St. Charles, MO – Shura Lindgren, general manager for Global Spectrum at the Saint Charles Convention Center, has been recognized as one of the 2008 Venue’s Today “Women of Influence.” The honor was bestowed at the 83rd annual IAAM Conference in Anaheim, CA on July 27th at a reception in honor of the 2007 and 2008 recipients.

Chosen as one of five winners out of a list of 30 nominations, the recognition goes to women who have made significant contributions in the sports, entertainment, fair, and convention industries. The finalists were selected by a vote of their peers in the industry. Lindgren shared the honor with four other distinguished finalists; Jane Kleinberger of Paciolan, a Ticketmaster Company, Claire Rothman, former General Manager of the Los Angeles Forum, Brenda Tinnen, General Manager of Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO., and Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director for the Baltimore Convention Center.

“It is truly an honor to receive this prestigious award and sharing this honor with these other influential women of the industry is indeed humbling,” said Lindgren. “I applaud Linda Deckard with Venues Today for recognizing the value of women in an industry that is so very heavily dominated by men.”

Lindgren began her public facility management career as an event coordinator in 1987 with the Amarillo Civic Center. In 1988 she took the position of Director of the Midland Center (Midland, Texas) and was later promoted to direct the combined operations of the Midland Center and the Midland Convention & Visitor Bureau. In 2004, she became the General Manager for the Saint Chares Convention Center, overseeing construction, development, and opening of the 154,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building. Over twenty years after her start, she is now a recognized leader in the industry.

She currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of IAAM, and is next in line to become president of the international organization in 2009 – 2010, becoming only the 6th woman to do so. She has served in various roles within IAAM, her most notable, the Diversification Committee, where her focus was to increase female and minority involvement in public facility management.

Friday, August 15, 2008