LA Convention Center Names Sonia Trejo Director of Events & Special Projects
Veteran Event Services Leader Steps into Expanded Role Supporting the Client Experience, Strategic Initiatives and High-Profile Events During $2.6B Expansion and Modernization Project
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), a leading North American exhibition venue, owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by Legends Global, announced the promotion of Sonia Trejo, CVP, CMP, CEM from senior event manager to the newly created position of director of events and special projects.
Over the next three years, Trejo will serve as one of the Center’s primary liaisons over-seeing the client experience as the venue undergoes a long-awaited $2.6 billion expansion and modernization project. Her key responsibilities include leading the strategic execution of high-profile events and collaborating with event planners, partners and stakeholders to ensure all events run smoothly and seamlessly, delivering an experience that meets or exceeds expectations for all involved.
Additionally, she will spearhead special initiatives across the venue’s meetings and conventions portfolio, with a dedicated focus on communication with and outreach to event organizers. Trejo will be charged with developing a solutions-based approach to ensure construction impacts are minimized whenever possible, thereby allowing events to continue at the LACC with success.
“Sonia has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the complexities of large-scale event operations,” said Carisa Norton, CVP, vice president of event services for Los Angeles Convention Center. “Her appointment will help to ensure operational excellence as we continue to elevate and transform our venue for the future.”
Trejo brings extensive experience in event services and project management, having successfully overseen a wide range of conventions, corporate meetings and special programs during her tenure at the LACC, and previously at GES, T-Mobile and the Anaheim Convention Center. Her work has been instrumental in strengthening client relationships and enhancing the organization’s reputation within the industry.
“Our success is driven by the strength of our team,” said Kimberly Weedmark, general manager of Los Angeles Convention Center for Legends Global. “Sonia exemplifies the leadership values we strive to cultivate within our organization. Her experience, integrity and passion for excellence position her to make a significant impact in this new role. We are confident she will continue to elevate the standards of service our clients expect as the LACC evolves to become one of the top ten largest convention centers in the U.S. by early 2029.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and continue supporting our clients, partners and team at the highest level,” said Trejo. “I look forward to building upon our achievements and contributing to innovative, memorable experiences for our clients and partners throughout this very special industry.”
Weedmark added, “This promotion underscores our dedication to recognizing and advancing outstanding talent as well as the Center’s ongoing investment in leadership development and its commitment to delivering exceptional event solutions for the conventions and meetings community.”
Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in February 2026. 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.
Kim Baker, Kentucky Performing Arts, Louisville, KY
Jessica Barnes, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Lisa Barr, American University, Washington, DC
Sean Begley, Encore, Des Moines, WA
Nicole Blandford, Owensboro Convention Center – OVG, Owensboro, KY
Kerrie Blizard, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB, Canada
Jeff Boehm, Wicket, Cambridge, MA
James Brandhorst, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Alex Breuer, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL
Scott Brost, Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex, New Lenox, IL
Josh Brown, SOAP2O, Fullerton, CA
Shauna Brown, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Daniel Bunker, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Nick Byer, Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ
Hugh Cadden, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Antonio Cavey, Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ
Chermaine Chiu, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
Taylor Clark, Hippodrome Theatre/M&T Bank Exchange, Baltimore, MD
Cayla Cochenour, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Andy Crerar, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Gabriela Crespo, RWDI, Guelph, ON, Canada
Lauren Crisp, Encore, Schiller Park, IL
Erin Cutcliff, Oakland Arena & Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
William Dail, Encore, Charlotte, NC
Victoria Daugherty, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Chris Eckard, Oakland Arena & Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Justin Elie, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Elijah Enna, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Stephanie Estrada, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Caleb Flatt, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Jake Fowler, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Ra-meal Francis, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Anders Fredlund, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Scott Gardner, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO
Abigail Goulstone, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes Barre, PA
Clifford Graham, Newfields, Indianapolis, IN
Socorro Gray, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX
Nicole Griggs, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Kenny Haug, Moda Center, Portland, OR
Nick Havas, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Autumn Holland, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Frederica Joy, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Brian Karr, Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ
Emily Kestyn, Moda Center, Portland, OR
Sheila Kristinnson, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Isaiah La Masters, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Karen Lichterman, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Jack Lopez, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Brett Luce, Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM
Ross Manzo, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Marty Martinez, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, CA
Brien Mathews, Owensboro Convention Center – OVG, Owensboro, KY
Kimber Merati, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, CA
Taylor Miles, Owensboro Convention Center – OVG, Owensboro, KY
Georgia Mitchell Nilson, BYU Marriott Center/LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Dane Moeggenberg, Oakland Arena & Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Grayson Moreno, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Alec Mowery, Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ
A.J. Myers, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
Sheri Nagle, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Nika Najafova, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR
Timothy Nelson, Moda Center, Portland, OR
April O’Bryan, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Chiara Osborne, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Mason Quick, Owensboro Convention Center – OVG, Owensboro, KY
Chelsea Rinehart, Cadence Bank Arena, Tupelo, MS
T.J. Rogers, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Sarah Saulsbury, The Lyric, Casper, WY
Denise Schofield, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Jamil Sewanyana, Mandela National Stadium, Kampala, Uganda
Chris Sherman, Encore, San Antonio, TX
Dewayne Sims, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas – OVG, Dallas, TX
Vicki Stone, Covey Center for the Arts, Provo, UT
Marc Sudolsky, Mortgage Matchup Center, Peoria, AZ
Jackie Tang, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Heather Taylor, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Seth Thomas, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Andrea Thompson, Owensboro Convention Center – OVG, Owensboro, KY
Clint Underhill, Ford Center, Newburgh, IN
Andrea Urbano, RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Molly Wahlgren, OVG Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Garrett Washington, Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ
Payton Wesley, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Kelli Williams, Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Angela Wynveen, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Cory Young, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Prof. Gil Fried Honored at 37th Annual Sport Recreation and Law Association (SRLA) Conference with Two Major Awards
Prof. Fried was honored at the Sport Recreation Law Association’s 37th annual conference with the Herb Appenzeller Sport and Recreation Law Association Honor Award. This award is given for service to SRLA. SRLA is an international organization of scholars and practitioners who focus on teaching and researching sport law-related disciplines. SRLA hosts an annual conference along with the industry’s premier academic journal, the Journal of Legal Aspects of Sports (JLAS). Prof. Fried serves as a reviewer for the journal, a reviewer of abstracts for the conference, and helped edit and coordinate “Safe at First, Vol. 2,” a fundraising effort for SRLSA that contains over 120 chapters, over 1,000 pages, and combines the knowledge of over 40 sport law experts. In 2011, Prof. Fried was honored with the Betty van der Smissen Leadership Award from SRLA.
Prof. Fried was also humbled and honored to be named an SRLA Research Fellow. The SRLA Research Fellow designation is intended to:
- Be one of distinction within SRLA and Fellows’ own academic communities, and
- Encourage high standards of research and other forms of scholarship among SRLA members.
SRLA members wishing to gain Research Fellow status must have a continuous and high quality record of scholarship. Minimum criteria must be met:
- Membership status: All SRLA Research Fellows must be a current member of SRLA and have maintained membership continuously for the previous five-years at the time of application. If there is a lapse of membership, the Research Fellow clock will restart. However, the publication and presentation requirements will not be affected
- Publications: All SRLA Fellows must have at least 15 publications in refereed journals.
- Three of the total publications must be first author.
- Three of the total publications must appear in the Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport within the past ten-years (for 2024 Fellows, publications in years 2014-2023).
- Presentations: All SRLA Fellows must have a minimum of 20 refereed presentations.
- Five of the total presentations must be first author, within the last five years.
- Six of the total presentations must be first author SRLA presentations.
GEODIS Park Selects Allied Universal As Its Preferred Event Services Provider
Allied Universal®, the world’s leading security and facility services provider, has been selected by GEODIS Park as its event services provider offering event staffing and security services. Allied Universal’s expertise supporting large venues enables GEODIS Park to focus on promoting the success of high-profile Major League Soccer matches, as well as other sporting events and concerts.
Allied Universal Event Services division, the nation’s preeminent event security and crowd management services leader, will be provide services related to venue access, monitoring gates, checking visitor bags upon entrance, and field access control.
Home to Nashville Soccer Club, the Nashville-based sports and entertainment complex was recently named one of six U.S. venues that will hold LA28 Olympic Soccer Tournament matches. The venue also features concerts, special events and private functions.
“Allied Universal is pleased to bring our decades of expertise in sports and entertainment staffing and security services to support GEODIS Park and the Nashville community it serves,” said Ty Richmond, president of Allied Universal Events Services. “We are honored that GEODIS Park has entrusted us to support one of the nation’s premier sports and entertainment venues. Our team looks forward to contributing to the success of GEODIS Park and strengthening our connection with the local community.
Venuworks Appoints Marc Solis as Executive Director of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center
Veteran venue leader brings 25+ years of convention, sports and live entertainment experience to Fresno’s premier public assembly complex.
VenuWorks has named Marc Solis, a veteran sports and entertainment facilities executive, as the new Executive Director of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center (FCEC) overseeing the Fresno Convention Center, Saroyan Theatre, Selland Arena and Valdez Hall. Mr. Solis joins the organization as the City of Fresno’s new venue management structure takes effect. VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment were selected as the managing partners for the FCEC complex, effective January 1, 2026, to deliver a unified approach to operations, programming and guest experience across the campus.
Marc Solis brings over 25 years of senior executive experience in the public assembly facilities industry. His extensive background includes opening and managing arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and auditoriums, where he has consistently optimized facility use, improved profitability, and delivered world-class guest experiences. Throughout his career, Solis has demonstrated exceptional skill in building beneficial relationships with promoters, agents, vendors, and community partners.
In his new role, Solis will lead the team responsible for driving the collaborative vision of VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment. This partnership aims to deliver an innovative, community-focused approach to management, maximize operational efficiencies, and establish the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center as a premier destination for arts, sports, and conventions.
“I am honored to join VenuWorks and step into the role of Executive Director at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center.” said Marc Solis. “With over 25 years of experience in managing convention, sports, and entertainment facilities, I look forward to working alongside our dedicated and professional team to take these venues to new heights. Together, we will focus on delivering outstanding value and exceptional service to our clients and patrons, ensuring that these facilities remain vibrant and dynamic destinations for the entire community. We are open for business and ready to welcome you to an unparalleled experience in Fresno!”
The strategic partnership between VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment combines comprehensive venue management with global leadership in programming and ticketing. Under Solis’s leadership, the collaboration is set to deliver a diverse array of cultural, recreational, and educational events for the Fresno community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Marc Solis as the Executive Director of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center,” said Steve Peters, Founder and CEO of VenuWorks. “Marc’s exceptional experience and dedication align perfectly with our vision for these venues. We look forward to leveraging our collective expertise, under Marc’s leadership, to elevate the guest experience, drive economic growth, and ensure these venues serve as a vibrant gathering place for the entire Fresno community.”