Behind the Scenes is a bi-annual newsletter published by FFMA. Some of the topics discussed in Behind the Scenes include: FFMA event news and recaps, news around the state, facility news, legislative updates, employees "on-the-move", job postings, and sponsor spotlights.

Archived newsletters:
Jan 2004, Dec 2004, Feb 2005, May 2005, Nov 2005, Mar 2006, June 2006, Oct 2006
Mar 2007, June 2007, Dec 2007.

January 2004

Not available for download

PRESIDENT'S CORNER:

It has been an exciting time for me to President.  Our web site and brochure will soon be a reality, the scholarship and by-law committees are hard at work and the Conference has again been set for the fabulous Four Seasons in West Palm Beach.

The Executive Committee went to Tallahassee on January 19 and 20 to work on the conference agenda, guests and sponsors.  We hosted a luncheon at the Capital with our representatives to discuss our needs and issues and underline the enormous economic impact Florida 's Facilities have on the state.

I also attended the Florida Presenter's Association meeting in New York and will be attending their two-day session in Clearwater .  We are working hand in hand with their members who we have invited every year to our annual meeting.  We also asked for their help in providing their fiscal numbers to us to give a true economic picture.

I look forward to seeing you in West Palm in June.  Please feel to call myself, our Executive Director, any member of the Executive Committee or Wayne Malaney, our lobbyist, if you need help with an issue or question.

All the best to you in the New Year!

OPERATIONS SEMINAR RECAP

On Wednesday, October 1, 2003 , the Daytona Beach Ocean Center was proud to host the Florida Facility Manager's Operations Seminar.  Over one hundred Florida facility managers and students arrived at the Ocean Center for a day of networking, education, and fun. 

While the weather was not picture perfect, it did break long enough for Rick Hamilton and his staff to give a tour of the recently completed Adam's Mark expansion and the Ocean Walk Village Shoppes.  Upon returning from the Ocean Walk tour the attendees were then let loose to wander through the nooks and crannies of the Ocean Center while being escorted by the Ocean Center staff.  Highlights included the Ocean Center 's newly installed riser sections and the newly acquired ticket scanning system that will help to combat ticket forgeries and duplicate tickets.

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FFMA's annual Operations Seminar was again very successful thanks to all that took part.  Special thanks to Rick Hamilton and his staff at the Ocean Center for creating an excellent program and for their hospitality from start to finish. 

PHOTOS

1 - Front Row (L-R) :   Matt Mustoe, Associate Director, UCF Arena, Debra Lynch, Asst. Ticket Office Manager, UCF Arena, Greg Ervin, Event Manager, UCF Arena.

Back Row (L-R): Hugo Hernandez, Event Manager, UCF Arena, Scott Stella, Event Manager, UCF Arena, Jay Carriker, Manatee Convention Center, Brenda Lopez, Office Manager, UCF Arena.

2 – Front Row (L-R) :   Dave Wagg, Building Operations Superintendent, TD Waterhouse Centre, Louis Lubin, Event Coordinator, TD Waterhouse Centre, Andy Martinez, Event Coordinator, TD Waterhouse Centre.

Back Row (L-R) :   Cindy Mitchum, Business Manager, TD Waterhouse Centre, Sharon Clayton, Box Office Manager, TD Waterhouse Centre, Bill Becker, Director, Orlando Centroplex. 3 – (L-R) :  Tom Prais, Department Manager, The Lakeland Center , Scott Sloman, Assistant Director, The Lakeland Center .

4 – Rick Hamilton, General Manager, Daytona Beach Ocean Center

FFMA UNVEILS NEW
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The FFMA Executive Committee approved a new scholarship program recommended by a sub-committee comprised of Lionel Dubay, Allen Johnson CFE, and Rick Hamilton. The scholarships are as follows:

· One (1) FFMA Annual Meeting Scholarship (includes waiver of registration fee) – Open to a student in an undergraduate or graduate program at a university or college within the state of Florida with a major in event, facility, sport management, arts administration, hospitality, tourism and/or a field related to the public assembly facility management industry. The recipient will be required to volunteer a minimum of six (6) hours working at the FFMA Annual Meeting.  Deadline to apply is on or before April 15th.

· One (1) $500 College Scholarship – Awarded annually to any graduating high school senior or to a student attending an accredited university, college or community college, undergraduate or graduate school program that focuses on public assembly facility management and/or a related field.  Deadline to apply is on or before June 1st.

· One (1) $500 IAAM UVMC/Annual Conference and Trade Show Scholarship – Awarded annually to a full time undergraduate or a graduate student enrolled in a state of Florida university or college who desires a career in public assembly facility management and/or a related field.  Deadline to apply is on or before June 1st.

· A minimum of one (1) Operations Seminar Scholarship (includes waiver of registration fee and up to $75 to offset travel expenses) –
Open to students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a university or college within the state of Florida with a major in public assembly facility management and/or a related field.  Deadline to apply is twenty (20) days prior to the date of the FFMA Operations Seminar.

President Mary Bensel appointed Lionel Dubay (chair), Rick Hamilton and Jon Dorman to serve on the Scholarship Committee. Dubay said, “this scholarship program was created to provide students who are interested in the public assembly facility management profession an opportunity to learn more about the career and the industry, as well as a chance to network with practitioners in the field to learn of internships and entry-level positions. Also to nurture and grow future leaders in our industry.”

Scholarship applications are available from anyone on the Scholarship Committee and/or by contacting Executive Director Cherie Worley. President Bensel said, “the scholarship applications will be available online once the FFMA Web site is up and running. Also, the Scholarship Committee is developing a mailing list of university and college instructors who administrate and/or teach undergraduate or graduate degree programs in public assembly facility management and/or related curriculums.” If you know of an instructor who should be included on this list, please notify any member of the Scholarship Committee.

CENTERFEST WEEKEND AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

The celebration commemorating the opening of the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center on November 21 & 22 was a resounding success. The two-day event included a Friday night reception where 3000 VIPs ascended onto the North/South Building to enjoy a tour of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction show floor and an international reception provided by the OCCC's exclusive food service provider, Levy Restaurants.  The evening also included entertainment by the swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Prior to the reception, Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty revealed the newest addition to the OCCC landscape “The Great American Horse” a sculpture by world-renowned artist Roy Shifrin. The traditional American “weathervane horses” that were used as weather forecasting tools in the 17th and 18th centuries inspired the “Horse.”  The statue once resided at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven , Fl. After the closing of Cypress Garden , Orange County immediately inquired as to the fate of the “Horse.”  With a very generous contribution from the private sector and the encouragement of County leadership, “The Great American Horse” was acquired and relocated to the Orange County Convention Center .

Saturday's event was Taste: A Day of Food and Music sponsored by 98.9 WMMO.  Thousands of Central Florida residents roamed the grounds of the North/South Building to sample cuisine from dozens of local restaurants. The crowd was also entertained by nationally known recording artists such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and STYX .

ON THE MOVE…

The Lakeland Center is proud to announce the hiring of Erica Smith as Director of Marketing at the Lakeland Center . Prior to joining the Lakeland Center , Erica served as Marketing Director of Ridgewood Lakes Homes in Lake Wales and Cypress Gardens up to its closing.

Tampa Convention Center proudly announces three new employees:

· Jayme Bowles - National Sales Manager. Bowles most recently was a Sales Account Executive for Freeman Decorating in New Orleans . Prior to that, she was a sales manager for New Orleans Paddlewheels. Bowles graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.

· Jennifer Gregory - Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Gregory most recently worked as a marketing coordinator for Clear Channel Radio in the event marketing department. Prior to that, she ran a start-up Internet company. Gregory graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communications/Public Relations.

· Jaime A. Molina - Technology and Computer Assistant.  Jaime is a graduate of Politecnico Colombiano JIC in Columbia , South America where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. Jaime brings to the TCC six (6) years of experience in working with data/voice network design, support, installation, and configuration along with various other computers application.   His most recent experience was with ISP Technologies Inc. in Tampa where he was the Senior Network Analyst responsible for installation, configuration, and support of all hardware.

Global Spectrum, the facility management subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor that manages the Harborview Center, has named Isabelle Blainey, who once served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the 65,000-square foot convention and expo facility in Clearwater, FL, as its new General Manager.  Blainey, a seven-year Global Spectrum employee who formerly was Director of Sales and Marketing at the Global Spectrum-managed Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, KS, will handle all of the day-to-day operations of the Harborview Center , including the booking, scheduling and event planning for the facility.  Blainey began her facility management career at the Harborview center in l996 as Director of Sales and Marketing, overseeing sales, marketing and public relations functions for the Center.  A native of Lyon, France, and a naturalized American Citizen, Blainey received her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Institut Alexis Carrel, in Lyon in 1993.

O'Connell Center Assistant Director Scott Sargent accepted the position of Assistant Director of Operations and Facilities at the University of Maryland as of December 1, 2003.

Senior Event Coordinator Jeremy Cynkar has taken over as Interim Assistant Director at the O'Connell Center. 

Justin Brady, a recent graduate of UF and a student employee at the O'Connell Center since January 1999, was assigned as Interim Senior Event Coordinator .

POSITION VACANCIES…

Account Manager

Pro Player Stadium - Miami, Florida

Pro Player Stadium is seeking an Account Manager responsible for selling season tickets for Miami Dolphins Football Games.  Interested candidates may see the www.proplayerstadium.com website for more details (http://www.proplayerstadium.com/   - go to “Employment” link, click on “jobs lists.”).

Assistant Manager of Housekeeping

Pro Player Stadium - Miami, Florida

Pro Player Stadium is seeking an Assistant Manager of Housekeeping to supervise all event-day housekeeping staff.  Interested candidates may see the http://www.proplayerstadium.com website for more details ( http://www.proplayerstadium.com - go to “Employment” link, click on “jobs lists.”).

Assistant Ticket Office Manager

The King Center - Melbourne, Florida

The King Center for the Performing Arts is seeking and Assistant Ticket Office Manager. Assists Ticket Office Manager in the daily operation of the ticket office. Supervises customer service representatives. Provides inside sales support for King Center patron groups. Specific work schedule will fluctuate to accommodate the needs of events and group purchases, and will include nights and weekends.  The application and job description can be found at http://www.brevardcc.edu/hr

THE LATEST FROM THE FFMA LOBBYIST – WAYNE R. MALANEY, P.A.

PYROTECHNICS – In response to a bill introduced in both the House and the Senate regarding liability for pyrotechnics at events, Florida Facility Managers Association has drafted language that will prevent the owner or manager of the facility from being held liable for obtaining a pyro permit.  This language will reduce the venue owner and manager's liability considerably.

The legislature was in town recently and things went well for the association. I had meetings with Senators Bennett and Constantine and with Representative Quinones, regarding the Pyrotech Bill from last year. Representative Quinones has filed HB 101 on this issue with the language his aide drafted last year. I advised him that this was not the language worked out with the State Fire Marshal's Office. He has agreed to amend his bill when it is heard in the first committee (probably sometime in January, 2004) with the language we have proposed. Likewise, Senator Bennett agreed to amend the pyro provision in his bill (SB 494) to match our language. I attended the Regulated Industries meeting in the Senate and this was done. Senator Constantine is not going to move his SB 520, which has the "old" unacceptable pyro language. Instead he has agreed to file a companion bill to Representative Quinones bill. When Rep. Quinones amends his bill, the language will be identical in all three bills and it is the bill that will move forward. Additionally, by working over the summer with the Florida Homebuilders Association and the Florida Building Material Association we have picked both these groups up as supporters of "our" language, as well as the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.  Including the FFMA and the State Fire Marshal's Office, there will be five entities supporting the bill.

TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALE OF SKYBOX SEATING - SB 236 proposes to remove the tax exemption on sale of skybox seating, in those venues that currently are under such an exemption. Senator Constantine will be filing the bill to allow several venues, depending on size and location, to turn over half of their sales tax to the county for economic development.  This bill was carried by him during the special session and by Senator Siplin last year.  In the House Representative McInvale has run the House version. It is anticipated she will run it again.  I have recommended that a bi-partisan team sign on as sponsors of the respective bills and I am working with Orange County Chairman Crotty's team to find support.

SENATE FINANCE & TAX COMMITTEE CHAIR – Gwen Margolis has been appointed the new chair of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.  I have contacted her to let her know I will be coming by in January to bring her up to speed on FFMA issues.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

Robert A. Rose, Jr., CFE, Director of the Tampa Convention Center , is one of seven individuals who earned the Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation from the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) in 2003.  Robert is one of only 180 CFE's among the more than 3,400 IAAM facility managers and suppliers.  Among facility management professionals, “CFE” is an indication of demonstrated skill in leadership, activity in community affairs, and expertise in management of public assembly facilities.  Congratulations to Robert A. Rose, Jr., CFE.

The construction on the Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Education Center at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is on schedule. The conservatory is the first major addition to The Center since its opening in 1987.  Scheduled to open in the fall of 2004, the conservatory will focus on training and exploration of the performing arts - not only for prospective arts professionals, but also for community members seeking a better understanding and appreciation of the arts. The 45,000 square foot conservatory will host the more than 100,000 children and adults who participate annually in Center outreach programs and education-related family programming.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular spent the holiday season at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and produced some of the busiest weeks for The Center in its history.  The Radio City Rockettes brought close to 38,000 people to downtown Tampa when they performed a record 16 shows during the week of Dec. 16.  With 53 performances in only four weeks, The Center hosted more than 124,000 patrons for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this holiday season.

10,000 Seat Convocation Center - In the Fall of 2003, University of Central Florida made a request for proposals for the development of a Convocation Center with approximately 10,000 seats.  The venue would host basketball games, commencements, and a variety of academic, cultural, sporting, and entertainment events.  Of the five proposals received, UCF selected the proposal from KUD International LLC.

The Lakeland Center Expansion - The City of Lakeland recently re-commissioned the consulting firm of KPMG to update a 2000 feasibility study for a 50,000 sq. ft. expansion of exhibit space in The Lakeland Center. The 2000 study did support the need for expansion. In addition to the new space, the Center would also carpet one of its two existing convention halls turning it into the biggest ballroom and banquet room in the county.  The final draft was due by the end of the year.

Access Manager - The Lakeland Center recently completed the installation of the Ticketmaster Access Manager system replacing the need for turnstiles with hi-tech scanners that read the bar codes off the tickets. The Center is using Access Manager to service events in the 10,000 seat Jenkins Arena and 2296 Youkey Theater. The Center debuted the system on opening game of the Lakeland Loggerheads hockey season on November 6 th and Allen Johnson, Lakeland Center Executive Director reported the system worked perfectly.

Sound Study - In an effort to upgrade the sound quality in the Youkey Theater, The Lakeland Center commissioned renown acoustician Gary Seibein and his company Seibein and Associates of Gainesville, Florida to evaluate the 29-year old theater acoustics. The theaters sound system was last evaluated during the Center's 1996 renovation, which featured the addition of 25,000 sq. Ft Exhibit Hall.  The study should be completed by the end of the year.

New Marquee - The Lakeland Center has announced that Daktronics, Inc. was the winner of a RFP to replace the four panels in the Center's outdoor marquee. The current panels have been in place since 1988 and use light bulb technology. The four new Daktronics boards will feature LED technology including the latest in animation advancements. The boards should be in installed by spring.

Event Supervisor Training - In preparation for the Florida Marlins 2004 baseball season, Pro Player Stadium will begin comprehensive training sessions for event supervisors and staff in March.  The sessions will emphasis accountability and fan-friendly service.  On event days, Pro Player Stadium employs more than 2,500 individuals. 

The AmericanAirlines Arena just completed a successful run of Phish Concerts with paid attendance topping 73,000 for all four shows combined.  Ancillary sales grossed approximately $1,000,000.  All of the shows were very peaceful and there were no security issues at all.  All signs point to a similar run in 2004.

MILESTONES

Pro Player Stadium was awarded Super Bowl XLI, this will take place in 2007, marking the stadium's twentieth anniversary and its fourth Super Bowl.

Pro Player Stadium successfully completed tenth Major League Baseball season culminating in second World Series played at the venue. 

OLD FRIENDS

Allen Johnson has reported that Tim Holloway, former Client Services Manager at the Lakeland Center has accepted the position of Account Executive with the Washington DC Convention Center. Tim left the Lakeland Center when his wife Kelly Swope, a news anchor in Tampa accepted a similar position in Baltimore .

Frank Lapsley, formerly with the TECO Arena, Joelle, Declan, and Gage are living in Trumbul, Connecticut.  Frank as accepted the Director of Operations position at the Arena at Harboryard in Bridgeport .  The venue is managed by Centerplate and is home to the Fairfield University Stags (Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Programs) and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the AHL Hockey team that is a farm team for the New York Islanders.  The Lapsleys miss all of their friends in Florida and especially their friends from FFMA.  Frank can be reached at 203-345-2305.  We wish him all the best in his new position. 

IAAM DISTRICT V MEETING RETURNS TO FLORIDA IN 2004

The International Association of Assembly Managers 2004 District V Meeting will be held in Fort Lauderdale at the Marina Marriott on March 13 – 16, 2004.  Jim Riordan and the committee have been meeting regularly to put together an event that will allow the attendees to enjoy the sights, sounds and happenings of South Florida, network with industry colleagues, re-acquaint with old friends, meet new ones and hopefully take home some new ideas and thoughts for your personal and professional life. 

The Marina Marriott is located "just down the street" from the Hyatt Pier 66, the property at which past IAAM specialty and district meetings have been held. The Marriott is less than a ten-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

IAAM District V is made up of public assembly facility professionals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgina, Antartica, the Caribbean and Central and South America.   

Two keynote speakers and four educational breakout sessions are scheduled.  Conference attendees will have had ample opportunity to learn and hear of new, current and contemporary issues and happenings in the public assembly facility management industry and the World in general.  Early Bird registration deadline is February 13, 2004.  Registration fees and travel discounts will be available on the District V homepage ( www.iaam.org/Districts/district_5.htm).

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

BILL GAPPY IS NAMED E.J. RYNEARSON “2003 MAN OF THE YEAR”

Bill Gappy, Horner Flooring Sales Manager and sponsor of Florida Facility Managers Association, was named the E.J. Rynearson “Man of the Year” for 2003.  He accepted his award a the 49 th Annual Summer Meeting of the Michigan Sports Sages at the Boyne Mountain Lodge.

Bill got his start in athletics in his hometown of Alpena where he was an outstanding member of the football, basketball, and track teams.  After graduation from high school, he attended and received his bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and his masters degree and educational specialist degrees from Eastern Michigan University.

While at Eastern he began his coaching career as the freshman basketball coach.   Upon completion of his degree work, he moved first to Rochester High School and hten to Royal Oak Dondero where he coached football and basketball.  As the Dondero basketball coach, he was recognized as the Detroit News-Free Press Suburban Coach of the Year.

In 1971, he moved to Michigan Tech University where he was an Associate Professor of P.E., Assistant Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach.  He was also a member of the MTU faculty senate.  His basketball team won the NIC conference championship in 1980 and he was named the conference coach of the year.  For his contributions to the university, he was the recipient of the “Claire Donovan Award” and in 1995 he was inducted into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

For the last sixteen years, Bill has been the national-international sales manager for Horner Flooring.  With his involvement in this business, he has been involved in every major basketball event in the world.  Bill also continues his membership in the National Basketball Coaches Association, the Rotary Club, the Aud-Arena Managers Association, and the Michigan High School Coaches Association. 

Bill has been an active member of the Sages since joining in 1993.  He has been in charge of the Alpine Golf Tournament, provided door prizes and a member of the Sages Board of Directors since 1995.  Bill served as the Sages President during the 2001-2002 year.  For his service, the Board of Directors was proud to present Bill with the E.J. Rynearson “Man of the Year” Award.  Congratulations to Bill Gappy and many thanks to him for his support of FFMA through the years.

HUSSEY SEATING COMPANY AWARDED “GANNETT FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR”

Hussey Seating, annual sponsor for the FFMA, was awarded the “Gannett Family Business of the Year” for 2003.  One of the oldest family-run businesses in Maine, Hussey Seating was selected from a prestigious group that included companies such as Hancock Lumber and Barber Foods.  Congratulations to Hussey Seating and many thanks for their loyal support of Florida Facility Managers Association.

LARGEST GROUP AT FFMA OPERATIONS SEMINAR

STEPHEN C. O'CONNELL CENTER TEAM

Front Row (L-R) : Jeff Chenery, Assistant Director, Darius Dunn, Associate Director, & Lynda Reinhart, Assistant Director

Back Row (L-R) : Kyle Swartz, Student Intern; Scott Sargent, former Assistant Director; Liz Zolondek, Student Assistant Security Chief; Justin Brady, Senior Event Coordinator; Devon Coppock, Student Head Electrician; Patrick Rellihan, Student Show One; Jeremy Cynkar, Assistant Director; Jennifer ZiBerna, Student Assistant Workforce Director; Kristin Castle, Student Intern; and Jason McFall, Student Intern

JUNE 13 – 15, 2004

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

WEST PALM BEACH

BE THERE!