Although it’s still about more than age, this year’s IMPACT: NextGen is a reflection of the youth movement within the venues industry, with a talented wave of millennials, sprinkled with some Gen Z’ers, filling critical roles across the spectrum in sports and entertainment.
This month’s cover subject, F&M Bank Arena general manager Kylie Wilkerson, is a prime example, and her fellow VenuesNow NextGen honorees have similar tales, as the leaders of the next generation of the venue business lead with an emphasis on technology, mental health and hardened resolve after weathering the storm of COVID.
Like last year, VenuesNow, in collaboration with sister publication Pollstar, recognizes some of the industry’s brightest rising stars, with a look to the future.
This includes everyone from venue managers to ticketing professionals to architects, concessionaires, contractors and tech innovators.
Chosen internally through the editorial staff as well as with input from the industry, VenuesNow is pleased to present a cross section of the industry that has seized opportunity, with a mindful focus on building into something stronger than ever before.
Eleanor Anderson
Director, Music Sustainability Association
Molly Beahen
Manager, Middle West
Danny Bell
SVP, Goldenvoice
Nicole Calascibetta
Director of Comedy Tour Marketing, WME
Len Chenfeld
Agent, Wasserman
Holly Doscher
Director of Marketing, Danny Wimmer Presents
Aram Hahn
Business Strategy Department Lead, HYBE
Ron Jordan
Agent, CAA
Natalie Koe
Music Agent, UTA
Avery Liardon
Talent Buyer Assistant to Huston Powell, C3 Presents
Chris Maguire
Artist Manager, Full Stop Management
Mandelyn Monchick
Artist Manager, Red Light Management
Gilbert Paz
Vice President of Entertainment Business Operations, Loud and Live
Dom Prieto
Global Tour Promoter, Live Nation
Adi Sharma
Co-Head, Austin Neal Agency
Aaron Spalding
Talent Buyer, Live Nation
Molly Warren
VP Booking Northeast, Live Nation
Ollie Zhang
Head of Artist Development, 88Rising
Carter Bondy
Floor Supervisor, Niagara Falls Convention Center
Raymond Caraballo
Director of Venues, Severance Music Center
Bianca Diaz
Box Office Manager, Live Nation
Matthew Garvin
Sr. Manager of Operations and Sustainability, Oak View Group / Moody Center
Mark Giles
Vice President / Project Development, Legends
Jon Grunwaldt
Sr. Manager of Strategy & Analytics, Live Nation
Brian Hediger
General Manager – PNC Park, Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Melisa Hooper
VP of Booking, Allegiant Stadium
Dyann Lesnever
Sr. Manager Artist & Promoter Relations, Ticketmaster
Jenna Mauer
Sr. Associate / Sr. Project Interior Designer, HOK
Sophia Mobayen
Sr. Event Specialist / Event Operations, Sofi Stadium & Hollywood Park
Alessi Nehr
General Manager – Ascend Theater, Live Nation
Stephen Parker
Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association
Jordan Racine
Director of Programming – Paycom Center, ASM Global
Kayla Schine
VP Premium Sales & Experiences, ASM Global
Craig Spillman
Director of Food and Beverage, VenuWorks of Evansville
Kylie Wilkerson
General Manager – F&M Bank Arena, Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment
