Officials for the Duke Energy Convention Center proudly announce a new assistant general manager has been nominated for a position on the board of directors for the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).
Karen Totaro, recently hired as an assistant general manager for the Duke Energy
Convention Center, was nominated as the second vice chair of the board of directors. The prestigious honor denotes exemplary leadership and dedication to the sport, entertainment and convention/exhibition industry. With this role, Karen will become a senior officer of the organization, serving a four-year term, eventually ascending to the chairman position in 2015-2016.
“The Duke Energy Convention Center is proud to have Karen as our assistant general manager, and we are thrilled to have her nominated for this prestigious position on IAVM’s board of directors,” said Ric Booth, general manager, Duke Energy Convention Center.
Totaro has been with the Global Spectrum management company for the Center since July, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her career first began as the marketing manager for the Assembly Hall Arena at the University of Illinois. She has more than 15 years of venue leadership and in 2011 was appointed to the Portland Lloyd District Transportation Management Association’s board of director’s and nominated as a candidate for the Industry “Woman of Influence” award by Venues Today Magazine.
“We are extremely pleased to have one of our venue executives nominated and accept such a prominent position,” said John Page, COO, Global Spectrum. “We were highly confident in the decision to bring Karen on board as the assistant general manager of the Duke Energy Convention Center. She is an ideal example of how our employees exemplify excellence. We will continue to support Karen and her efforts both as a venue executive and an IAVM representative.”
Totaro has a 14-year history with IAVM, serving on the IAVM board of governors, chair of the Transition Steering Committee, chair of the Education Council, director for District 4, two terms on the IAVM board of directors and has been actively involved in planning Region 4 meetings in Portland, Vancouver, Spokane and Seattle. She graduated from the association’s Venue Management School in 1995, was a 2007 graduate of IAVM’s senior executive symposium and earned her certified facilities executive designation in 2009.
Totaro follows in the path of a great number of predecessors that, over the past 88 years, have helped to shape the industry and ultimately, the communities they serve. IAVM members will vote electronically on the nomination. If elected, she will take office in July during VenueConnect, the annual conference and tradeshow in New Orleans.
“I am speechless and so excited about this nomination,” said Totaro. “This will be an amazing journey.”
