VENUESNOW CONFERENCE 2022 COVERAGE

Global Footprint: Let’s Talk NFTs, Crypto Sponsorships, Touring Expansion and Venue Sponsorships
“What does fandom get you?” was the question of the day. Perspectives differed about the balance of opportunity and risk values amid rapid change, but the panel was optimistic about the future. Click For More. 

Extending The 30-Year Venue Lifespan
The St. Louis Blues can thank college basketball coach John Calipari for helping spearhead renovations to Enterprise Center, according to Chris Zimmerman, the NHL team’s president and CEO of business operations. Zimmerman told the story during the Oct. 5 panel session “Extending the 30-Year Venue Life Cycle for Sports and Entertainment Facilities,” part of the 2022 VenuesNow Conference in Austin, Texas. Click For More

VNC Keynote With C3 Presents: ‘Probably The Best Year Ever’
Despite any talk of an oversaturated market, ticket sales and show counts continue to rise, indicating that fans are not being forced to choose one show at the expense of others, C3 Presents Charlie Walker said during the VenuesNow Conference Keynote discussion, moderated by Oak View Group Media & Conferences President Ray Waddell. C3’s Charles Attal and Amy Corbin also weighed in. “On the concert touring side, it was probably the best year ever,” Corbin said.  Click For More

Q&A With Twins Chief Revenue Officer Meka White Morris
On Day 2 of the VenuesNow Conference, Meka White Morris, the Minnesota Twins’ chief revenue officer, sat down with Oak View Group executive Dan Griffis for a one-on-one conversation about her multifaceted career. Over the past 18 years, Morris, the daughter of basketball hall of famer Jo Jo White and a former track athlete at the University of Kansas, has worked in sales for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Oakland Raiders, Live Nation, Legends and Learfield IMG College. Click For More

Austin Lives Up To Live
Being known as the Live Music Capital of the World comes down to having places to play, and Austin has more than 100 – from grimy basement bars that serve 100 to the state-of-the-art Moody Center, which has a capacity of 18,000. The breadth and diversity of Austin’s music scene was discussed during “The Venues of Austin: Keeping the Live Music Capital Live” during the 2022 VenuesNow Conference today in Austin.Hosted by Margaret Galton of C3 Presents, the panel included Will Bridges of Antone’s Nightclub, Bobby Clay, the lead talent buyer for electronic music concerts and festivals at C3 Presents, Michael Owens vice president of programming for the Moody Center, and Graham Williams, Austinite and co-owner of Resound Presents. Click For More

Creating A Prevention Culture 
The role of venue security is evolving and demands constant attention and review, panelists at a session titled, “The Value of a Prevention Culture: Lessons Learned,” said. New technology has made strides, but complacency can have deadly consequences in an era increasingly aggressive fan behavior. Click For More

Converting Sellouts To Holds
Stacked venue calendars, content-hungry secondary markets and international touring were some of the pressing topics addressed during “Converting Holds into Sellouts & Navigating Content Through Uncharted Waters” panel during the 2022 VenuesNow Conference on Wednesday. Click For More

Kicking Off With Vision, Long-Term Thinking
VenuesNow Conference kicked off in Austin Wednesday afternoon with an acknowledgement of the resolve of the industry for overcoming the difficulties of the past couple of years but, more pointedly, the need to look at at the big picture and the long-term rather than trying to predict or complain about current difficulties. Click For More. 

VENUESNOW CONFERENCE 2022 PREVIEW
Ahead of, and just in time for, the big event, here’s some supplemental information, preview content and talking points to help get you up to speed for a gathering of the most influential leaders in the live entertainment and facilities business. Taking place in one of the strongest emerging markets in Austin, and tied to the recently opened, world-class Moody Center arena at the University of Texas, what better scene to discuss the industry’s most pressing topics, enjoy valuable networking sessions and benefit from being part of the action in person at VNC5? Register Now To Attend VenuesNow Conference 2022 Here!

Conference Panel Previews

SOLVING SHRINKING VENUE LIFESPAN
As several teams announce plans to build new facilities, the existing model has expanded to mixed-use developments connected to those venues to create 24/7 destinations for fans and amenities to attract mega-events like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and the College Football Playoff championship. Click For More

STAFFING, CULTURE & CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGIES THAT KEEP FANS COMING BACK
Post-COVID staffing shortages continue to challenge the industry and the impact is felt at the register.  Leaders are grappling with the issue at every level, from management to part-time support staff while also managing DEI priorities and rising costs for everything from concessions to personnel. Click For More

THE VALUE OF PREVENTION CULTURE & LESSONS LEARNED
The safety and security of fans, staff, artists and athletes is top of mind in the world of sports and live entertainment venues. And building a prevention culture is everyone’s responsibility. The goal is managing risk to reduce threat, shoring up vulnerabilities, and minimizing consequences via smart strategies and a dynamic offense. Industry thought leaders will convene to discuss contemporary safety and security protocols and trends. Click For More

CONVERTING HOLDS TO SELLOUTS & NAVIGATING UNCHARTED WATERS
Venue calendars are filling up farther out and quicker than ever forcing booking managers to make increasingly tough decisions as holds stack up and the number of clear availabilities shrink.  Click For More

NEXT THINK: BIG IDEAS IN VENUE TECH
From robotic vending machines delivering burritos and Gatorade at 2022 Comic-Con to real-world Sci-Fi with radio frequency identification (RFID) and palm scanners, technology continues to push boundaries. And there is no turning back. Click For More.

LET’S TALK NFT’S, CRYPTO SPONSORSHIPS, TOURING EXPANSION, AND VENUE SPONSORSHIPS
Paddling up the revenue stream in a post pandemic world, presents challenges for the live sports and entertainment business, but there are also fresh possibilities. Click For More