Oak View Group (OVG), a global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality, and integrated venue services, today announced the appointment of Karen Totaro, CVE, as the new General Manager of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Totaro, a seasoned executive with a 30-year track record of operational excellence and creative collaboration, will officially assume her role on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The appointment marks a new era for the facility, following Oak View Group’s signing of a new venue management agreement with the City of Palm Springs on September 28, 2025. Totaro succeeds longtime General Manager Rob Hampton, who is set to retire on April 30. Hampton’s retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished era characterized by his unwavering commitment to the Coachella Valley, leaving behind a robust operational foundation and a culture of excellence.

“Karen is a longtime leader in the venue management industry, and we are thrilled to have her take the reins of the Palm Springs Convention Center into its next chapter,” said Greg O’Dell, President of OVG Facilities. “Her ability to cultivate impactful relationships, achieve record breaking sales goals and exhibit a relentless focus on the customer experience make her the ideal leader to build upon the legacy Rob Hampton has established.”

“We are excited to welcome Karen to the City of Palm Springs,” said Scott Stiles, Palm Springs City Manager. “The Convention Center is a vital economic engine for our community. Karen’s deep expertise in revenue and economic impact generation, sustainability initiatives, the customer experience and growing a diverse work force all while exhibiting a commitment to collaborative environments aligns perfectly with our city’s values and our vision for the future of tourism and events.”

Most recently, Totaro served as General Manager of Huntington Place in Detroit, leading the team to record-breaking revenue months and LEED Gold recertification. Her previous leadership roles include serving as COO of the San Diego Convention Center and GM of the Atlantic City Convention Center. A former Chairman of the Board for the 8000 member International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), Totaro is a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) and has been recognized as one of the “Power Women” in the industry by Facilities & Destinations Magazine.

“I am honored to join the OVG team in such a unique world-class destination as Palm Springs,” said Karen Totaro. “My focus will be on executing with excellence as we lead the team through a $135M modernization and expansion project. I look forward to working with this incredible team of professionals to ensure we utilize everyone’s talents toward achieving great things for the PSCC, hotels and business community.

Dave Anderson, SVP of OVG Convention Centers, added: “Karen’s appointment reinforces OVG’s commitment to placing top-tier talent in our venues. Her strategic mindset and ability to bring her authentic self and experience to any situation will be a tremendous asset to Palm Springs.”

Totaro’s career is defined by a “ground-up” expertise. She began her journey while working through college at the University of Illinois, getting her start at the Assembly Hall Arena. Her trajectory took her through leadership roles at the University of Dayton Arena and the Oregon Convention Center, where she earned her Certified Venue Executive (CVE) credentials. Karen has served in a multitude of roles with IAVM as well as graduating from the Academy of Venue Safety and Security, the Senior Executive Symposium and the FBI Citizens Academy.

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.”

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. Fried was honored at the Sport Recreation Law Association’s 37^th 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:

1. Be one of distinction within SRLA and Fellows’ own academic communities, and
2. 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:

1. 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
2. Publications: All SRLA Fellows must have at least 15 publications in refereed journals.
3. Three of the total publications must be first author.
4. 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).
5. Presentations: All SRLA Fellows must have a minimum of 20 refereed presentations.
6. Five of the total presentations must be first author, within the last five years.
7. Six of the total presentations must be first author SRLA presentations.

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.