 San Antonio, TX—Significant increases in attendance and exhibitors marked the 81st International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc., (IAAM) Annual Conference & Trade Show held at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. An estimated 2,600 people attended the event, which according to Steve Slamm, COO, IAAM was a 3 percent increase over last year. “It was our largest one in eighty one years,” said Slamm. “The trade show went terrific, and there were more people on the trade show floor than ever before, much higher traffic.”
A total of 334 product and service companies exhibited at this year’s convention, which was the IAAM’s second combined trade show with the National Association of Concessionaires. “The conference was very beneficial, the professional development was superb,” said Jim Brown, building manger, Rochester Riverside Convention Center. “There are always the consistent players in the product and services field, but they were showing a lot of new and interesting things, including unique tables, dance floors, skirtings and plasma screen TVs.”
Overall, the attitude among venue managers and other attendees seemed to indicate an upbeat economic forecast for the meetings and event industry. “There were more venue managers looking at product and services,” said Slamm.“That means, either new constructions or renovations are taking place.” Larry B. Perkins, CFE, CPP, CMP, Assistant General Manager, RBC Center/Carolina Hurricanes, Raleigh, NC, was inaugurated as the president of the association during the conference. “I am honored to serve as the president of this prestigious association,” said Perkins, a 30-year industry veteran.
“Innovations Driving the Future” as the theme of his inauguration speech, which highlighted the need for the venue association to welcome change. “Today, as in the past, and certainly in the future, we must address our ever-changing world,” he said. “As our society and the world change, so must IAAM for the betterment of our communities, owners, clients, staff and our financial viability.” Perkins emphasized that his term in office will focus on increasing membership, building stronger communities, diversity in the workplace and fundraising.”
In addition, J. Scott Williams, CFE, Director, Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT, was the winner of the 2006 Charles A. McElravy Award. The award, which was initiated in 1963 and is a meritorious service award, named in honor of one of the founding organizers of IAAM and granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors for extraordinary contributions to the Association and the profession of public assembly facility management. Williams, a 33-year member of IAAM, has been an instructor at Brigham Young University and at IAAM's flagship school, the Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay in Wheeling, WV.
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