The New York Convention Center Operating Cooperation (NYCCOC) announced today that Joyce Leveston (CMM, CVP) will be appointed as the new chief executive officer of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The announcement follows a vote in support by the NYCCOC Board of Directors of the executive search committee’s unanimous recommendation.

Leveston will join the Javits team on Monday, February 10, 2025. After a short transition period, she will officially assume the role of CEO on Monday, March 10, 2025.

“We conducted a national search and are thrilled to select Joyce Leveston, who embodies the vision and passion that will propel the Jacob Javits Center into a new era of innovation and excellence,” said Hugh Carey, Vice Chair of the NYCCOC Board of Directors and Chair of the search committee. “Her leadership will not only inspire our team but will also enhance the experience for all who walk through our doors. We are excited to welcome her as our new Chief Executive Officer, we are confident that her enthusiasm and strategic insight will transform the Javits Center into a global beacon of creativity, class and collaboration.”

Leveston brings over 30 years of high-caliber industry experience to the chief executive officer role. Most recently, she was the Senior Vice President of Convention Centers at Oak View Group, where she oversaw strategy and operations for more than 60 convention and conference centers in the OVG360 portfolio. She has worked in convention centers across the country, including holding senior positions at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center, Boston Convention & Exhibitions Center, Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C., Miami Beach Convention Center, George R Brown Convention Center in Houston and the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. Additionally, Leveston has worked on high-profile special events such as fan fests for the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Weekend and MLB All-Star Weekend; presidential inaugural balls; the Nuclear Security Summit for President Obama; the International AIDS Convention; the White House State of Women Summit; and Art Basel Miami.

“As soon as we spoke to Joyce during the interview process, we knew she was the person to lead Javits Center into the future,” said Lee Perlman, Chair of the NYCCOC Board of Directors. “Her dynamism and hands-on experience will serve Javits well as she guides our team through the ever-changing events industry landscape. I am excited to work with her for the years to come to grow Javits Center’s reputation as one of the premier convention centers in the country.”

In addition to her extensive experience, Leveston is well-known for providing exceptional customer experience and leading with authenticity. Her passion for the hospitality industry has led to strong relationships across the convention center sector and beyond. She holds memberships with IAEE, ASAE, PCMA, IAVM, SISO, MPI and AIPC.

Leveston’s appointment marks the first time a woman has held the chief executive officer position at Javits Center.

“Leading the convention center division at Oak View Group has been an amazing part of my journey and I am so appreciative of the people who have supported and encouraged me to be my authentic self,” said Leveston. “My mission throughout my career has been to inspire, empower and shine a light on the incredible talent that is rebuilding the industry with resilience and positive spirit. I’m eager to bring my passion for the industry to New York and to lead the talented team at Javits Center with conviction as we position Javits as a premier convention and meetings destination on an international scale. It is with deep compassion and sincere gratitude that I take up the torch to continue elevating the work that Alan Steel and the NYCCOC have started at Javits, from creating sustainable options, driving innovative solutions, and pursuing a brand that welcomes a diverse array of events.”

As chief executive officer, Leveston will be responsible for championing Javits Center’s mission to serve as a catalyst for the economic development of New York. She will be tasked with attracting world-class events while maintaining Javits Center’s position as a leader in sustainability, security and technology.

Leveston will succeed Alan Steel who has served as chief executive officer for the last 12 years. During his tenure, he successfully led the center through significant challenges, including navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the COVID pandemic, while also overseeing the completion of the building’s $375 million renovation and $1.35 billion expansion. He also spearheaded advancements in technology infrastructure, championed sustainability initiatives, and played a pivotal role in establishing the event industry’s Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge.

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have led this institution through such a transformative era and proud of all the work we were able to accomplish,” said Steel. “I feel very confident that Javits Center will continue to thrive in Joyce Leveston’s capable hands.”

Performing Arts Centers were the venue of choice for Stephen Ray (Steve) Martin, and he delighted in bringing that community together through IAVM. He served as chair of the Performing Arts Sector Committee from 1999 to 2004, leaving his mark on that group’s close camaraderie and educational focus.

Born July 3, 1955, Martin died Jan. 20, 2025, at the age of 69, in Salem, Ore., where he started his career of “enjoying retirement” in 2017. He is one who considered IAVM “family,” and benefited from mentors and mentoring his entire professional career.

Steve Martin, left, at the opening of Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1982, with Kirk Metzger, CVE, and Richard Cotton.

He managed the Historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem from 2005-2016. He started his PAC career at Pikes Peak Centre in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he worked from 1982-2005.

He joined IAVM in 1989 and attended just about every conference from 1997 through 2014. Martin was among the founders and organizers of IAVM’s Performing Arts Facility Administrators Seminar (PAFAS), which morphed into the annual Performing Arts Managers Conference (PAMC).

“During Steve’s long career in the performing arts, he was both a technical director and venue manager,” noted longtime friend Larry Henley, CVE, UNLV, highlighting Martin’s diverse skills.

Kirk Metzger, CVE, first met Martin in the fall of 1974 when he enrolled in the new theatre graduate program at UNLV. Martin was an undergraduate, a theatre major.

“We worked numerous plays together, for probably three years, until Steve graduated and went off to teach theatre at Centre College in Danville, Ky.,” Metzger shared in an email. “Prior to his graduation, I had been appointed to open and manage the university’s new 2,000-seat concert hall. All my stagehands were theatre undergrads including Steve and Larry Henley. Somewhere during that period Steve met (his wife-to-be) Tina. We knew that Tina was the one for Steve, because she endured the five-hour drive through the desert to Southern California without air conditioning. Steve thought using AC would adversely affect his gas mileage, so he drove with the windows open.” 

In 1982, when Metzger moved to Colorado Springs to be the executive of the new Pikes Peak Center, a 2,000-seat opera house, he needed an operations director. “I hired Steve as a known, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and dedicated theatre person. Steve brought Larry Henley to our operation as a lighting designer and stagehand.” Henley later returned to UNLV to run the concert hall.

When Metzger left Colorado Springs to open the Woodlands Pavilion (AKA Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion) in suburban Houston, Martin was appointed director at Pikes Peak Center

When Martin retired, “he concentrated on his golf game eventually achieving a handicap of, I think, seven,” Metzger related grudgingly, having played longer but apparently not as well.

Their daughters were the same age, and many an IAVM conference found them together. “I recall an IAVM conference where Steve’s daughter Allison and my Kelsey were seven-year-old trade show rats scarfing up all the food being offered.” (Metzger’s now-grown daughter, Kelsey Covart, is the COO of a VenuWorks-managed facility in suburban Minneapolis and was in the first class of IAVM’s 30-under-30. “When Kelsey joined the business, I told her that venue management was much different than free Dipp’n’ Dots on the trade show floor—she didn’t listen,” Metzger added.)

Martin gave back to IAVM in numerous ways, serving on the board of directors from 2004-2006, and joining the Professional Development Committee, the Technologies Task Force, the VenueConnect Planning Committee, and the Business Development Task Force, besides his ongoing role with Performing Arts.

He is survived by wife Tina and daughter Allison.

Social media and the industry trades filled up Thursday, Jan. 23, with accolades and fond memories of talent agent extraordinaire Scott Pang.

The former ICM agent died of a heart attack on Jan. 23. He was 69.

Doug Logan, of Ogden Corp. and MLS fame, who says Scott was his first Facebook friend, was quick to post this tribute:

“A sweet and gentle talent agent. Sounds like an oxymoron, but with this guy it was not.

Knew him at William Morris. Knew him when he was with the Globetrotters/Ice Capades. Knew him at ICM. A funny man, always cheerful. Absolute straight shooter; an honorable man in an industry that is not always that way.”

Scott Pang, left and promoter Darin Lashinsky at IEBA in Nashville in 2013.

Those sentiments were noted over and over again as hundreds of Pang’s friends and colleagues reacted to the unexpected news. Pang was a regular over the years at most industry events, often serving as a panelist and/or host at IAVM’s VenueConnect. He was practically the unofficial mayor of the International Entertainment Buyers Assn., serving on their board, and if you attended Pollstar Live!, you were sure to see him holding court.

Pang joined International Creative Management Partners in 1994 and remained there for more than 26 years. During the pandemic, he left to work independently with his clients.

He started in the business as a music agent at William Morris Agency in 1980, after graduating from UC San Diego in 1977. He was lured away after 10 years to become head of touring for Ice Capades and the Harlem Globetrotters from 1990-1994.

One of his Fair industry colleagues, Launa Rabago, posted of Facebook how “Scott and I ventured bringing rap and hip hop along with some R&B into the Fair world, breaking stigma, shattering attendance records and seeing new demographics with such acts as Kid Ink, YG, Juicy J, Jeremich, Nelly, Salt N Pepa, Boyz II Men, and many many more.”

Billboard magazine cited his work with Usher, Lauryn Hill, the Beach Boys and more while at William Morris.

Tommy Scallen, formerly of Ice Capades, related one of his favorite Scott Pang stories to Rex W. Post, as that group of former co-workers, and longtime Pang friends, shared the news of his untimely passing. Pang was Aretha Franklin’s agent for years. When she died, he flew to Detroit to attend her funeral. The funeral featured performances by Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Faith Hill, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Speakers included former President Bill Clinton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was a very big deal, but Pang had miscalculated and booked a flight home for 6 p.m. He had to leave before the procession to the graveside and, like all Pang stories, he laughed at and with himself.

He is survived by his wife Greta, and four children – Tommy, twins Andrew and Lily, and Katie. Lily probably said it best about a booking agent who shown with light and love. Her post on Facebook:

“The man who made a friend everywhere he went, loved Chinese food, and cracked the funniest jokes. To the first man I ever loved, it was and will forever be an honor being your daughter till we meet again.”

The Ford Wyoming Center proudly announces the appointment of Jake Crumb as its new General Manager. With a career spanning over a decade in venue management and a passion for creating unforgettable live event experiences, Jake brings a wealth of expertise to this vital leadership role.

Raised in New Hampshire, Jake has held various senior positions, including Regional Director of Operations, General Manager, and Director of Events. His impressive resume includes overseeing event operations at prestigious venues such as the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, and spearheading the successful openings of the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, New Hampshire, and the Nashua Center for the Arts in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Jake holds a Master’s in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina, a Bachelor’s in Theatre, and an Associate’s in Business from the University of New Hampshire. His combination of formal education and hands-on industry experience uniquely positions him to lead the Ford Wyoming Center into an exciting new chapter.

“What motivates me most is bringing people together to share memorable experiences,” said Jake. “I’m thrilled to join the passionate team at the Ford Wyoming Center and look forward to collaborating with the Casper community to deliver exceptional live events.”
Rick Hontz, Senior Vice President of OVG, expressed his excitement about Jake’s appointment:

“Jake’s extensive background in venue management and his proven ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences make him the perfect fit for the Ford Wyoming Center. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our presence in Casper and continue to elevate the venue as a premier destination for live entertainment and community events. We’re excited to see the positive impact he’ll bring to the team and the local community.”

Outside of work, Jake enjoys exploring new places, trying new foods, and spending time with his dog and family on the lake. He also has a passion for woodworking, DIY projects, painting, and the arts.

As General Manager, Jake will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Ford Wyoming Center, ensuring it continues to serve as a premier venue for live entertainment and community events in Casper and beyond.

The Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) is proud to announce the promotion of Tristan Wright to president and chief executive officer. The LEPFA board approved Wright’s contract at its January meeting.

With more than 20 years of experience with LEPFA, Wright has held roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as interim president and CEO, executive vice president, and vice president of operations. Her tenure reflects a deep commitment to both the organization and the Greater Lansing community.

“Tristan’s long history with LEPFA has given her an in-depth understanding of our organization and the needs of the community,” said Maureen McNulty Saxton, chairwoman of the LEPFA board. “Coupled with her industry experience, rapport with the staff and her organizational skills, she is uniquely positioned to guide LEPFA into an exciting new chapter of growth and success.”

A seasoned professional in the non-profit management industry, Wright is certified in venue safety and security by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). She is a graduate of IAVM’s Venue Management School, a professional development program that educates individuals on managing public assembly venues such as stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and performing arts centers. The program provides in-depth training on operations, safety, and leadership.

Wright took on the interim role in 2024 following the departure of Scott Keith, who dedicated 23 years to the organization, including 14 years as LEPFA’s president and CEO.

“Our venues and events play a vital role in uniting people, fostering memorable experiences, and enriching the spirit of our community,” said Wright. “Having worked closely with Scott Keith, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the foundation we established together. I’m excited to expand on that legacy by exploring new opportunities to enhance our impact and further strengthen Lansing as a hub for connection and growth.”

An active member of the Lansing community, Wrights has served on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan since 2009 where she is currently vice chair. She has been on the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors since 2014, and is a past member of Choose Lansing’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Committee.

Wright graduated from Central Michigan University with a master’s degree in general administration and a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation leisure services administration. A native of Amherst/Buffalo, New York, she attended CMU on a field hockey scholarship.