Venue Management School: 30 Years of Feeling! By Cheryl Swanson, CFE
Oh, What a Feeling! Yes, I am referring to that infamous “Wheeling - titude.” If you are one of the more than 3,000 professionals who have attended the Venue Management School (VMS) at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, you will agree there is an emotion attached to this experience. Thirty years ago, wise industry leaders recognized that no formal
competency such as business or marketing and learned the rest on the job. Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS was the original program name) provided then, and VMS provides now, a comprehensive venue management. volunteer faculty have worked diligently to update and adapt class content to ensure in- formation is current and relevant regarding industry trends, technology, customer ex- pectations and world events. The education only begins at VMS. Additional education- al components have evolved to support the core fundamentals presented at VMS. Graduate Institute developed as the next leadership step. IAVM’s newest textbook Public Facility Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues, the publi- cation Blueprint for Event Management, webinars, survey reports, mentors, and VenueConnect are just a few of the additional professional develop- While the original intent of the VMS program was to provide ed-
ucation and prepare leaders, much more evolved from that initiative.
the rolling hills of West Virginia, unsure of what to expect, wondering solutions, strangers becoming lifelong colleagues and friends, having fun and returning to your venue exhausted but exhilarated and ener- gized … that Wheeling Feeling! Transitioning from the health care industry, I was the fortunate re-
“It’s fun, exciting, and dynamic. We impact people’s lives through memorable events. As many of us say, ‘It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle.’ Thanks to IAVM and VMS, I’ve enjoyed my job and my life!”
my commitment to venue management and I’ve never looked back. To show my deep appreciation for these life changing opportunities, I have been committed to paying it forward through my own volunteer- ism with IAVM. Venue management is like no other industry. It’s fun, exciting, and dynamic. We impact people’s lives through memorable events. As many of us say, “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle.” Thanks to IAVM and VMS, I’ve enjoyed my job and my life! Nowhere else is the IAVM Brand Prom-
- ing Expertise, and Creating Connections thank the original IAVM leadership for our industry educational needs. I thank
that continue to fund scholarships as their commitment of support. Congratulations to 30 years of VMS graduates who readily share their wisdom. And welcome to the future attendees anxious to experience MORE than a feeling! FM
Cheryl Swanson, CFE, is Chair of the VMS Board of Regents.
2016-17 BOARD OF REGENTS
Cheryl Swanson, CFE - CHAIR Robert Hunter, CFE - CHAIR ELECT Todd Hunt, CFE - 2ND CHAIR ELECT
Richard Andersen, CFE - PAST CHAIR Eric Hart, CFE - DEAN - GI
16 6 FaciilityManag r Magazine Facility Manager y a er Magaziniine
Chris Bigelow, CFSP, FCSI Philip Jordan, CFE
Tammy Koolbeck, CFE Craig Lovett John Siehl, CFE
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