Behind the Scenes is the trii-annual newsletter published by FFMA.

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

Executive Director's Message

It has been my pleasure to serve as your Executive Director again this past year. Although FFMA is a relatively small association I’m really excited about the way we have continued to evolve which has allowed us to offer important educational and networking opportunities to our members and annual meeting sponsors. I am proud to report that we currently we have 91 active members who represent 60 venues across the state.

With the help of our Secretary/Treasurer Mickey Farrell we have fine tuned our financial tracking and reporting procedures. Having a better understanding of our operational resources has been enlightening and valuable in being able to provide our members and the Board of Directors with more detailed budgetary information.

As you probably already know we were successful in convincing the legislature to sunset our tax initiatives for another three years. Our Lobbyist Wayne Malaney, Esq., and member legislative liaison Ron Spencer deserve special thanks for their persistence with this effort.

Vice President Rick Hamilton has done an outstanding job as Program Chair for our Annual Meeting scheduled for June 18th – 20th in Palm Beach. If you haven’t had time to register yet please give me a call and I’ll be happy to assist you. Rick and his committee have worked diligently to put together an awesome program
that you just won’t want to miss………I am anxious to see everyone there!

Cherie Worley

"Fore" to our FFMA Annual Meeting Golfers...

Many of you may know Lionel and I recently purchased a home that is situated near the first tee of the golf course in Gainesville’s Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club subdivision. As a birthday present this year Lionel bought me some golf lessons and now that daylight savings time is here I plan to schedule them. In the meantime, though, we have been trying to get in a little “practice” after work.

The course was designed by Gary Player and is relatively tight, which doesn’t help Lionel’s game. The other night we went out to play nine holes and on #1 he hit a long drive that rattled the tree line, ending up on the dirt cart path. Finishing with a triple bogey did not put a smile on the gray-haired fox’s face. Hole #2 is a short par 3 and his ball ended up in the trap, while mine landed on the front apron (I’m learning “golf
lingo”). Lionel then hits his ball out of the trap, over the green and after a few more swings proceeds to pick it up, put it in his pocket and walk away…..definitely not a happy golfer!

Hole #3 is a short but challenging dogleg left, par 4 and Lionel hits an awesome drive past the corner right in the center of the fairway, giving him easier shot to the green. After he rambled together a few choice words and a new golf term, “I chunked the xxxx shot,” we eventually arrive at the 7th tee. Lionel then hits a long slice, clearly out of bounds into the trees, bouncing off someone’s roof but fortunately not through a window! Knowing his panache for being frugal I was taken aback when he gets in the golf cart and drives to the adjoining 16th tee without retrieving his Titliest Pro V golf ball. He proceeds to hit another ball, which lands directly behind a pine tree
bordering the green. I then hit my ball in the middle of the fairway, Lionel drives ahead to pick up both balls and home we head.

I know baseball players can occasionally get caught up in what is called a
“slump” but am not quite sure what it is when golfers experience challenges in their games. Needless to say, Lionel has been struggling with his of late and I just wanted to let you know that if you notice him loading up his team for the FFMA scramble don’t panic….he needs all the help he can muster! In fact, I’m considering offering him the golf lessons he bought me!

Join us in Palm Beach; it will be lots of fun!

Cherie

PS: Maybe next year I will be ready to play in the scramble J.

FFMA Annual Meeting Tentative Agenda

Legislative Report from FFMA Lobbyist, Wayne Malaney, P.A.:

The top priority for the FFMA this year was to secure, at a minimum, the extension of the sunset of tax exemptions on admissions and rental taxes, which have been in place since 2000. I am pleased to inform you that via HB 421 and SB 952 the effort was successful, but not without a price. How’s that for a teaser. Come to the Annual Conference for, as Paul Harvey’s says “the rest of the story."

Although both houses passed the bill, it has not been presented to the Governor for action. (Come to the Annual Meeting for a short primer on what happens to a bill after it passes both houses of the legislature.)

Two of the provisions in HB 421 (which is the bill that is going to the Governor), relating to delayed submission of taxes on admissions and rent until after the event takes place, will no longer be subject to sunset. This is the way submission of these particular taxes will be handled from now on. The remaining exemptions are now scheduled to sunset/end on July 1, 2009. In other words, the exemptions will remain in effect for three more years; unless they become permanent exemptions over the course of the next three years. This means that sales or rental tax will not be required to be collected and remitted on:

SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS:
Separately stated service charges placed on the ticket by the facility or the facility’s
ticketing agent, such as TicketMaster. Admissions charges to an event sponsored by a governmentally owned facility, sports commission or sports authority when 100% of the risk of loss and 100% of the profit is the liability or asset of the facility.
Governmentally imposed surcharges placed on a seat for facility maintenance or other
purpose designated by the governmental entity imposing the surcharge.

RENTAL TAX EXEMPTIONS:
Use of space for the sale of novelty type concessions when a percentage of sales, not a fixed price, is given in exchange for the right to sell these concession items is not subject to rental tax.

Separately stated charges for labor, stage hands, ticket takers, and other such services
required or available in connection with the lease or license to use the facility, and other
event related personnel, advertising, etc are not subject to rental tax.

HB 6003 passed both houses and basically decriminalizes ticket scalping. The taxes
anticipated to be collected from this “enterprise” paved the way for passage of the tax
exemption legislation. This bill has not been gotten to the Governor, yet.

Another attempt was made to make facility operators, bar owners, etc., responsible for the actions of those who smoke in the building. I was able to keep the proposal from going to the House for a vote, although it did pass the Senate.

The legislation to provide that a portion of sales tax revenues collected at a venue be
returned to the county in which a facility is located did not pass. Again, Rep. McInvale
carried the day in the House, but the Senate was not as accommodating.

I tracked several other pieces of legislation throughout the session, and during the
committee weeks preceding the regular session, including the legislation for spring training facilities and the for the Marlins proposed new stadium. A detailed report on these other proposals will be presented during the annual conference.

I look forward to seeing everyone in July.

FFMA Disaster Shelter Task Force

Rick Hamilton, Director of the Ocean Center and Rose Rundle, General Manager of Harborside Event Center presented at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference held in Ft. Lauderdale earlier this month. The Co-Chairs of the Florida Facility Managers Disaster Shelter Task Force presented on mass care facilities and the need to integrate the experience and expertise of emergency service organizations and facility managers across the state for the purpose of hurricane and disaster planning. Rick & Rose represented FFMA with the goal to create better relations between emergency officials and facility managers. The presentation included the various uses of our facilities from recovery shelters to distribution centers as well as an explanation of the IAAM “Best
Shelter Practices” Guidelines which will be available shortly on the FFMA website. It was
requested that FFMA be asked to present at next years conference under the course title “Mega Shelters”.

News From Around The State

Stephen C. O'Connell Center:

A Great " Florida " Victory!!!!!

How about those Gators beating the UCLA Bruins 73 to 58 for the NCAA National Championship and ending the season 33 - 6? Here is a photo of the Stephen C.O'Connell Center staff with the Siemen's NCAA Division I Men's Basketball trophy following the celebration of the Gator's victory held at the O'Connell Center on April 7. The celebration drew over 10,000 fans. The two highlights of the evening were the unveiling of the Final Four basketball floor which was used in Indianapolis for the tournament and the announcement that all four starting sophomores (Corey Brewer, Taureen Green, Joakim Noah and Al Horford) along with junior starter Lee Humphrey will be returning next year. There was a lot of speculation following the championship game that a couple of the Gator players might enter the NBA draft. Joakim Noah set a NCAA Tournament record of 26 block shots and a single game record of six block shots. The Gator Nation is extremely excited to have everyone coming back next year plus a strong recruiting class coming in. The University of Florida Athletic Association purchased the portable basketball floor from Connor Sports Flooring following the championship game and had the floor trucked down to the Center in time for the celebration here.

Lionel Dubay, Director of the O'Connell Center said, "we pretty much sold out all of our
2005-06 home SEC games as well as a couple of pre-season games. Winning the NCAA Basketball Championship, which is the first for the Gators and the first by a Florida school, should make tickets a premium for next season. The Gators started the season off winning the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament against two top ranked teams (Wake Forest & Syracuse) at Madison Square Garden last November. They also had won the SEC Tournament its' second in as many years.

TD Waterhouse Center:

AEROSMITH MADE HISTORY AS THEY “ROCKED THE JOINT!”
Aerosmith, America's Greatest Rock n' Roll Band, “rocked the joint” and broke a new house record for TD Waterhouse Centre by “soaring” passed The Eagles and grossing over $1.1 million in ticket sales. TD Waterhouse Centre hosted The Eagles back in May 2003 and grossed just over $1 million in ticket sales.

The TD Waterhouse Centre hosted the SOLD OUT Aerosmith “Rockin’ the Joint Tour” with very special guest Lenny Kravitz, on January 5. Pollstar Magazine, one of the country’s leading entertainment industry publications, listed the musical icons as one of this year’s top national grossing tours.

Pollstar Magazine also listed 28 other tours that the Orlando Centroplex hosted or will host, which include national and international artists such as, Elton John, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, 3 Doors Down, Josh Groban, Luis Miguel, Nine Inch Nails, System of a Down, Marc Anthony / Alejandro Fernandez / Chayanne, Brad Paisley, Juan Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan, The Wiggles, André Rieu, Lord of the Dance, David Copperfield, Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Bublé, Tori Amos, Taste of Chaos, Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz, Celtic Woman and Daddy Yankee.

Orlando Centroplex:

VENUE DISCUSSIONS REACH HIGH VELOCITY

The Orlando Centroplex is full speed ahead with its overall vision of its entertainment and sports venues. Decisions to be approved include a renovated or new arena, a new performing arts centre with multi-theatres accommodating a multitude of shows from 600 to 2,800 seats and a major rehab on our Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium is the grandfather among the Orlando Centroplex venues, which was constructed in 1936.

Disney’s Tony Award® THE LION KING ROARS INTO ORLANDO!

This “mane” event will rule the Carr Performing Arts Centre from December 7 – January 14, 2007, for 46 performances. Since opening on Broadway, THE LION KING has become a worldwide phenomenon winning over 70 major awards with a total of nine productions worldwide. The Carr Performing Arts Centre has been host to some the world’s most popular and award winning theatrical productions. Last year, the Rockettes “kicked” their way to 48 sold out shows and grossed $5.7 million in “toe tapping” ticket sales, so we’ll see who’s “king” of Carr at the end of the year.

Largo Culture Center:

Largo Cultural Center Celebrates Ten Years!

The Largo Cultural Center is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and a banner year with a series of exciting events and performances including Little River Band, Dave Mason, a Broadway Series and a twoday International Puppet Festival.

The Cultural Center hosts national and international headline artists along with a Children's Series and award-winning Eight O' Clock Theatre. The Center is also an ideal location for weddings, receptions, meetings and social events.

Mahaffey Theatre:

SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY—RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY & OPEN HOUSE EVENT
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - On Sunday, May 14 the City of St Petersburg, Progress Energy, and SMG celebrated the return of programming to the Mahaffey Theater at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts. “It is such an exciting opportunity to open our doors to St Petersburg’s families for a fun-filled afternoon of arts,” said Sabrina Anico, SMG Director of Marketing for the Mahaffey Theater.

The free event featured ongoing performances throughout the Theater including: Urban-African ballet troupe Dundudole on the Theater colonnade, the stirring flamenco sounds of Roberto Debourg in the breathtaking East Atrium, mystical balloon sculptures
by Mark Byrne in the Theater’s newly renovated lobby and a special Mainstage performance of the Three Little Pigs by Stages Productions. Mothers were invited to bring their own pair of scissors to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker.

The Mahaffey Theater at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts is St Petersburg’s cultural jewel on bay. The newly renovated 2030-seat performing arts facility is located in the heart of Downtown St Petersburg at 400 First Street South, and features breathtaking ballroom spaces and dramatic lobby areas overlooking the Tampa Bay waterfront. Visit www.mahaffeytheater.com for more information! For Box Office information call 727-892-5767. The Mahaffey Theater at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts is managed by SMG. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides facility services to 195 venues, in 41 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and Europe, controls
over 1.4 million entertainment seats worldwide. For more information visit
www.smgworld.com.

BankUnited Center:

Pop-Punk-Emo band FALL OUT BOY brought their first ever headlining Black Clouds & Underdogs Tour to the BankUnited Center on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 where
they performed to a sold out crowd.

Violin virtuoso Andre Rieu performed to a SOLD OUT crowd at the BankUnited Center on Tuesday, April 18, 2006.

Global Spectrum:

Jeremy Phillips, previously an Event Manager at the Palm Beach County
Convention Center, has been recently promoted to the Director of Event
Services. Mr. Phillips, who has over seven years of experience in the event
industry and show focus has been generally in sports, was in charge of
coordinating events, shows and meetings from implementation to completion in his past position. He was also responsible for the coordination of the operations, security personnel, food service, audio-visual, box office, and event services staff in order to ensure all event preparations were met as envisioned by the clients. It is without a doubt that Jeremy will be an asset to the facility as the Director of Event Services.
Welcome on board Jeremy!

Palm Beach County Convention Center:

CONGRATULATIONS!
Gavin Lee, I.T. Tech for the Palm Beach County Convention Center, was presented the Safety Awareness Award by building GM, Ken Foster. Gavin, an avid member of the Safety Committee, has worked for the facility since April 2004. He is very proactive with regards to building safety and is a major reason for the triple digit injury-free record
the building currently boasts. For his efforts, Gavin was presented with a plaque and Aramark awarded him a weeks worth of prepared meals.

Welcome!
Thomas Harms joins the Palm Beach County Convention Center as Director of Operations!

2006 FFMA New Members:

• Tracy Evans, Assistant General Manager, Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville
• Dr. Susan Foster, Professor, Sports Management Department, Saint Leo University
• Dr. Annie Clement, Sports Management Department, Saint Leo University

This brings our membership total to 91 members!

FFMA Scholarship Committee:

The FFMA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the winners of this year's
student scholarships. The winners are:

• $500 FFMA Annual Meeting Scholarship - Sarah Bradley, Masters of Science Candidate in Sports Management at Barry University

• $500 IAAM/UVMC Annual Conference and Trade Show Scholarship - Lavar Smith, Senior in Commercial Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University
of Florida

• $500 College Scholarship - Lori Graham, Senior in Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Please extend your congratulations to these outstanding student leaders for receiving
these scholarship awards.

Don't forget that we still have FFMA Operations Seminar scholarships to award later in
the year. This year's Operations Seminar will be held on September 13 at Ruth Eckerd
Hall in Clearwater. The deadline for students to submit a scholarship application is August 24.

For additional information, please feel free to contact
any member of the Scholarship Committee:

FFMA Operations Seminar

The FFMA Operations Seminar will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. Details and registration forms will be forthcoming.
Jeffrey Hartzog, Director of Operations at Ruth Eckerd Hall is the contact person for the seminar and he can be reached at 727-712-2710 or jhartzog@ruthechkerdhall.net.

Don't forget that we still have FFMA Operations Seminar scholarships to award later in
the year. This year's Operations Seminar will be held on September 13 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The deadline for students to submit a scholarship application is August 24.

Please submit completed applications to:
Mark Striffler, Scholarship Committee Chair
T 211 Union Florida State
University Tallahassee, FL 32306-4026
mstriffler@admin.fsu.edu

2006 FFMA Sponsors

FFMA is pleased to welcome two new sponsors joining us this season, Knight FM, Inc. and Miami Stagecraft, Inc. along with our returning sponsors for this new year! Our gratitude is heartfelt for your generosity in supporting FFMA and incorporating leadership in the sports and entertainment industry.

• Ticketmaster
• Hardin Construction
• Zeidler Partnership, Inc.
• Aramark Corporation
• Irwin Seating
• White Stallion Productions
• Centerplate
• Robbins Sports Surfaces
• Clarin
• Feld Entertainment
• Daktronics
• Knight FM, Inc.
• Milliken Carpet
• Boston Culinary Group
• Horner Flooring
• Cleanevent USA
• Ocean State Event Services
• StageRight
• Andy Frain Services
• Ad Systems
• Facility Forecast, Inc.
• Contemporary Services
• Miami Stagecraft, Inc.

A very special thank you to Palm Beach County Convention Center
for it’s participation and support of FFMA in kind.

FFMA Board of Directors

Lionel J. Dubay, President
ldubay@ufl.edu

Rick Hamilton, Vice President
rhamilton@oceancenter.com

Mickey Farrell, Secretary/Treasurer
mfarrell@tampasportsauthority.com

Mary Bensel, Immediate Past President
genmgr@bbmannpah.com

Dave Anderson, Member-at-Large
danderson@pbconventioncenter.com

Judy Joseph, Member-at-Large
judy.joseph@tbpac.org

Rose Rundle, Member-at-Large
rrundle@cityftmyers.com

Mike LaPan, Past President
mike.lapan@lakelandgov.net

Roger Englert, Past President
renglert@tlccc.org

Allen Johnson, Past President
allen.johnson@cityoforlando.net

Ron Spencer, Past President
rspencer@tlccc.org

Cherie Worley, Executive Director, FFMA
cworley@binary.net

Wayne Malaney, P.A., Florida Lobbyist, FFMA
fllobbyist@aol.com