At IAVM, collaboration and shared expertise are the foundation of everything we do. By joining one of our Town Halls or Subcommittees, you’ll have a direct voice in advancing initiatives that strengthen venues and protect our industry.
Share your perspective on key challenges, solutions, and opportunities.
Connect with fellow professionals who are passionate about venue safety, security, and operations.
Contribute to discussions and initiatives that shape best practices and influence policies across the public assembly venue industry.
Stay informed on emerging risks, technologies, and strategies by learning from peers and experts.
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Region Director
Phil Costa, CVP
Deputy Director – Baltimore Convention Center
Assistant Director
Kady Chambers
Director of Venue Rentals and Operations – Strathmore
Past Director
Jana Brooks, CVP
Manager, Events and Tenant Services – Maryland Stadium Authority
Treasurer
Lanese Foley
Manager, Security & Building Operations – The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Social Media Manager
Emma Smith
Administrative Assistant – Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena – OVG
Secretary
Courtney Shanahan
Booking Manager – Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
Allied Rep
Dr. Rich Atkins
Improving Communication
State Rep Chair
Shane Beardsley
Javits Center
DC
Courtland James
EventsDC
MA
Arthur Fritch, CMP, CEM
Director of Event Services – Massachusetts Convention Center Authority
MD
Kady Chambers
Director of Event Rentals and Operations – The Strathmore
RI
Lee Esckilsen, CVE
Johnson and Wales
VT
Lee Esckilsen, CVE
Johnson and Wales
CT
Dani O’Callahan
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
NY
Kevin Stark
t3 Expo
NJ
Kevin Stark
Account Manager, T3 Expo
NH
Dean Easterling
General Manager – Whittemore Center Arena at University of New Hampshire
DE
Vacant
PA
Kathy O’Leary
Wilson Hall Performance Arts
ME
Andy Downs
Director, Public Assembly Facilities Division – City of Portland
Event Planning Committee
Chair: Dr. Rich Atkins
Felicia Brown, VVA LLC
Kenneth Dixon, Javits Center
Director
Jeff Steeg, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, The Center for the Performing Arts
Assistant Director
Gus Pine, CTA
Executive Director, Erie Events
Treasurer
Dennis O’Gara
Senior Vice President of Operations and Products & Services, Smart City Networks
Secretary
Vacant
Contact Region 2 Officers:
Via Email at iavmregion2@gmail.com
Via Region 2 LinkedIn
Scholarship
Maria Talbert, CVE
Membership
Meredith Howie
Allied Members
Eileen Kulish
Director
Eryn Walters, CVP
Manager of Patron Services – Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Assitant Region Director
Donna Miller-Brown, CVP
Production Services Manager – Kauffman Center for Performing Arts
Treasurer
John Marquardt, CVE, CVP
Director – University of Illinois State Farm Center
Secretary
Madisen Pool, CVP
Operations Manager, Starlight Theatre
Immediate Past Director
Tiffany Vickaryous-Hubbard
Assistant General Manager – Scheels Arena
Marketing
Ashley Peacock, CVP
Young Professionals Rep
Hennessy Locsin
Allied Rep
David Crusel
State Rep Coordinator
Tammy, Koolbeck, CVE
Iowa
Bill Pinegar
Minnesota
Virginia “V” Fairchild
Nebraska
Bill Stephen, CVE
Wisconsin
Kristie Haney, CVE
Illinois
Lynn Cannon
Missouri
Katelynn Street
North Dakota
Jayda Bennett
South Dakota
Mike Krewson
Director
Sara Waltemire, CMP, CVE
Chief Operating Officer, Meydenbauer Center
Assistant Director
Alikie Knight, CVE
Director, Event Experience, Vancouver Convention Centre
Secretary/Treasurer
Nikki Simmons
Senior Director of Event Operations, Oregon Convention Center & Portland Expo Center
Past Director
Cody Lund
Executive Director, Boise Centre
Allied
Randy Scott
President, Starplex/CMS
Communications
Darcie Tempel, MBA, CFE
Sponsorship & Marketing Manager, MetraPark/MontanaFair
Membership
Jeff Vaughan
Facilities Director, Benaroya Hall
Nominating
Chris Hayden
Event Services Director, Montana State University
Scholarship
Jouline Trotic, CVP, CMP
Event Manager, Oregon Convention Center & Portland Expo Center
Director
Erik Waldman, CVE
Principal, Facilities Services Director, Populous – Atlanta, GA
Assistant Director
Paul Cramer
President & CEO – The Classic Center – Athens, GA
Past Director
Tim Hemphill, CVP
Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Event Services – Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – New Orleans, LA
Treasurer
Ebony Hattix
Director of Guest Services – Memphis Grizzlies / FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
Secretary
David Ax, CVP
Director, Event Services – Memphis Grizzlies / FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
Past Director
Tim Hemphill, CVP
Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Event Services – Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – New Orleans, LA
Allied Rep
Randall Thrasher
North American Segment Leader Aviation, Public Space, Hospitality – Forbo Flooring Systems
Audit
Michael Meyers, CVE
Virginia Beach Convention Center – Virginia Beach, VA
Membership
Peyton Shelnutt
The Newnan Centre – Newnan, GA
Marketing & Communication
Michaela Ashworth
PNC Arena
Nominating, CVE Certification
Carol Moore, CVE
Retired – Newnan, GA
Scholarship
Michael Meyers, CVE
Virginia Beach Convention Center – Virginia Beach, VA
Young Professionals
Emily Anderson
Kennesaw State University
State Representatives
Cassie Jones, CVP
Charlotte Convention Center
AL
Becca Donovan
Von Braun Center
FL
Juan Lopez, CMP
Tampa Convention Center
GA
Shannon McCullough, CVE
The Classic Center
LA
Erin Obre, CEM
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
MS
Donna Gray
Vicksburg Convention Center
NC
Jason Parker
Holmes Center
SC
Cheryl Swanson, CVE
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
TN
Evelyn Ingram
Granicus Destinations
VA
Michael Meyers, CVE
Virginia Beach Convention Center
Director
Andrew Sims
Assistant General Manager, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dalla
Assistant Director
Keller Taylor, CVE
Vice President, BOK Center & Arvest Convention Center
Secretary
Kelly Graham
Safety, Security and Parking Manager, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Marketing Manager
Lucy Albers
Director of Marketing and PR, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Scholarship/Education Chair
Tanner Cody
Sales and Booking Representative, Curtis Culwell Center
Treasurer
Andrea Wright, CVP
Assistant Director, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX
Allied Representative
Kimberly Corbett Oates, ASTC
Partner at Schuler Shook, Dallas, TX
Colorado State Representative
Emma Schenkenberger, Director of Service Technologies, Momentus Technologies
Arkansas State Representative
Jennifer Wolcott, Director of Operations, Hot Springs Convention Center & Bank OZK Arena.
Kansas State Representative
Claire Wiens, Event Manger, INTRUST Bank Arena
Mexico Country Representative
Ruben Hernandez Ortiz, CVE, Consultor, MiRRub Soluciones
New Mexico State Representative
Nicki Kelsch, Director of Events, Rio Rancho Events Center
Oklahoma State Representative
Hayley Nath, Manager of Events & Operations, OKC Fairgrounds
Texas State (North) Representative:
Stacey Flores, General Manager, Moody Performance Hall
Texas State (South) Representative
Harrison Williams, Executive Director, Washington County Expo
Director
Ashley Keen, CVP
Associate Theatre Projects
Assistant Director
Cynthia Tuckers, CVP
Director, Trojan Event Services
Treasurer
Duncan Olsen, CVE
Secretary
Giana Wilkins
Director of Convention Services
Pasadena Convention Center
Allied Representative
Thushan Rajapaksa
VP Business Development, Western US
Allied Universal Event Services
Scholarship Chair
Larry Henley, CVE
Director Alumni Affairs, Parent Relations & Community Initiatives
College of Fine Arts
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Renee Jung
Assistant Director, Exhibitor Services
San Diego Convention Center
Coming soon.
Do you have more staff you’d like to be involved with IAVM? With IAVM’s Professional Group Membership, members have a front-row seat for industry trends — plus backstage access to venue management’s superstars. Get connected to the industry’s professional core, plugged into its powerful network, enlightened by visionaries and inspired by once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Your firm can attend numerous events year round to make connections with influential decision- makers from venues around the world to increase your sales revenue potential while building relationships as a member exhibitor, member partner or member sponsor of IAVM.
Allied members want more engagement opportunities for their corporate and sales employees to connect with venue professionals. IAVM’s new Allied Group Membership program delivers two options to have more of your employees involved in IAVM with more perks to enhance the value your company receives as a member.
Venue and sports management is a fascinating subject to teach. And a demanding one, since the trends and technologies change as fast as a venue marquee. As an IAVM faculty member, you can stay on top of it all. You’re connected with industry thought-leaders, armed with the latest research and benchmarking data, and kept up-to-date on new perspectives. Online resources mean you don’t even have to leave the campus, but it’s worth the trip for live events that make you fall in love with the industry all over again.
Take Your Career Aspirations in Venue Management to New Heights With IAVM!
As the premier organization dedicated to the advancement of professionals in the venue management industry, IAVM offers invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development tailored to students like you!
Got a great product or service for the venue industry? We’ve got the great connections, information and opportunities you need to make it pay off. Big time. As an IAVM allied member, you’re connected to qualified prospects in your region, nationwide and around the world. You’re on top of the latest industry news and trends. You’re first in line for prime exhibit space at the most influential trade shows with the best profit potential. In short, you’re on the inside track.
Your first few years in venue management can set the pace for your whole career. Good reason to start full throttle. That’s the idea behind IAVM’s affordable membership level for professionals aged 30 and under. It immediately identifies you as an industry up-and-comer. From day one, you’re connected to a worldwide professional network. You gain access to the industry’s best minds, to insider information and to educational opportunities that serve as jet fuel for rising stars.
This ever-changing, anything-can-happen industry is no place to go it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to. As a member, you can learn from the experiences of several thousand venue management professionals around the world and from the wisdom of industry experts. Gain a competitive edge through educational and career development opportunities. You have the access, the connections, the inspiration to transform the future — your own and that of the profession.
