This week’s spotlight of recipients in the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural class of 30|UNDER|30 are asked, “What do you look to take away from VenueConnect?”
McKell Bennett
Assistant Marketing Director
Adam Center – University of Montana
Missoula, Montana
“I hope to further my knowledge within the venue industry and build on the networks I previously made by being a student intern in 2014. I also hope to gain valuable life lessons that I can continue to pursue year after year as a professional.”
Jacquelyn Holowaty
Vice President, Ticketing
Spectra Venue Management
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“I look to take away from VenueConnect a networking capability of people I’ve never talked to and ideas they have I’ve never even thought about and being able to share those ideas and examples in what I’m doing on a day-to-day basis. Also seeing technology I’m not aware of or haven’t been a part of, as well as management styles, such as how people my age are managing up or managing the millennials.”
Jena Schaafsma
Assistant Director, Event Booking and Marketing
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey
“I look forward to networking with people from the industry and other venues. There’s actually a limited amount of people who do what we do, so to be in a room full of others and converse with them and share best practices, new ideas, and the latest trends would be pretty beneficial.”
Caitlin Volpe
Event Coordinator
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Dallas, Texas
“VenueConnect for me is always an exciting experience not only because of the knowledge you gain through the different sessions but also through the networking of professionals that goes on throughout the conference and trade show. There are always ways for your venue to improve, so I hope I take some insight back to Dallas with me that I can apply to my venue. Another thing I love about attending VenueConnect is the interactions the students have with the professionals. Being a past student volunteer, I hope I can enlighten or give advice to those student volunteers attending the conference this year.”
