Three to Headline VenueConnect

What do Sheldon Bowles, Juliet Funt and Robin Crow have in common?

All three are headliners at VenueConnect, the International Association of Venue Managers’ 86th annual conference and trade show. VenueConnect is set for July 25-29, 2011, in Phoenix, Ariz.


Best-selling author Sheldon Bowles will deliver the opening keynote address. Bowles has co-authored several books with The One-Minute Manager legend, Ken Blanchard. Bowles’ colleague, Derek Johannson, will co-present Raving Fans! A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service.

“I am so pleased that Sheldon has agreed to speak at VenueConnect. His views on customer service and leadership are not only cutting-edge but also highly practical,” said Richard Andersen, CFE, IAVM chair of the Annual Conference Planning Committee and IAVM’s Second Vice Chair to the Board of Directors.

“As one of our generation’s leading authors and presenters, Sheldon is speaking on issues that are near and dear to everything we do in the venue management business. Whatever you do, don’t miss this year’s VenueConnect.” Andersen added. 

Bowles shares with audiences around the world his hard-won knowledge of what works in business and what doesn’t. Not only will attendees be able to learn from his customer service experiences, but in the words of Ken Blanchard, they can expect a “stimulating and entertaining speaker with great take-home value.”

Johannson brings a unique perspective to the presentation. Beginning his career in marketing at Proctor and Gamble he has successfully built several multimillion dollar computer product companies. His experience in sales and cost containment provides a full-circle approach to extraordinary customer service.

The opening keynote is slated for Tuesday, July 26, at the Phoenix Convention Center. . Learn more about Bowles [www.SheldonBowles.com] and Johannson online.



This year VenueConnect 2011 will have a Bridge Keynote Address featuring Juliet Funt, daughter of the Candid Camera comedian Allen Funt. Funt’s presentation on Overcommitted, Overwhelmed and Over It! focuses on the number one business lifestyle complaint: having too much to do with too little time.

“Ms. Funt is a storyteller,” said Rosanne Duke, IAVM Director of Board and Administrative Services, who has seen Funt speak. “Her presentation is a stress reliever in itself; and coupled with her tips on time management and work/life balance, I think it will be a topic our venue managers will find both entertaining and memorable.”

Funt believes that time management books “forget to include tips on how to reduce the stress itself.” Her main goal will be to use real-life stories to help venue managers juggle everything from their in-box to a dozen projects.

Learn more about Funt online [www.JulietFunt.com] – and plan now to see her presentation on Wednesday, July 27, at the Phoenix Convention Center at VenueConnect.



This year’s closing keynote will be Robin Crow, author of the best-selling book – Evolve or Die: 7 Steps to Rethink the Way You Do Business. Crow promises to deliver a high-energy, content rich discussion.

In today’s changing environment, Crow says, “Today’s problems are actually huge opportunities and venue managers must successfully reinvent themselves by adapting to ongoing events as they occur.” Crow will engage his VenueConnect audience with his Seven Step Challenge – a powerful tool to revitalize your venue.

Crow’s closing remarks are set for Thursday, July 28, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Learn more about him at www.RobinCrow.com.