“For those of us fortunate enough to have attended VenueConnect in Nashville, I hope you are still basking in the glow of new found information, strengthened skills and a growing network of friends and colleagues.” – Alexis Berggren


By Jamie Carney “Don’t Stop Believing” echoed throughout the Wild Horse Saloon


after three long days of inspiration, expertise, and countless network- ing opportunities. VenueConnect 2017 attendees belted their hearts out to the Journey classic, performed wonderfully by the live cover band, during the closing party. What a perfect anthem to close out this year’s annual conference. Highlights were plentiful and really too numerous to enumerate, but


 IAVM attendees: On Sunday, the IAVM Foundation hosted its annual Golf Tourna- ment and the annual Legacy Project, allowing attendees to give back to the Nashville community. Venue managers looking to make new purchases were also connected directly to Allied companies during Di- rectConnect- tionships and conduct business. Others took tours of local venues and Nashville tourist sights. On Monday, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Elaine Duke welcomed everyone to Nashville, and Keynote Speaker Charles Esten brought out the laughs when he sang an im- prov song about McKenzie’s long, lost boyfriend. Gnash, the Nashville Predators’ mascot, lead the crowd to the opening of the Trade Show,   exhibitors.  where everyone enjoyed experiencing hands-on learning within their


Photo by Katy Pair


own venue type. Finally, Monday came to a close at Bridgestone Arena for an incredible Opening Reception, sponsored by Delaware North and the Nashville Predators.  - tendees could visit sessions dedicated to their sector type, or they could join other sessions and learn from other sectors. The Trade Show con-  with sector happy hours, which provided a simple networking oppor- tunity hosted at the convention center. Wednesday concluded the rest of the education sessions. The


Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Ungerboeck, brought everyone to- gether for the presentation of the Venue Excellence Awards, the Ed- ucation and Service Award, The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Al- lied Award, the Ray Ward Award, and the Chair of the Board passing of the gavel from Mark Mettes, CFE, to Doug Booher, CFE. That afternoon, the Diversity in Leadership reception raised $20,000 for future scholarships and launched the Dollars for Diversity campaign. The conference wrapped up at the Wild Horse Saloon where at- tendees took goofy photos in the photo booth, learned to line dance, and rode the mechanical bull (including our own Brad Mayne, CFE). We would like to thank you, our members and VC17 attendees,


for your belief in IAVM. Without your support and hard work, this wouldn’t have been possible. We’re looking forward to an incredible conference in Toronto next year. Don’t forget to update your passport, and we’ll see you at VenueConnect 2018! FM


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