IAVM is proud to announce Linda Deckard, founder of Venues Today (VenuesNow), as the new editor of its trade publication, Venue Professional (VP) magazine.
Following the retirement of the magazine’s long-time editor, R.V. Baugus, Deckard was recruited to take the helm of the publication.
“I am extremely excited that Linda has agreed to take on the responsibility of leading Venue Professional to higher levels of communication for the industries our diverse membership serves,” stated Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President & CEO. “Replacing R.V. Baugus is not an easy task, yet I know Linda will continue with the important storytelling and reporting for our members.”
“If it weren’t for the networking made available through IAVM, I would not have been as effective as a reporter, editor, and publisher covering live entertainment,” noted Deckard. “I have known some members of this association for 40 years, in some cases their entire careers, and they mine.”
Deckard was first introduced to industry trade publications in 1976 by Tom Powell, editor of Amusement Business (a part of Billboard publications), when hired to report on the business of operating venues, including arenas, convention centers, performing arts centers, theaters, stadiums and amphitheaters, amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals.
In 2002, Deckard founded Venues Today to report the “news behind the headlines.” Her innovations at Venues Today included the institution of the Hall of Headlines Awards, Venues Today Women of Influence Award, Ticketing Stars (in association with INTIX), GenerationNext, and Excellence in Concessions Awards.
After selling Venues Today to Oak View Group (owned by Irving Azoff and Tim Leiweke, leaders in the industry) in 2016 and aiding in ushering in the redesign to VenuesNow, Linda left the publication in 2018 to pursue her new passion – telling venue-centric stories in books and blogs.
“In my many years in this venue industry, I have dealt with a myriad of media interviews and must state that the one person I have always trusted in being truthful and supportive of our industry has been Linda Deckard,” said Mayne. “I look forward to seeing what she does with VP, especially considering she is coming on board at the start of IAVM’s 100-Year celebration!”
“IAVM’s 100th-anniversary celebration goes a long way in motivating me to take this job,” said Deckard. “We’re going to have a lot of fun in 2024 remembering where we came from as we plan where we’re going. I look forward to continuing to cover the industry’s people and places, challenges, and victories in this new role, relying on history and contacts to make a difference.”
Deckard will officially begin her role as Editor of Venue Professional on September 5.
Linda can be reached at linda.deckard@iavm.org.
