Press Release

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2008
 
Contact: Meredith Craig
(972) 906-7441
meredith.craig@iaam.org


International Association of Assembly Managers Establishes Sustainability Committee

Coppell, TX—The International Association of Assembly Managers has established a committee to focus primarily on issues of sustainability within the industry. The committee which started as a taskforce in 2007 will work to promote the concept of sustainable facilities in the sports, performing arts, convention/expo and entertainment industries. The committee will also continue to promote awareness of technological developments relating to the betterment of the public assembly industry.
“I feel that sustainability is an integral part of our industry and its future. By taking proactive steps and leading the charge for change we are going to shape the public venue business for a brighter tomorrow. This committee will play a pivotal role in defining each step of the process, serving as liaisons to various groups and creating industry awareness concerning sustainability,” said IAAM Executive Director, Dexter King, CFE.

The responsibilities of the committee include pursuing four primary objectives:

• To create a liaison to the United States Green Building Council, and other relevant international agencies, regarding Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
• To improve industry awareness of sustainability issues.
• To create opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information in support of sustainable facilities in the public assembly industry.
• To develop practices and procedures that will support sustainability efforts in public assembly facilities around the world. (Best Practices Guidelines for the industry)

The committee has also defined sustainability for the public assembly venue industry and the definition is available on the IAAM website.

Committee members include: Chair, Rip Rippetoe, CFE, President, Rippetoe Solutions Group LLC,
Las Vegas, NV; Vice-Chair, Brad Gessner, CFE, General Manager, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA; Stephanie Graham, Sustainability Coordinator, HOK Sport Venue Event, Kansas City, MO; Patrick Harrington, Managing Principal, BOORA Architects, Portland, OR; Allyson Jackson, General Manager, SMG/Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT; Cameron McGill, CFE, Associate Managing Director Facilities & Operations, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver, Canada; Gregg R. McManners, Director of Operations, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI; Jan Addison, CFE, Business Manager, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL; Kerry Painter, CFE, President & General Manager, Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, Niagara Falls, Canada; Heather Peck, Division Manager - Capital Projects & Construction, Metropolitan Exposition/Recreation Commission, Portland, OR; Lindsay Peters, Training Coordinator, VenuWorks, Ames, IA; Gemma Prosser, Safety, Health and Environment Manager, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England; Eric R. Schuster, Vice President of Operations, Oncenter Complex, Syracuse, NY; Patrick Talty, Assistant General Manager, University of Phoenix Stadium / Global Spectrum, Glendale, AZ; Ryan Thorpe, Director of Operations, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR; Tambra Thorson, Sr. Interior Designer, HNTB Architecture, Kansas City, MO; Mike Wooley, Associate Principal, HOK Sport, Nashville, TN; and Justin J. Zeulner, Director of Property Services, AEG/Rose Garden & Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR.

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 arenas, amphitheaters, 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 3,700 members worldwide. More information is available at www.iaam.org.
 

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