Richard Andersen’s professional career includes 28 years in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Richard served as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of PETCO Park, and as President and CEO of Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami, Florida, current home to the Miami Dolphins and then home of the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He has overseen Super Bowls, World Series, Olympic Games activities and a host of large sports and entertainment events – and wrestled an actual bear.

Richard’s true passion however is around maximising human potential. As CIO (Chief Illuminations Officer) of Venue Solutions Group Advantage Training, Richard is a sought-after facilitator and speaker. He draws upon his 35 plus years as a senior executive in professional sports, venues and hospitality management to design and deliver leading edge training and professional development programs that deliver those “aha moments”.
In 2022 Richard and VSG Advantage Training were named HR Magazine’s “Top Emerging International Training and Development” company as a result of their cutting-edge professional development work.
Richard also served as President and CEO of Seafair, a premier festival management organization, and President and CEO of Northlands, one of the world’s largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes. While at Northlands he starred on an episode of the popular television show, “Undercover Boss.”

Richard has volunteered in a variety of industry related leadership roles including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He continues to instruct at the IAVM Venue Management School and Graduate Institute and was also Chair of its Board of Regents. Additionally, he regularly teaches internationally including as part of the faculty of the Venue Management Association Asia Pacific School and Leadership Institute.
Richard holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and an ICD.C (corporate director certification) from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. His many professional service honours and distinctions include Major League Baseball’s Lee McPhail Award for excellence in business operations, Virginia Citizen of the Year, and the IAVM Venue Management School Ray Ward Award for his contributions to industry education.Olympic Games (2000 – 2024), 2015 Cricket World Cup (Australia/NZ), the 2015 Baku European Games (Azerbaijan), Lake Placid 2023 World University Winter Games and FIFA World Cup 2026 Boston. More locally, Peter has conducted event security and resilience reviews for festivals and events across the USA and Canada, ranging from grass roots through to some of the most iconic festivals and events.

Kim Bedier is a seasoned venue executive, recognized for leadership excellence. She is passionate about great guest experience both front and back of house, and creating and fostering positive work cultures that focus on belonging, equity and continuous learning.
Kim’s career has taken her from Northern Canada to Southern California with stops in primary and secondary markets, new construction and historic icons, NHL/NBA arenas, convention centres, and complexes. She has successfully collaborated with boards, private management and ownership, and a variety of government and not for profit entities.
Kim most recently was Senior Vice President and General Manager for Honda Center/OCVIBE in Anaheim, California, home of the National Hockey League Anaheim Ducks. She was responsible for Honda Center and the development of OCVIBE venues including a 5700 seat concert hall, located in a 95 acre mixed use district being built around Honda Center.
As Director of Venues and Events for the City of Tacoma, Washington, Kim led the iconic 21000 seat Tacoma Dome, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Cheney Stadium (AAA Baseball), and historic theatres.
Kim’s first job after graduating from university took her to the village of Igloolik in the Eastern Canadian Arctic, where she managed the construction of a recreation complex under the midnight sun.
Kim holds the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association in 2015. During her tenure as an IAVM senior leader, she created the Legacy Program, facilitated initiatives for women in leadership and strongly advocated (and continues to advocate) for diverse and inclusive representation. She has encouraged and mentored many IAVM members and is a sought-after educator and speaker. Kim currently serves on the Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Committee and the Industry Affairs Committee and has never lost sight of her mantra “leave it better than you found it.”
Kim is former Chair of the Board of Regents of the IAVM Venue Management School and currently Dean of the IAVM Leadership Institute. She is also on the faculty of the Asia-Pacific (Australia) Venue Management School and Leadership Institute.
Kim was named one of five inaugural “Women of Influence” in venue management by trade publication Venues Today and received the Ray Ward Award for recognition of her contributions to education at IAVM’s Venue Management School. In 2018 she was named Venue Executive of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) (and was nominated again in 2023). In 2022 industry publication Pollstar/Venues Now included her as a “Women in Live” honoree.

Michael, CEO and Founder of Venue Hospitality Solutions is a powerhouse industry veteran with unique skills in hospitality, focused on curating exceptional guest experiences. Michael started Venue Hospitality Solutions (VHS) to provide an alternative option to the many sports and entertainment venues that want to improve their hospitality programs. His approach to providing insightful, strategic and actionable feedback to his clients is one of the many reasons why he is respected globally in the sports and entertainment industry.

Michael’s 30 plus years of industry experience includes management in global professional sports, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, British Premiere League, LaLiga & Serie A as well numerous NCAA division I teams. Michael has held numerous positions including Vice President of operations with Centerplate and the Boston Culinary Group, beverage and merchandise operations for the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins and the University of Miami at Sunlife Stadium. During his career he has been instrumental in the successful operation of four Super Bowls, three Orange Bowls, a BCS football championships, NCAA Final Four two Stanley Cup championship series and countless blockbuster concerts.

In 2010, Michael was one of the founding leadership executives at Legends Hospitality when the NY Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys created a company intending to revolutionize the sports hospitality industry. From GM of Operations at AT&T Stadium, to COO of the hospitality division, to SVP of Innovation and Fan Experience, Michael played an integral role in pushing Legends to become a leader in the culinary, catering and merchandising industries.

His passion for hospitality is evident in his professional and personal life. He currently resides in Miami, FL with his wife and enjoys international travel, golf, fly fishing and aging his own beef.

Antony Bonavita is the Executive Vice President of Venue Operations at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations, guest experience, ticket operations, and project management. Antony is also responsible for all event booking with a focus of maintaining Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse’s status as one of the busiest venues in the world.

Antony’s scope additionally includes venue operations under the Cavaliers organizational umbrella, which includes the Cavaliers team training center, Cleveland Clinic Courts, The Legion Lair (Cavs e-Sports Team), as well as the organization’s facility operations at the Wolstein Center, home of the team’s G-League affiliate - The Charge. Antony also played a leading role in the two-year renovation and construction process as part of the massive transformation of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Antony joined the Cavaliers as Vice President Facility Operations in June 2010 after serving for two years as Assistant General Manager for the San Antonio Spurs and AT&T Center. Prior to that, he spent 13 years in collegiate athletics at Stony Brook University, New York, where he started off as a marketing intern and worked his way up to the Assistant Director of Athletics for Facility and Event Operations. Antony earned both his degrees at Stony Brook: a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and his master’s degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration on Leadership and Management.

A Certified Venue Executive (CVE), Antony has more than 28 years of facility and event management experience and is credited for his progressive thinking and focus on the overall guest experience.
Antony is an active member of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), where he also teaches at the Venue Management School. He is a member of the International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) and additionally serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA, Cleveland Chapter. Antony is also a Founding Governing Board Member for the newly formed Pro Sports Assembly. He is also involved with numerous fundraisers in support of Autism Awareness. A native New Yorker, Antony and his wife Jaclyn and their two sons, Dominic and Luca, reside in Avon, Ohio and are very happy to call Northeast Ohio home.

Doug Booher, CVE serves as Executive Director of University Events and IU Auditorium at Indiana University. Known for its presentation of a wide variety of events from university ceremonies and conference events to the latest popular concerts and Broadway attractions, IU Auditorium is a 3,200-seat proscenium theatre has been a model of campus and community programming and engagement since it was opened in 1941.

In 2010, Booher established IU Event Services which provides all event staff and management for major university events including IU Athletics events, as well as talent buying responsibilities for all university-owned venues. In his role for University Events, he offers administrative, fiscal, and creative leadership for all executive, advancement and ceremonial events on IU’s campuses. Together, IU Auditorium, Event Services, and University Events serve over one million guests each year.

Booher has earned the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation and is a proud graduate of Indiana University. He has served as Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers, as well as holding membership in the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, the Collegiate Events and Facility Managers Association, and the Event Safety Alliance. Throughout his career he has consulted and presented extensively in the areas of guest experience, safety and security, event management, and artist contract negotiation and serves as an adjunct lecturer in IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Stacey is the General Manager of Fair Park Dallas where she oversees the overall management, promotion, and operation of the facility, including purchasing, policy administration, booking, marketing, finance, food and beverage, box office, advertising, security, production, maintenance, and related operations. Also responsible for the development, coordination and management of all aspects and strategies for Fair Park's entertainment events.

Prior to Fair Park, she was the Assistant General Manager at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, managed by OVG360. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is one of the largest convention centers in the nation. Every year it welcomes over a million visitors attending major national and international conventions, meetings, concerts, athletic competitions, auto shows, and more. Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, the KBHCCD has been and continues to be a fixture in the Dallas skyline offering 1 million square feet of exhibit space, three ballrooms, 88 meeting rooms, 1,750-seat theater, and a 9,816-seat arena. The award-winning facility is connected to a 1,001-room hotel via skybridge and is adjacent to two Vertiport landing pads.

Stacey began her venue management career as Director of Finance in South Bend, IN at the Century Center and then in Springfield, MA at the MassMutual Center in both Assistant General Manager and General Manager capacities. She has also held leadership roles at the Fort Worth Convention Center and Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX; and the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY where she reopened the newly renovated convention center.

Stacey, a graduate of the University of Kentucky (GO CATS!), earned her Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation in 2022. She currently serves on the IAVM Board of Directors and as the Convention Center Sector Director. Stacey has a passion for the giving back through volunteerism; having served on multiple IAVM committees including Membership, Convention Center, Industry Affairs, Strategic Leadership, Leadership Development and Nominating, Board of Governors, Diversity & Inclusive Leadership, and the Executive, she continues to support as needed. Prior to her career in venue management, Stacey held finance leadership roles in both the profit and nonprofit sectors. She currently lives in East Dallas with her husband Nate and their two children, Jackson and Reese. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family.

Adam Cook CVE serves as the Director of Tacoma Venues & Events (TVE) where he is responsible for leading the operations and management of the City’s public assembly facilities. TVE manages renowned venues, including the Tacoma Dome (5,000-23,000 capacity); the Greater Tacoma Convention Center (119,000 sq.ft.); Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers; and the historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters, and Theatre on the Square.

Adam has led sports and entertainment venues across North America for more than 20 years. His experience includes serving as Deputy Director for TVE, Vice President of Business Operations for Seafair (Seattle, WA), Vice President and General Manager at the Rose Quarter (Portland, OR), Venue Director and General Manager at Edmonton Expo Centre and Rexall Place (Edmonton, AB, Canada), and Acting General Manager for Global Spectrum at Comcast Arena (Everett, WA).

Adam currently serves on the Venue Management School (VMS) Board of Regents and has served on IAVM’s Governance, Arenas, and Membership committees, as a member of its Board of Directors, and as a part of Region 4’s leadership. He was named a recipient of the Venues Today Generation Next Award in 2014, and has engaged in speaking opportunities and published articles throughout the industry.

Darius U. Dunn, CVE serves as Assistant General Manager, Arena Operations of Capital One Arena in Washington, DC - home to the NHL Capitals and NBA Wizards. With twenty-five plus years of industry experience, Darius has an abundance of executive level facility operational knowledge. His event experience stretches from the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games to the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

His career began at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, working venue operational support to a host of major events including primary tenants NFL Eagles and MLB Phillies, World Cup Soccer and major stadium concerts. Since then, he has opened two new 10,000 seat arena construction projects and has managed event logistics of over ten intercollegiate sport programs and special events on five university campuses that have included stadium, arena, and theatre responsibilities.

Darius has a passion for emergency preparedness training, providing both clients and patrons a great in venue experience; as well as being a vocal proponent of valuing and investing in employee development. Achieving IAVM’s Certified Venue Executive designation in 2013, he continues to volunteer on association committees and give back to an industry he loves.

Yajaira Flores has over twenty years of experience in public assembly facility management, strategic event planning, and event marketing and can be regarded as a driving force behind some of South Texas’ most significant events and cultural initiatives.

Through the years, Yajaira has fostered partnerships with promoters, civic leaders, and the community to see events develop from initial planning stages to realization.

She is currently the Director of Convention Facilities for the City of McAllen, Texas, which includes the McAllen Convention Center and the McAllen Performing Arts Center. She has spearheaded two venue grand openings, which include the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas; and the McAllen Performing Arts Center in McAllen, Texas.
Beginning in 2014, Yajaira has served as an Adjunct Professor for the College of Business Administration – Marketing Department. She uses her expansive network to empower and educate marketing students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas.

In addition to her B.B.A, Yajaira obtained a master's degree from the University of Texas–Pan American in Business Administration, she is a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) and a 2018 graduate of IAVM Venue Management School; however, her real passion lies in working with the community to develop and promote the arts and radically re-conceive the guest experience.

Eric is the President/CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA).

The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex and three City of Tampa municipal golf courses- Rocky Point, Babe Zaharias and Rogers Park. The TSA also serves as the landlord for Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steinbrenner Field, spring home for the New York Yankees.

Eric previously served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Prior to Lansing, Eric served as the Director of Event Services for the Minneapolis Convention Center and as Associate Director for the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He began his career at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa where he served as the Guest Services Manager and was later promoted to Event Coordinator.

He is currently and instructor at the Graduate Institute and in his 16th year of instruction for the Venue Management School. Eric earned his Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from IAVM in 2013 and currently serves as the Past Chair of IAVM’s Board of Directors.

Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Business Education and Administration from Illinois State University and serves as member of the Westshore Alliance, the Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission board.

He is happily married and the proud parent of two daughters. Eric loves to hunt, golf, fish, wood-work and spend time with his family.

Dean Hassall is one of Australia's most experienced venue and event managers. Strategic acumen complements Dean’s pragmatic experience gained through a career that has included roles at the highest levels of major stadia, leisure and entertainment facilities operation and development as well as managerial roles critical to the successful delivery of high-profile international sporting events.

Notable credentials earned during his time in the venues profession include:
• Certified Venue Executive (CVE) the elite credential of the IAVM gained in 2018;
• Participating as a student in the IAVM’s Graduate Institute in 2014;
• Accredited Venue Manager (AVM) awarded by Venue Management Association (Asia & Pacific)
• 2011 Allied Venue Professional of the Year awarded by the VMA (Asia & Pacific)

In his current role as Director of Dean Hassall Consulting Pty Ltd, Dean provides advisory services in event and venue management, venue development, strategic facility planning, procurement and business analysis. He delivers implementable managerial and operational solutions throughout Australasia to a client list that encompasses government authorities, joint ventures, public facility owners/managers/operators, venue hirers and operational service providers.

Previous senior management positions held by Dean in the fields of sport, facilities and events include:
• Chief Executive Officer, North Queensland Fury Football Club
• Assistant General Manager, Suncorp Stadium (operated by ASM Global)
• Manager - Business Development, Sport and Recreation Queensland (State Government)
• Manager - Venues & Operations, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
• Venue Manager, ANZ Stadium
• Venue Manager, The Sleeman Sports Complex (Aquatic Centre, Velodrome and Theatre)

Dean is a long-term active member in the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific), the peak industry body in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. Dean is a past Council Member of the VMA, long term Committee member and current Chair for the region’s leading educational program for the venue industry – Venue Management School. Dean is a graduate of this school and in 1998 was awarded the Ogden IFC Scholarship for outstanding graduating student. Since 2002, Dean has instructed at the VMA Venue Management School, and was selected as an IAVM VMS instructor in 2019.

Todd Hunt, CVE is currently Senior Vice President for Venue Coalition, a live entertainment consulting company focused on booking artists, attractions, and touring productions in arena and theatre venues. Prior to assuming this role in May 2020, Hunt was Executive Director of the Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center in Tupelo, MS for thirteen years. In that position he converted a struggling venue in a tertiary market into a source of pride for the community, landing artists such as Sir Elton John, Jason Aldean, James Taylor, Chris Stapleton, Tim & Faith, Cirque du Soleil, Eric Church, and many more. He oversaw various capital improvement projects focused on keeping the property current and was also instrumental in extending the facility’s naming rights deal through 2035.

Hunt is very active in IAVM, currently serving as a member of the Arenas committee as well as on the Board of Regents for VMS. He chaired the VMS Board of Regents from 2018-2019 in addition to serving as a board member from 2015-2021. He has also served on the IAVM Board of Directors three separate times in addition to chairing the Arenas Committee. In 2022, Hunt received the Ray Ward Award at VMS, an honor recognizing his dedicated service and extraordinary contributions to the overall success and quality of the school.
From 1999-2007, Hunt was the Director of Humphrey Coliseum and Athletic Concessions for Mississippi State University. He held his first general manager position from 1997-99 at the Tupelo Coliseum, where he negotiated the first venue naming rights deal in the state of Mississippi and brought professional sports (ice hockey and indoor soccer) to the area for the first time. He also held positions at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and Auburn University, and he served as assistant venue manager of the Ocoee Whitewater Center during the 1996 Olympic Games.

A native of Starkville, Mississippi, Hunt holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Venue management runs in the family, as Hunt’s father was a longtime member of what was then the International Association of Assembly Managers and his daughter Abby is currently Manager of Events at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS.

Robert (Bob) Hunter is a principal of BCI+network and joined BCI+network in 2018. Hunter has spent his entire career marketing and managing some of Canada’s premier sports and entertainment facilities. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Hunter attended the University of Waterloo where he obtained his Honours Bachelor of Science degree and then attended graduate school at the University of Washington, Seattle specializing in Sports Medicine.

Hunter started his career at the waterfront entertainment complex, “Ontario Place” in Toronto. In 1982, he left to open the 60,000 seat BC Place Stadium in Vancouver where, he was responsible for all event services, production and facilities management.

In 1985, he moved to the Expo ’86 Vancouver World’s Fair management team with a mandate to construct and develop British Columbia’s pavilions. Following construction of this $145 million entertainment complex, Hunter then managed the property throughout the six-month Fair.

Hunter returned to Toronto in early 1987 to work on the $600M SkyDome Stadium project as Vice President of Operations and Fan Services. After five years with SkyDome (now renamed Rogers Centre), Hunter was promoted to President and CEO.

In 1994, Hunter joined PROFAC Management Group as President and CEO. This firm was responsible for providing real estate investment and facility management services for large corporations across Canada.

In January 1998, Hunter returned to the sports and entertainment industry as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Canada’s newest arena, Air Canada Centre, home of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA Toronto Raptors. Now 25 years later, the arena is still annually ranked in the top three busiest entertainment venues in North America. In addition to Air Canada Centre (now Scotia Bank Arena), Hunter also oversaw management and bookings for Ricoh Coliseum (home to the AHL Toronto Marlies) and BMO Field Soccer Stadium (home to MLS’s Toronto FC).

In 2014, Hunter’s focus at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment changed with his new position of Chief Project Development Officer. In this role, Hunter managed major business and project opportunities as well as all annual capital projects for all Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment venues. He oversaw over $200M in projects for the company including a $135M renovation to BMO Field, home of MLS’s Toronto FC and the $40M Raptors Practice Facility.

Since leaving Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Hunter has consulted for a multitude of clients including Maryland Sports Authority, Canada Summer Games, Greater Columbus Convention Center, City of Portland and BC Place Stadium.

Hunter currently serves on the Boards of Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Athletica Sports Products, and the Deans Advisory Council at the University of Waterloo. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the University of Waterloo, Trillium Health Centre Foundation, Tourism Toronto and the Board of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). Also with IAVM, he has served as Chair of the Arenas Committee, Vice Chair on the Certified Facility Executive Board and Chair of the IAVM Foundation. He also lectures annually at the IAVM Venue Management School.

In 2007, he was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Waterloo. In the same year, he was recognized as one of the Top 50 Alumni on the occasion of the University of Waterloo’s 50th Anniversary.

Tammy Koolbeck, CVE organized her first event in 6th grade – a “carnival” for MDA at the shelter house of the baseball park across the street from her house. The fundraiser earned $95 – not bad for a holiday weekend afternoon in a town of 600 people where the games were a quarter each. The baked goods saved the day! Twenty plus years later, she started her first job in the venue management industry as Director of Marketing for the U.S. Cellular Center (then Five Seasons Center) and Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after working as a hotel sales manager, community relations for a minor league basketball team and in sales for the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Many moons later, Tammy is still in Iowa and in August 2015, she began serving as Executive Director of Stephens Auditorium on the campus of Iowa State University becoming only the fifth director in the venue’s 50 year history. She had career building stops as the General Manager of the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena (hockey smell anyone?) and in the VenuWorks corporate office as National Director of Marketing, Vice President of Venue Operations and Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer before coming off the road and getting back to her first love of events. During those corporate years, she was fortunate to work four Super Bowls, open a college football stadium and convention center as well as persevering through several campaign events and presidential visits (thanks to Iowa Caucuses). But the lure of working events daily pulled her off the road and back into a venue full-time.

Giving back has always been important to Tammy. Through the years, she has served on many local boards and credits her volunteer work with giving her a good understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order and keeping her involved in events before she discovered this crazy, exhilarating industry of venue management as a career. She began her involvement in “national” organizations after starting at the venues in Cedar Rapids by joining the Arena Marketing Conference Planning Committee in 1997. In 1999, she became the first Board President when she helped transition the group into a 501(c)6 organization known as the Event and Arena Marketing Conference (EAMC). In 2006, she was awarded the GiGi Award of Excellence by EAMC.

The opportunity to serve in IAVM leadership came in 2006 after serving on sub committees that needed some marketing/public relations assistance for a few years. She was tapped on the shoulder by the late David Ross, CVE and Steve Peters, CVE to join the Region III leadership as treasurer. Tammy served as Region III Director from 2009-2011. After her board term ended, she continued with committee work over the next several years chairing the VenueConnect Planning Committee and Industry Affairs Committee and becoming an instructor and Regent at Venue Management School. Tammy was awarded IAVM’s Chair Citation in 2014. In July 2017, she was elected by IAMV membership for a four-year term in Board Leadership. She recently finished her year (2019-20) as Chair of the Board for IAVM and currently serves as Past Chair, Chair of the Leadership Development Committee and continues to assist with advocacy efforts.

Always up for a road trip, Tammy has one state (Alaska) and two major league baseball cities (Oakland and Detroit) to visit before she can check off 50 states and 32 MLB cities. Her husband, Mike and son, Tyler usually like to tag along because wife/mom can get good seats.

Adam is the Group General Counsel for ASM Global (Asia Pacific) and head of the group’s legal function for all ASM Global’s venues, divisions, subsidiaries and investments within a region that covers Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, India and Asia.

In addition to his Bachelor of Business (2005) and Juris Doctorate (2011), in 2022 Adam successfully completed his Executive Master of Business Administration in Boston, in conjunction with the Sloan School of Management at M.I.T.

Starting his career in event management, Adam worked his way up to take on a number of senior roles in venues, based both in Australia and abroad and held positions in venues including Suncorp Stadium, the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Adam then decided to leave the industry and obtain his Juris Doctorate in Law, majoring in Corporate Law and Banking & Finance. Once admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland Roll of Solicitors and the High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners, Adam took the role as a Judge’s Associate in the Federal Court of Australia. Working with a Federal Judge presiding on both Federal Court and Full Federal Court matters around Australia, hearings covered areas of law from copyright, tax, workplace relations, native title, admiralty and corporations law.

After his Federal Court placement, Adam practiced within the Mergers & Acquisitions and Major Project’s legal teams for a number of years at one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious law firms, Clayton Utz.

Following a rewarding period in private practice, Adam took the role of Legal Counsel at the International Convention Centre, Sydney (ICC Sydney) which was then under construction as part of a billion dollar redevelopment until 2017, when Adam commenced his current position as ASM Global’s Group General Counsel and took on his group wide responsibilities.

In his current role, Adam has negotiated and seen through to completion a range of matters both locally and internationally, from large-scale investment acquisitions, joint ventures, naming rights, venue management agreements or extensions, all the way through to venue specific hiring, sponsorship and supply agreements.

Steve has 37 years of experience within the Hospitality and Events industry, 28 years focused on the technology side of the business.

He worked in some of the most luxurious resorts in the world before establishing himself as a world leading expert in the event technology field, holding management roles in tech companies such as Micros-Fidelio, Ungerboeck Software, Aventri and is currently Executive Vice President at Momentus Technologies.

Currently Steve is the North American Chair for the International Convention & Congress Association (ICCA), is also Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Strategic Leadership & Resources Committee, on the Board of Regents (and an Instructor) for IAVM’s Venue Management School, a member of IAVM’s Cyber Security committee, and an instructor at the Venue Management Association’s (VMA) Australian Venue Management School.

Over the past 25 years, Steve has spoken in over 20 countries on topics related to the industry, with a focus on technology.

Born and raised in Tupelo, MS

Graduated with an MBA from MS State University in 1978 and advised the concert committee, known as Music Maker Productions, booking Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Jimmy Buffett and others.

Worked as an agent for Triad Artists in Los Angeles representing such artists as Tina Turner, Steve Winwood, and Whitney Houston for 6 years.

Director of the Tupelo Coliseum (Now Cadence Arena) for 5 years booking artists like Eagles, Tom Petty, and Van Halen

Served as GM of Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, AR from 1997 to present. The arena has hosted such artists as The Rolling Stones, Kevin Hart, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, NCAA basketball opening rounds, and many other touring artists.

In 2004 named Pollstar Magazine’s Facility Executive of the Year

In 2006 earned the designation of Certified Venue Executive

Instructor, VMS 2009- present

Chair, Venue Management School, 2014-15

Ray Ward Award Recipient- 2018

Chair, IAVM 2018-2019

Michael has seen Bruce Springsteen over 30 times.

Married to former Triad agent Meg Goldenberg and has a 26 year old son, Jonah.

Kerry Painter, CVE, CEM, CMP is the General Manager/Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex which encompasses the Raleigh Convention Center, Duke Energy Performing Arts Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and Walnut Creek Amphitheater. Previously, Kerry was the AGM in Tulsa Oklahoma where the convention center won the Venue Excellence award in 2017. Earlier to that, Kerry was the President/GM in Niagara Falls Canada and has assisted in constructing/opening five venues in total throughout her lengthy career.

Kerry is a member of IAVM, IAEE and PCMA, and has served on several boards/committees both within the industry and in her communities. Kerry currently serves as First Vice Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors and as the Treasurer on the IAVM Foundation. She was awarded Venues Today Woman of Influence in 2015, and Woman of Distinction in 2017. She teaches at the Venue Management School yearly for IAVM and both domestic as well as internationally for CEM classes through IAEE (Korea and Bangkok), and advises for Meredith woman’s college. Kerry is a graduate of University of Michigan majoring in Business, Economics and Communications. She has a son Garrett who is 17 years old, and they live with their new cat Bachelor, a bearded dragon named Kermit and a 36-year-old box turtle Mr. B in Raleigh.

With a demonstrated record of improving financially challenged venues, Cheryl’s original career path was in health care as a registered nurse. She quickly advanced into health care administration managing one of the largest health care facilities in Iowa. She provided leadership to numerous health related organizations and taught classes to health care providers at the community college.
Cheryl transitioned into venue management as Bookings Manager for the Sioux City (IA) Convention Center, Auditorium and Tourism Bureau. During this time Cheryl attended Public Assembly Facility Management School (now Venue Management School) and became dedicated to IAVM.
In the position of Executive Director, Cheryl opened an arena at Eastern Michigan University, managed a performing arts theater and football stadium. At Michigan State University, she was the Executive Director of the Breslin Center. From there she transitioned to North Dakota managing a complex housing an NCAA D-I indoor football stadium, arena and conference center. She is currently with Experience Columbia (South Carolina) as the Vice President and General Manager of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Cheryl is also an adjunct faculty member for the world ranked University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management teaching Introduction to Event and Venue Management.
With a lifelong passion for learning, Cheryl holds degrees in nursing, health care administration, business & psychology as well as a Master’s Degree in Sports & Event Marketing/Technology Management. She also has taught or guest lectured at universities in Michigan, North Dakota and South Carolina. Serving on the faculty for Venue Management School provided the opportunity to teach in the similar program in Australia. She has also presented on various industry topics at IAVM conferences, USC’s Sports, Entertainment, Venues Today Conference and RISE (Raising the Industry in Sports & Entertainment).
Throughout her career, Cheryl has provided leadership and service in every community through executive boards for chambers of commerce, hospitals, nursing homes, service clubs, health care organizations, young professional advisory boards and an Honorary Commander with the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Attending Public Assembly Facility Management School (the original name for Venue Management School) planted a passion for service to IAVM. While currently a regent, Cheryl has served as the Chair of the VMS Board of Regents, served on IAVM Board of Directors on 3 occasions, served as chair of the Board of Governors for Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell University, Professional Education Council, Research Task Force, and District Chair. Throughout the past 20 years, she has served on multiple committees including Arenas, Universities, Convention Center, Conference Planning, Governance, Textbook Review and E Book Review. Cheryl has provided coaching in IAVM’s Mentor Connector program for several years as well.
Besides local recognition from various community service organizations, Cheryl was recognized as a Venue’s Today Women of Influence Award and as a Luminary Entertainment Venue Executive.

As the Kennedy Centers’ Office of Accessibility and VSA Director, Ms. Siegel believes that arts and cultural experiences inclusive of people with disabilities of all ages is a critical civil, cultural and human right. She champions, defends and leads national and international disability arts, education, employment and cultural practices. A highlight of her career was the Kennedy Centers’ LEAD® and accessibility work being recognized as a cultural rights defender in a 2020 report by a UN Special Rapporteur. Another milestone and point of pride was the 2019 LEAD® and VSA Intersections conferences collectively convening a field of over 900 arts and cultural access, equity and inclusion professionals. As a respected and much sought after speaker, delivering training, lectures and presentations around the world and across the United States, Ms. Siegel addresses disability rights, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and on access, equity and inclusion. She acquired her J.D. in 2009 from the Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. and is the founder of the Accessibility Advisory Group.

Paul Turner, Certified Venue Executive (CVE), is a recognized leader in the venue and event management industry. Throughout his 32-year career he has developed a led operations in performing arts centers, arenas, stadiums, and convention venues. He is currently the General Manager of the San Diego Convention Center where he oversees operations for the award-winning facility. He has held positions with Caesars Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles, Portland Trailblazers, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Paul is active in the venue management industry and is a Founding Distinguished Fellow for the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX). He is a former Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) schools, the Academy for Venue Safety & Security, and the Venue Management School. Paul is well known for developing industry standards and practices for customer service, event management, security, and venue operations. He has created many training and development programs and has presented at industry conferences throughout the United States and internationally.