The International Association of Venue Managers Changes Organizational Structure

COPPELL, Texas, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a bold move to ensure the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is meeting its mission, President and CEO, Vicki Hawarden, CMP, restructures IAVM staff to nimbly respond to current economic times and meet member needs.

"The goal is an organizational structure that will ensure we have strong leaders focused on our core business: value to our members; financial stability and growth; and operational excellence," Hawarden said. To that end, Hawarden divided the staff into three lines of service: Education; Sales and Business Development; and Operations and Finance.

Rodney Williams, DBA, has been promoted to Vice President of Education; and Roy Benear, has been hired as Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Steve Flamm, IAVM COO/CFO, will continue to oversee Operations and Finance.

To make IAVM more relevant to its members, Hawarden created an education team, composed of education and conferences, Facility Manager Magazine, life safety and security programs and research. Dr. Williams, who was IAVM's Director of Content and Professional Development, will lead this team.

"I have promoted Rodney because he has proven his ability to lead a team, and he is the right candidate to ensure that IAVM's education division remains strong and continues growing. I am thrilled Rodney has accepted this challenge," Hawarden said.

"This team's whole focus will be on improving our educational offerings and making them more accessible in today's online format," she said.

Dr. Williams has been with the organization since 2006. Before he joined the IAVM team, he oversaw the promotion, touring and publishing divisions of SE Presents, Inc., a company that produced the theatrical productions "S'Dia" that premiered at SMU McFarland auditorium as a benefit for Aids Services of Dallas. He also spent much of his early career as the primary writer and producer for Project FX Productions. Dr. Williams is also an adjunct lecturer in Sport Facility and Event Management at Southern Methodist University.

IAVM will also be focusing on sales and business development, and Hawarden has also developed a team around this line of service. The team will consist of exhibit sales, advertising and sponsorship opportunities as well as growing membership and registrations. The organization will also look at developing new business opportunities to ensure that its core business – meeting the needs of professional venue managers – is sustainable.

"I am pleased to announce that Roy Benear will be joining our team as the vice president of sales and business development," she said.

She added that Benear is the former Senior Vice President for the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau overseeing sales, services and market development, and has a stellar history of helping organizations reach their sales goals. He has operated at a strategic, executive level for more than 16 years and will begin working with IAVM beginning Feb. 6.

Benear has served as Vice President of Convention Sales for the Denver Metropolitan and Visitors Bureau, Denver, and as Assistant Vice President of Sales, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Chicago; and in Director of Sales positions at Hargrove Inc. and GES Exposition Services, Mid-Atlantic Division – both in Maryland.

Steve Flamm will continue to oversee finance, information technology, human resources and IAVM world headquarters building operations. These areas are the financial backbone of IAVM and crucial to its continued success.

"Steve has been a guiding force for IAVM for some time and moving forward will be instrumental in building a solid foundation for all our operational needs," Hawarden said.

"These changes are a big step toward driving more relevancy and value to IAVM membership. We will continue to be good stewards of our members' dues and work to support new services to help them achieve and grow professionally," Hawarden concluded.

Note: Headshots available upon request.

The International Association of Venue Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of venues. Members of the association manage venues such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, conference and convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts centers, stadiums and university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to support the industry. IAVM has more than 3,500 members worldwide. More information is available at www.IAVM.org.

Contact: Kris Williams, CAE
(972) 906-7441
www.iavm.org

SOURCE International Association of Venue Managers