To educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals, worldwide.

IAVM MISSION STATEMENT

Who Is IAVM?

ABOUT US

Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s active members include managers and senior executives from auditorium, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, and amphitheaters.
Member venues represent huge expenditures of public and private funds. They attract millions of patrons to an astonishing variety of events from football to basketball, baseball to hockey, from rock concerts to conventions, conferences to ballets…the list is almost endless.
IAVM counts more than 500 Allied companies among its members. These companies provide products and services used by managers. Through their IAVM membership, Allied members are able to present their products to this vast market.

IAVM Mission Statement

To educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals, worldwide.

IAVM Vision Statement

The International Association of Venue Managers, having significant influence in a global industry, is the acknowledged organization providing superlative leadership, cutting-edge innovation, advanced education, supportive advocacy, opportunities for networking and connection to other venue professionals around the world.  Committed to international membership growth and development, the IAVM is the preeminent source for all public assembly related research, information, services, and life-safety issues worldwide.  IAVM provides unprecedented member value and is endowed with unlimited opportunities to partner and embrace industry affiliations.

IAVM POSITION ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) values diversity and inclusiveness. IAVM provides opportunities to all people who wish to participate in the activities of the association without regard, including but not limited to: age, color, disability, family responsibility, gender, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion or sexual orientation.
Recognizing that diversity is an inherent characteristic to a strong and vital community, the Board of Directors is committed to working intentionally to create an organization whose members, volunteers, educators and leadership includes people of all races, genders, ages, sexual identity and disability status.
IAVM actively encourages individuals and groups that are under-represented within the membership and leadership of the association.
Finally, the IAVM Board of Directors supports IAVM events being held in destinations that value diversity and inclusion and may choose whether, or not, to hold events in destinations where any state or local government arm, including a legislature, board or agency in the jurisdiction of the destination, having enacted legislation or regulation that has the effect of:
1. repealing existing legal protections or prohibiting the passage of legal protections for subject individuals
2. allowing discrimination against subject individuals in employment, housing, or public accommodations or services; or
3. prohibiting subject individuals from accessing facilities (including, but not limited to, restrooms), where subject individuals are those identified in the legislation or regulation based on the aforementioned individuals.

IAVM CODE OF ETHICS

IAVM’s objectives are to promote and develop the use of public assembly venues along definite lines of entertainment and public advancement; use every effort to acquaint and circulate information of interest and value to the public and members pertaining to the successful use of such venues; cultivate acquaintances among the employees of public assembly venues; increase their ability in promoting more frequent use of such venues by the public, and; standardize practices and ethics of management and relationship to the public.
To further the objectives of the International Association of Venue Managers, the Association believes that certain ethical principles should govern the conduct of every member in the Association.
The member should recognize that diversity is an inherent characteristic to a strong and vital community; strive for continued improvement in the proficiency and usefulness of service; maintain the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public and recognize that the function of the venue is at all times to serve the best interest of the public; exercise fair and impartial judgment in all Association and professional business dealings; maintain the principle of fairness to all; have a firm belief in the dignity and worth of service rendered by the venue and have a constructive, creative, and practical attitude, and; refrain from any activity that may be in conflict with the interest of the employer.

IAVM VALUE STATEMENTS

INTEGRITY

“In all we do” …we are committed to ethical standards and honesty in everything that we do as a professional association.

SERVICE

To serve and assist one another and to encourage all IAVM members and international partners to be actively involved in their Association.

SAFETY

We are committed to provide innovative safety and security guidelines and training so as to assist venues and their management teams in managing with the priority of protecting all aspects related to life-safety and physical assets.

EDUCATION

Provide cutting-edge educational programs of the highest caliber that are inclusive, appropriate, challenging, and informative.

ADVOCACY

Encourage measured and suitable support for issues that affect public assembly facility managers.

PEOPLE FIRST

We are committed to provide resources and encourage IAVM staff team members to become the industry experts in their areas of responsibility by providing thorough training and guidance opportunities.

IAVM BYLAWS

Download the Association Bylaws

IAVM HISTORY

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1924. Originally known as the Auditorium Managers Association, it was formed by a by seven enthusiastic building managers seeking to exchange ideas and address common challenges in operating and managing public assembly venues.

As the association expanded its reach and membership to include various types of venues beyond auditoriums, it underwent a series of name changes before becoming the International Association of Venue Managers in 1989. This change reflected its global perspective and the diverse array of venues it served, including stadiums, convention centers, arenas, and performing arts centers.

Over the years, IAVM has played a pivotal role in shaping the venue management industry, providing educational resources, professional development opportunities, and a platform for networking and collaboration among professionals in the field. Its conferences, workshops, and certifications have helped elevate standards and best practices within the venue management community worldwide.

The association continues to evolve, adapting to technological advancements and industry shifts, while remaining committed to supporting its members and promoting excellence in venue management. Through advocacy, education, and fostering a sense of community among venue professionals, IAVM remains a cornerstone in the world of venue management, contributing to the success and sustainability of diverse public assembly venues globally.