Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 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.

Christopher Adamec, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Kate Alexander, Placemaking NSW, The Rocks, NSW, Australia
Daniel Aquino, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX
Blanca Avalos, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Reba Bagazinski, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Maria Benites, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Joe Berkelmans, Alloyfold, Bayswater, VIC, Australia
Matt Bilderback, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Jacqui Boelter, Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center, Arlington, TX
Janeen Bond, Branson Convention Center – ASM Global, Branson, MO
Jesse Bowyer, Telstra, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Ryan Briones, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Carol Brown, Branson Convention Center – ASM Global, Branson, MO
Ian Buchanan, University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Emily Bundy, OVG Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Karym Burlow, Netball SA, Hilton Plaza, SA, Australia
Alex Butler, 24/7 Software, Kedron, QLD, Australia
Katie Buxton, Australian Sports Commission, Belconnen, ACT, Australia
Kelly Cabrera, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Greg Cannell, Legends/ASM Global, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Mackenzie Carnes, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN
Kelly Carr, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Andre Carrao, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Savannah Challinor, Avant Mutual, Queen Victoria Building, NSW, Australia
Jude Chauvin, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
Carley Chicas, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Amy Cornale, National Rugby League, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Jago Coyle, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Richard Dana, Hilliard Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Faith Dickson, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Vincent Dixon, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Rami El Shammas, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
David Elliott, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Shirley Epperson, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Chelanne Evans, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Rebecca Farrell, National Rugby League, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Baylee Feese, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Steven Garcia, Midland County Horseshoe, Midland, TX
Renee Gaumond, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Alex Goldsack, Terraplas, Land O Lakes, FL
Seth Greenberg, Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, Pelham, AL
Angela Guhl, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Aaron Gunderson, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Ayleah Hall, Belmont University, Goodlettsville, TN
Cameron Hall, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Adam Hamm, Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Evan Helgesen, Sentry Event Services, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, PA
Ronnie Hickman, Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, GA
Leslie Hill-King, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX
Tyler Jo Holmes, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Diann Jackson, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Tyler James, Kentucky Performing Arts, Louisville, KY
Mark Jerls, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX
Matt Jones, Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, GA
Kara Kotko, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Monica Kurzejeski, Albany Convention Center Authority, Albany, NY
Tristan Layne, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Hannah Leitner, Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Valerie Leslie, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Trevor Lichterman, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Danielle Litrenta, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego, CA
Darryl Lloyd, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Miranda Loupas, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Sammy Martin, Chaifetz Arena – OVG, Saint Louis, MO
Terrencia McBeath, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Matt McCook, Walton Arts Center | Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR
Jesse Mertens, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Leonardo Montanez-Cantu, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Roger Montiel, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Danielle Moore, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Amy Moorehouse, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Maihaya Moreno, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Yahir Nava, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Jennie Noskoff, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Lorin O’Grady, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Erin O’Hara-Vedolich, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Elizabeth Olivas, Hilliard Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Melanie Ortiz, Hilliard Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Tim Pappas, Dowd Center Theatre, Monroe, NC
Gianna Pare, Snapdragon Stadium – OVG, San Diego, CA
Ryan Patsy, Erie Events, Erie, PA
Derek Praeger, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Namoni Pugh, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Emily Pulver, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Jacqueline Purcell, Alvarado dormakaba Group, Chino, CA
John Purdie, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Robert Ramirez, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Olivia Ramos, Hilliard Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Katherine Reeves, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Ashley Rieser, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Travis Roberts, Ensemble Arts Philly, Philadelphia, PA
Coleton Robinson, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
David Robinson, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Samantha Sabbara, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Adreinne Schnabel, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Don Simon, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Eric Smith, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Ryan Smith, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Toby Smith, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas – OVG, Dallas, TX
Allison Sowder, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Kalen Sowul, Peace Center, Greenville, SC
Staci Stover, Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, GA
Darius Strickland, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Pete Tamayo, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Stephanie Thomas, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC
Julian Torres, South San Francisco Conference Center, South San Francisco, CA
Amanda Trevino, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO
Carlos Trujillo, Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
Ricki VanDuvall, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA
Teresa VirgenTorres, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Casey Walker, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Jarad Whitehead, Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, GA
Brian Wilson, Terraplas, Land O Lakes, FL
Joe Wilson, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Natasha Wilson, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Mason Woodruff, Branson Convention Center – ASM Global, Branson, MO
Rylan Zale, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2025 Mentor Connector program. Whether you’re looking to share your expertise or grow your career, this program provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with leaders and rising stars in the venue management industry.

Why Join the Mentor Connector Program?

• Mentors: We Need Your Help! Share your knowledge, give back to the community, and help shape the future of our industry.
• Mentees: Receive guidance from experienced professionals, gain insights into career development, and expand your network.

Don’t miss this chance to engage in a mutually rewarding experience! The deadline for both mentor and mentee applications is September 30.

Click here for more information.

*Mentor Connector is a member only benefit. Not a member, and want to join? It’s easy! Click here to join IAVM now!

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100.

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100 for the work she has done to bring convention business back to New York City. Leveston joined the Javits Center in March as the organization’s first woman CEO.

Before moving to New York this year, she was director of convention services and event management at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center/Events DC. Her career path also includes the Miami Beach Convention Center, the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and the San Diego Convention Center.

City & State New York’s write-up on Leveston follows:

“The convention center business has faced difficult headwinds since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Joyce Leveston has sought to make Javits Center an appealing attraction for the nation’s most prestigious conferences and trade shows. Leveston came aboard as Javits’ first woman CEO in March after stints with convention centers in Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston, San Diego and Miami Beach. She sent out an employee pulse survey to get feedback and recently led a reorganization with new positions. Javits has since hosted the Fancy Food Show, International Auto Show and IBEW Local 3’s 125th anniversary.”

Besides Leveston, individuals in event and venue management on the Manhattan Power 100 list included: James Dolan, Executive Chair and CEO, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.; Michael Hershman, CEO, Soloviev Group, who has submitted his bid with Mohegan for an $11-billion casino complex just south of the United Nations Headquarters; Jonathan Boulware, President and CEO, South Street Seaport Museum; Seth Pinsky, CEO, 92NY, who led a rebrand and $200-million restoration of the famed Upper East Side cultural center ahead of a series of performances for its 150th anniversary celebration, including the modernization of the Arnhold Center and Buttenwieser Hall; and a trio from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts — Mariko Silver, President and CEO; Shanta Thake, Chief Artistic Officer and Executive Vice President; and Leah Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications, Marketing and Advocacy Officer.

According to their website, “City & State is a media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy,” and “City & State’s Manhattan Power 100 highlights these and dozens of other local movers and shakers in the world of New York politics and government. The list, written and researched in partnership with journalist Aaron Short, features public officials, real estate titans, health care executives, higher education leaders, prominent advocates and activists, and influential figures from every corner of the borough.”

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902952452/en/

Composed of a diverse group of industry leaders, the Council will support cohesive brand integration throughout the downtown arena transformation

Photo courtesy MSE

• MSE is creating a timeless, immersive fan journey that begins the moment guests step through the doors and continues through every touchpoint.  
• Elevate connects brand, emotion and identity throughout the arena, ensuring fans feel seen and inspired by environments that reflect their passions. 
• Gensler uses architecture to design an arena that is welcoming and allows fans to create monumental memories. 
• CAA ICON drives operational excellence of the project, keeping the transformation on track to serve fans on schedule.  
• Sports & The Arts curates an art collection that celebrates moments of the teams and city. 
• cllct is curating a must-see collection of memorabilia, elevating the arena to museum-level excellence.  
• Clark Construction works to the fan-first vision with care and precision, in the safest and most efficient way possible. 
• Aramark is transforming the venues into a culinary destination featuring local and national must-try experiences. 
• Élan Arc pioneers the premium guest experience by integrating comprehensive space diagnostics, custom service strategies, hand-picked hospitality experts, and steadfast quality controls for truly personalized five-star interactions. 

• MSE 
  • Jim Van Stone – President, Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer 
  • Jordan Silberman – President, Venues 
  • Hunter Lochmann – Chief Marketing Officer 
  • Adam Gotts – Vice President, Project & Revenue Management 
  • Erin Mitchell Martin – Vice President, Venue Marketing 
  • Laurence McMillon – Director, Hospitality 
• Elevate 
  • Drew Bryant – Chief Creative Officer 
  • Megan Adgate – Creative Director 
  • Ashley Hughes – Senior Project Manager 
  • Christopher Knowles – Creative Director 
• Gensler 
  • Andrew Jacobs – Lead Design Director 
  • Greg Tanski – Senior Designer 
  • Brandon Mermelstein – Senior Designer 
  • Jonny Peterson – Brand Design Director 
• CAA ICON 
  • Michael Schwan – Senior Vice President 
• Sports & The Arts 
  • Tracie Speca-Ventura – Founder and President 
  • Camille Speca – Creative Director 
• cllct 
  • Darren Rovell – Founder 
  • Steve Ziff – Chief Executive Officer 
• Clark Construction 
  • Jeff King – Vice President 
• Aramark 
  • Vincent Vazquez – District Manager 
  • Anthony Kleinman – Resident District Manager
• Élan Arc 
  • Jackie Keller – Founder and CEO