National, Local Partners Collaborate on Program for Athens-Clarke County Students

ATHENS, GA – November 21, 2024—The Classic Center, in association with the International Association on Venue Managers (IAVM), is proud to join forces with the Clarke County School District’s Athens Community Career Academy (ACCA) as a new curriculum pathway begins this semester.

The Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management pathway has welcomed 16 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. This program offers a comprehensive education in venue management, providing hands-on experience in event planning and implementation. The curriculum covers key topics such as selecting appropriate venues, creating effective marketing strategies, and managing event budgets. Additionally, students in this pathway have the opportunity to earn an IAVM Certificate of Venue Management Studies, further enhancing their professional credentials.

“In 2020, we set out to expand our workforce development efforts by partnering with the Athens Community Career Academy to create a pathway that allowed students to use our venues as a learning lab and immerse themselves in the hospitality industry,” said Paul Cramer, President/CEO of The Classic Center. “We advocated at the local, state, and national levels through IAVM to create the Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management pathway and the Hotel and Hospitality Management Pathway curriculums”

The Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management pathway is a gateway to many exciting career opportunities, from gaining knowledge in ticket sales and event promotion to event management and working with professional athletes or teams. The education initiative is supported by Momentus Technologies, an industry standard venue and event management software provider and a global partner of IAVM.

"We’re very excited about the partnership that has allowed the Entertainment, Sports, and Event Management pathway at our career academy to become a reality,” said CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker. “By aligning our curriculum with local industry demands, we are not only preparing our students for successful careers but also supporting the growth of our community. This initiative will empower our students to pursue their passions while contributing to the vibrant hospitality sector in our region."

Students will learn venue management and event planning through the IAVM’s industry textbook, Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues, and hear from industry professionals from IAVM throughout the year. This curriculum is available through the Georgia Department of Education CTAE Standards website.

“We are proud to collaborate with The Classic Center in launching what IAVM is confident will be an important and impactful education and career-building program for future venue professionals,” said IAVM President and CEO Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP. “We

look forward to providing resources and support to help students with their pursuits and to present our Certificate of Venue Management Studies to everyone who successfully completes the pathway.”

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About The Classic Center

Located in Athens, Georgia, The Classic Center is a premier multi-use conference center, performing arts theatre, and covered outdoor pavilion. We host a wide range of events, including conventions, conferences, meetings, weddings, concerts, sporting tournaments, and special events, accommodating up to 6,000 people. In addition to our existing facilities, we are currently constructing a new arena, Akins Ford Arena, which will further enhance our ability to bolster the economic, entertainment, and cultural well-being of Athens.

About the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)

Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s 7,900+ active members include managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, racetracks, and amphitheaters. IAVM’s mission is to educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals worldwide. More information about IAVM is available at www.iavm.org.