Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kris Williams, CAE
June 15, 2011
972.538.1006
www.iavm.org

Kim Bedier, CFE, Selected by IAVM Board of Regents for Ray Ward Award

(Coppell, Texas) -- Kim Bedier, CFE, General Manager of Comcast Arena at Everett, a 10,000 seat Global Spectrum managed venue in Everett, Wash., has been selected to receive the Ray W. Ward Award. The award is presented by the Regents of the Venue Management School (VMS, formerly PAFMS) @ Oglebay. The School began 24 years ago with generous support from the International Association of Venue Managers Foundation (IAVMF). The announcement was made by Regents' Chair, Russ Simons, Senior Principal with Populous.

The Ray W. Ward Award is awarded by the Board of Regents to recognize an individual associated with the school whose dedicated service and extraordinary contributions, over a period of at least six years, have resulted in significant and long-lasting improvements to the overall success and quality of the school. The award was created, and initially presented to Ward, in August 1996.

"Kim Bedier embodies the high service standard recognized by the Ray W. Ward Award. Kim has tirelessly dedicated herself to making those around her better. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our industry and its people, both in education and leadership. I am one of the people who has been inspired by her energy and enthusiasm. Congratulations, Kim!" said Simons.

Ward expressed his pleasure with Kim's selection, "Kim is a welcome addition to the group of leaders previously selected for this award. Among her attributes are determination and dedication. When she makes a commitment to take-on a task, it is the beginning of a done deal. Kim is willing to spend time on projects that benefit many different groups in her community, IAVM and our industry. She understands the nuances between being a leader or a follower, and fills either role well and successfully. Her selection continues the quality of the group of 14 previous awardees."

"I hold Ray Ward and all the other recipients of this award in such high regard; I continue to learn so much from them and all the students I have had the privilege to meet through my years at VMS. To be recognized for it in this way is a peak experience that may be unrivalled in my venue management career," Bedier said.

She has previously been recognized with the "Women of Influence" award by Venues Today; she is a member of the IAVM Board of Directors and its executive committee; and a former chair of the VMS Board of Regents. The Everett Area Chamber of Commerce awarded her its "Economic Sparkplug" Award. She was a member of the management team that opened Air Canada Centre in Toronto. As general manager of the Crystal Centre in Grande Prairie, Alberta, she was involved in planning, constructing, and operating the venue. She is a member of the Everett Rotary Club, Snohomish County Domestic Violence Services Board of Directors and Snohomish County YMCA Board of Directors.

Previous awardees are: Frank Roach, Professor, University of South Carolina; William L. Koegler, Jr., Director of Development, Oglebay Foundation; Dennis R. Magruder, CFE, Executive Director, Wesbanco Arena; Dr. Don Hancock, former IAVM Director of Research & Development; Jay S. Green, CFE, Director, Phoenix Convention Center (ret); Kevin Twohig, CFE, General Manager, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and Executive Director, Spokane Public Assembly District; Scott Williams, CFE, General Manager, Energy Solutions Arena (ret); Robert Hunter, CFE, Executive Vice President Venues & Entertainment, Maple Leaf Sport & Entertainment/Air Canada Center; Brad Mayne, CFE, President and CEO, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company; Chris Bigelow, President, The Bigelow Companies; Robyn Williams, CFE, Executive Director, Portland Center for the Performing Arts; Russ Simons, Senior Principal, POPULOUS; Dana Glazier, CAE, IAVM Director of Research and Knowledge Management, and Ray Ward, CFE, President, Dakota Enterprises, Inc.

- 30 -

The International Association of Venue Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of public assembly venues. Members of the association manage public assembly venues 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. IAVM has more than 3,500 members worldwide. More information is available at www.IAVM.org.