We continue with spotlighting recipients in the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural class of 30|UNDER|30. This time, we feature four from the class and ask them, “What influenced you to get involved in the venue industry?”
Laura Doyle
Guest Relations and Event Security Manager
SMG – Chesapeake Energy Arena & Cox Convention Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“When I was growing up, I wanted to be the quarterback for the Washington Redskins. When I was a little older, I realized that probably wasn’t going to happen, so I set out to find another way to get involved in sports. I decided to go to the University of South Carolina, where I studied sport and entertainment management. I had the opportunity to really get into the venue focused side of it. I learned from some really great professors, had mentors there, and I got to see more about how events are run and how buildings are run.”
Joe Giordano, Jr.
Booking and Marketing Manager
SMG – Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center
Reading, Pennsylvania
“From the time I was very little, I remember my mom was the kind who always wanted to be involved in every event or fundraiser that happened in my town. She always took each event to the next level with her creativity to ensure everybody was happy. No matter how much time it took her—or how much floor space it took in my house—she always made sure every detail was wrapped up. I loved seeing the hard work translate to what it did for the patrons who attended those events. I always wanted to work in an event-driven industry where the ultimate goal is to make people happy and create lifelong memories. For that, I can thank my mom.”
Sean Loyst
Assistant Supervisor, Events and Guest Services
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Kitchener, Ontario
“The reason I got involved with the venue industry is because I studied sports and entertainment, majoring in sport management. I also volunteer my time quite a bit with minor pro hockey, as well as coaching minor league hockey. Just being around an arena a lot of the time really helped me focus my intentions on getting into the venue industry.”
Alicia Ruach
Event Operations Coordinator
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario
“As a lifelong sports fan and competitive athlete, I was naturally drawn to an industry that would keep me in the game. What I have discovered, much to my delight, is that my passions, skills, and success on the soccer pitch could translate to producing winning events. My first big test came two years ago as the game operations and events coordinator at BMO Field for Toronto FC, our city’s Major League Soccer team. Right out of the gate, I was on the field directing the ceremonial pre-game march onto the pitch, which included not only players and officials but more than 100 kids, some as young as five-years-old. It was a blast, punctuated by an explosion of fireworks.”
