Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Cook
(972) 906-7441
kim.cook@iaam.org
IAAM Works Toward Affiliation Agreement With the Venue Management Association
COPPELL, TX–For many years the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) and the Venue Management Association (VMA), headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, have worked together to support public assembly facility industry across the world. Within the past twelve months, IAAM and VMA have been working towards an affiliation agreement in which all members of VMA would become IAAM members, giving them full privileges to programs, seminars, educational products, and access to online and print material at member rates.
David Ross, CFE, Immediate Past President of IAAM, chair of the effort on behalf of IAAM, said, “Although we are still working with attorneys for both associations to finalize the language of the Memorandum of Understanding, we are delighted that the VMA Board unanimously and enthusiastically approved it during their Annual General Membership meeting.”
Larry Perkins, CFE, IAAM President, attended the VMA Annual Congress at Royal Pines in Australia with First Vice President Steve Peters, CFE. Peters attended the VMA Council meeting held May 30th, immediate following the Annual Congress. “The affiliation proposal approval received a loud ovation when it was announced to the membership.” Peters said. “I am happy to report that the (VMA) Board is 100% in favor of executing the memorandum of understanding. VMA’s attorney, Chris Farrell, will complete his input by June 20, and the VMA Board will hold a conference call meeting to approve it by the end of June.”
Perkins said, “This is an historic time in our 82-year history. Should the IAAM Board approve the agreement, IAAM’s membership will increase to over 3800 members. Moreover, it will allow us to better serve our members in other countries and to recruit new members as well. This will truly be putting the “’I’ in international” through the IAAM VMA Asia Pacific, District IX office, where virtually all of the membership services to that region will originate.”
The IAAM Board of Directors will consider a motion to approve the agreement at their meeting in Salt Lake City on July 19, 2007.
The International Association of Assembly Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of public assembly facilities. Members of the association manage public assembly facilities such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to support the industry. IAAM has more than 3,200 members worldwide. More information is available at www.iaam.org.
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