Barely three months after celebrating his Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation, Brendon Wagner, General Manager of the Waterloo (Iowa) Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 2 at the age of 44.
His many friends at IAVM, including co-workers over the years at Oak View Group, Spectra and VenuWorks, were heartbroken upon learning the caring, creative and passionate professional died, apparently never awakening in his cabin while on a vacation cruise.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed General Manager, Brendon Wagner. Brendon joined the Waterloo Convention Center in January 2020, just as the facility transitioned to private management under Oak View Group. His tenure began amid the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, yet he remained a steadfast and vital force throughout,” said Carrie Jackson, OVG District General Manager, in an email.
“As the city embarked on a significant renovation of the convention center, Brendon worked with the City, the construction team and the architectural design firm, ensuring the project’s success and the center’s transformation into the remarkable venue it is today. His dedication extended beyond his role as General Manager; he also served as a Board Member for Main Street Waterloo and he recently earned his CVE (Certified Venue Executive) designation from IAVM, reflecting his commitment to excellence in venue management.”
On his LinkedIn page, Wagner described himself as an “event industry professional with a passion for customer and client service using a solutions-based approach. A life-long learner, who seeks out opportunities to advance his knowledge, skills, and abilities to offer more to his employer and clients.”
Steve Peters, CVE, CEO, VenuWorks, couldn’t agree more. He recalled Wagner was a student volunteer working at the IAVM annual convention in 2006, the year Peters was president-elect. “He was assigned to be my assistant. All that week he never left my side. The next year when I was president he was back at my side, anticipating my every request with his impish smile and quiet demeanor. I knew then we needed him in our VenuWorks family.”
Gina Brydson, IAVM director of membership, remembers those early years when Wagner became a student member while attending Missouri State University. He embraced the association wide open to its potential, from interning to education (Venue Management School) to certification, fully participating as a volunteer and making a lot of friends along the way.
Wagner started his career in live entertainment on the amusement park side. He was a seasonal worker at Six Flags theme park in St. Louis, Mo., his go-to while attending Missouri State University, before signing up for advanced degrees at Webster University, and Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management.
He joined VenuWorks as operations manager at Duplin County Events Center, Kenansville, N.C., in 2007, then became their executive director at the Fairfield (Iowa) Arts and Convention Center. From 2009-2015 he was director of operations at RiverCenter/Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, capping his nearly eight-year stint with VenuWorks. While in Davenport, Wagner also served as part of the opening team for the TDECU Stadium at the University of Houston in 2014.
“Once he came to work for us, he accepted some extremely difficult management assignments in several small towns that many young managers would have turned up their noses at,” Peters said. “In each case, Brendon jumped in with enthusiasm. Soon after he accepted the position in Waterloo, he came to visit our office in Ames, talking about his new job and the facility improvements that were planned. He made us all very proud.”
After leaving VenuWorks, Wagner spent two years as director of event management at St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. Spectra, which was later merged with Oak View Group, brought him on board as director of event services in Owensboro, Ky., in late 2017.
He was named general manager of the Waterloo, Iowa, facility in December 2019, just in time for the challenges of a global pandemic. He rose to the occasion as always.
Greg O’Dell, president of venue management for OVG360 posted on Linked In: “Brendon was a great leader, teammate and friend to so many that had the privilege to know him … a rising star, gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers for Brendon’s family, and he will be terribly missed but never forgotten.”
Every member of the Peters family worked with Wagner during the time he was with VenuWorks. Randi Peters remembers that enthusiasm and thoughtfulness that made Wagner so beloved. “He was kind to others and eager to help when needed. He once stood in line a long time in Portland, Oregon at an IAVM conference years ago, just to bring back ‘voodoo donuts’ for us. Such a sweet act of kindness that was never forgotten by us,” she said.
Toby Peters, VenuWorks chief development officer, worked with Wagner in Davenport at RiverCenter and Adler Theatre. “He was always busy doing things behind the scenes, from updates around the venue for energy efficiency, to finding new approaches to staffing that had not been done at the venues before.”
And Lindsay Peters bonded with Wagner in Fairfield, early in his career. She was one of many colleagues that kept in touch with the rising venue star who showed such a passion for the industry and was always seeking improvement. Which is why he went for his CVE designation in 2024. Beth Wade, CVE, Berry Center, Houston, is on the IAVM Certification Committee and was honored to be part of his interview panel for this CVE designation. “He understood the value of certification and education,” she said.
On his LinkedIn page, Wagner confirmed that trait, saying he was a “life-long learner focused on developing not only job-related knowledge and skills, but also in developing a well-rounded base of knowledge…Professional development education has included completion of the Venue Management School, Venue Management School Graduate Institute, and Certified Building Operator Level 1.”
Wagner was born on May 10, 1980, to David and Janice Wagner in Saint Louis, Mo. After graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1999 he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and master’s degrees from Webster University and Temple University.
He is survived by his parents, his brother Michael & sister-in-law Genezareth, and sister Laurel & brother-in-law Joseph.
A memorial service was held at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood, Mo., Sept. 22. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kirkwood High School Theater (KH Players).
