Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in October 2025. 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.

Dean Agnoletto, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Lou Albruzzese, The Joyce Theater, New York, NY
Diana Anguiano, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Kian Awarzamani, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Olivia Bailey, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Zac Ballard, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Laquita Barnes, Orpheum Theatre Group, Memphis, TN
Jordan Battle, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA
Michael Bogosian, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Janice Box, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID
Kaylani Brown, Associated Students of SDSU – Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
Jessica Buchanan, Branson Convention Center – Legends Global, Branson, MO
Gregory Carney, Scandinavian Building Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Michael Casey, Scandinavian Building Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Cindy Channell, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR
Billie Chase, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Dan Chase, Hammer Theatre Center, San Jose, CA
Chris Chatman, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Callie Clark, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Kip Cole, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL
Crue Contreras, Associated Students of SDSU – Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
Tyler Derry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Jennifer Devine, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Lee Foster, RiverCenter Inc., Columbus, GA
Delesse Francis, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Auditorium, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Brandon Godsey, TQL Stadium/FC Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Emily Haynes, Frost Bank Center/Spurs Sports & Entertainment, San Antonio, TX
Katherine Henry, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Gayle Hoffman, Sunbolt, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Jaci Hoing, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Mikayla Holcomb, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Joey Jackson, Arista, Lawrenceburg, KY
John Jaszcar, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Samantha Johnson, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Tarah Kelly, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
William Kemmler, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Mikayla Kind, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Ann Knerr-Smith, Dayton Live, Dayton, OH
Ping Kuo, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Jude Lamour, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA
McKenzie Lansing, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Ruth Leber, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Aaron Lyles, CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities, Gillette, WY
Camey Maldonado, ConventionSuite by NewGen Business Solutions, Scottsdale, AZ
Joseph Maloney, Scandinavian Building Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Jennifer Martin, Scandinavian Building Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Jessie Martin, American Tower Corporation, Woburn, MA
Ashley Mauer, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Luke McAlpine, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Katherine McCain, Austin Theatre Alliance, Austin, TX
Dawson McDonald, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Austin McDowell, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Pete Meberg, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Jerrod Montelongo, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Brian Moran, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Marc Morel, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Muhammad Imran Mukhtar, GSS Group, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Matt Mullins, McArthur, Burnley, VIC, Australia
Nikki Negrete, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Joshua Newsone, LJVM Coliseum | Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC
Kayla Oates, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sian Hwa Ong, The Star Performing Arts Centre, Singapore
Kylee Orick, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Anita Palella, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills, QLD, Australia
George Patlan, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Heather Peeples, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Greg Pennekamp, Xtract One Detection Ltd., Toronto, ON, Canada
Zhamanta Angelique Kyle Pescadero, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, Philippines
V Anand Pillai, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Tatiana Plowman, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Benjamin Powell, MCI Solutions, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
Chloe Priatko, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Tamara Pynnonen, Humanforce, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bridget Randall, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Maryann Renzi, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, WA
Robin Rives, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Joshua Robertson, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Jonathan Rojas, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Jessica Rosewinter, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Katie Schwettman, TQL Stadium/FC Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Raven Scott, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Scott Shiller, Peace Center, Greenville, SC
Jamar Simmons, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Jeremy Sims, Football West, Maylands, WAu, Australia
Alexandra Strong, Turner Construction Company, Richardson, TX
William Sugg, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
David Sutherland, TITAN Global Enterprises Inc, Atlanta, GA
Jordan Taylor, Perth Town Hall, Perth, WAu, Australia
Andrew Templeton, Spark Event Group, South Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Michael Thomas-Visgar, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Nick Tiktikakis, Compass Group Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Susan Trafton, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Dayne Vance, Dayton Live, Dayton, OH
Arjun Vora, Teambridge, San Francisco, CA
Eleslie Walker, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Travis Walker, K&K Insurance Group, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN
Stuart Walsh, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Jacqui Ward, Cricket Australia, Jolimont, VIC, Australia
Kareen Warnick, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Jolene Warren, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Kyle Waymon, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Brendan West, Football West, Maylands, WAu, Australia
Justine White, Tataki Auckland Unlimited, Auckland,
Grant Williams, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Kalin Williams, TITAN Global Enterprises Inc, Atlanta, GA
Steven Woolhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Katie Zarachowicz, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Joe Zarrick, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Augusta Zuerker, Ensemble Arts Philly, Philadelphia, PA

With two decades of experience in venue operations management and the equestrian industry, Allison McNamara, CEM, CVP, CMP, has been named General Manager at Will Rogers Memorial Center after serving as interim GM for 16 months.

“Over the past year, Allison has provided inspiring leadership to our team of 70 employees and shepherded more than $118 million in capital improvements to the Will Rogers complex,” said Mike Crum, director of the City of Fort Worth Public Events Department. “Her thoughtful approach to operations as well as client relations has been key to success as we have worked through and around major construction projects.”

McNamara was Operations Manager for the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC) since 2021 and has almost 20 years’ experience in the City’s Public Events Department. She began her tenure as an Event Coordinator at Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC) for seven years and advanced through department ranks with another seven years as Account Tech at the FWCC. She was then tapped as Acting Operations Manager of FWCC through the COVID-19 pandemic and was promoted to that position. Her experience in City operations, finance and team management, plus her education and enthusiasm for the equestrian industry, positions her to lead WRMC into its 90^th anniversary in 2026.

Her previous equestrian venue experience includes a six-year stretch at the Mississippi Horse Park as a student and graduate from Mississippi State University, where McNamara earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in Equines and a minor in Agribusiness. She holds numerous industry certifications, including Certified Venue Professional from the International Association of Venue Managers and Certified Exhibition Management from International Association of Exhibitions and Events. Last year, she received her Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“Will Rogers Memorial Center holds a special place in my heart,” said McNamara. “I grew up attending events as a spectator and often reflect on the years I spent as an employee there. I am grateful for the opportunity to return, and I look forward to working with the incredible team at the facility and continuing strong partnerships with our clients. Also, many important capital projects are in the works and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”

Comedian’s sold-out “Stay Golden Tour” stop marks milestone moment for OCVIBE’s flagship arena

Photo courtesy Honda Center

Honda Center, the anchor of Anaheim’s transformative mixed-use entertainment district, OCVIBE, is proud to announce that comedian Matt Rife officially broke the arena’s record for the most tickets sold for a comedy show during his Stay Golden Tour performance on Saturday, October 18.

Performing to a sold-out crowd, Rife delivered an unforgettable night of laughter alongside fellow comedians Adam Ray and Clayton Thomas. The milestone underscores Honda Center’s growing reputation as one of Southern California’s premier destinations for top-tier live entertainment.

“Honda Center has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy over the past three decades, but Matt Rife’s record-breaking performance represents a new benchmark for live entertainment in Orange County,” said Eric Bresler, Senior Vice President of Entertainment, OC Sports & Entertainment. “His ability to connect with audiences at this scale speaks not only to his meteoric rise, but also to the kind of dynamic, can’t-miss experiences we’re proud to bring to OCVIBE and the region.”

Produced by Live Nation, the Stay Golden Tour follows Rife’s hugely successful ProbleMATTic World Tour and spans 32 arenas and amphitheaters across North America. Concluding in December 2025, Stay Golden includes several of Rife’s largest audiences to date, including his first-ever headline show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Since opening in 1993, Honda Center has welcomed millions of guests and hosted thousands of unforgettable events, from world tours to history-making comedy shows like Matt Rife’s. As OCVIBE continues to take shape, the arena remains a staple to Southern California’s live entertainment scene, setting the stage for the next generation of iconic performances.

The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced that the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has earned Gold Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. This recognition underscores the MBCC’s leadership in advancing sustainable practices across the meetings and events industry. The MBCC is the first OVG-managed property within the current portfolio to achieve Gold Level Certification as part of a partnership between OVG and EIC to certify its 60 venues in a phased approach.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards provide a globally recognized framework for collaboration, guidance, and measurement to help venues and event professionals implement and track sustainability goals. Developed with input from hundreds of experts worldwide, the standards ensure that facilities like the MBCC have clear, measurable pathways to reduce environmental impact while supporting community and industry needs.

“We are truly honored to receive Gold Certification from the Events Industry Council—just one year after achieving Silver,” said Freddie Peterson, OVG’s General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach. “This rapid progress is a true reflection of our team’s sense of pride, dedication and strong collaboration with the City of Miami Beach, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), and our clients and venue partners. Together, we’ve proven what’s possible when sustainability is embedded and championed across every part of our operation. We remain committed to raising the bar even higher for the future of our industry.”

The MBCC’s certification as Gold reflects years of investment in green building, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing. The center worked closely with venue partners to meet the rigorous benchmarks set by EIC. This milestone affirms the MBCC’s role as a premier destination for sustainable meetings and exhibitions, and a model for how large venues can meaningfully contribute to a greener future. Key pillars of the MBCC’s sustainability efforts include energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, food waste reduction, food donation and composting, onsite herb & vegetable garden, community involvement and volunteering.

“This achievement highlights the Miami Beach Convention Center’s exemplary commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “By implementing these standards, the Miami Beach Convention Center is paving the way for the global hospitality industry, demonstrating how venues can create meaningful impact through sustainable operations while delivering exceptional experiences for their guests and event planners.”

The EIC standard specifies 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. The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of the MBCC’s compliance with the Integrated Property standard. The MBCC engaged sustainability consultant Astrapto to guide onsite sustainability process improvements.

Following a $640-million-dollar reimagination in 2020, the award-winning Miami Beach Convention Center has been recognized as a top tier convention center, and with 1.4 million square feet of event space, it is the second largest in Florida. The venue’s strong commitment to sustainable business practices, social impact, and green building features sets a new standard for meetings and conventions. The MBCC also holds a 4 Green Keys rating through the Green Key Meetings program, an industry respected sustainability verification for hotels, meeting rooms and convention facilities, and the US Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex today unveiled the architectural renderings of the new Raleigh Convention Center expansion. This transformative 298,100 sq. ft. facility adds significant event capacity in downtown Raleigh, bringing the center’s total square footage to 798,100. The building’s modern design and world-class amenities further solidify the Raleigh Convention Center’s position as a leading venue globally.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the future convention center designs today! This expansion will allow us to host events and conferences we were unable to previously accommodate, allow our loyal customers to expand and grow, while opening doors to new conventions and events for years to come,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “Conventions bring the world to Raleigh’s doorstep, and we’re delighted to have a part in that knowledge exchange and downtown growth.”

This expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, designed by architect joint venture RATIO | TVS, includes a large new 50,000 sq. ft. divisible flex space and 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom to accommodate diverse event needs, in addition to 13 new meeting rooms and welcoming pre-function spaces. The design highlights Raleigh through expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the city on all sides, offering visitors an immersive experience of downtown Raleigh’s energy and character. 

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

“We’re eager to welcome our community and visitors alike to this expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. This thoughtfully designed space integrates community input while better serving the conventions and gatherings that bring vibrancy to the city. This is truly a first-class venue for our first-class city,” said Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh City Manager

This marks a significant milestone in Raleigh’s strategic downtown growth, with the Raleigh Convention Center expansion, the new 600-room Omni Hotel, the new iteration of the Red Hat Amphitheater and improvements to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts all poised to bring significant increases in economic impact to Downtown Raleigh.

“This state-of-the-art convention center expansion is a transformative investment in the future of downtown Raleigh,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “It will bring thousands of new visitors, driving more restaurant reservations, hotel stays, and traffic to local businesses. This facility strengthens Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, events, and tourism.”