 Attendance figures were steady for the largest meeting of venue managers and facility executives of the year, but onsite registration surprisingly soared. The International Association of Assembly Managers hosted its 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show, July 25-29, 2008 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, and due to a combination of a convenient west coast location and an exciting program schedule, the meeting was one of the most financially successful IAAM events ever held.
“We are elated to announce that this year we had the largest onsite registration as well as the largest grossing Trade Show in IAAM history,” said Dexter King, CFE, Executive Director, IAAM. “Our location in Anaheim coupled with our educational sessions, our networking, and our trade show made the perfect combination for a successful event.”
This year’s conference attracted more than 2,500 attendees, including exhibitors as well as the core members of the IAAM, the world’s largest  professional association dedicated to managers of public assembly facilities such as arenas, amphitheaters, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes. The Trade Show contained more than 300 exhibiting companies that provide products and services relative to the public assembly facility industry. In addition, for the fourth year, the trade show was again combined with the National Association of Concessionaires, providing a wide range of exhibitors and attendees.
 For facilitiesonline’s exclusive PhotoGallery of the IAAM event click here!
Conference activities began July 25th with the 20th Anniversary IAAM Foundation Friday Golf Tournament presented by MillerCoors Brewing Company at the Los Serranos Golf & Country Club. Conference educational sessions began Saturday, highlighted by keynote speaker and author of New York Times best seller, A Whole  New Mind, Daniel Pink. IAAM hosted an Inaugural Luncheon on Monday, July 28th, with guest speaker Larry Hagman, best known as J.R. Ewing on “Dallas” and Major Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie.” Hagman has emerged as a driving force in the alternative energy movement and spoke about his sustainability practices as well as included humor from his past as an actor.
At the Inaugural Luncheon, Steven L. Peters, CFE, President/CEO of VenuWorks, passed the gavel to new IAAM President Robyn L. Williams, CFE, Executive Director, Portland Center for the Performing Arts www.pcpa.com. In his farewell address, Peters reflected on the new unity that has emerged, encouraged by the global scope of IAAM membership. “We all know that a crowd incident or a financial transaction or an election on the other side of the world can have an almost instantaneous impact on us—no matter where we live and work,” said Peters. “That's why the most important word in our association is "International".
Peters seemed most proud of his role in articulating a new mission for the association. “We have spent this  past year engaged in a top to bottom review of who we are, why we exist, and how we govern our affairs,” he said. “We did indeed undertake the Mission, Membership and Governance Initiative in order to be sure that we are an organization that can be effective on an international, worldwide stage. We adopted a new mission: ‘To educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals, worldwide.’
Wright, who vowed to continue the IAAM mission, emphasized that her presidency will also strongly focus on  meeting the needs of public assembly facility managers. “This year is all about the members and I look forward to working for them and with them,” said Williams. “I look forward to a year full of opportunity and growth.”
In summing up her attitude, Williams used the catch phrase— “making it all about you!”—and promised to use several ideas from the members throughout the year and encouraged increased and constant feedback from  that membership. “There were so many great ideas that I heard for my theme that I couldn’t choose just one,” Williams said. “So I chose to steal them and use them all! This year I hope that the members will contact me with ideas so that I can present several facets of facility management throughout my term.”
One key area she did commit to will be growing the already significant green awareness and practices among event and meeting facilities. Williams specified that during her tenure as IAAM president, the Sustainability Task Force will become a permanent committee, and will expand its reach and mission through research, education, and chapter meetings as well as further support from the IAAM Foundation. Williams also mentioned hosting a Gala to benefit the Foundation at next year’s 84th Annual Conference & Trade Show in at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
During the luncheon, industry awards were given to recognize members for their service to IAAM. Joe Floreano, CFE, Executive Director, Rochester Riverside Convention Center, was presented with the Charles A. McElravy Award, the highest honor bestowed by IAAM. ARAMARK received the IAAM  Foundation Legacy Award, presented to a company or individual that has made significant financial or non-financial contributions to the mission of the IAAM Foundation.
 The educational offerings at IAAM’s annual conference provide training in a broad range of issues that impact the venue management industry. Session highlights included IAAM/Red Cross Mega Shelter Discussion; Take Your Facility/CVB Relationship to the Next Level! Implementation Methods of the IAAM/DMAI Best Practices Document, John Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice discussed the Proposed Changes to the ADA Regulation, Increasing your ROI using eco-friendly and sustainability initiatives, From the Locker Room to the Executive Suite… A Change Agent’s View of the New Leadership Template with Anne Doyle and Closing Keynote speaker Simon T. Bailey, Founder of The Brilliance Institute discussed Releasing Your Diversity Brilliance.
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