RACHEL HILL
General Manager | Live Nation / Ak-Chin Pavilion
Rachel Hill is living in her career highlight as we speak, having set the goal and now seeing it happen.
“One of my main goals when starting my career was to become a general manager — specifically the GM of Ak-Chin Pavilion because it was one of the venues I started working at during my internship in college,” she said. “Hitting that goal this year has been one of the biggest highlights of my career and I am excited for this journey.”
Hill “absolutely fell in love” with the live events world about 12 years ago at Arizona State University, where she took a concert series internship with the school’s programming and activities board. Her time with Live Nation in Arizona includes serving as assistant general manager at the amphitheater as well as senior operations manager from 2018 to 2020.
She now is focused on creating operational efficiencies and is eager to network and see what works at other venues.
“Since venues reopened, there’s a renewed sense of excitement to go see live shows and more of an appreciation for live music from both fans and staff,” said Hill, whose sister Jessica recently was named general manager of Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. “It’s also been exciting to see the creative approaches the industry has taken to make a better live experience for fans.”
Hill says her generation has the benefit of both living with tech while remembering the pre-internet days.
“Growing up with new technology has given me and my generation an advantage when it comes to understanding tech and being able to adapt quickly to changes within it,” she said. With the current entertainment and employment landscape always evolving and currently presenting opportunities, Hill says it’s important to try new things and keep an open mind.
For those looking to join the business, “Start where you can in the industry and not be afraid of trying out various roles. While you may not enjoy every one of them, you will learn how each department works and have better knowledge of how to coach your team.”
Likewise, “My advice for older generations would be to listen to the younger generations coming in. They come with passion, drive and fresh ideas.”
At Ak-Chin Pavilion, Hill says renovations are in the works and some creative pieces are being brought in.
“One of the projects I’m most excited about is having murals added to the venue from a local artist in Phoenix,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it adds to the venue’s overall aesthetic and how our guests interact with the art.”
