Certified Venue Executive Recognition for H.R. Cook Copyrig hted
November 16, 2020
City of Dubuque Presentation(s) # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Certified Venue Executive RecognitionforH.R. Cook
SUMMARY: Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager, will make a
presentation recognizing H.R. Cook, General Manager of Five Flags
Civic Center, for achieving certification as a Certified Venue Executive.
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Certified Venue Executive Recognition for HR Cook- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Staff inemo Staff Memo
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Certified Venue Executive Recognition Presentation for HR Cook, General
Manager Five Flags Civic Center
DATE: November 9, 2020
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware would like to make a presentation recognizing
HR Cook, General Manager of Five Flags Civic Center, for achieving certification as a
Certified Venue Executive.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
SUBJECT: Certified Venue Executive Recognition Presentation for HR Cook, General
Manager Five Flags Civic Center
DATE: November 9, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request recognition of HR Cook, General Manager Five
Flags Civic Center for achieving certification as a Certified Venue Executive (CVE).
DISCUSSION
The CVE designation represents the
highest level of professional competency
awarded by the International Association � � �
of Venue Managers, the official � � �'.
- , ��..
association of mass gathering public •=� � . -
assembly facilities. Cook has been a �� ' '
member of the IAVM for 31 years. He is
one of only nine General Managers
worldwide to receive CVE status this
year. In total, fewer than 360 Certified �E�T�F��ov�Nu�ExFcu�r�vr
Venue Executive certifications have , , ,,,,v,,;,,,,, :,', :, ,,.- °,: ,�.,,,��:,,,.
been awarded since the program's '����",,���^�°",�:,��Vem°„'�_°"��°„��'�°'�
. ��,�,._.,,,. � �����,��fi,�� . „��,�vy�„
inception in 1976. 2��0
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HR Cook shared, "The CVE certification � �' � -"� .- ' �,'�
is something that I've been working �,�,,,�„�' `'���'` � � '-
toward for several years, and I'm �
�.,,_
delighted to be receiving it while serving �,4;� �
as General Manager of the Five Flags `�,, �.
Center. Entering this year, I had =-- . - _ __ _ - ` '
- -- �r.
completed many of the requirements for
certification, and decided to use some of
the time I had on my hands during the
COVID-19 shutdown to complete the process. I'm happy to have generated a positive
result out of the negative situation that arose back in March."
In order to qualify for CVE certification, candidates must:
- Have at least fifteen years of senior-level venue management experience,
- Have had articles published in various trade publications,
- Demonstrate a commitment to community service,
- Have a record of participation in IAVM activities,
- Receive recommendation from industry peers.
After meeting those qualifications, approved applicants must demonstrate their
competency in venue management by completing a written essay, passing a three-hour
written examination, and undergoing a two-hour interview examination by a certification
panel.
Why is this important and a real accomplishment for not only HR but also our
community? HR shared, "People in our industry take note when they see those letters,
CVE, by someone's name. It's my hope that this certification will make the Five Flags
Center even more attractive to events and promoters, which will lead to increases in
both bookings and revenues."
Cook has been the Five Flags Center's General Manager since 2016. Prior to coming to
Dubuque, he served in an executive level management role at venues in Georgia,
Kansas, and Michigan. He has been employed by ASM Global, Five Flags' parent
company, or its predecessor, SMG, since 1999, and served as a Regional General
Manager for the company for several years.
The City of Dubuque is lucky to have an executive the level of HR Cook leading and
managing the Five Flags Civic Center here in Dubuque.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request the opportunity to recognize HR Cook, General Manager Five
Flags Civic Center for achieving certification as a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) at
the upcoming City Council meeting.
cc: HR Cook, Five Flags Civic Center General Manager
2