In Passing, The Impacts Of Ray Ward And Bill Cunningham Continue To Live
was changing and IAAM had to change, grow, and diversify. Those of us “sitting at the back” (assistant managers were segregated during had someone to believe in and something to belong to. Cunningham started a movement that challenged many IAVM presidents and chair persons that would follow him and bring us to today where change occurs almost daily and focus is on diversity and inclusive leadership in managing venues, if a venue is to have a competitive advantage. He was a consummate professional. He stood up and was quick to assist any person serious about our industry. His friendship was treasured.” – (Management) Ltd., Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. “I became executive director of the Hartford Civic Center quite by accident. I thought I was on track to become a city manager, but cir- cumstances put me in charge of the HCC despite the fact that I knew absolutely nothing about this business. I had an extremely steep learn- ing curve to overcome so I began doing my homework and reaching out to key people in the Industry for knowledge and guidance. Two of those people were Bill Cunningham and Ray Ward. They were ex- - tacts for me. It was Bill and Ray that called me a couple of years later to strongly encourage me to become a CFE. They presented a vision on how important this program will become to our association and - IAAM. As time moved on, I became closer to Ray Ward, serving with what body part I was, but he was the brain. We also worked closely at Oglebay and the Graduate Institute and collaborated on writing the -
ter. He had an amazing ability to recall facts and history and relate all this to whatever we were working on at the time. He was our guiding light. May he and Bill rest in peace, although there is no doubt in my mind that he is already helping God develop a special place in heaven for IAVM members.” “I didn’t personally know either Mr. Ward or Mr. Cunningham, but
growing up in the shadows of my father in the industry had certainly heard their names with great mutual admiration between them. As with several other passings in recent times, the fraternity who helped shape the venue management profession is getting smaller and smaller, at least on earth. One can only imagine the Chapter they might be forming.” –Tim Hemphill, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
that comes to mind is “He had to agree with this, right?” I do not constant in my professional life. He is someone who I never wanted to disappoint (although I managed to do it). There are people in your life that you just know have your best interests at heart. People like Ray help you bring out the best in yourself. Through their leadership, di- rection, and by example their professionalism they just make you want to be better. Of all of the recognition that I have received in my pro- fessional career, being recognized as a Ray Ward recipient is by far the most important to me, which is still true to this day. To be associated in the same breath as the other persons who have received this award is a great privilege, one that I strive to be worthy of every day. Many peo- ple have heard about Ray “yelling at me in a fax” and it is true. I had somehow gotten the position as assistant (to Ray) director for program development for the annual conference for a three-year period some- where around 1992. I began the process of identifying subject matter, researching keynote speakers, and developing all of the professional content for the convention. Now that I think about it, I cannot remem- ber what Ray did, but perhaps that was what being in charge required.
Bill Cunningham 72 Facility Manager Magazine
Ray Ward
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