VenuWorks is delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Stearns as the new Executive Director overseeing its Cedar Rapids facilities, including the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, the historic Paramount Theatre, McGrath Amphitheatre, and the ImOn Ice Arena Cedar Rapids. Mr. Stearns brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in venue management to his new role and is poised to enhance the vibrant cultural landscape of Cedar Rapids.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darren Stearns to our team and are confident in his ability to lead our Cedar Rapids facilities to new heights,” said Michael Silva, Chief Operating Officer of VenuWorks. “His extensive experience and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our mission to empower communities through exceptional venue management.”

With over 18 years of expertise in arena, theater, and convention center management, Darren Stearns has excelled in budget development, staff oversight, and driving guest satisfaction. His leadership experience at venues such as the BB&T Arena at Northern Kentucky University and the Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, IN, underscores his capability to develop innovative strategies that meet financial and operational goals.

“Darren’s extensive experience in venue management and his passion for creating unforgettable experiences make him the perfect fit for this role,” shared Steve Peters, VenuWorks Founder and CEO. “His expertise will undoubtedly elevate our venues’ standing within the community and beyond.”

Mr. Stearns is eager to collaborate with the Cedar Rapids community to bring a diverse range of high-quality events and foster a thriving cultural scene. “I am excited for this opportunity. The facilities are wonderful and everyone I met during my visit was incredibly welcoming. I look forward to working with the city of Cedar Rapids and the staff at our facilities to continue to provide great entertainment and fan experiences to the Cedar Rapids region.”

VenuWorks has built a reputation for being a trusted and innovative partner in venue management, with three decades of experience and a commitment to community enrichment. The organization’s collaborative approach ensures that each venue it manages reaches its full potential while maintaining its unique character and role within the community. Under Darren Stearns’ leadership, the Cedar Rapids facilities will continue to offer world-class experiences that stimulate economic growth and cultural enrichment.

The 2025 applications for the Education & Service and Venue Excellence awards are now open!  Winners will be honored during VenueConnect 2025 in New Orleans, LA.  We invite you to nominate an IAVM member or member venue that has exceeded expectations and risen above the rest. 

The deadline to submit applications is March 24, 2025.  The application process is extensive, and we encourage venues and organizations to create an “award team” to complete the application process as well as gather photos, etc.  Detailed instructions are found within the application itself.

Education & Service Award

The IAVM Education & Service Award recognizes member involvement through community outreach, education opportunities, mentorships, and internships that demonstrate excellence within our industry as well as giving back to the community. Some examples that have been shared include: active in high school programs and career development; offering internships for local college students within the company/venue; mentoring through community outreach or within a university setting; educational offerings to staff within the company/venue; community involvement with youth and young adults.

IAVM takes pride in its members that excel in providing their communities with an enjoyable space for all types of events and educational opportunities. Professional members, university faculty, allied companies as well as retired members are encouraged to apply. The IAVM Education & Service Award is given annually to no more than two companies/universities/venues and one individual. 

To view the criteria for Education & Service Award nominations, click here.

NOMINATE NOW →

Venue Excellence Award

The Venue Excellence Award recognizes five IAVM venues of any type within the membership which demonstrate excellence in the management and operation of public assembly venues. This includes but is not limited to amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, complexes, convention centers, exhibit halls, fair/festival grounds, performing arts centers, racetracks, stadiums & university venues. IAVM takes pride in its members and member venues that excel in providing their communities with a safe and enjoyable space for all types of events and educational opportunities.

Any venue publicly or privately owned and operated, that has demonstrated excellence within the last calendar year and has at least one current employee who is an IAVM member in good standing may apply. Venues are eligible to win multiple VEAs; however, previous winners are eligible to apply in the third year following their most recent award. As an example, a venue that wins in 2024 may apply for the 2027 award.

To view the Venue Excellence Award application criteria, click here.

APPLY NOW →

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority has announced the hiring of Charles Beirne as General Manager & CEO.

With more than 25 years of venue management experience, Beirne will be responsible for the administrative oversight and strategic growth of the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops and ArtsBridge Foundation.

“Charlie is uniquely qualified for this position because of his combination of experience leading convention centers, entertainment venues and performing arts centers,” said Jerry Nix, Chairman of the Authority. “Additionally, as we prepare to launch the renovation and expansion of the Cobb Galleria Centre in 2025, Charlie brings expertise in this area that is a perfect fit for our future growth.”

Beirne joins the Authority from the Broward County Convention Center Expansion and Hotel Project, where he was regional general manager responsible for the day-to-day operations of the convention center, which is currently undergoing a $1.4 billion expansion project. He has operated and expanded a variety of other facilities including the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the convention center, two theaters, and an arena, as well as the Atlantic City Convention Center, where he held a variety of roles including regional general manager for the convention center and arena. Beirne is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Opened in Oct. 1999 as Alltel Arena and located in North Little Rock, Ark, Simmons Bank Arena recently commemorated its 25th anniversary!

To celebrate, they held a memorable Tourism and Hospitality Mixer, where they celebrated their journey alongside community leaders, partners, and friends. General Manager and 40-year industry veteran, Michael Marion, joined local leaders in reflecting on the arena’s cultural and economic impact, honoring the role that Simmons Bank Arena has played in Arkansas and sparking excitement for what’s to come.

We wish them success in their next 25 years!

Simmons Bank Arena celebrates its 25th Anniversary!

Photos and information were provided by Simmons Bank Arena.

We are spotlighting the incredible ways our members are putting their knowledge into action! Whether it’s a new initiative inspired by an IAVM event or session, a training program that elevated your team’s performance, or an innovative solution that made your venue more efficient—your story matters! Send us yours today!

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in November 2024. 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.

Jessica Andrews, TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Liz Arlian, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Carla Armanet, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Adrian Armijo, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Candido Barbosa, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Erynn Bell, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Bronson Beverly, Events DC, Washington, DC
Cindy Bishop, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Artie Blakeney, Metropolis Events, Southbank, VIC, Australia
Quentin Blaue, Frost Bank Center/Spurs Sports & Entertainment, San Antonio, TX
Lindon Bond, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Sam Bourke, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank, QLD, Australia
Mallory Bowman, Indiana University, Bloomfield, IN
Barbara Brady, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Rebekah Brown, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Gabrielle Brumley, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Curtis Burgess, Events DC, Washington, DC
Teddy Burgis, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Michael Butler, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Dave Campbell, TITAN Global Enterprises Inc, Atlanta, GA
Thomas Carrier, Blue Arena – OVG, Loveland, CO
Kenneth Carter, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Washington, DC
Amanda Cason, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Lacie Coleman, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Paul Couch, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
Sean Coyle, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Steven Cranford, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Devon Dahlberg, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Michael Dammen, StageRight Corporation, Clare, MI
Richard Doss, Ford Park Entertainment Complex – OVG, Beaumont, TX
Peter Doyle, Cross Insurance Arena – OVG, Portland, ME
Samantha Dunnigan, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA
Joel Edmondson, Venue Management Association, Milton, QLD, Australia
Chelsea Estacio, Brooklyn Nets, Brooklyn, NY
Matthew Firth, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank, QLD, Australia
Andy Flynn, The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland, OH
David Fortenberry, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
John Foster, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO
Aaron Gaga, University of South Carolina, Austin, TX
Albert Galindo, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
Jeffrey Gardner, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL
Michael Gardner, Events DC, Washington, DC
Meredith Gatlin, Sandy Springs Performing Arts & Conference Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Heath Gibson, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Craig Grossarth, UOB Live, Bangkok, , Thailand
Holly Hayes, ICC Sydney – ASM Global, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Melody Henderson, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Chris Hitchcock, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank, QLD, Australia
Kate Hogan, MetraPark, Billings, MT, United States
Tele’ Horn, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Tracey Hunting, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
Katie Ivey, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Larry Johnson, Leflore County Civic & Agri Center, Greenwood, MS
Daniel Karrs, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Quinci Keaton, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Carmel Kennedy, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Ellie King, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Erik Knudsen, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Calvin Kretz, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Tommy Kruse, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA
Emily Lane, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO
Ryan Lazarus, The Commencement Group, San Antonio, TX
Nadia Leonard, Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, GA
Kyra Libuser, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Scott Lozar, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Hilary Mangazva, Crown Resorts, Southbank, VIC, Australia
Frances Marin, Marin Center, San Rafael, CA
Natalie Mavrovich, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Ethan McAllister, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
David McMillan, Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX
Alex Middleton, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
Ginger Miller, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Damali Mitchell, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
John Mobbs, State Library of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD
Morgan Montalbano, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
George Morris, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Tessa Moses, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Rodney Myers, Events DC, Washington, DC
Michael Natera, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR
Wendy Odden, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Jeffrey Page, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Alyssa Patani, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Luis Payan, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale, AZ
Roger Peterson, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Tajee Pledger, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix, AZ
Emiko Poor, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Michele Preston, Bojangles’ Coliseum/Ovens Auditorium (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Morgan Prosser, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO
Marquis Quick, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Abigail Railsback, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks, CA
Krystal Rich, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA
Jacob Rogers, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
John Rohanna, The Venue Alexandria, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
Robert Romito, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Tom Rulon, Allied Universal Event Services (AUES), Fullerton, CA
Elizabeth Rupert, Joffe Emergency Services, Brentwood, CA
Gary Russin, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Fatou Sacko, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Scott Sandilands, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Christophe Sautot, Event Staff App, Goleta, CA
Duane Scott, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
James Seagle, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Neal Simmons, Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena – OVG, Kingston, RI
Jacob Smith, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
Austin Sneed, Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX
Farrah Stanfield, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Jennifer Stanton, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Aubrion Sterrett, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Emma Such, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, QLD, Australia
Michael Tamucci, Sandy Springs Performing Arts & Conference Center, Sandy Springs, GA
James Taylor, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
Jerry Thomas, VenuesLive Management Services (NSW) Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Courtney Thornberry, Orlando Venues, Orlando, FL
John Torres, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Casey Troy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Patrick Tutka, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Dayna Ulmer, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
Steven Upshaw, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
Blake Vanderwoude, Venues NSW, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Raegan Verhoff, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Erwin Vidallon, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA
Michael Villa, Frost Bank Center/Spurs Sports & Entertainment, San Antonio, TX
Caitlin Wadsworth, ICC Sydney – ASM Global, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Curtis Waller, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage, AK
Joseph Wang, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Caitlyn Ward, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Kourtney Washington, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Adam Westenskow, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
Mark Whitfield, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Olivia Whitt, Populous, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Andersen Williams, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Denise Williams, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Kyle Willis, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Michaela Woempner, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Kenneth Yu, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA