A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY ARENAS: Taught me everything I really need to know. By Matt Gibson, CFE


   -       politics,  year,  the event industry...no, scratch that...it’s a LOT like the event industry. There are some lessons here that have shaped the way I look at life, the industry and everything:


Make A BIG First Impression  begins with a loud trumpet blast followed up with an enor- mous starship rumbling endlessly over the audience spitting laser blasts. Wow! How many marketing campaigns have you thrown out there that force that kind of impact? Creating that resonance that grabs and shakes your customers is the most important thing you can do to market your venue. If that message  you will work three times as hard to get them back.


 upwards of 300 people who have paid top price for their tickets. It’s  a smile. Having that excellent relationship with your important crack   the success of your events, your guests and your maniacal plan to rule the galaxy.


“As a venue manager, I have never let


Good Security Means More Than Hardware  destructive technology was brought down by some teddy bears with  of metal detectors


and security


myself down when I listen to my instincts. I have faith, both in myself and in others, that we’re all on the right path to take care of our guests and each other.”


A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy Obi-Wan Kenobi may have had a sour opinion of the grungy space- port he described to Luke Skywalker when they began their adventure  array of weird and wonderful aliens living it up. One-eyed, four-eyed, slimy, scaly, tentacled or clawed denizens all huddled over drinks with a great band in that cantina made for a wild time.  has no equal when it comes to the incredible diversity of colors, gender and body  their side and they win the day. The bad guys? Not so much.


You’ve Just Taken Your First Step Into A Larger World A new           people eager to take on an audience hungry for adventure. Those characters were spunky and fresh, much like my experience with Mil-  have idealism that recharges our operation. They have a tremendous  birthdays because of my own event load, this approach is a refreshing change. Like directing a new group of young people to take on the expectations of a popular movie franchise, the folks we’re training to replace us someday need mentorship, understanding, mutual respect 


Expect The Unexpected - ror throughout your Empire gets torched by some farm boy from Ta- tooine with a proton torpedo and some magic. Typical. We’ve all had those days, right? It’s an hour before doors and the drummer’s rig 


36 Facility Manager Magazine


cameras at your venue. However, if your crew hasn’t been trained in  of equipment budget. The Rebel Alliance was ultimately successful because of people, not machines. Working as a group and understand-  in security because they are trained


to be aware of their surroundings. Equipment can be a great tool to keep our guests and employees safe but don’t overestimate its impor-    expensive gear without also providing training.


Never Tell Me The Odds  may be faced with managing a small outpost and not be very self-suf-   - culties. Venue managers know that each and every day comes with its own set of challenges completely unique to this industry. Not giving in  -  - mount to living up to expectations placed upon you by the public and your team. Managing a venue may not be as dangerous as successfully   doing that is approximately 3,720 to one) but it sure can seem that way.


Story Matters   -  of the Spokane Arena in 2015. The occasion gave us an opportunity to remind the public what our story was, how we got started, where we’ve been and how we got here. The year was a tremendous success in terms of exposure, event schedule and bottom line. People want to     your venue is really about. became instantly popular not be-     adventure. Tell your story.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52