Veteran Venue Executive Brings Extensive Convention Center, Performing Arts, Event Operations And Community Tourism Experience To Ottumwa.
VenuWorks has named Tim Seeberg, CVE, as the new Executive Director of the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa. Seeberg will begin his new role on July 13, bringing extensive leadership experience in convention center management, performing arts operations, event services, food and beverage, budgeting, capital planning and community engagement.
Seeberg joins Bridge View Center with a strong track record of leading city-owned public assembly facilities and strengthening venue performance through improved operations, sales strategy, financial management and guest service. His experience includes directing all aspects of convention centers and performing arts facilities, including sales and marketing, event planning, operations, food and beverage services, budgets, financial reporting, capital improvement planning, hiring and stakeholder relations.
“Tim brings the kind of practical, hands-on venue leadership that is so valuable to a community facility like Bridge View Center,” said Steve Peters, VenuWorks CEO. “His experience managing convention centers and performing arts venues, growing revenues, improving operations and building strong relationships with civic and tourism partners makes him an excellent fit for Ottumwa. We are excited to welcome him to the VenuWorks team.”
Seeberg previously served as General Manager/Director of the Fort Smith Convention Center and Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he oversaw a 150,000-square-foot convention center and 1,330-seat performing arts center. During his tenure, the venue achieved seven consecutive annual revenue records from 2013 through 2019, while also implementing operational improvements, restructuring sales and event management teams, developing a 15-year capital expense plan, reducing operating subsidies and establishing in-house beverage and vending services.
Prior to Fort Smith, Seeberg served as General Manager of the Grand Junction Convention Center and Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction, Colorado. In that role, he oversaw a 35,000-square-foot convention center and 1,100-seat performing arts center, directing sales and marketing, event management, operations, food and beverage, financial reporting, capital projects and public relations. His accomplishments included achieving record convention center and theatre revenues, completing $4 million in facility improvements, reducing annual operating costs by 20 percent, and doubling the number of conventions originating from the Denver and Salt Lake City areas.
Seeberg’s background also includes responsibility for food concessions, ticketing and guest service functions at city parks and sports facilities, including the annual National Junior College World Series Tournament, which drew approximately 100,000 fans over six days. He also served on civic and tourism leadership groups, including as President of the Western Arkansas’ Mountain Frontier tourism region from 2017 to 2020.
“I am excited to join the VenuWorks family in my Executive Director role with Ottumwa’s Bridge View Center.” Tim Seeberg said on his appointment. “I look forward to working closely with our team and community leadership continuing to push for further growth and make exciting things happen at Ottumwa’s BVC. It’s an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead these efforts.”
Seeberg holds the Certified Venue Executive designation from the International Association of Venue Managers and is a graduate of IAVM’s Venue Management School. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Hospitality Services Administration from Central Michigan University.
