as a freshman in high school, Mr. Murray put me in an event I had never done before and had failed to complete just days prior during practice. This began a streak of him providing me numerous opportunities to grow through his extreme generosity in our relationship, including him hiring me to work for two of his companies.

Paul Brailsford, of Brailsford & Dunlavey (no judging on the shameless name drop), was instrumental in helping me decide the type of college that best suited me. We had numerous discussions on the pool deck regarding the type of environment where I could unlock my potential—though at the time, I did not realize the depth of our conversations.

More recently, I took advantage of the opportunity to again engage in a mentor-mentee relationship. I participated as a mentee in the program two years ago and was very fortunate to be paired with Duane Morris from Montana State University. Generally, we spoke for 60-90 minutes monthly, with approximately 15 minutes of preparation time on the topic that I had pre-selected for the call. Duane was tremendous in providing advice and guidance for no other reason than wanting to give back to the IAVM community, which he said had been very generous to him over the years.

The Mentor Connector Program continues to grow each year from the continuing generosity and participation of our members. At this time, I personally challenge you to seriously consider signing up to participate. It’s merely 12-15 hours a year that could potentially establish a lifelong professional bond, friendship, and mentor-mentee relationship.

The Mentor Connector Program webinar is scheduled for September 10 at 3 p.m. (EST). Please join us to learn more about the program. Thank you.

The post What the Mentor Connector Program Has to Offer You appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.