May 25, 2023—Beth Wade, director of the Berry Educational Support Center (Berry Center), was named the 2023 winner of the Charles A. McElravy Award by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).
The award is named in honor of one of the founding organizers of IAVM for extraordinary contributions to the IAVM and the profession of public assembly facility management over a number of years. This meritorious service award may be awarded annually to a professional, honorary or retired IAVM member who has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of IAVM or the profession.
Wade has served as director of the Berry Center since its opening in 2005. The facility includes an 11,000-seat stadium, 8,500-seat arena, 456-seat theatre and 15,000-square-foot convention space. CFISD uses the facility for training, graduation commencements, sporting events, student productions, banquets and parties; additionally, the facility hosts concerts, family shows and community meetings.
Wade has been a member of IAVM since 1981. She has chaired the certification board, membership committee, mentoring committee and served on the Board of Directors, as well as numerous other committees. She earned her Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation in 1996 and was awarded the Chair Citation in 2019.
“Beth’s service to the association spans over 40 years, and she is the epitome of the best of the best in our industry,” Brad Mayne, IAVM CEO and president, said in an IAVM release. “Her volunteerism and service has been instrumental in making who we are and what we do stronger, the exact reason the McElravy Award is awarded.”
According to Wade, “Being selected as this year’s recipient of the Charles McElravy Award is an unexpected honor and privilege. I love being part of IAVM and have received so much more from it than I could ever give back. I am overwhelmed that the Board of Directors would acknowledge my work to further our industry in this way and am deeply grateful.”
Wade will be presented with the award at VenueConnect 2023, to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 31-Aug. 3.