The IAVM Foundation has announced the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2019.  The program, in its fifth year, is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of co-founding partners SearchWide Global and Ungerboeck Software International, as well as many IAVM Foundation donors.

“There were many extremely qualified and worthy applicants this year,” stated Kathryn Eades, IAVM Foundation Director of Development.  “Tough choices were made by the Foundation’s large group of judges, which included members from the Foundation Board of Trustees and numerous past 30|UNDER|30 reciepients.  Those chosen exemplify the characteristics of leadership and developing talent necessary to the future of our industry.”

Designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the venue management industry, the 30|UNDER|30 program recognizes emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future. The Class of 2019 will convene for the first time at IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show in Chicago, July 21-24.

Award recipients will receive full complimentary registration to VenueConnect, as well as an $800 travel stipend.  They will also be provided opportunities for professional development in the venue industry to help better prepare them for continued career growth.

“Now in its fifth year, we continue to be proud of this program and proud to be the founding partner, and we thank IAVM for their commitment to it,” said Mark Gnatovic, Senior Vice President of SearchWide Global and a Foundation Trustee. “Not only does the program bring incredible value to our industry, but it brings unlimited opportunity to the recipients. By shaping the future industry leaders, we can build an even better future for the venue management industry.”

Meet the IAVM Foundation’s 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2019:

Ross Girouard,  Assistant General Manager,  Allen Event Center
Brian Wright,  CMMS & Safety Supervisor,  Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Adam Sigman,  Event Coordinator,  Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
Kiana Kim,  Performance Hall Manager,  Charleston Gaillard Center
Meagan Yanczura,  Event Manager,  Nationwide Arena
Caiti Farquharson,  Marketing & Communications Specialist,  Edmonton EXPO Centre
Trent Gray,  Assistant Box Office Manager,  SMG
London Lecy,  Event Services Manager,  Cobb Galleria Centre
Meryl Loop,  Guest Experience Manager,  INTRUST Bank Arena
Jasmine Shannon,  Event Coordinator ,  Berry Center
Kyle May,  Corporate Manager,  Walton Arts Center & Walmart AMP
Justin Holmes Taylor,  Events Assistant,  Walton Arts Center
Kevin DiBlasi,  Operations Supervisor,  SPECTRA Venue Management/Duke Energy Convention Center
Sadaf Usmani,  Manager, Guest Services ,  MetLife Stadium
Katie Oskey,  Guest Experience Team Manager,  BJCC
Jordan Fisher,  Event Coordinator,  Amalie Arena
Caitlin Sevener,  Event Specialist,  Allen Event Center
Brianna Hall,  Marketing Manager,  Iowa State Center
Brandon Shaffer,  Box Office Manager,  Spectra Venue Management at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
Jarrod Trevathan,  Event Coordinator,  United Supermarkets Arena
Philomena Duffy,  Manager of General Operations & Facilities,  Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Emily Pavelich,  Event Coordinator,  Oilers Entertainment Group / Rogers Place
Jabari Earl,  Event Manager,  AT&T Performing Arts Center
Jennifer Ulich,  Senior Event Manager,  AT&T Performing Arts Center
Katherine Garcia,  Box Office Manager,  SMG – Miller Theater
Brittany Gilbert,  Operations and Security Coordinator,  State Farm Stadium – an SMG Managed Facility
Andrew Luther,  General Manager,  Ford Idaho Center
Naomi Link,  Event Manager,  AT&T Performing Arts Center
Jonnah Renfroe,  Senior Events Coordinator,  Mabee Center
Olivia Lofstedt,  Director of Event Services,  Oregon Convention Center

If you carry a CVE designation after your name or if you are currently in the process of earning a CVE or CVP, you owe a major word of debt and gratitude to Al Antee, CVE, IAVM’s Chair (then President) in 1989-90. Antee, one of this industry’s true visionaries, passed away in Franklin, TN, on Tuesday, April 23, after fighting esophageal cancer.

Antee’s impact on the school that would become the Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay actually began earlier than when he led the Association’s membership for a year.

The idea and preliminary planning for a Venue Management School also came long before it was formally presented at the 1986 Annual Conference’s Foundation meeting as a new idea for another source of education for those in the industry.

Antee and others arrived in Wheeling, West Virginia, in January 1987, to study the location for the school. Obviously, they were pleased and Oglebay became home and the first school took place in June of that same year with Antee and Dexter King, CVE, serving as co-chairs, and continues to thrive today with hundreds having earned professional designations.

Sandi Antee, Al’s lovely wife, shared the news of her husband’s passing via a Facebook post which read, “I am heartbroken to tell Al’s friends that he passed away yesterday morning. He tried so hard to stay with us but the esophageal cancer was found too late and the treatments didn’t work. Please pray for him and keep him in your hearts. I will miss him forever.”

Al was the son of the late Monroe and Dovie Antee. He is survived by Sandra, his wife of 45 years; his children, Travis Antee and Jamie Nicole Brown; his brother, Don Antee (Janette); and his sisters, Jewel Mefford and Gloria McElroy.

Al joined and served in the US Air Force after high school in Lumberton, MS from 1962 – 1966. He started his career managing Theaters and Arenas. Al then went on to a long career as a Concert Promoter across the US and Canada. He spent his retirement years with his family, horses, dogs, and riding the roads on his Indian motorcycle.

The Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Monday, April 29th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, TN. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service at 1:00 p.m. at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, TN 37221). The family will receive friends on Monday, April 29th from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Al. (P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142) or at (www.stjude.org).

As word spread about the death of Al Antee, CVE, earlier in the week, many who have known the industry giant for years and more likely decades expressed their sadness about the news of his passing. Many knew Al from working with him or studying under him at the then Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay. Others served with him on Association committees while others proudly called him a dear friend.

“This is very sad news,” said Larry Perkins, CVE, CPP, CMP. “Al was a leader among leaders, a pioneer, and an all-around great person. He loved his family and enjoyed his time on the ranch.”

“We all, particularly in this industry, have many mentors that have helped us along the way,” said Dexter King, CVE. “In fact, we each reflect the image of many of those that went before us and made an effort to ‘pour’ some of their wisdom, knowledge, and experience into us. Al Antee was not only one of those individuals, and there were many, that believed in me, he had the most significant impact on my professional career as anyone. Al Antee was the Chair of the IAAM Foundation when I first met him, via telephone, in 1986. At that time, he was in pursuit of founding an IAAM school in Wheeling, West Virginia, a legacy of his that is still very much alive today. Subsequently, as a senior officer of the association, he was involved in transitioning IAAM from a private management company, PM Hagar, to a self-managed organization. Al was also involved in the decisions and move of the IAAM office from Chicago to White Plains, NY, and then to Dallas/Fort Worth. Al loved this industry profoundly and made many enduring friends throughout his life. He poured his heart and soul into this association, moving it in quantum leaps ahead of where it might have been. The consummate dealmaker, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to effect the best outcomes for the organization. Although not a high-profile volunteer in his later years, Al was often consulted for his wisdom and thoughts and did serve on the 2001 search committee for a new IAVM executive director. Al’s legacy lives on in many of us, carrying on his work of love vicariously.”

“He was a wonderful friend and mentor,” said Carol Wallace. “I have fond memories of his fireside chats at Oglebay. As a young event manager, he urged me not to be afraid to take risks with my career. May our Lord hold his family close at this time.”

“I knew Al back in the 1980s when I was an agent and he was at the Louisville Garden,” added Michael Marion, CVE, current IAVM Chair. “He was a promoter in Nashville and someone I liked a lot. Just a straight-forward and good guy.”

“I admired Al’s passion and willingness to speak out matters of the Association,” said Lionel Dubay, who enjoyed a visit at the Antee’s full of laughter and levity. “As a result of his leadership his contributions to our Association were many. Al was one of the leaders who helped us transition from private management of the Association to hiring our own executive director as well as helping with the establish of our professional Venue Management School at Oglebay. In addition, he was one of the leaders that was instrumental in starting the Crowd Management Conference as a result of the tragedy that took place at The Who concert. He was a leader who wasn’t afraid to take risks and he worked tirelessly on behalf of the Association. One of the most relaxing times I ever experienced was when I visited with Al and Sandie at their beautiful ranch several years back. My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a good man.”

“I am so sorry to hear this news,” said Donna Dowless. “Al was a true pioneer in our industry. Devoted and dedicated to serving the industry. We are a stronger industry because of his many contributions and service in so many ways.”

“VMA (Venue Management Association Asia Pacific) was host to Al in Melbourne when he was president of the then IAAM,” said Jon Benett. “VMAS was in its formative years and Al continued to be involved over a long period. A great bloke and he will be very much missed by many friends and industry associates. My sincere condolences to Sandie and the family.”

“My heart is truly broken to learn about Al’s passing,” said Beth Wade, CVE. “Al was not only a friend but my mentor. It was Al who pushed me to get involved on the Association committees and had me appointed to serve on the Foundation. It was an honor that shaped my career and opened many doors for me. Al was passionate about everything he did. Immediately following the 11 deaths outside the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati in 1979 waiting for the doors to open at The Who concert, Al was at the forefront of organizing the Crowd Management Seminar (now the Academy for Venue Safety & Security) which was held in Louisville, his home at the time, for many years. The International Association of Venue Managers’ strengths today are because of members like Al Antee who saw a need and created solutions that are still viable today.”

“I remember meeting Al when he worked at the Louisville Gardens,” said Bob Skoney. “We had a lot in common with similar aging venues and seeking the same type of shows/events. Then he became President of the IAAM, and he was always a little irreverent as he began his opening acceptance speech at the annual conference by throwing his whole speech notes onto the floor in front of him and just winging his speech, which came from his heart and feelings about his passion for the industry. That was Al and he was a great guy.”

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum General Manager Joe Furin announced the hiring of Josh Rooney as Chief Revenue Officer and Teresa Guy as Director of Sales, Bookings and Partnerships, an acquisition that supports the reopening of the landmark venue in August 2019 after an ambitious multi-million-dollar renovation.

Guy joins the team with over a decade of live event experience with major promoter, agency, and venue companies. She was a booking agent at APA and The Agency Group and worked on the booking team at Nederland Concerts. Most recently, she was tasked with booking arenas across North America for The Venue Coalition. In her new role, Guy is responsible for booking events of all sizes within the Coliseum and surrounding grounds and to attract new business to one of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues. She will report to the Chief Revenue Officer.

Rooney, a 29+ sports and entertainment industry professional, will report to the general manager. Throughout his career, Rooney has held positions with many notable organizations including Pace Entertainment, CBS, Anheuser-Busch Companies, and the Washington Nationals. These affiliations and relationships positioned him to serve most recently as Vice President of the Rooney
Sports & Entertainment Group LLC. In this role, Rooney will be responsible for all revenue generation processes and initiatives, including ticket sales, sponsorship, and new event opportunities. In conjunction with Furin, Rooney will assist in developing the strategy and vision for the sales organization.

The stadium renovation project, whose scope includes modernization, preservation and restoration of the 96-year-old venue, began in January 2018. The Coliseum was able to host football, soccer and many other events during construction in 2018, but has now entered a new phase in anticipation of the August 2019 completion.

“We are excited to have two, highly respected and accomplished individuals in this industry join our team,” Furin said. “Since January 2018 the Coliseum has had limited operation due to the renovation. The timing to bring Josh and Teresa on as we get set for our August re-opening is no accident. The Coliseum will once again be able to host the biggest events and performers. Josh and Teresa are just the people to make sure that happens.”

SMG announced the addition of several new members and promotion of a current member to Chesapeake Energy Arena and Cox Convention Center’s marketing team in Oklahoma City.

Lucy Albers has been named Director of Marketing and Public Relations. Albers was most recently Director of Marketing at the SMG-managed facilities in Sioux Falls, SD, and was a part of opening the 12,000-seat Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in 2014. In 2017, she was a recipient of the Generation Next Awards from Venues Today (currently VenuesNow). With more than 10 years of experience in industry marketing and strategy, Albers will oversee the marketing department in building creative promotions, increasing ticket sales, and enhancing the venues’ profiles with local and national media.

Landon Bahl has been named Booking and Marketing Manager. On top of assisting with multiple industry events, the North Dakota native recently spent time with Creative Artists Agency in Nashville. Bahl will provide support to both the booking and marketing teams in Oklahoma City and assist in enhancing the venue’s back-of-house experience for artists and tours.

Emily Coursey has been named Graphic Design and Analytics Coordinator. An Oklahoma native, Coursey holds several years of experience in customer relations and operations with marketing and event companies. Coursey will primarily focus on graphic design for all venue needs and analyzing customer data to increase revenue trends.

In addition to the new hires, SMG has also promoted long-time team member Valory Dalton to Director of Ticketing and Business Development. Dalton has been an integral part of SMG’s team with years of both Marketing and Box Office experience in Oklahoma City. In her new position, she will continue to excel in leading revenue-generation as well as marketing and premium opportunities for the buildings and their events.

The new team members join current Marketing Manager, Stacey Aldridge, and round out a full team built to develop marketing strategies, build revenue streams, and enhance both customer and tour experiences at Chesapeake Energy Arena and Cox Convention Center.