Press Release
For Immediate Release
August 28, 2006
Contact: Kim Cook
(972) 906-7441
www.iaam.org
Hurricane Katrina Experience Leads to IAAM’s Mega-Shelter Best Practices
Coppell, TX—The International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc. (IAAM) recently released IAAM Mega Shelter Best Practice Guidelines for Planning, Activation and Operation to address the salient needs that arose during the Hurricane Katrina experience. Public assembly facilities were used in a manner that had never before been required. Arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performing arts theaters became temporary homes and medical facilities for extended periods of time.
However, through this process, facility managers recognized gaps in communication between the facilities and government agencies in charge of preparedness and response. In November 2005, IAAM responded to these gaps by forming a Shelter Management Task Force. Under the leadership of Greg Davis, Director of the CAJUNDOME in Lafayette, Louisiana, the task force developed a Best Practices guide to assist facilities and managers serve their communities when another emergency occurs.
Mr. Davis said, “These guidelines will support managers of arenas, stadiums and convention centers in their deliberations with emergency planners as to the planned and rational use of their facilities as mega-shelters. Hurricane Katrina has demonstrated the critical role of the professional facility manager and the value of arenas, stadiums, performing arts and convention centers as emergency response infrastructure when local communities are called to respond to disasters.”
“Hurricane Katrina has also demonstrated that managers of major facilities have experience, training and skill sets that are transferable to mega-shelter operations. Their experience and training in customer service, crowd control, safety, security and facility operations positioned them for successful transitions to mega-shelter operations,” said Davis.
Larry Perkins, CFE, president of IAAM said, “I am so proud of the work Greg Davis and IAAM continue to do for our members and our communities.” Perkins noted that the government cannot do it alone. “We must all do our part in a time of crisis. In a humanitarian effort, our members all over the country converted their facilities into mega-shelters to assist our citizens,” he said.
The Mega-Shelter Best Practice Guidelines are available from IAAM website at: www.iaam.org/Products/index.htm.
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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