Episodes
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From the 313 to the 303, we’re chatting with Omar Gates, Marketing & Advertising Coordinator for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment in Denver. After chatting with Omar about Denver and some exciting development plans announced recently, we dive into his history in the industry which led him from a passion for sports and a bachelor’s degree in economics at University of Missouri to a boot camp with the Marcus Graham Project. After landing an internship with the Detroit Pistons, his hometown team, Omar cut his teeth on advertising and marketing before heading out to Denver earlier this year for his current role. We talk shop and strategies about email marketing best practices, how to use data and analytics, SMS marketing, AI applications, and the importance of looking beyond traditional ROI. We talk about what it was like attending and being a panel moderator at his first EVMC conference this past June, where we met him, and how it gave him an opportunity for growth. Enjoy this great perspective of someone earlier in their industry career who talks about the importance of mentorship, embracing challenges, and looking for ways to grow.
Omar Gates: LinkedIn
Denver Nuggets: Facebook | Instragram | X/Twitter
Colorado Avalanche: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
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Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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BONUS EPISODE – What does a UFO, bloody hatchet woman, haunted miners, and a ghost rattler snake have in common? They’re all regulars at one of the world’s (and universe’s?) most iconic venues - Red Rocks Amphitheatre! For our third annual Halloween episode we chat with our friend Brian Kitts, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer for Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Denver Performing Arts Complex, who is our guide through the various spooky and mysterious tales echoing off the red sandstone of this iconic venue. We first hear about a recent UFO sighting at 1AM on June 5, 2024 following an All Time Low show. For EVMC attendees keeping track at home, that is the night prior to our opening night reception at the venue! From intergalactic visitors to a ghastly ghoul, we next hear about the iconic Hatchet Woman which has been seen numerous times around the venue enjoying shows and haunting fans in the parking lot. Lastly, we learn about the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, nicknamed the “Ghost Rattler,” which in the winter is known for creepy, slow rattles and catching the unassuming off guard. We hope you enjoy this Halloween treat of an episode that is sure to send some shivers down your spine.
Brian Kitts: LinkedIn | Email
Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Episodes manquant?
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Tuck your drafting pencil behind your ear and unfurl those blueprints because we’re talking venue design with this episode, where we chat with Geoff Cheong, Senior Principal and Senior Architect at Populous. With a focus of drawing people together around the things they love and amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and joy, Populous has designed some of the world’s most renowned venues. Geoff, who served as lead designer on Climate Pledge Arena and had a significant role in the design of T-Mobile Arena and many others, walks us through his experience as a venue and event designer and how he found his way into the field. From a love of sports at a young age to designing some of the most cutting-edge sports and entertainment venues, he provides fascinating insight into how venue design is approached and the importance they place on their project teams immersing into communities. We talk about the trends of more music-first venues as well as the importance they are placing on venue accessibility and inclusivity. From his home base in Kansas City, traveling for meetings, and a design-focused mindset with project collaborations and leading teams – hear a bit of what it’s like to be a venue designer and some of the designs and innovations that inspire Geoff. Enjoy this interesting look into what goes into creating amazing new venues and retrofitting iconic legacy buildings on this fun, informative episode.
Geoff Cheong: LinkedIn | Email
Populous: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Come along as we visit the Bay Area and chat with Sam Hunt, Executive Vice President and Managing Executive at Wasserman Music. One of the youngest to ever win Pollstar’s Agent of the Year in 2016, Sam oversees a powerhouse roster of electronica, indie, pop, and hip-hop artists including names like Diplo, Major Lazer, Flying Lotus, Jamie xx, Animal Collective, Run The Jewels, Big Boi, 100 gecs, Still Woozy, and Caroline Polachek. We learn what his day to day is like as an agent, where essentially his role is to do everything he can to improve and guide artist careers and provide opportunities and guidance - largely involving live performances and touring, but also brand deals, bigger picture projects, and concepts. Hear about some of the unique projects he’s worked on and how interesting challenges often provide creative fulfillment. We learn about Sam’s career journey, from working in record stores as a teen and in college, to working at a label and club in Chicago, to joining the upstart Windish Agency where he learned under Tom Windish who he still works with today. Sam drops some great advice for anyone wanting to be an agent or understand more of that side of the industry as well as insight into what makes a good agent and how to handle the highs and lows of artists you represent. Enjoy this look inside the life of an agent, what it’s like sharing a name with a popular country artist, and fun stories from throughout his career.
Sam Hunt: LinkedIn
Wasserman Music: X/Twitter | Instagram | Spotify––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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For this episode we head back to the hustle and bustle of Music City and catch up with former pro-drummer turned entertainment marketer, Brian Bauer, President of Bauer Entertainment Marketing (BEM). We immediately jump into learning what BEM does as well as interesting discussions on trends in live events and some of the most important things for venues and events to establish. We peel back the layers of small business ownership and talk about the pros and cons of striking out on your own and how Brian learned a lot from previous jobs when shaping his company and what type of boss he wanted to be to his employees. We talk shop about stats, CRO, and what data you should be paying attention to with your shows. We learn about Brian’s previous roles before starting his own business, such as being a successful touring drummer including some gigs in the Nashville area with Cage the Elephant and Chris Stapleton. Looking to dive into data and find out some interesting things you should be tracking? Thinking about starting your own business and wondering what that is like and what challenges you might face? For all of the above and more, enjoy this episode all about live events and what it is like leading the client voted “top-rated entertainment marketing agency.”
Brian Bauer: LinkedIn
Bauer Entertainment Marketing: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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BONUS EPISODE – Tomorrow, on Mexican Independence Day weekend, UFC is gearing up to host Riyadh Season Noche UFC, which will honor Mexico's rich history and vibrant culture. Oh... and did we mention... it's the first sporting event to be hosted at Sphere in Las Vegas? On this special episode we chat with Heidi Noland, Sr. VP of Global Brand & Creative with UFC, who pulls back the curtain and gives us an inside look at what goes into preparing for this incredible event at such a unique venue. We talk through their approach as soon as they confirmed the event, and how UFC has been intentional to set the bar on what is possible at Sphere. Heidi tells us about the Noche UFC events and how this event collaborates with numerous artists for a unique experience to celebrate Mexican Independence Day weekend and Mexico's contributions to live combat sports. With UFC hosting massive events throughout the year, we discuss what prep is like for those events, and how Riyadh Season Noche UFC has been different and required planning further out. Enjoy this fun primer that teases some features and innovative approaches that are sure to make this event memorable for those working in live events and fans alike.
Watch: ESPN+ PPV
Heidi Noland: LinkedIn
UFC: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Peel back the wrapper of some English chocolate and put on your favorite Tori Amos album – we’re headed to Los Angeles to chat with Natalie Caplan, Vice President of Entertainment for ArenaNetwork, Venue Coalition & Theater Network. Natalie tells us about her job and how they empower and assist independent venues – providing important resources and driving content to them. With more than 140 venues across North America, hear how ArenaNetwork, Venue Coalition, and Theater Network leverage their staff experience and collective knowledge among venues to provide curated support and industry advocacy for a wide mix of venues in different market sizes. From England to Arizona to New York to touring to Los Angeles, Natalie takes us along as we walk through her career journey. With an interesting path that includes publicity at Atlantic Records, being Assistant Tour Manager for Tori Amos, and the Director of Artist Relations and Events at The Greek Theatre for Nederlander Concerts, she has seen numerous sides of the industry which provided valuable perspective as she pursued new roles. We discuss trends and challenges facing venues and tours in 2024 and tips for navigating what the new “normal” is for the industry. Enjoy this educational and interesting discussion packed full of great perspective and fun stories.
Natalie Caplan: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email
Venue Coalition: Facebook | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way! Head to the Atlantic Terminal at the crossroads of Flatbush Ave and Atlantic Ave as we visit the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. We chat with Adina Erwin, Executive Vice President of Business Operations and General Manager of the venue and learn all about this one-of-kind arena nestled in the middle of NYC. Home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA), New York Liberty (WNBA), and many other concerts, comedy shows, and family events – Adina tells us all about her role at the venue and its place in the neighborhood. We hear how Barclays Center’s plaza acts as a town center and plays a critical role as a convening space for the community. It’s iconic looped LED “Oculus” serves as an important touch point for the many people that commute and walk past it daily. Adina walks us through her career journey, from graduating at UNC Chapel Hill to her first industry job as an event receptionist at the Charlotte Coliseum, all the way to her time in Brooklyn by way of Atlanta and Boston. She talks about the importance of being willing to take risks and try new things and how she has learned so much from branching out to roles in different departments, having the attitude of a willingness to learn. Enjoy this fun, informative episode that includes everything from stories about Deadhead yeast balls to can’t-miss Atlanta restaurants to invaluable career advance that is sure to help you on your live event journey. And if you don’t know, now you know…
Adina Erwin: LinkedIn
Barclays Center: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Grab your laptop and throw those rock hands in the air because we’re chatting with Fabrice Sergent, Leader & Co-Founder of Bandsintown. Fabrice takes us through the history of the company, which is the largest concert discovery platform in the world. He explains how Bandsintown alerts fans when their favorite artists come to town and helps them discover new artists, helps artists to promote their tour dates and reach new fans, and helps venues populate dates on different platforms and reach new buyers. With over 650,000 artists using the platform, it has become a valuable resource which allows them to focus on their art and stage presence and makes the marketing side easier. Fabrice tells us about his longtime passion for live events and how he feels love music is a critical part of society and promotes happiness, tolerance and understanding in the world. We talk about the global market and how an international perspective is important for artists and also can yield important perspective and tips for venues. Enjoy this fascinating episode that looks inside the origins of Bandsintown throughout a broader discussion on live events, music marketing, and challenges facing venues, promoters, and artists.
Fabrice Sergent: Instagram | Email | LinkedIn
Bandsintown: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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New England here we come! Join us in Somers, Connecticut, as we talk with Marissa Dionne, VP of Marketing for Oak View Group. Marissa gives us an overview of OVG, where she is primarily focused on marketing for venue management, hospitality, parking, and arena and theatre alliances, for the company. She oversees marketing and provides support for 400+ venues through venue management, booking and hospitality. We talk about the value of such a large network and how it’s important to share ideas while still remaining authentic to your city and what your fans respond to. We discuss various trends that Marissa is seeing on the marketing and hospitality sides, such as an increased focus on creating an entertainment destination. From Illinois State University to the Hartford Civic Center with MSGCT to MassMutual Center with Global Spectrum to Oak View Group – Marissa talks about her love of the industry and the career path that has led her to her current role. Enjoy this interesting and informative episode with great tips and interesting insight into venue trends.
Marissa Dionne: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oak View Group: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Tighten those laces and grab your adventure gear because we’re headed to The City of Trees, Boise, to chat with Michael Cullen, Assistant Director of Marketing & Brand Development at ExtraMile Arena. Michael guides us through his adventure as well as fun facts and tips about all things Boise and Idaho. Whether it’s late nights organizing merch at the arena or working large events at Boise State’s iconic blue-turfed stadium, there’s never a dull day. From digital, graphic design, and grassroots marketing to merchandising, we hear about a day in the life of Michael and ExtraMile Arena, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Hear some great advice from Michael for people wanting to enter the industry and make the most of their college experience. From growing up a festival junkie to guiding people at a local festival – Michael talks about his love of music and how a visit to Sasquatch Music Festival changed his life and music tastes. Enjoy this fun, inspiring episode with “Adventures In Venueland’s #1 Fan,” which may inspire you to try something new, listen to a new band, or look up flights to check out Treefort Music Fest. Just remember, as Jewel's The Boise Song reminds us, “there’s no Z in Boise.”
Michael Cullen: LinkedIn | Email
ExtraMile Arena: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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BONUS EPISODE – Pack your bags for Italy and dust off some clues with us as we dig into our first episode of a new ongoing bonus series – Ancient Venues. For this first episode we take a look at the Amphitheatre of Capua (Anfiteatro Campano), located in modern day Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy. We are joined by Valerie Higgins, Associate Professor of Archaeology at The American University of Rome, who guides us through the history of this legendary venue from the Roman Empire. The current amphitheatre sits on the site of two former, smaller amphitheatres, the first of which is presumed to have been built close to 100 B.C. It is second in size only to the Roman Coliseum and is located next to what was the most notable school for gladiators, where Spartacus was from and began his rebellion. We learn all about this incredible venue, historic venue terminology, seating and ticketing, events that were hosted, why large scale events like this took place, concessions and design, and its fascinating hypogeum – located under the arena floor where they staged scenery and warriors for the events. Whether you’re a venue nerd or a history buff, or a little of both, you’ll love hearing all about this ancient wonder that helped shape the venues we all know and love today.
Valerie Higgins: Website | Papers | Book
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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
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Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Rev those engines and join us in Motor City as we head north to talk with Kim Klein, VP of Marketing & Communications for 313 Presents in Detroit, Michigan. We learn all about 313 Presents, which oversees Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre (Detroit), Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. They work with over 30 promoters across all the venues, producing and promoting over 300 events a year. Kim tells us about the structure of her team and how she heavily values mentorship and prioritizes balance and culture to prevent burnout and support the team. We hear about the latest waves Detroit is making and how the city is blooming with rich culinary and music scenes. Kim walks us through her history in the industry, from a love of symphony band freshman year to jobs and internships at The Palace of Auburn Hills, and how networking and passion for live events has helped lead her from one opportunity to the next. Enjoy this great episode filled with marketing talk about SMS, working with partnerships, and other tips, as well as a heartfelt discussion about what makes Detroit great.
Kim Klein: LinkedIn | Email
313 Presents: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | TikTok––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Live from the Mile High City – join us as we talk with Chad Brown, Colorado sports legend, in front of a live audience at the 2024 Event & Venue Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado. Chad won a NCAA championship in football with the Colorado Buffaloes, played 15 years in the NFL (including two Super Bowl appearances and 3 Pro Bowls), is a football commentator and radio analyst, and owns his own business. Having played in and called games at numerous venues, we talk with him about what makes a venue great, and how it’s often the impact it has on the community more than the innovations and shiny features. From playing football in his neighborhood in Pasadena as a kid to playing in multiple Super Bowls, he speaks about the joys of being a professional athlete as well as what it’s like to deal with loss when you lose the biggest game of your life. As he says, “Struggle is life. It is the downs that make the ups so great. It is the losses that make the wins so satisfying.” Chad explains what makes a team great is not the most talent, but those that play for one another. Enjoy this fun live episode with audience questions and interaction, great advice from a pro athlete turned entrepreneur, and a taste of being an attendee at the sold out 2024 EVMC conference.
Chad Brown: X/Twitter | LinkedIn
All Pro Shipping: Website––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
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Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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BONUS EPISODE – We’re headed to the mile high city for the 2024 Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) and taking you along for the ride with a preview of this year’s sold out conference.
🥳 Joining us in Denver? Listen along as you pack your bags for important tips and useful advice to make your adventure to the Rockies a smooth one. Dave and Paul are joined by former guest and current EVMC President, Kim Allen (Director of Arena Marketing at Golden 1 Center), as the three talk through every aspect of the conference, including: dress attire, tips for first-timers, evening events, can’t-miss sessions, and what to expect with the conference’s new name. Consider this your audio KBYG for EVMC 2024. We also talk about the live podcast episode that will be recorded at the conference, featuring Chad Brown, NFL & NCAA Champion, Sports Commentator, and Entrepreneur.
☹️ Not joining us in Denver? We’ll miss seeing you, but this episode is a great way to find out what EVMC is all about. You’ll get a taste of what you’re missing and hopefully join us next year for EVMC 2025!
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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Grab your magnifying glass and inspector hat and join us on this adventure as we investigate the live experience with this episode’s guest, Bret McCormick, Facilities, Fan Experience, & Ticketing Beat Reporter for Sports Business Journal (SBJ). Bret, who is based in Charlotte, but travels a dozen or so times a year to various venues, tells us what it’s like covering the live experience and some general trends he is seeing. We discuss two areas where he’s seeing ground-shaking changes – European soccer stadiums and college sports venues. We deep dive into interesting innovations in ticketing and fan experience. Bret tells us how he approaches venue coverage by treating them as if they are alive, visiting the districts and cities that call them home, and looking at things that make them unique. We discuss some of the most interesting changes and innovations coming to the Intuit Dome, and how it’s upending current trends with truly unique features and a fascinating approach to fan engagement. Whether it’s sustainability, wrap-around video screens, or biometric data, we discuss the future of venues and how innovation is moving the industry forward, sometimes forcefully, and setting new bars for what fans are coming to expect from the live event experience. If you’re a venue nerd like us, a glutton for innovation, and want to hear some tips for pitching a great story, you’ll love this episode.
Bret McCormick: LinkedIn | Email
Sports Business Journal: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Rocket City meets Music City as we talk with Olivia Christian, Marketing Director for tvg hospitality – a hospitality group that focuses on fan and artist experiences. Olivia tells us all about tvg’s flagship and first U.S. venue, The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, AL, which is an 8,000 capacity greek-inspired amphitheater which opened in spring 2022. In addition to hosting many national touring shows, the venue focuses on being the “third space” for people (after home and work) with a huge focus on community and cultural events, sustainability practices, and hospitality for everyone visiting. The venue’s focus on sustainability includes zero waste to landfills, a reusable cup program (reused over 500,000 cups since opening!), and allowing water bottles with water stations throughout the venue. They also have an artist garden with fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are used as garnish for drinks and used in food as well as a special bar named “Carbon” which donates $1 from every purchase to Tennessee Riverkeeper to protect rivers by enforcing environmental laws and educating the public. We chat with Olivia about her history in live events, which includes runs at Ryman Auditorium, War Memorial Auditorium, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and promoter National Shows 2 (NS2). Enjoy this fun, informative episode that’s sure to inspire you to follow your passion, buck venue stereotypes, and have a greater appreciation for a good marketing mix.
Olivia Christian: LinkedIn | Email
tvg hospitality: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
The Orion Amphitheater: Facebook | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Fire up the barbecue and grab your 10-gallon hat because we’re headed down to Dallas for this week’s episode of Venueland! We catch up with Julian Bowman, Senior Director of Marketing for Fair Park – a massive multipurpose complex that boasts over 1000 events a year. The national historic landmark is home to Cotton Bowl Stadium, Broadway Dallas, Dos Equis Pavilion (managed by Live Nation), a children’s aquarium, botanical garden, African American Museum of Dallas, The Hall of State, and so much more. They also play host to The State Fair of Texas, the longest running fair in the country, that welcomes a whopping 2.5 million visitors across 24 days. Everything truly is bigger in Texas! Julian tells us all about the complex and the unique partnership between Fair Park First and Oak View Group which collaborate on keeping the facilities active and the park in great condition. We hear about how the various entities and businesses work together to meet challenges, such as parking and traffic, and work to help each other out to ensure the rising tide raises all ships. Julian walks us through his history in the industry, from growing up wanting to be the next Stuart Scott (BOO-YAH!) to pursuing sports, to eventually landing in venue management which found him in various opportunities across North America. He talks about his personal passion of making an impact on his community and tells us about the venue’s internship program with two majority minority high schools to introduce youth to the live events industry. Enjoy this fun, fascinating episode that will make you long for some state fair food and a visit to the Red River Rivalry.
Julian Bowman: Instagram | LinkedIn
Fair Park: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
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Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Grab your text book and meet us in class as we head to Pittsburgh to chat with Paige Beal, Associate Professor at Point Park University in the Rowland School of Business, who teaches in the Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Business (SAEM) program. In a city packed with entertainment venues like PPG Paints Arena, Acrisure Stadium, PNC Park, and Highmark Stadium as well as numerous other venues - Paige talks to us about their program and how they work with the local venues on an extensive internship and shadowing program. We talk about industry and program trends and how students were challenged and affected by the pandemic. Hear different tips for hiring new staff if you’re in the industry or pursuing jobs and networking if you’re entering the field – and how the importance of networking cannot be overstated. Paige walks us through her career and background of working in traditional and digital media, and how her experience in those fields has helped inform her teaching. She talks about how she and the staff stay on top of emerging trends and technologies - including teaching and engaging with AI so students know how to properly use it and create good prompts – and how its critical to remain curious in your career. Enjoy this interesting episode taking a look inside the classroom at the future of the live event industry, and advice on navigating changes no matter where you are in your career.
Paige Beal: LinkedIn | Instagram | Threads | TikTok
Point Park University: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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Carve out some ice time and triple-axel your way into this episode with Tami Allen, Senior Director of Winter Sports Events at IMG, and Event Director for Stars on Ice. Tami tells us about IMG, where she’s celebrating her 25th year, and how under the Endeavor umbrella it’s part of a massive global portfolio of businesses across the sports & entertainment ecosystem allowing for collaboration and maximizing opportunities. Stars on Ice, which she works on specifically, is the premier figure skating tour featuring the best skaters in the world. She talks about marketing shows in international markets, and the importance of leaning on local resources. We also discuss Tami’s involvement in the Event & Venue Marketing Conference, where she has been awarded the highest award for her years of work including First-Time Attendee initiatives – welcoming new conference attendees and connecting them with conference mentors. We learn about her history in the industry, from attending the University of Akron for their dance program to volunteering at celebrity golf tournaments and doing contracted events with the New York Yankees before landing at IMG. Have fun with us on this informative, playful conversation that discusses how to face social challenges, navigating your career, and fun stories between friends.
Tami Allen: Facebook | LinkedIn
IMG: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram
Stars on Ice: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram––––––
ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND
Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing ConferenceMeet our team:
Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & MixingHave a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.
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