Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2025 Mentor Connector program. Whether you’re looking to share your expertise or grow your career, this program provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with leaders and rising stars in the venue management industry.

Why Join the Mentor Connector Program?

• Mentors: We Need Your Help! Share your knowledge, give back to the community, and help shape the future of our industry.
• Mentees: Receive guidance from experienced professionals, gain insights into career development, and expand your network.

Don’t miss this chance to engage in a mutually rewarding experience! The deadline for both mentor and mentee applications is September 30.

Click here for more information.

*Mentor Connector is a member only benefit. Not a member, and want to join? It’s easy! Click here to join IAVM now!

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100.

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100 for the work she has done to bring convention business back to New York City. Leveston joined the Javits Center in March as the organization’s first woman CEO.

Before moving to New York this year, she was director of convention services and event management at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center/Events DC. Her career path also includes the Miami Beach Convention Center, the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and the San Diego Convention Center.

City & State New York’s write-up on Leveston follows:

“The convention center business has faced difficult headwinds since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Joyce Leveston has sought to make Javits Center an appealing attraction for the nation’s most prestigious conferences and trade shows. Leveston came aboard as Javits’ first woman CEO in March after stints with convention centers in Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston, San Diego and Miami Beach. She sent out an employee pulse survey to get feedback and recently led a reorganization with new positions. Javits has since hosted the Fancy Food Show, International Auto Show and IBEW Local 3’s 125th anniversary.”

Besides Leveston, individuals in event and venue management on the Manhattan Power 100 list included: James Dolan, Executive Chair and CEO, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.; Michael Hershman, CEO, Soloviev Group, who has submitted his bid with Mohegan for an $11-billion casino complex just south of the United Nations Headquarters; Jonathan Boulware, President and CEO, South Street Seaport Museum; Seth Pinsky, CEO, 92NY, who led a rebrand and $200-million restoration of the famed Upper East Side cultural center ahead of a series of performances for its 150th anniversary celebration, including the modernization of the Arnhold Center and Buttenwieser Hall; and a trio from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts — Mariko Silver, President and CEO; Shanta Thake, Chief Artistic Officer and Executive Vice President; and Leah Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications, Marketing and Advocacy Officer.

According to their website, “City & State is a media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy,” and “City & State’s Manhattan Power 100 highlights these and dozens of other local movers and shakers in the world of New York politics and government. The list, written and researched in partnership with journalist Aaron Short, features public officials, real estate titans, health care executives, higher education leaders, prominent advocates and activists, and influential figures from every corner of the borough.”

Xfinity Mobile Customers Can Auto-Connect to Lightning-Fast Speeds that Outperform Every Other Wireless Provider

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902952452/en/

Composed of a diverse group of industry leaders, the Council will support cohesive brand integration throughout the downtown arena transformation

Photo courtesy MSE

• MSE is creating a timeless, immersive fan journey that begins the moment guests step through the doors and continues through every touchpoint.  
• Elevate connects brand, emotion and identity throughout the arena, ensuring fans feel seen and inspired by environments that reflect their passions. 
• Gensler uses architecture to design an arena that is welcoming and allows fans to create monumental memories. 
• CAA ICON drives operational excellence of the project, keeping the transformation on track to serve fans on schedule.  
• Sports & The Arts curates an art collection that celebrates moments of the teams and city. 
• cllct is curating a must-see collection of memorabilia, elevating the arena to museum-level excellence.  
• Clark Construction works to the fan-first vision with care and precision, in the safest and most efficient way possible. 
• Aramark is transforming the venues into a culinary destination featuring local and national must-try experiences. 
• Élan Arc pioneers the premium guest experience by integrating comprehensive space diagnostics, custom service strategies, hand-picked hospitality experts, and steadfast quality controls for truly personalized five-star interactions. 

• MSE 
  • Jim Van Stone – President, Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer 
  • Jordan Silberman – President, Venues 
  • Hunter Lochmann – Chief Marketing Officer 
  • Adam Gotts – Vice President, Project & Revenue Management 
  • Erin Mitchell Martin – Vice President, Venue Marketing 
  • Laurence McMillon – Director, Hospitality 
• Elevate 
  • Drew Bryant – Chief Creative Officer 
  • Megan Adgate – Creative Director 
  • Ashley Hughes – Senior Project Manager 
  • Christopher Knowles – Creative Director 
• Gensler 
  • Andrew Jacobs – Lead Design Director 
  • Greg Tanski – Senior Designer 
  • Brandon Mermelstein – Senior Designer 
  • Jonny Peterson – Brand Design Director 
• CAA ICON 
  • Michael Schwan – Senior Vice President 
• Sports & The Arts 
  • Tracie Speca-Ventura – Founder and President 
  • Camille Speca – Creative Director 
• cllct 
  • Darren Rovell – Founder 
  • Steve Ziff – Chief Executive Officer 
• Clark Construction 
  • Jeff King – Vice President 
• Aramark 
  • Vincent Vazquez – District Manager 
  • Anthony Kleinman – Resident District Manager
• Élan Arc 
  • Jackie Keller – Founder and CEO 

After two years of developing IAVM Board-approved online learning, the moment arrived in New Orleans during VC25 to debut the new microcredentialing tool. The first two courses — Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues and Risk Management in Venues — are now available.

“IAVM Online is designed for those without the budget or time off to access other IAVM offerings,” explained Amy Fitzpatrick, IAVM’s Director of Marketing. “We want to meet all of our members where they are.”

IAVM built an online portal that members can access with any level of technology. The new learning management system was created and branded specifically for IAVM, featuring a user-friendly portal for both students and instructors.

Amy Fitzpatrick, Bobby Goldwater, CVE, and Shane Beardsley introduce IAVM Online in the Innovation Theater at VC25. Greg Wolfe, IAVM Director of Education, is at the podium.

The two courses launched to date are offered at a rate members can afford, Fitzpatrick said. Each course is $49 for IAVM members, $99 for nonmembers, and each microcredential certification will be roughly $200.

Bobby Goldwater, CVE, of Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management program, introduced the concept to IAVM’s board in 2023 and has been active in rolling out IAVM Online. “It feels good to create more value for our members,” Goldwater said. “We have 1,500 members here at VenueConnect, but there are more than 8,000 are members of IAVM. These courses provide educational access to members of all levels.”

Microcredential learning content is bite-sized and focused on specific industry competencies. Courses are taught by IAVM members who are experts in their subjects. The courses are also “stackable,” meaning they build on each other. At the end of each course, students complete an assessment and receive a certificate of completion, similar to digital badges used on social media.

“It is 100 percent learning on your terms,” Fitzpatrick said. “The system is very mobile friendly. You can use your iPad or phone.” Students progress at their own pace, with no time penalties.

“And it’s a step toward earning your CVP,” Goldwater added. It’s also a gateway to greater involvement with the association and its offerings, including Venue Management School and the Senior Executive Symposium.

Shane Beardsley, Vice President of Guest Experiences & Community Partnerships at the Jacob K. Javits Center, teaches Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues on IAVM Online. At Javits, they have a full-time sustainability officer and have seen major success with their two-acre rooftop farm, orchard, and greenhouse, Beardsley said. However, they still face challenges with diversion rates. “It’s a learning curve, and in preparing this course, I leaned into that curve,” he said.

Wayne Middleton, CVE, explains the Risk Management course, while Greg Wolfe and Shane Beardsley look on.

“I’ve been teaching this course to my kids,” Beardsley added. “After this course, you can carry on an intelligent conversation about sustainability in public assembly facilities.”

Wayne Middleton, CVE, Principal Consultant at Reliance Risk, who has 35 years of experience in public venues and events, teaches the Risk Management course. He describes it as a baseline for students who, ideally, would then continue on to VMS and AVSS for more in-depth learning.

He focuses his teaching on defining risk management, recognizing its importance, and identifying common terminology. “Understanding the risk management process is the key,” Middleton said. “You will learn to recognize roles and responsibilities and to apply risk management principles in your venue.”

Gil Fried, JD, professor at the University of West Florida and member of the IAVM Academic Committee, added that online education is far more engaging than it used to be. “Having industry experts who are passionate about the topic teach the subject matter takes IAVM Online learning to a new level,” he said. “We are using best practices in developing material.”

Fried noted that education has progressed from correspondence schools to radio to TV to the internet. The goal now is to train current and future IAVM members — and to educate the broader public.

The first two online modules apply to everyone, both inside and outside the industry, Fitzpatrick said. They are the start of what will eventually become 4 modules for each microcredential, each about 45 minutes in length, available through IAVM Online.

For more information regarding IAVM Online or to register for a course, visit www.iavmonline.org.