AMC Begins

The 17th annual IAAM Arena Management Conference has officially begun, with informational sessions, speeches and plenty of networking. IAAM President Larry Perkins, RBC Center, Raleigh, N.C., estimated that over 300 members were attending this year’s conference. Most were looking awake and eager to interact — unfazed by the 2 a.m. evacuation of parts of the nearby Marriott hotel.

On Sunday morning (Sept. 17), the bulk of the excitement took place around the registration table, as attendees filed into the Memphis Cook Convention Center to grab their badges. Oddly, the National Hair and Nail Show is in town, but it’s pretty easy to tell the difference between the two groups. Venues Today caught up with a few of the early birds this morning — here’s who we recognized.


David Skinner of the Bancorp Center, Tupelo, Miss., enjoys a cup of java with Kentucky concessionaire Larry Lemke of FAME. The pair said they were excited to hear a speech from keynote speaker Jerry West of the Memphis Grizzlies.


After a rousing IAAM conference in San Antonio, past president David Ross, center, Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Mo., said he’s looking forward to keeping a lower profile at AMC. He’s pictured here with his marketing director Shannon Buford, right, and IAAM Executive Director Dexter King.


When it’s time to register, don’t expect a free moment with IAAM’s Brenda Pennington, center. Here she is, busily handing out badges to those in attendance.


Current IAAM President Larry Perkins, RBC Center, Raleigh, N.C., scribbles a few notes before giving the opening address at AMC.