International Association of Venue Managers Reveals New Re-Branding and Conference Strategy

August 1, 2016

This year, the International Association of Venue Managers leadership made three distinct decisions that have changed the associations’ course and has its members excited. 

The first decision was the hiring of a new president and CEO - the long-standing, forward-thinking industry leader Brad Mayne, CFE.

The other two, critical decisions are the interwoven “Re-Brand” and “Conference Strategy” initiatives, both of which have been a year in the making.

“It was essential that the new IAVM brand have many fingerprints on it—and it does.” said Lauren Wanski, design manager with Gensler’s brand and analytics studio in Chicago.

She added, “Hundreds of members provided input along the way, and months of collaboration with the staff and leadership of the association ensured that the final outcome would embody the passion, commitment, and contributions of the great collective of people at the heart of IAVM.”

Karen Totaro, CFE, 2015-016 IAVM chair, added, “While our ‘Re-Brand’ highlights who IAVM is and where we are going, it resulted in the driving promise of ‘inspiring leaders, building expertise and CREATING CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE’ - what an impactful way to truly share what IAVM is all about,”

In turn, the “conference strategy” is focused on just that statement as it builds on some very key goals:  Protect the intimacy and focus of the sector conferences, preserve the cross-sector networking and knowledge sharing enabled by VenueConnect, secure the IAVM marketplace as a thriving hub for Allied and Professional connections, grow the relevance and value of the overall conference experience and, finally, provide the opportunity to integrate private meetings into the design of the conference in future years.

“I’m most looking forward to the strong focus on sector tracks. This structure will make it easier for me to justify in my budget attending the conference or sending my team members to the conference,” said Erin Jepson, CMP, 2016-2017 chair of the VenueConnect Program Committee.

He added, “The opportunity to participate in an event that brings the incredible minds that plan each of the sector conferences to the VenueConnect planning table is an opportunity not to be missed next year in Nashville.”

All three decisions had very inclusive processes to ensure IAVM members’ voices were heard.

“The results are better for it,” Totaro said.

IAVM’s 92nd annual VenueConnect will be held Au. 7-9, 2017, at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.  

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.