Roger A. Dixon, President & CEO, Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA)

Serving 25 years as President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) in Omaha, Neb., has been a dream job, but it’s time for Roger Dixon to retire.

He’s targeting December but is open to whatever happens. “I’ve been talking to the Authority board about this for a year,” Dixon said. The board just announced that the search firm, Shelli Herman & Associates, is seeking his replacement.

Timing now depends on that successor and “how much interaction they do or don’t want. My office is not that big,” Dixon said. “I’ll be a resource if they need me to be. I’ll take phone calls, but I don’t want to be on the payroll where I have to get up every morning and check my emails and text messages. There’s an outside chance whoever they bring in won’t want my involvement; I’m fine with that, too.”

Dixon, who joined IAVM in 1978, started in the business in 1976 in Louisville, Ky. He then moved to the Knight Center in Miami, St. Louis Arena, and the Spectrum in Philadelphia, before returning to St. Louis to finish construction and manage what is now the Enterprise Center. After some consulting work with Carl Hirsch, Stafford Sports, on the Riverfront Coliseum project in Cincinnati, he got the call from Omaha.

In his two-and-a-half decades at the helm of MECA, Dixon has overseen the design and completion of three major projects totaling $747 million: the CHI Health Center Omaha, Charles Schwab Field Omaha, and, most recently, The RiverFront, a multi-faceted downtown park. Under Dixon’s leadership, the three MECA-run properties have not only welcomed more than 32 million people through their doors, but they have also generated over $2 billion in economic impact for the Omaha community.  

“On behalf of the MECA Board of Directors, I would like to thank Roger for his years of dedication to the construction, activation, and success of three incredible properties in Omaha that have come to define the north downtown area,” said MECA Chairwoman Diane Duren. “His leadership, diligence, and vision have helped stimulate remarkable economic growth and activity in the community over the last two-plus decades.” 

The latest project Dixon has shepherded at MECA is a $200-million, 90,000-square-foot expansion of the CHI Health Center’s convention center, which is expected to be completed in summer 2027. MECA facilities regularly host top concerts and coveted sporting events, such as the Men’s College World Series, volleyball and basketball NCAA Championships, and four consecutive Olympic team trials for USA Swimming.

He never envisioned this career trajectory when he started out in the business at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, working as usher supervisor for industry legend Dean Justice and his right-hand man, Jim Abel.

“When I was at SIU, I was in charge of group sales for a mid-week Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus stand. We had the record for most group sales for a mid-week play for Ringling. That’s what sold me,” Dixon said.

He has always enjoyed IAVM for the camaraderie, the education, and the shopping. He’s furnished all his arenas and convention centers through contacts at the IAVM trade show.

His advice to future CEOs now working their way up at IAVM? Patience number one; nothing happens overnight. “Get involved in the community—understand the power brokers and politics in the community. You can’t necessarily be a voice, but you can be an advocate. And support your team. You have to let people do their jobs.”

Age is a huge factor in his decision to retire, he affirmed, noting he is turning 75 this month. “I want to travel, hang out and not worry about emails, texts, and phone calls. I want to enjoy life. We’ll stay in Omaha, at least in the warmer months.”

Since being named to IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30, Maddie Heywood has continued to build a meaningful and inspiring career grounded in adaptability, creativity, and leadership. Over the past few years, her professional journey has taken significant strides, marked by a bold career move, a well-earned promotion, and continued investment in education.

After starting as an Event Manager at the Utah Valley Convention Center, Maddie made the pivotal decision in 2022 to transition to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. While the Convention Center provided a strong foundation and valuable experience, the move to Thanksgiving Point opened doors to a new kind of opportunity—one that allowed for more creative exploration, hands-on leadership, and strategic influence. Embracing this shift, she quickly became a key contributor to the team and was promoted to Director of Event Operations.

In this expanded leadership role, she now oversees a dynamic calendar of public and private events across Thanksgiving Point’s unique blend of museums, gardens, and venues. The complexity and variety of the operation require both logistical savvy and imaginative thinking—a challenge she has embraced fully. The new role has also offered the chance to shape and mentor a team, guiding others while continuing to learn and evolve as a leader.

The commitment to growth doesn’t stop at the workplace. As a proud attendee of Venue Management School, she completed her first year of study and is preparing to return this summer for the second and final year. Beyond the coursework, the opportunity to connect with peers from across the industry has proven just as valuable. She describes the experience as both a learning milestone and a source of meaningful community. “Attending VMS was not only educational but inspiring. It reminded me that we all share similar challenges and triumphs in this field, and there is so much to learn from one another.”

Reflecting on the past few years, she describes the time as transformative: filled with challenges, growth, and discovery. The jump from manager to director in just a few years is a testament to her tenacity and talent. Whether leading a team, bringing events to life, or continuing her professional education, she remains committed to excellence in every detail.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in May 2025. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Khawla Amouri, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Di Andre Atwater, DayForce, Minneapolis, MN
Alyssa Ayala, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Tally Baker, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Rick Ballinger, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Kaitlyn Bartlett, Newnan Centre, Newnan, GA
Rob Bennett, Golden Link Inc., Kansas City, MO
Cam Benson, Detroit Pistons, Detroit, MI
Preston Bircher, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Anna Bishop, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Remelee Biven, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Aidan Blalock-Bassett, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL
Hannah Bonotto, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle, WA
Chan Booth, McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
Melanie Brown, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Anish Chakravorty, AudienceView, Toronto, ON, Canada
Rick Church, ON Site AV, Norcross, GA
Austin Chute, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Brittainy Clark, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Alan Coker, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Lonnie Cooper, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, New York, NY
Mark Cooper, Czarnowski Collection, Austell, GA
Roxanne Cortner, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Nicholas Cunningham, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Brandt Daniels, Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, LA
Brandon Darrigo, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
John Davis, RiverCenter Inc., Columbus, GA
Kelly Davis, Infor, Alpharetta, GA
Scott Davis, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Mike Dils, Viejas Arena at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Kathleen Dooner, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Katrina Echternacht, Boldyn Networks, Cincinnati, OH
Joseph Eckhart, AECOM Hunt, Indianapolis, IN
Kyle Edwards, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX
Rachel Elliot, RiverCenter Inc., Columbus, GA
Sara Faz, Cintermex Convention Center, Monterrey, Mexico
DeShawn Fitzpatrick, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Abby Flaherty, Risk Strategies, Boston, MA
Sophia Flocken, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Debbie Freeman, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Carisa Gamez, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX
Daniel Garcia, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Ashley Garst, Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA
Michael Gonzalez, WJHW, Inc., Carrollton, TX
Stephanie Goodale, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
John Grady, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Ashley Grau Ranney, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Autumn Grigg, DayForce, Minneapolis, MN
Scott Grover, Xtract One Detection Ltd., Toronto, ON, Canada
Grant Guetle, The Callard Company, Westerville, OH
Janet Hallums, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Bridget Hanney, ON Site AV, Norcross, GA
Jo Hart, ON Site AV, League City, TX
Stephan Hennard, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Michael Hoff, Infinity Park at Glendale, Glendale, CO
Dee Dee Holden, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Alyssa Holley, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Carl Horton, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Samantha Iucci, Yale Conferences & Events, New Haven, CT
Virginia Jackson, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Jonathan Jacuinde, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Joseph Johnson, 3CDC, Cincinnati, OH
Shaun Klansnic, ON Site AV, Norcross, GA
Emily Kozniuk, Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dave Leung, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Jeff Litchenberg, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Conner Lucas, Ensemble Arts Philly, Philadelphia, PA
Patrick Lynch, Levy Restaurants, Chicago, IL
Glenn Magnus, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Josh Malone, Detroit Pistons, Detroit, MI
Jennifer Martin, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Amanda McCarty, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Keely McGaffin, Boldyn Networks, Irvine, CA
Kelsea McGrogan, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Deborah McKenzie, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Gavin McMinn, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Tia Meegan, University of Montana – Athletics, Missoula, MT
Scott Monteverde, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Joanna Moore, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
Melissa Morales, Finley Stadium, First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
Jill Nunez, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Shaun O’Brien, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Ricardo Ochoa, TITAN Global Enterprises Inc, Atlanta, GA
Nanette Odell, Life Quest Training & Consulting, LLC, New River, AZ
Aislinn Palmer, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle, WA
Katie Pandolfo, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Hayley Pardee, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Linda Paterson, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Stephen Pool, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle, WA
Michael Re, San Jose Theaters-Team San Jose, San Jose, CA
Andrew Rebennack, Infinity Park at Glendale, Glendale, CO
Meribeth Reeves, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Nick Ronan, AudienceView, Seattle, WA
Scott Schachter, Risk Strategies, Boston, MA
John Schmitz, DayForce, Minneapolis, MN
Mark Schopmeyer, Bora Architecture & Interiors, Portland, OR
Kayla Scofield, PROjection Presentation Technology, Carlisle, IA
Eddie Shaara, Risk Strategies, Boston, MA
Peter Shoemaker, Risk Strategies, Boston, MA
BJ Sidebottom, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Tavy Smith, Risk Strategies, Boston, MA
Alphonse Stalliard, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Doak Stangle, Texas A&M Athletics, College Station, TX
Howard Story, Knight Shield Security, Sacramento, CA
Deb Taylor, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Michael Tingley, Bora Architecture & Interiors, Portland, OR
Allen Topping, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Douglas Trueblood, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
April Truncellito, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ
Anita Venable, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Janine Wachter, Alliant Energy Center of Dane County, Madison, WI
James Waldrip, DayForce, Minneapolis, MN
Justyn Walker, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Liz Walker, The Carson Center, Paducah, KY
Rick Ward, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Paige Weaver, Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, CA
Nicole Williams, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
David Wilson, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Chloe Wright, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Christine Wright, Greenville Convention Center – OVG, Greenville, SC
Preethi Zevallos, Boldyn Networks, Chula Vista, CA
Erik Zimmer, DayForce, Minneapolis, MN

Paul Asman (he/him) has spent the years since his 2022 30|UNDER|30 recognition expanding his influence and versatility in the live events and venue management space. A sharp operator with a strategic eye, Paul made the transition from professional sports venues to university athletics, a move that has allowed him to redefine what operational excellence looks like across a campus setting.

Now serving as Associate Director of Business Operations at the University of Ottawa, Paul oversees an impressive portfolio of departments including Events, Facilities, Bookings & Sales, Recognition & Archiving, Merchandise, and Community Relations. This role puts him at the center of cross-functional collaboration, long-term planning, and day-to-day problem solving. With every decision, he’s focused on how to elevate guest experiences, streamline operations, and deliver measurable results for the institution.

His impact isn’t limited to behind-the-scenes logistics. Paul has also stepped into the classroom as a part-time professor in the School of Sport Management, where he teaches Event Management. This dual role – both practitioner and educator – has deepened his appreciation for the industry’s future and allowed him to invest directly in it.

“I’ve found so much value in creating operational systems that actually work – but even more in showing students what success really looks like behind the curtain,” he says. “Being able to bridge theory and practice in real-time is something I don’t take for granted.”

Paul credits the 30|UNDER|30 program with giving him the professional confidence and community that continues to support his growth. The recognition encouraged him to step into more visible leadership roles, explore new sectors, and continue shaping an industry that thrives on adaptability and purpose.

Whether managing complex events or mentoring emerging professionals, Paul leads with clarity, consistency, and a commitment to improvement. He’s not just maintaining momentum – he’s accelerating it.

Zakiya Smith-Dore’s career in venue management has been a powerful blend of leadership, service, and impact. Her journey since being honored with IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30 recognition has showcased not only her ability to lead through transition and change but also her commitment to building inclusive and resilient spaces within the performing arts community.

From 2021 to 2024, Zakiya served as the Assistant Director of Event Operations at San Diego Theatres, playing a key role in guiding the organization through the intricate process of reopening post-pandemic. Her leadership helped stabilize operations while re-engaging both staff and audiences. One of her most notable accomplishments was launching a volunteer program that grew to more than 300 participants within just two years—a testament to her belief in community-driven recovery and collaborative spirit.

In 2024, Zakiya took on a new challenge as the Director of Guest Services at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. There, she works alongside a highly respected leadership team to deliver exceptional experiences across four renowned venues. Energized by the mission, “Arts for Every Life®,” Zakiya infuses every aspect of guest interaction with care, intentionality, and a passion for hospitality. Her work is guided by the belief that each performance is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on guests’ lives.

Beyond her core roles, Zakiya continues to invest deeply in her own professional development and in giving back to the industry. She completed the Venue Management Leadership Institute in 2022 and has been a contributor to IAVM’s Venue Professional magazine. She also helped develop the industry’s Reopen and Recovery Manual, contributing critical insights to support collective learning during a challenging period. Her involvement extends to active committee service, peer mentoring, guest lecturing, and outreach to emerging professionals.

Zakiya’s philosophy is centered on growth, service, and lasting impact. She believes that true leadership is not only about what is achieved but about how others are empowered along the way. Whether leading guest services, mentoring colleagues, or engaging with the community, she brings her full self—empathetic, driven, and visionary—to every endeavor. Her career continues to evolve, but her values remain constant: inspire, serve, and build for the future.

Personal Quote:
“I believe leadership is about fostering an environment where others feel empowered to grow, contribute, and make an impact. It’s about creating spaces where people feel heard, valued, and inspired.” — Zakiya Smith-Dore