Fourteen venue industry professionals received their Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from IAVM during VenueConnect in Chicago. CVE applicants are rated on their experience and accomplishments in public venue management and must successfully complete a comprehensive written essay, written examination and oral interview that tests general knowledge of the public venue management profession. The CVE designation demonstrates that a venue executive: is a skilled manager, is committed to the industry, and is pledged to continued professional growth and development. Managers who earn the CVE designation are recognized, by those inside and outside the industry, as experts in their profession.
“Since 1976 this prestigious program has served as a distinction for those in venue management,” said Michael 
Marion, CVE, IAVM Chair during VenueConnect. “I would like to offer my congratulations to each of these individuals. There is no doubt that their hard work and leadership are admired in the industry.”
The elite group of 312 now includes the following newly awarded CVEs to its honor roll:
• Brent Buchanan, CVE, Berry Center (Houston, TX)
• Lynn Cannon, CVE, Grossinger Motors Arena (Bloomington, IL)
• Brendon Ellmer, CVE, Perth Concert Hall/WA Venues & Events (Perth, Western Australia)
• Bobby Goldwater, CVE, Georgetown University/The Goldwater Group (Bethesda, MD)
• Eric Granger, CVE, KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, KY)
• Kristie Haney, CVE, Resch Center (Green Bay, WI)
• Michael Junod, CVE, University Center, Mercer University (Macon, GA)
• Laura Lenhart, CVE, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (Milwaukee, WI)
• Timothy Long, CVE, Hawkridge Entertainment Services (Dural, New South Wales)
• Brett C. Mitchell, CVE, Overland Park Convention Center (Overland Park, KS)
• Lynda Reinhart, CVE, Stephen C. O’Connell Center (Gainesville, FL)
• Wendy Riggs, CVE, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP (Fayetteville, AR)
• Marty D. Smith, CVE, Weber County Culture, Parks, and Recreation (Ogden, UT)
• Philip Verrastro, CVE, The Classic Center (Athens, GA)
In addition, another 25 individuals earned their Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation.
The Certified Venue Professional (CVP) program was launched in 2015 by IAVM to recognize the competence of middle to senior level managers of public assembly venues as well as assist in creating a professional development road map.
The CVP designation says three important things about an individual: he or she is a capable professional, is committed to the industry, and is pledged to continued professional growth and development. Venue professionals who earn the CVP designation are recognized, by those inside and outside the industry, as skilled in their profession.
The basic purpose of the voluntary certification program is to provide additional incentive for professional improvement in the public assembly venue management industry, to assure recognition for those who attain certain specific standards, and can lead toward the attainment of the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation.
Congratulations to the following for earning the CVP designation:
Brian Polokoff, CVP
Lisa Schad, CVP
Megan Max, CVP
Ryan Kichler, CVP
Donna Gray, CVP
Amanda Horning, CVP
John McClees, CVP
Jason Anderson, CVP
Juan Carlos Mata Castillo, CVP
Laura Gutierrez Roldan, CVP
Ken Schmidt, CVP
Frank Keefer, CVP
Andrea Hitlin, CVP
Ryan Gruss, CVP
Carissa Norton, CVP
Brian Wright, CVP
Erin Jepson, CVP
Brian Manor, CVP
Christopher Moeslacher, CVP
Ashley Peacock, CVP
Steven Sanchez, CVP
Zakiya Smith-Dore, CVP
Nicholas Puddicombe, CVP
Alikie Knight, CVP
Danny Bryant, CVP
