Volunteers are at the heart of IAVM’s work. We fulfill our mission to educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals, worldwide as well as provide exceptional experiences, a vibrant community, and maximize our volunteer’s time and knowledge to further the venue management industry. We need your skills, passion, and perspectives to build a vibrant, inclusive, and multicultural corps of volunteer leaders.
Committees
Review the committee descriptions below and then use the Committee Call for Volunteers application to share information about your interests, experience, and relevant expertise. For existing committee members, there is no automatic carryover of appointments so you must indicate your interest in continuing to volunteer (no more than three consecutive years per committee). The deadline for responding to this Committee Call for Volunteers is Friday, February 28, 2020; appointments will be made by the end of May.
2nd Vice Chair
Candidates who are well-versed in all areas of venue management and the venue industry can apply to lead the association. Review the 2nd Vice Chair selection and application process.
Guest Speaker Volunteer
Venue management course instructors at universities and colleges welcome knowledgeable and engaging experts as guest speakers, either in person or using video conferencing. Interested volunteers will be added to an IAVM guest speaker database with your contact information, brief background and area(s) of expertise in the venue management field for speaking appearances.
Mentor Program
Positively influence another individual sharing your knowledge, skills, values and experiences. Read the Mentor Program overview.
Region Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering with your local region, please contact your region leaders to explore their needs and opportunities. Find region officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review our Volunteer FAQs.
Current Committees
The committee represents the interests of the IAVM membership and provides academic-related content, activities and initiatives that can elevate, enhance and advance IAVM as a leading association. In addition, the committee endeavors to inspire and inform the future executives of the industry: undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, aspiring professionals and young professionals in venue management. The committee will provide support for educators involved in teaching venue, sports, entertainment, event and/or hospitality management, and will facilitate academic engagement within the industry and IAVM.
Represents the interests of Allied members, facilitating the exchange of ideas with IAVM management to encourage Allied member engagement and business opportunities. The Allied Committee meets regularly via conference call and has face-to-face meetings at VenueConnect and Region meetings.
Amphitheaters & Fairgrounds Committee
Works with IAVM management to represent and advocate for the interests of the amphitheaters and fairgrounds sectors. Major committee responsibilities include the development of the education program for the Amphitheaters & Fairgrounds track at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Amphitheaters & Fairgrounds Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Works with IAVM management to represent and advocate for the interests of the arena sector. Major committee responsibilities include the development of the education program for the Arena track at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Arenas Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Audit Committee (reports to the Board of Directors)
This committee hires and communicates with the auditors to ensure fiscal responsibility. The second vice chair of the Board of Directors chairs this committee. The committee will meet as needed via conference call. Volunteers with financial acumen are highly desired.
Board of Governors, Senior Executive Symposium
This board works with IAVM management to market and plan the annual Senior Executive Symposium (SES). The SES curriculum is developed for IAVM by Cornell’s world-class School of Hotel Administration and is geared towards senior managers. Members of the Board of Governors are expected to register for and attend the SES program. The Board of Governors meets regularly via conference call and has a face-to-face meeting during SES.
Works with IAVM management to provide oversight for IAVM’s existing certifications and advises on the development of new certifications. You must be a CVE in good standing to submit your name for consideration as a board member. Terms are three years. The Certification Board meets regularly via conference call and has face-to-face meetings at VenueConnect and in Dallas in October.
Works with IAVM management to represent and advocate for the interests of the convention center sector. Major committee responsibilities include the development of the education program for convention center track at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Convention Centers Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee
Focuses on developing opportunities to promote a diverse membership into leadership roles in IAVM. Leadership emphasis will focus on members of color, culturally diverse members, LGBTQ members, women and people with disabilities. The Committee serves to ensure that boards, committees and other leadership positions reflect diversity in their makeup. The Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee will meet as needed via conference call.
Members of the Editorial Advisory Committee play an important part in maintaining the quality of FM magazine. The committee members, working with the editor, will review articles and provide direction and oversight for various sections in the magazine as needed. The committee is comprised of experts from all major sectors within the venue professional industry and within IAVM membership. The committee will meet as needed via conference call.
Executive Track (VenueConnect) Program Committee
Works with IAVM management to develop the education program for the executive track at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Executive Track Program Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Governance Committee (reports to the Board of Directors)
Prepares proposed changes to the organization’s bylaws, and also makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for appropriate procedures to accomplish the Board’s work. This committee is chaired by the first vice chair of the Board of Directors. The committee meets regularly via conference call.
Works with IAVM management to develop the education program for the GuestX Conference held annually. The committee also works with staff in achieving industry standards for “best practice” protocols of crowd management and exceptional guest services/experiences. The GuestX Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Works with IAVM management to monitor and respond to industry issues and initiatives, and to recommend IAVM positions on such issues. The Industry Affairs Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Mega-Shelter Task Force
This task force will assist the Venue Safety and Security Committee and IAVM staff in updating the current mega-shelter guide.
This committee works with IAVM management to represent the interest of general membership constituents relative to recruitment, retention, and membership value through programs, networking opportunities and other services designed to assist industry professionals. The Membership Committee meets regularly via conference call.
This committee works with the Membership Committee and IAVM management to facilitate the continuation of the Mentor Connector program; make constant improvement to the Mentor Connector Handbook and provides educational and mentoring resources, if applicable, to the leadership of IAVM. The Mentoring Committee meets regularly via conference call.
This committee works with IAVM management to represent and advocate for the interests of the performing arts sector. Major committee responsibilities include the development of the education program for the Performing Arts track at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Performing Arts Committee meets regularly via conference call.
This committee works with IAVM management to compile industry research and to provide oversight and expertise for VenueDataSource, IAVM’s research program. The committee assists in IAVM’s research survey design and report creation, and regularly presents and promotes its findings in publications, conferences and online. The committee also assists in supporting and promoting the research activities of related professional associations. The Research Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Severe Weather Task Force
This task force will assist IAVM staff in creating the curriculum for the 2020 Severe Weather Program.
This committee works with IAVM management to represent and advocate for the interests of the stadium sector. Major committee responsibilities include the development of the education program for the Stadium sector at VenueConnect and the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter. The Stadium Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Strategic Leadership & Resource Committee
This committee works with IAVM management and focuses on three core initiatives: 1) develop resources to map out multiple ways to achieve volunteer leadership opportunities, 2) ensure continuity of IAVM offerings throughout education and professional development programs, IAVM text book, written and electronic resources, and 3) create resources for our members that maximizes management committees’ missions in offering opportunities for members not serving on said committees to volunteer their talents in generating additional quality learning resources for our members. The Strategic Leadership & Resource Committee meets regularly via conference call.
This committee works with IAVM management to create university programming to be included at VenueConnect. The committee also provides articles for FM magazine and shares interests and concerns affecting the university/collegiate industry. The University Committee meets regularly via conference call.
VenueConnect Program Committee
This committee works with IAVM management to develop the education program for IAVM’s annual conference and trade show, VenueConnect, held annually in July. Committee members represent diverse interests, experience levels, positions, geographic locations, etc. to assist in the creation of a strong program with relevant and practical education content. The VenueConnect Program Committee meets regularly via conference call.
Venue Safety & Security Committee
This committee reviews and discusses the life safety issues of the industry as well as the provision of articles for FM magazine and the newsletter regarding life safety. The committee meets regularly via conference call.
This committee works with IAVM management to act as a think tank for new and emerging trends in communications, social media, technology and membership. A majority of the members of this committee must be 30 years of age or under. The Young Professionals Committee meets regularly via conference call.
