Join Connor Dance at Booth 248 during the International Association of Venue Managers' VenueConnect 2025, July 28–31, 2025, at the New Orleans Convention Center. This year marks the 100th annual VenueConnect, the premier conference and trade show for venue professionals across arenas, theaters, convention centers, performing arts centers, universities, amphitheaters, and more.

What is IAVM and VenueConnect?

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is the leading global association for venue professionals, encompassing facility operations, programming, safety, security, marketing, and education across the live events industry. Their flagship VenueConnect event combines high-impact education sessions, networking, and an exhibitor-filled trade show—designed to help venue operators and allied industry partners accelerate growth in revenue, guest experience, and operational excellence 

Why VenueConnect Matters for Dance, Theater & Education

Within IAVM’s ecosystem of venues, theaters, dance programs, and educational institutions, VenueConnect provides invaluable insight into venue design, accessibility, and programming for performing arts spaces. The conference includes sessions and awards focusing on educational outreach, community involvement, and accessible programming—key topics for dance and theater professionals.

Meet the Connor Dance Team at Booth 248

Swing by Booth 248 to connect with the Connor Dance experts and explore how our integrated flooring solutions support performing arts venues, dance studios, and educational environments. Whether you’re planning a new facility, upgrading rehearsal spaces, or outfitting your main stage, our team can guide you to the ideal solution.

Products Featured & Benefits:

1. Connor Dance Studio Subfloors

• Designed for sprung elasticity, shock absorption, and consistent response.

• Available in Pro Forma I, II, and III systems, tailored by usage, loading, and discipline.

• Offers lateral forgiveness and reduced fatigue—ideal for dancers working en pointe, contemporary movement, or high-impact rehearsals.

2. Connor Dance Marley Vinyl Flooring

• Available in multiple finishes: Canvas 2.0 mm, Prima 4.5 mm, Prima 7.5 mm.

• Engineered for slip resistance, dimensional stability, shock absorption, and dancer safety.

• Proven performer in studios and stages with rigorous use. Projects include Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chandler High School Dance Room, Forney HS, and Joel Hall Dancers & Center.

3. Connor Stage & Theater Systems

• Modular stage flooring and theater solutions built for durability, load support, and performance flexibility.

• Designed to complement our sub‑floors and marley vinyl for a fully integrated dance/stage system.

Why Visit Booth 248?

• Hands-on demos: Feel the performance of our Marley vinyl layered over Pro Forma sub‑floors.

• Project consultation: Work with our specialists to plan for studios, stages, and education spaces.

• Venue & theater expertise: Learn how Connor Dance supports theater programming, dance education, and venue safety with market-leading flooring systems.

Final Thoughts

Whether your venue hosts dance recitals, musical theater, ballet programs, touring companies, or educational workshops, Connor Dance delivers an expertly engineered flooring system designed to enhance performance, protect artistry, and support longevity. We’re excited to showcase our complete solution lineup at IAVM VenueConnect 2025. Visit Booth 248 to meet our team, explore product demos, and discover how Connor Dance can help elevate your facility or program.

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans at Booth 248—where dance, safety, performance, and innovation meet.

About Connor Dance:
Connor^® Sports’ dance division delivers end-to-end flooring solutions; sprung sub‑floors, Marley vinyl, and modular stage systems for venues, studios, and theaters worldwide. Learn more at Connor Dance.

A Bold New Chapter on Clark Street

In late 2024, Joel Hall Dancers & Center celebrated a major milestone: the opening of their stunning new studio space at 4511 N. Clark St in Chicago’s vibrant Uptown neighborhood. This state‑of‑the‑art 4,500 sq ft studio features a premium Connor Dance Pro Forma III subfloor topped with Canvas 3.0 mm Marley vinyl, creating a performance-ready surface engineered for Urban Jazz, ballet, contemporary, and street dance.

This flooring combination delivers exceptional shock absorption, consistent response, and durability; exactly what Joel Hall’s dancers need to sustain artistry and agility while minimizing injury risk. It’s a testament to the center’s commitment to world-class training and performance environments.

The Legacy of Joel Hall

Joel Hall, a native of Cabrini-Green, co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company (later Joel Hall Dancers & Center) in 1974 with Joseph Ehrenberg. With a modern classical fusion he branded as Urban Jazz, Hall has choreographed over 70 ballets that blend jazz, classical, modern, and street styles—earning him national acclaim and international recognition.

Beyond choreography, Hall served as Mayor Harold Washington’s International Ambassador for the Arts, mentored generations of dancers, and earned numerous honors—from Lifetime Achievement awards to having November 21 officially declared Joel Hall Day in Chicago.

A Champion for Dance in Chicago

In April 2025, Hall received the prestigious Dance/USA Champion Award. This honor recognizes organizations or individuals in the host city whose leadership and dedication have significantly advanced their local dance ecosystem. The award applauds Hall’s unwavering support and his lasting impact on the city’s dance landscape, ensuring Chicago’s dance community is healthier, stronger, and inclusive.

What This Studio Means for Chicago

Enhanced training & performance: The resilient subfloor and vinyl finish offer dancers an ideal environment for precision, athleticism, and artistic expression.

Community enrichment: Located in Uptown, this accessible hub promotes affordable, culturally relevant dance education rooted in Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ experience.

Brand reinforcement: Partnering with Connor Dance highlights Joel Hall Dancers & Center as a premier, forward-thinking organization equipped for excellence.

The Future of Urban Jazz

With this impressive new home and upgraded facilities, Joel Hall Dancers & Center is poised to:

Strengthen its reputation as a hub for social change through dance, keeping its commitment to diversity, equity, and empowerment

Continue nurturing fellows and student-tutors who will carry the Urban Jazz tradition forward

A Legacy Fitting for a Champion

Joel Hall’s journey; from community-focused choreographer to Chicago dance legend, has culminated in this new studio space, a physical symbol of his enduring impact. The Connor Pro Forma III + Canvas 3.0 setup underscores a commitment to dancer well being, technical excellence, and the transformational power of dance.

This new home on Clark Street isn’t just a studio; it’s a testament to legacy, innovation, and community. It stands ready to elevate the next generation of dancers and amplify Chicago’s global role in the dance world.

When it comes to professional stage flooring, long-term durability, strength, and protection are non-negotiable. The Connor Stage System delivers a next-generation solution for theaters, performing arts centers, live event venues, auditoriums, and multi-purpose performance spaces that demand high-performance stage flooring built for heavy use.

Advanced Surface Durability with Roll Coat Technology

At the core of the Connor Stage System is our surface coat technology; a first-of-its-kind manufacturing process in stage flooring. This proprietary surface finish is engineered directly into the Connor Stage panel to create an extremely durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance surface.

Key benefits include:

• Superior surface durability designed for continuous daily use.
• Exceptional wear resistance to protect against scuffs, abrasion, and long-term surface degradation.
• Water and moisture resistance that shields the stage panels from spills, humidity, and environmental conditions.
• Scratch resistance to preserve the appearance and integrity of the floor even under demanding production schedules.

Connor Stage panels minimize downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend the overall life of the stage flooring system.  They are designed to increase installation times, and are easy to remove if severe damage takes place.

Engineered Strength for Heavy Loads and Demanding Applications

Stage flooring must be capable of withstanding the immense demands of professional productions. The Connor Stage System is specifically engineered to handle:

• High point loads from rigging, lifts, and staging equipment.
• Rolling loads from carts, risers, and mobile production gear.
• Sustained structural strength that retains performance through repeated heavy use and constant load cycles.

The advanced subfloor system is designed with controlled deflection, engineered to flex under load but bottom out on the structural slab after a calculated tolerance; preventing over-deflection, protecting the panels, and ensuring long-term structural integrity.

Resilient Performance & Comfort for Performers

Beyond durability and strength, the Connor Stage System delivers performance benefits that directly impact performers, technicians, and crews:

• Integrated resilient padding that absorbs impact, reducing fatigue for performers and stage crews.
• Lifecycle-tested resilience to maintain shock absorption and consistent feel over years of use.
• Enhanced performer safety and comfort during extended performances, rehearsals, and productions.

The Connor Stage System was subjected to rigorous lifecycle testing protocols to verify long-term pad integrity, ensuring that performance quality remains consistent throughout the life of the system.

Built for the Demands of Professional Performance Spaces

The Connor Stage System is ideal for:

• Theaters and performing arts centers
• University performance halls
• Concert venues and auditoriums
• Worship centers and churches
• Convention centers and event facilities
• Multi-purpose stage environments

Every component of the Connor Stage System has been engineered for maximum stage floor durability, wear resistance, moisture protection, high load performance, and resilient comfort; delivering one of the most advanced stage flooring systems available on the market today.

Connor Stage - Engineered for Strength. Built for Performance.