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).

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 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.

Maggie Acevedo, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Ian Astle, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Vita Austria, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Evan Balbona, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Taylor Beia, The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO
Ben Blevins, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Koriana Blevins, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena – OVG, Lexington, KY
Mat Bolinger, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
John Bowen, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Mary Brown, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Chris Bruns, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Steve Cardona, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Eduardo Castillo, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kayla Cobetto, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Tyler Conour, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lisa Covington, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Devester David, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Kaitlyn DeRosa, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Port St. Lucie, FL
Shelbee Detweiler, F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN
Kody Ehlert, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Johnny Elliott, Cadence Bank Center, Belton, TX
Kyle Faessler, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Lys Ferreira, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Felicia Fischer, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Stacey Fitzner, Mardi Gras World, New Orleans, LA
Maddy Fox, MGM Northfield Park | MGM Grand Detroit, Northfield, OH
Sydney HarpsUpshur, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
Tiffaney Hernandez, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
David Hunt, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Lee Ann Jurgens, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Jeff Keating, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Phillip Landgraf, Ricca Design Studios, Greenwood Village, CO
Daniel Lewis, Dothan Civic Center & Opera House, Dothan, AL
Jason Linnerud, Alliant Energy Center of Dane County, Madison, WI
Miranda Love, F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN
Luke Magers, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Erica Martin, d&b audiotechnik, Asheville, NC
BaiLeigh McCarthy, The Astro Theater & Amphitheater, La Vista, NE
Christopher Meegan, S.A.F.E. Management, Baltimore, MD
Justin Merkle, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Lauren Moore, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Isaac Nations, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Chris Nigro, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Patrick O’Meara, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Hannah Potts, F&M Bank Arena, Clarksville, TN
John Powell, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Indy Powers, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Aaron Quantock, Mohawk Harbor Event Center, Schenectady, NY
Chris Remsburg, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Michael Robinson, Rio Rancho Events Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Cal Sage, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Brittany Sauceda, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Timothy Schultz, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Colleen Scott, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Ian Seidenberg, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Cody Shouse, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Gabi Shurina, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ginger St. Pierre, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ
Marcellus Stephens, Gordon Field House & Activities Center, Rochester, NY
Zachary Talbot, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Karen Thomas, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Deanna Toliver, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Bret Werpy, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Olivia Wilson, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE
Caroline Yates, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Cameron Young, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena – OVG, Lexington, KY

Why Attain CVP Certification?

• INCREASED MARKETABILITY
  CVPs are recognized professionals in middle- to senior-level management positions of public assembly venues.
• GROWTH
  Attaining your CVP will require you to obtain and maintain competency in all areas of venue management.
• CONFIDENCE
  A CVP title assures clients in our very competitive industry that they can be confident you and your team are well prepared to consistently deliver exceptional events.

Learn more about the CVP Program. 

Apply today!

We want to spotlight 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!

This is your chance to showcase the hard work and creativity of your teams and to inspire others across our community.

What We’re Looking For:

• Innovative Programs: Share details on new programs, policies, or initiatives you’ve implemented based on insights gained from IAVM.
• Team Training: Tell us how your staff training has evolved with the help of IAVM resources, and how it’s made a difference in your operations.
• Success Stories: Highlight specific successes or milestones that wouldn’t have been possible without the knowledge and connections gained through IAVM.

How to Participate:

• Submit Your Story: Send us a brief description of your initiative or success, including any relevant details on the impact it has made.
• Photos and Videos: Include any images or videos that showcase your team in action or the results of your efforts.

Complete this form for your chance to be featured on IAVM’s social media channels, blog, and/or newsletter.

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, is excited to announce the launch of the ECA Advocacy Network, the alliance’s new one-stop digital advocacy platform.

The ECA Advocacy Network is the new home for ECA’s signature advocacy programs where anyone can take action on behalf of the industry from anywhere. These include:

• ECA Action Center, which allows anyone in the industry to contact their members of Congress and other elected officials about ECA’s public policy priorities directly from the ECA website with just a few clicks.

• Social Influencer Program, which encourages people who sign up to engage on social media to educate their network, the general public, and policymakers from coast to coast on ECA’s top issues and important advocacy opportunities.

• Show Floor Program, which brings policymakers to trade shows and conferences across the United States to show them first-hand how our industry operates and the direct impact we have in their backyards.

“The business events industry has the best advocates anywhere,” said Tommy Goodwin, ECA’s Vice President. “With the ECA Advocacy Network, now they don’t have to be in Washington, DC or their state capitals to be part of the action. These new programs and tools will let anyone who wants to advocate on behalf of the industry to get involved wherever they are: at home, in the office, or even on the show floor.”

“ECA advocates are the backbone of the business events industry, and that is why the ECA Advocacy Network is so important,” said Austin O’Boyle, Senior Director of Advocacy for Aristotle International, who led the development of the ECA Advocacy Network. “These programs and tools will allow people throughout the industry who want to take action to make their voices heard on key issues across the country when it truly matters most.”

For more information about the ECA Advocacy Network, please visit ECAAdvocacyNetwork.com.