(CelebrityAccess News Service) — The International Association of Assembly Managers' (IAAM)' 78th Annual Conference & Trade Show will converge on New Orleans July 25-29 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This year's theme is "Partners For The Future".
The annual confab will feature keynotes, educational and professional development sessions, town hall meetings, facility specific meetings, golf tournament, a three-day trade show, local venue tours, a silent auction and much more.
"The Annual Conference & Trade Show is one of the best produced professional development opportunities available to those of us involved in the venue management industry," said IAAM president Joe Floreano, CFE, executive director of the Rochester (NY) Riverside Convention Center. "We take this time to gather together, to learn from others and to also teach others the management techniques that have been so vital to all of us in our career development."
The IAAM Foundation's golf tournament will be held July 25 at the Golf Club of New Orleans at Eastover, a course designated as one of the Top 5 golf courses in the state by Golf Digest Magazine's "Places to Play." The stakes will be a little higher this year as Irwin Seating has sponsored a hole-in-one whereby any golfer who actually makes a hole-in-one will drive away in a Tahoe, Monte Carlo or other vehicle donated by Banner Chevrolet.
The University Venue Management Conference returns for its fourth year and has grown each year in popularity and attendance. A "conference within a conference," the UVMC focuses on issues relevant to those in college and university facilities management. Bill Ruud, senior policy advisor for education for Idaho governor Dirk Kempthorne, is the keynote speaker and will present "Managing University Venues in Times of Challenge."
Also keynoting is Amanda Gore, who will deliver "Live … and Lead Out Loud!" at the opening session. Gore is an expert on communications, leadership and group dynamics, and the author of three books and numerous video and audio programs.
Finally, Keith Harrell will handle the keynote honors at the Inaugural luncheon with his presentation of "Making Performance Matter." Harrell, a former IBM marketing executive, was one of that company's top training instructors. As a speaker, trainer, consultant and author, Harrell is highly recognized for his innovative and enlightening presentations.
As always, there will be the IAAM Trade Show, spread over three days. Attendees will find the very latest products and services in the public facility market ranging from stages, scoreboards and seating to architects, financial management services and food and beverage companies. For a sneak peek, visit www.iaam.org for a Virtual Trade show where many of the exhibitors are showing their products and services.
The trade show floor is also where the IAAM Foundation's silent auction will take place. Bidders will find a wealth of products at the auction, where the raised monies go back into the Foundation to support industry education, research and programming. A list of auction items is also available on the IAAM web site.
Local IAAM members will offer tours of their facilities. Some of the tours include the Saenger Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena.
The conference will conclude with Floreano turning over the presidential gavel to Mike Kelly, CFE, executive director of NCC (New Zealand) Ltd. Jimmy Earl, CFE, associate director of the Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas at Austin, will become the 1st vice president while David Ross, CFE, director of the Show Me Center at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, will become the 2nd vice president pending a vote approval by the IAAM membership at the conference. — By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen.
