Faces + Places
SEAN SAADEH
Sean Saadeh has been promoted to chief programming officer and head of entertainment at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The role includes Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, home of the NFL Washington Commanders, as well as Prudential Center, Loew’s Jersey Theater and White Eagle Hall in New Jersey. Saadeh’s previous title at HBS&E was as executive vice president of entertainment, and prior to joining in 2015 he served as senior vice president of programming at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
NICK DELUCO
Oak View Group and Live Nation Canada have named industry veteran Nick DeLuco as senior vice President and general manager of Hamilton Arena, the $200 million-plus renovation of FirstOntario Centre set to open in late 2025. DeLuco joins Hamilton Arena from Oilers Entertainment Group in Edmonton, Alberta, where he served as vice president of live entertainment and events. At Hamilton Arena, DeLuco will be responsible for overseeing operations at the 18,000-seat arena and providing strategic leadership, including helping attract top-tier artists, live performances and events.
MICHELE SWANN
Michele Swann, general manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority in Georgia since 1995, will leave her leadership position effective Dec. 31, 2024. Swann has been responsible for the administrative oversight and strategic growth of the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops and ArtsBridge Foundation. A new GM and CEO announcement will be made in early December.
MARDEEN MADDOX
Mardeen Mattix has been named deputy CEO and CFO of the San Diego Convention Center. It’s a newly created position for Mattix, who joined the SDCC team in 1998 and has served as chief financial officer since 2018. She helped introduce a new sales strategy to attract high-value events. In fiscal year 2025, SDCC’s 35th anniversary year, SDCC events are projected to generate approximately $1.7 billion in regional economic impact, including an estimated $40.2 million in tax revenue for the city. Her duties now include providing strategic direction, driving business initiatives, managing financial operations and overseeing daily functions
STEVE LUTTAZI
Steve Luttazi has joined Spec Seats/Clarin as vice president of sales for the company’s sports and entertainment division. It marks a homecoming of sorts for Luttazi, who led sales for Clarin for more than 20 years before joining DreamSeat in 2022. Luttazi started his career at the old World Wrestling Federation, serving as manager of bookings from 1989-1995 before spending two years at Fine Host, a concessions company. He joined Clarin in 1998, which was acquired by Hussey in 2011. Spec Seats bought Clarin in 2023.
JOSEPH BRAUNER
Live music industry veteran Joseph Brauner has joined venue operator TempleLive as senior talent buyer, where he will oversee talent acquisitions, venue programming and partnerships at the company’s venues. Brauner’s nearly 40 years of live music experience include time at talent agencies CAA, WME and UTA, working with talent including Norah Jones, Robin Williams, Post Malone, David Byrne and many others. TempleLive, which has renovated and operates historic venues in Cleveland, Columbus and Wichita, just announced a new TempleLive in Peoria, Illinois, set to open in early 2024, located at the historic Scottish Rite Building in the city.
