The Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) is proud to announce the promotion of Tristan Wright to president and chief executive officer. The LEPFA board approved Wright’s contract at its January meeting.

With more than 20 years of experience with LEPFA, Wright has held roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as interim president and CEO, executive vice president, and vice president of operations. Her tenure reflects a deep commitment to both the organization and the Greater Lansing community.

“Tristan’s long history with LEPFA has given her an in-depth understanding of our organization and the needs of the community,” said Maureen McNulty Saxton, chairwoman of the LEPFA board. “Coupled with her industry experience, rapport with the staff and her organizational skills, she is uniquely positioned to guide LEPFA into an exciting new chapter of growth and success.”

A seasoned professional in the non-profit management industry, Wright is certified in venue safety and security by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). She is a graduate of IAVM’s Venue Management School, a professional development program that educates individuals on managing public assembly venues such as stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and performing arts centers. The program provides in-depth training on operations, safety, and leadership.

Wright took on the interim role in 2024 following the departure of Scott Keith, who dedicated 23 years to the organization, including 14 years as LEPFA’s president and CEO.

“Our venues and events play a vital role in uniting people, fostering memorable experiences, and enriching the spirit of our community,” said Wright. “Having worked closely with Scott Keith, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the foundation we established together. I’m excited to expand on that legacy by exploring new opportunities to enhance our impact and further strengthen Lansing as a hub for connection and growth.”

An active member of the Lansing community, Wrights has served on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan since 2009 where she is currently vice chair. She has been on the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors since 2014, and is a past member of Choose Lansing’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Committee.

Wright graduated from Central Michigan University with a master’s degree in general administration and a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation leisure services administration. A native of Amherst/Buffalo, New York, she attended CMU on a field hockey scholarship.

The Events Industry Council is pleased to announce that the Baltimore Convention Center, one of the East Coast’s premier event venues, has achieved SILVER level certification to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. This certification reflects the center’s ongoing commitment to implementing sustainability initiatives that focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental design.

“The SILVER certification underscores our commitment to leadership in sustainable event practices,” said Mac Campbell, Executive Director for the Baltimore Convention Center. From reducing waste to enhancing energy efficiency, this milestone reflects our dedication to creating exceptional guest experiences while safeguarding the environment. We’re proud to be recognized for our efforts and look forward to continuing to set the standard for sustainable venues in the region.”

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards have been created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration, and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals, at all stages of their sustainability journey, have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices. The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards. The venue standard is one of several comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable events.

“This accomplishment by the Baltimore Convention Center showcases how venues can lead with purpose and innovation,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “Their certification is a testament to their forward-thinking approach to sustainability and their ability to align operational excellence with meaningful environmental and social impact. It serves as an inspiring model for venues worldwide.”

The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of the center’s compliance with the venue standard.

“The Baltimore Convention Center’s certification to the EIC’s rigorous standards demonstrates their continued commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership,” said Richard Murphy, CEO of the Alliance for Audited Media. “We applaud their efforts and achievement.”

Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) today announced the appointment of Stacey Church as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective February 10, 2025. Church joins the Authority’s dynamic leadership team from Dallas Fair Park in Dallas, Texas where she served as general manager. Church is the third – and first female – COO in the 50-year history of GWCCA.

“Stacey’s extensive experience and proven track record in operational leadership make her the ideal choice for this pivotal role,” said Kevin Duvall, chief executive officer of GWCCA. “Her vision, dedication, and passion for the industry, cultivated over a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in venue management, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the GWCCA campus and deliver compelling experiences to our guests and partners.”

Church shared her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am honored to join GWCCA and contribute to its legacy of excellence. I look forward to working with our board, partners, and all of the talented team members to further the Authority’s mission of driving continued economic vitality for the state while serving as one of the nation’s top destinations for conventions and sporting and entertainment events.”

Prior to her tenure at Dallas Fair Park, Stacey served almost five years as assistant general manager at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, where she was instrumental in driving operational excellence and enhancing visitor experiences. Her career also includes leadership roles at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, and the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY, where she oversaw the reopening of the newly renovated convention center.

Stacey earned her certified venue executive (CVE) designation in 2022, highlighting her steadfast commitment to professional excellence. She currently serves as the second vice chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and will assume the chair position in 2026, becoming the third representative from GWCCA to hold this prestigious industry role. Through her dedication to volunteerism, mentorship, and advancing the industry, Stacey continues to make a significant and enduring impact.

Newly released time-lapse video shows arena’s versatility and logistical efficiency during conversion from hosting ice hockey to inaugural events in quick succession (Courtesy of Capital One Arena)

Capital One Arena – the premier sports and entertainment venue in the national capital region – played host to two momentous events this past weekend in celebration of the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the arena hosted then President-elect Trump’s “Make America Great Again” Victory Rally, followed by a viewing event for his swearing-in at the Capitol Rotunda and a modified parade yesterday.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), the parent company of Capital One Arena and four other venues throughout the D.C. area, made the arena available to President Trump and his team for inauguration-related events weeks ago – a practice the company exercises with every incoming administration, going back decades. However, planning for Monday’s event began early Friday, just more than 60 hours before the festivities, when severe weather forced many inaugural events indoors.

“Our arena sits between the White House and Capitol Hill and is embedded in the fabric of Washington, D.C.,” said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO at MSE. “It was our honor to serve a role in our nation’s inaugural ceremonies to celebrate and honor the peaceful transition of power between administrations. We are grateful for the efforts of hundreds of Monumental staff, as well as to D.C. and federal law enforcement, the US Secret Service and everyone who ensured the event was safe and enjoyed by thousands.”

Capital One Arena serves as the home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the NCAA’s Georgetown men’s basketball, in addition to hosting a wide range of chart-topping concerts, family shows, and globally significant events annually. Averaging 220 events per year, the arena has hosted over 50 million people and nearly 5,000 events since it opened in 1997, making Capital One Arena the economic heart of Downtown D.C.

The arena’s hosting capabilities were on full display this past weekend, beginning with a Georgetown men’s basketball game on Friday night, followed by a sold-out Capitals game against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Due to the quick turnaround needed, the arena’s 35-person changeover crew jumped into high gear as soon as the final buzzer sounded on the Capitals’ 4-1 victory and converted the arena within less than three hours for the beginning of the inaugural events. The victory rally welcomed thousands of supporters and fans beginning at 1:30 PM on Sunday and the arena conversion process reignited at 6:30 PM Sunday night to begin preparations for Monday. To cap the busy weekend, the changeover crew was called back into action after the parade in preparation for Monster Jam’s three-day residency next weekend.

All told, throughout Sunday and Monday’s events, Capital One Arena had:

• 1,000 MSE, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, and Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) staff collaborating to create a memorable experience for all guests
• 2,000 manhours provided by local International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to prep the arena throughout the weekend
• Four third-party vendors assisted the Capital One Arena event production staff for set up
• 20,000 square feet of red carpet adorning the arena floor
• Aramark, Capital One Arena’s exclusive food and beverage partner, served 5,000 chicken tenders, 4,000 hamburgers, 1,000 half smokes, 70,000 bottles of water, and 5,000 soft drinks.

On Tuesday, MSE released a time-lapse video showcasing the changeover from Saturday night’s Capitals-Penguins game to the rally on Sunday and viewing party and parade on Monday, concluding with load-in ahead of this week’s Monster Jam show. CLICK HERE to view the video.

This past weekend’s events took place as MSE formally begins construction on the new Capital One Arena, having received unanimous approval on the development and finance agreements from the D.C. Council last month for the three-year, $800+ million arena transformation. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to planning a high-tech, high-touch building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years, set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation, and allow the building to host even more high-profile events in the nation’s capital.

Anyone interested is encouraged to visit monumentalsports.com and follow @CapitalOneArena on social media for the latest information on Capital One Arena.

Photo courtesy of LeeAnn Shewbart

IAVM offers a scholarship every year for one of our members to attend the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Leadership Institute in Australia.

VMA, which boasts over 1,000 members in over 16 countries, supports venue industry professionals in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. IAVM has enjoyed a long partnership with VMA, and we are proud of our commitment to support venue managers around the globe.

Kim Bedier, CVE, Venue Management Consultant and VMA Venue Management School and Leadership Institute faculty member, describes the program as follows:

“The Leadership Institute is an immersive experience for senior venue professionals. Those looking to enhance their leadership skills for today’s venue world come together in a classroom setting to learn through shared real world experience, energetic discussions and self-reflection.

The opportunity for a US VMS student to be awarded a scholarship to the VMA Leadership Institute is the chance of a Venue Lifetime. The scholarship recipient receives an all expenses paid, truly transformational week where they will learn more about themselves and step up their leadership game. Their participation with peers from Australia, New Zealand, and others from around the Pacific Rim fosters cultural awareness, a global perspective, and the understanding that venue managers all over the world share more similarities than differences. Former scholarship participants at both the VMA-LI and the VMS-LI point to special lasting connections with venue professionals from diverse backgrounds and a greater appreciation for the worldwide venue management profession.”

The VMA-LI scholarship process is extensive. In order to qualify, those interested must have attended IAVM’s Venue Management School (VMS) and must complete the following milestones:

• Achieve the top scores on the VMS Year 1 exam
• Write an essay
• Participate in an in-person interview during their second year at VMS

The award committee will also take into consideration the applicant’s VMS Year 2 exam score, as well as their classroom participation.

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The 2024 VMA-LI Scholarship recipient was LeeAnn Shewbart, Director of Events at Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center.

“LeeAnn jumped in with both feet and was a delightful addition to the 2024 cohort of VMA-LI,” said Bedier. “She was able to bring a North American perspective to class discussion and assimilated well. She may have been calling everyone her ‘mate’ by the end of the week. 🙂”

We reached out to LeeAnn to discuss her experience at VMA-LI.

How did you become interested in the venue management industry?
I was working in hotels and not very happy, when a former boss and friend suggested I apply for an event manager position at the convention center. I fell in love with the energy of managing events, over time that developed into a passion for venues and everything it takes to keep them running at peak performance. 

When did you join IAVM?
I joined IAVM about 10 years ago. I was using it as a resource before then, but it took some time to talk my boss into getting me a membership. I currently work for an organization that believes in IAVM and how important a resource it is. Now all my employees get membership and I encourage them to take advantage of everything IAVM offers. 

What motivates you to continue learning?
I am a lifelong learner. The world is a fascinating, complicated, and ever-changing place. There is always something new to learn. 

At the beginning of my career, I was motivated to learn by a need to do the best for my events and provide them with top level service. Now, I find myself motivated by my young team. I want to provide the best support and knowledge possible to help them grow in their careers. 

How did VMS and VMA compare?
VMA’s Venue Management School is a lot smaller than IAVM’s. This made it a lot easier to get to know people not just from your class, but all the classes and years. The downside to the size is some limited diversity of venues. I was the only person from a convention center in LI. The other difference was more scheduled and structured events in the evening in Australia. This included assigned seating at some functions, making you mix and mingle with new people. 

What are the biggest takeaways from VMA-LI in Australia?
I learned a lot at VMA-LI in Australia, but we started and ended the week discussing DiSC style and how to use that knowledge to build strong teams, enhance working relationships, and read people better. This complemented everything else I learned. So much of good leadership is about people skills and being able to get the best from your teams. 

What would you say to IAVM members interested in attending VMS or VMS-LI?
To any IAVM members thinking about attending VMS or VMS-LI, I say DO IT! You will learn a lot about our industry, but more importantly you will meet other people passionate about it. People you will be able to call on when you have an issue or just need a little support. The Leadership Institute will teach and fine-tune those skills you need as a senior leader in any organization.

Do you have any advice for young professionals in the venue industry?
To the young professionals in the venue industry, I would say the same thing I tell my team. Be sure you are finding a work life balance/integration. We often work long, weird, and irregular hours. You need to balance that with a personal life, or you’ll burn out. I would also encourage them to take advantage of everything IAVM offers.

Stay on top of IAVM scholarship opportunities by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), as well as keeping up with the weekly IAVM Newsletter and here on the Front Row News Blog.