VenueConnect 2012 - One Of The Largest Venue-Related Conference And Trade Shows In The U.S.

COPPELL, Texas, July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) will hold its Annual Conference, VenueConnect, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 21-24, hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

In its 87th year, the Association's annual conference and trade show is considered to be one of the largest venue industry gatherings in the U.S. Approximately 1400 Venue management professionals and exhibitors, will arrive in Fort Lauderdale from as far away as Asia, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest research, innovations, and products tailored to large venues such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, performing arts centers, stadiums, university complexes, and convention centers. Attendees will participate in educational sessions covering subjects as varied as crowd safety and management, ticketing, weather-related safety, sustainability practices, and how to handle sponsorship and naming rights for venues.

This year's keynote speaker, Frank Abagnale Jr., the notorious 1960's fraudster, imposter, and the base-character for the movie, Catch Me If You Can, will discuss how venues can protect themselves from embezzlement, forgery, counterfeit currency, check fraud, identity theft and Internet fraud.

Venue managers will also have a chance to experience the Association's latest research and data-collection tool - VenueDataSource. The data compiled from venue managers around the world allows users to see up-to-date venue information, benchmarking, staffing trends, and financial performance related to venue operations. On the final day of the conference, attendees will tour the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the BankAtlantic Center, Sun Life Stadium, and the Broward County Convention Center and War Memorial Auditorium.

In addition to the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a two-day trade show with over 200 vendors demonstrating some of the industry's latest products and services. The trade show floor will be enlivened by three hospitality zones with live music, food and performances, sponsored by Sodexo, SMG, and the Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

2012 Global Sponsors for VenueConnect are Freeman, Sodexo, and Ungerboeck Software.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) currently has over 3800 members worldwide. Founded in 1924 as the Auditorium Managers Association, IAVM is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of public assembly venues. Association members include venue managers from amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes. 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 between 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.

To attend the conference as a member of the media, or to receive images or other information, contact Susan Ferraro, Marketing Communications Manager, at [phone] or email to [e-mail].

Susan Ferraro
Marketing Communications Manager
International Association of Venue Managers
[phone]
[e-mail]

SOURCE International Association of Venue Managers