Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) announced Monday that Monica Holt, a nationally recognized arts leader and former senior vice president of artistic planning at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will serve as its next president and chief executive officer.

Holt will step into the role in January 2026, following the retirement of longtime CEO Jeff Chelesvig, who will conclude his 30-year tenure later this month.

DMPA oversees the Des Moines Civic Center, the Temple Theater, the Stoner Theater and the outdoor Cowles Commons space. Holt joins the nonprofit after 16 years with The Kennedy Center, where she oversaw a budget of more than $110 million and programming for more than 2,000 events each year.

She helped lead major audience and revenue growth initiatives and “championed the essential role performing arts centers play in fostering community wellbeing,” according to a news release.

Before that, she served as the center’s director of marketing, where she led audience engagement efforts for the Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra.

Holt’s appointment comes at a time of transition for The Kennedy Center, which saw major leadership shifts earlier this year under the new board chair, President Donald Trump, following the firing of longtime president Deborah Rutter and the replacement of several board members.

In a farewell statement on LinkedIn a few months later, Holt wrote that she decided to leave the center after 16 years, telling her colleagues that “creativity flourishes best when community thrives alongside it.”

Chelesvig, who retires Nov. 21, leaves behind a legacy that helped transform Des Moines into a destination for top-tier theater. Under his leadership, DMPA launched the Willis Broadway Series and the High School Musical Theater Awards, and restored the Temple Theater.

Longtime Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Heidi Watkins will serve as interim president and CEO until Holt officially assumes the role in the new year.

Source: Iowa Public Radio

New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC), which oversees the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, announced today that Justin Horwitz has joined the organization as the new Senior Director of Sales.

In his new role, Horwitz will be responsible for providing leadership, direction and guidance to the Sales team. Through effective relationship building, account management and strategic partnerships, Horwitz will generate new business and drive revenue growth while significantly contributing to Javits Center’s mission to drive economic impact of the City and State of New York.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the dynamic Sales team that brings the top events in the world to Javits Center,” said Horwitz. “I’ve spent most of my career selling the innovation and energy of New York, and being able to do it on the scale of Javits Center is a dream come true.”

Horwitz brings 14 years of hospitality and events sales experience to Javits Center. Most recently, he worked as the Citywide Sales Executive for Marriott International where he oversaw the citywide sales strategy for seven major hotels in New York City. Prior to his role at Marriott International, he worked at Cvent as a Senior Account Manager and at Marriott International in the New York, San Diego and Philadelphia markets. He graduated from the University of Delaware.

“We’re excited to expand our Sales Team as we begin to reimagine our sales strategy at Javits Center,” said Joyce Leveston, Javits Center’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The talent here at Javits Center has been exceptional and people are the heart of what we do here – I believe Justin will be an excellent addition as we continue to find new ways to enhance the customer experience at Javits Center.”

“With his extensive experience within the hotel and hospitality industry, I’m confident that Justin will bring a fresh perspective to our team as we look for new ways to drive revenue,” said Ronnie Burt, Chief Revenue Officer of Javits Center. “I look forward to seeing what we can all achieve together as we bring Javits Center into the next era of excellence.”

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.