Celebrating Our 100+ Women of IAVM VenueConnect Scholarship Winners and Launching Our Annual Fundraiser!
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 100+ Women of IAVM VenueConnect 2024 Scholarships!
Not only have we selected the recipients for the 100+ Women of IAVM Scholarship, but we’re also excited to kick off our annual fundraiser to support the remarkable initiatives of 100+ Women of IAVM.
Please join us in congratulating the following scholarship winners:
Sara Litster – HR Manager, ExtraMile Arena – Boise State University
“I have worked really hard my whole life to make a difference for women. So honored to receive this scholarship!”
Sarah Rhoades – Senior Event Manager, OVG Tulsa
“100+ Women of IAVM provides space and opportunity in the industry that was lacking, and I am thrilled to receive the VenueConnect 2024 scholarship.”
Donlisa Scott – Office Manager, Tacoma Venues & Events
“I am delighted to be a recipient of the 100+ Women of IAVM scholarship and for the opportunity to be highlighted as a woman in this industry. It signifies not just individual achievement but collective empowerment and support for women in venue management.”
Tiana Smith – Staffing and Student Engagement Coordinator, Kennesaw State University
“Thank you to all who donated to make this opportunity possible. I am excited to attend VenueConnect as a recipient of this scholarship. I love being a woman!”
Jouline Trotic, CMP – Senior Event Manager, Oregon Convention Center
“I am beyond excited to have been chosen for this scholarship and look forward to help in being a voice for women in our industry. As a mom in this industry, I understand how difficult it can be. Working odd days and hours and sometimes missing family moments. It is important that we support each other.”
As an organization dedicated to empowering women in venue management, we rely on the generosity and support of individuals like you to fuel our initiatives throughout the year. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.
Join us in our mission by making a donation to support 100+ Women of IAVM. Your generosity will directly impact the lives and careers of women in our industry, helping to create a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant community for all.
Together, we can continue to impact change, as well as empower and elevate women in venue management!
Welcome to Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in March 2024. 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.
Murray Abeles, The Public Theater/NY Shakespeare Festival, New York, NY
Max Adler, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Robb Allen, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Minneapolis, MN
Alexander Allotta, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
Luis Avalos, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Nancy Bach, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Julie Balingit, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Michelle Barsky, Marin Center, San Rafael, CA
Isabella Bennett, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Matt Bicknese, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Deaynn Brausen, University of Minnesota – Athletics, Minneapolis, MN
Dave Brzenchek, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Melanie Capunay, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Frank Cardillo, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Brayden Carpenter, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Brittany Castaneda, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Ryan Collier, StageRight Corporation, Clare, MI
Waunta Collier, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Keith Conrad, 3G Productions, Las Vegas, NV
Jeremiah Cooper, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Jerrod Cring, 3G Productions, Las Vegas, NV
Wes Crisanti, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Ben Cross, ESa, Nashville, TN
Jay Curiel, 3G Productions, Las Vegas, NV
Tegan Dalley, Venues Otautahi, Christchurch,
Laura Danielsson, City Recital Hall, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Harry Daviess, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA
Kayla DeForest, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO
Leah Delasse, Seattle Convention Center (SCC), Seattle, WA
Brian Deveaux, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Jason Di Leo, Meridian Centre, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
David Duncan, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO
Seth Edmonds, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
Robert Edwards, Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, Mableton, GA
Lucy Eisenmenger, Elasco Products, Huntington Beach, CA
Cruz Enriquez, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX
Joseph Famme, Brigham Young University, Draper, UT
Ethan Farrow, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Anthony Ferreira, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Amelia Filimoehala, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Claire Fisher, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Tyler Fly, Finley Stadium, First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
Jermicha Fomby, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
James Frey, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Shana Frierson, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO
Carol Gagnon, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA
Jerome Gerber, BEST Crowd Management, Coon Rapids, MN
Annette Gomez, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Elizabet Gomez, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Kristy Gonzalez, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Andres Granja, Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, UT
Kate Gray, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Ryan Gueningsman, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Kamila Guerra, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Crystal Guerrero, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Steve Guzman, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Allison Haubold, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX
Drew Heck, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Albert Hernandez, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Kirk Hover, 3G Productions, Las Vegas, NV
Ashley Jacobsen, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Ryan Jensen, The Fairgrounds Nashville, Nashville, TN
Danielle Jones, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Rachel Jones, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Ben Karnish, University of Minnesota – Athletics, Minneapolis, MN
Kristin Kauth, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Caroline Kelly, University of Minnesota – Athletics, Minneapolis, MN
Reanna Kettle, Dow Event Center, Saginaw, MI
Hossam Khalil, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Kindra Knutson, Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN
Nerissa Kok, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Taylor Kurtik, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Matt LaFaunge, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Mylene Lamoureux, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Josh Latzko, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Jenny Lee, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Estefania Lemus, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Mike Locust, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Jacob Lutz, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Natan Mallory, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Michelle Martinez-LaVetter, PETCO Park | San Diego Padres, San Diego, CA
Allan McDaniel, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Hunter McHaffey, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company, Dallas, TX
Stephanie McKenna, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Adriana Mendoza, Pro Em, Phoenix, AZ
Cathy Michaud, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA
Madeline Mims, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Lee Mink, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Marcus Mizelle, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
Fernando Moinelo, Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, San Juan, PR
Hussain Naqi, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Lefvia Negron Rodriguez, Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, San Juan, PR
Mitch Newhouse, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Sarina Nieves, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Sam Nolden, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Mark O’Connor, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Sean O’Leary, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Gary Olivier, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX
Andrew Palumbo, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Ken Paul, Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Columbus, OH
Derek Prox, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Justin Puls, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
DeMeSHee Pye, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
M B Ashik Rahman, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Maria Rainsdon, Grand Junction Events – OVG360, Grand Junction, CO
Jon Rawley, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Mike Reichert, Axis Northwest LLC, Renton, WA
Wes Russell, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Joy Schorr, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Dennyse Sewell, Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Reno, NV
Sondra Smith, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Nicolas Somoano, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Andrew Stakes, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Mary Steidinger, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Corey Stoner, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Todd Stoudenmire, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Justin Strickland, Appalachian State University, Whitakers, NC
Elmer Strollis, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Alex Terranova, Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
Kathryn Thomas, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
David Torres, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Jalen Upshaw, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Todd Vigil, Hussey Seating Company, North Berwick, ME
Jenny Weber, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Mike Wilson, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Acworth, GA
Matthew Wolford, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Gabriel Wright, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC
Latoya Wright, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Denise Zoglmann, Parker Arts, Parker, CO
JustOne Membership Campaign Officially Begins Now!
IAVM’s Membership Committee created this recruitment campaign years ago to encourage volunteer leaders to refer one new member to join the association. Alexis Berggren, Chair, Membership Committee had this to say, “What a milestone for IAVM’s 100th anniversary if JustOne recruits 100 new members!” It is proven that our members make the difference in encouraging colleagues, employees, suppliers, interns, stakeholders, and more to join the organization that solely benefits the venue industry.
Who makes up the IAVM Leadership? Boards, Committees, and Task Forces.
Why is this endeavor important? As you spread the word about the importance of joining, our membership grows and becomes more diverse, which encourages new ideas and smart business practices. Your referral might become the next trailblazer in the industry.
GOAL: Our objective is that all 400+ volunteer leaders will add just one new member to our network. We are hoping for 100% participation.
RECOGNITION: The board, committee, task force, and individual that refers the most members will be recognized at VenueConnect in Portland.
SAVINGS: Instruct your referral to use the following promotion code, JUSTONE. Applicants that apply as Professional or Allied members can save the $150.00 one-time initiation fee.*
For you to receive credit for your referral, ask your applicant to list you as a reference.
With JustOne, you can encourage someone to realize their potential, get involved in IAVM, and have access to important resources that will aid in their professional success. Refer your JUSTONE new member today. Contact membership@iavm.org if you have any questions.
The campaign kicks off now and runs through June 30, 2024.
*Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; the dues will not be discounted.
ASM Global Names Mike Wendling as Assistant General Manager for Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center
ASM Global, the premier venue management and services company, announced the addition of Mike Wendling to their team in Oklahoma City as Assistant General Manager for Paycom Center, home to NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mike Wendling, Assistant General Manager for Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center
“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Wendling as the newest addition to the ASM Global leadership team in OKC,” said Paycom Center General Manager, Chris Semrau. “Mike’s experience and strategic mindset will support our talented team to further propel our mission forward.”
Wendling was previously the Sr. Director, Guest Services and Building Operations for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) in Toronto where he oversaw the operations for three sports and entertainment venues – Scotiabank Arena (home of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs), BMO Field (home of Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts), and Coca-Cola Coliseum (home of the Toronto Marlies). He has helped deliver world class events such as the NBA All-Star Game, NHL All-Star Game, World Cup of Hockey, NBA Finals, and World Cup Qualifiers as well as numerous massive shows such as Harry Styles, Adele, Drake, and many more. He served on strategic committees for the $350 Million Scotiabank Arena renovations and FIFA World Cup planning.
Prior to his time in Toronto, Wendling served as the Director of Ticket Sales and Director of Ticketing Analytics for Oklahoma State Athletics at Oklahoma State University. Wendling has earned multiple awards for MLSE including ‘Coach’ of the Year in 2019 and the 2022 NBA Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Award.
Wendling is excited to make the move back to Oklahoma with his wife, two sons, and daughter (due in April). In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his kids and playing sports of all kinds.
Adding Wendling to the team in Oklahoma City will push Paycom Center’s continued success with record-breaking events and award-winning experiences. The arena is preparing for another record-breaking year with top performances from artists like Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Bryan and more.
VenuWorks Becomes Employee-Owned Company – Announces Board of Directors
VenuWorks, a national leader in venue management and operations, launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2023, with the intention to create a secure succession plan, provide employees the benefit of ownership, and develop a strategic plan for the company’s continued investment, growth, and long-term sustainability.
“This is a significant time in our company’s history. The VenuWorks team is dedicated to and takes great pride in creating memories for the patrons of the venues we manage. Our success is a direct result of the passion, drive, and innovation of our employees,” said Steve Peters, VenuWorks Founder & President. “The establishment of the ESOP reinforces our ongoing commitment to our future, the communities we serve, and our dedicated employees.”
As an integral part of the ESOP, VenuWorks also hosted its inaugural Board of Directors meeting at the corporate office in Ames earlier this month.
“It is my honor and privilege to welcome such a dedicated and talented Board of Directors to the VenuWorks family. With each director bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our newly established board, I am confident VenuWorks will benefit from their diverse perspectives,” said Peters.
The VenuWorks Board of Directors include:
Larry B. Perkins, CVE, CPP, CMP
Larry, recently retired, is a 46-year veteran with executive leadership in public assembly, sports, and entertainment management. He most recently served as the Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes/PNC Arena, Raleigh.
Larry is a former president of the International Association of Venue Managers, and recipient of IAVM’s McElravy Award for lifetime achievement. He was one of the founders of IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security that was established after the 9/11 attack.
He is the author of two books: a memoir entitled Buck Seventy-Two, A Destiny of Will; and Life Choices, The Path I Chose. Larry’s technical works include Crowd Safety and Survival – Practical Event and Public Gathering Safety Tips, (2004) and Crowd Management -in the eye of the storm (1997). Larry has appeared on ESPN and NBC TV discussing crowd safety.
Kimberly Mahoney, Ph.D., CVP
Dr. Mahoney has over 30 years of experience in various segments of the sports and entertainment industry. Currently, as Principal with Venulogix, Kim manages a wide range of projects for clients. Kim has worked in public assembly venues as a contractor, client, and part of the venue management team. She has been involved in the opening of three new venues including a convention center, an NFL stadium, and a 20,000-seat arena.
Kim is also the lead author of IAVM’s textbook, Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues (2015 & 2020 editions) and sole author of The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management (2016).
Joel D. Duncan, SPHR, CPES
Joel is a senior executive with 35 years of leadership, sales, and operational experience in human resources outsourcing.
Joel is the Strategic Advisor & Founder of Connectify HR, an Iowa based PEO serving small to midsized Midwest based businesses with human resources planning, technology, compliance, payroll, benefits, and retirement administration. As Strategic Advisor, he is responsibility for collaborating with the partners of the organization in establishing strategic direction.
Joseph Peters
Joseph Peters is a New York licensed CPA with over 25 years of experience in the finance and operations of investment management companies in New York City and Southeast Asia.
Joe has served as a CFO and CCO managing all aspects of finance, tax, legal, compliance and operations for multiple investment management companies, including Avenue Capital Group. During his tenure with Avenue Capital Group, Joe transitioned Avenue Asia’s finance and operations from New York to Singapore, providing him the opportunity to work abroad throughout Southeast Asia.
Joe was a co-owner of VenuWorks before selling his shares in 2023.