Tim Leiweke founded Oak View Group (OVG) in 2015 and serves as the company’s CEO. With over 30 years of global sports and entertainment experience, Leiweke is a widely respected industry leader and has been deeply involved in the evolution of the NHL, NBA and MLS. Leiweke partnered with music industry titan Irving Azoff to launch OVG, a development and investment company comprised of an Arena & Stadium Alliance, a sponsorship subsidiary, a security advisory group, and a venture fund division which most recently acquired Pollstar publication and conferences.

Prior to OVG, Leiweke served as President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). In his first year with MLSE, Leiweke led a transformation of the Toronto Raptors, which resulted in a record for wins and back-to-back Division Championships. With Toronto FC, Leiweke orchestrated a dramatic overhaul, which ignited the club’s first ever playoff berth in 2015. It was during this time that Leiweke ranked fifth on the Sports Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential and eighth on Billboard’s 100 Most Powerful in Music – the only President & CEO to rank on both lists.

During his 18 years at the helm of AEG, Leiweke led the company’s evolution into a global live entertainment organization capable of developing, producing, marketing and managing sports and entertainment programming in its venues worldwide. It was through Leiweke’s vision that the $2.5 billion L.A. LIVE complex was built in Downtown Los Angeles, adjacent to the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. In addition, Leiweke was the architect of AEG’s global expansion, including development of O2 Arenas and stadiums in London, China and Germany. Leiweke then built AEG Live into the second largest promoter in the world with artists including Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Rolling Stones, Black Eyed Peas, Kenny Chesney, Celine Dion, The Eagles and Katy Perry. AEG Live also became one of the world’s largest festival organizers through partnerships with the Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals.

Deeply committed to the community, Tim and his family dedicate their time to a range of charitable initiatives. Through their work, the Leiwekes have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League’s 2007 Humanitarian Award, Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Man of the Year.

Molly Zidow is a live events professional with 20-plus years of experience in live event and venue management. She is currently VP of Operations for America’s largest independent festival producer, Danny Wimmer Presents, where she leads project management for the company’s complete portfolio of large-scale festivals and handles all aspects of the onsite layout and fan experience, helping to bring each event to life. As well, Molly is responsible for safety protocols and revenue programs, including traffic management, parking, shuttles and camping. Prior to DWP, Molly worked as senior director of event operations with producer Superfly, managing marquee festivals including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. She began her career working in venues, namely arenas and amphitheaters, helping to launch Seattle’s White River Amphitheater before being named general manager. Prior to that, she started out in a seasonal role in the box office for Pace/SFX/Clear Channel in Raleigh at Walnut Creek Amphitheater and was quickly promoted to operations/facility manager, helping to kickstart her decades-long career.

Zekiel “Zeke” Nicholson was attending his sophomore year at Central Catholic High School when the initial interest in talent management was sparked. The Carolina transplant who moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was in a circle of dreamers working in, or around the music industry. The likes of Quentin Cuff―the future manager and business partner of Mac Miller, and Will Dzombak―who went on to become the manager of Wiz Khalifa―were active students in Pittsburgh budding music community, and encouraging peers who inspired Zeke to pursue the passion.

High school is also where Zekiel became notarized for event coordination. The parties thrown around the city during his 4-year tenure at Central Catholic became a massive spectacle, and by 2008, his senior year, there was a dedicated following built among the high school students. Being an ambitious forward-thinker motivated Zeke’s decision to contact Fab 5 Entertainment, an event promotion company that dominated the college market. Knowing he would be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the Fall, he saw with them an ample opportunity to continue his movement and join an established company. Barry “Hefner” Johnson, Fab 5 Entertainment’s CEO, saw promise in Zeke’s entrepreneurial passion and brought him on as an intern, and was later promoted to Director Of Business Development.

In 2010, Zeke’s internship with Atlantic Records brought him into the major label’s Urban Marketing and A&R departments. The year-long position further solidified Zeke’s desire to work in talent management and searching for an artist to work with lead him to his first discovery, a Detroit, Michigan rapper named Young Scolla. Scolla would become the first artist to be co-management by both Barry and Zeke underneath the Fab 5 Management umbrella. Knowing he had found his career path, Zeke left the University of Pittsburgh during his Junior year to focus on talent management and business development full time. Leaving the University bubble and understanding that the beginning wouldn’t be easy was pivotal to the process of his maturation.

Underneath Barry’s wing, Zeke began assisting with the marketing and promotion for Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, getting their early music integrated into the city’s nightlife. Barry saw in Zeke someone who was always about the music, and his ability to see the bigger vision. The two have continued for the last decade co-managing over 6 artists together as partners.

Zeke believes SinceThe80s can restore the trust that has soared over the years between artist and record labels. For him, it’s not just about doing good business, but grooming artist and teaching them the business. SinceThe80s isn’t here to follow the standard, but to be the new standard.

Cory founded Staff Pro in 1987 shortly after graduating from California State University, Long Beach. The same principals upon which Staff Pro was founded still apply today: attention to detail, a guest services security culture and providing excellent training to all staff levels. Cory’s vision and mission for Staff Pro has allowed Staff Pro to provide it professional security service to 100's of facilities and over a 1,000 events annually and is viewed as an industry leader.

Cory has over 40 years of successfully coordinating security and managing facilities and events. He is a member of many organizations, some of which include International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Stadium Managers Association (SMA), National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NC4S) and American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). Cory has attended the NFL Annual Security Training Conference for many years. He sits on the private security advisory committee for NC4S.

After 9/11 Cory was on the IAVM Safety and Security Task Force where he helped to design the industry best practices to be utilized by NHL, NFL, MLS, NCAA and all types of facilities across the country.

In 2013 Cory attended a work shop hosted by Command, Control, and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA) a part of homeland security to document best practices in counter terrorism and security for stadiums.

Additionally, he has been published in various magazines and trade publications, representing the security, audience management, and event staffing industries.

Cory is a licensed security manager in California, Nevada and Washington.

Eric Mayers is a manager at Red Light Management, where he represents My Morning Jacket, Jim James, The Decemberists, Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, Chris Thile and Noam Pikelny.

With 25 years experience in the industry, Mayers was previously the tour and production manager for My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists, Nickel Creek and others. Mayers co-produces The Decemberists’ Traveler’s Rest Festival in Missoula, Montana, and was the Production Manager for multiple music festivals such as Wakarusa, The High Sierra Music Festival, DelFest, Northwest String Summit, along with numerous one-off events throughout the country. He has worked for independent promoters throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Double Tee Concerts, and LMG Concerts where he was the Vice President of Touring and Production.

Outside of the music business, Mayers is an outdoor enthusiast, and local volunteer. He has been a long time of supporter of The Opal Creek Forest Center: https://www.opalcreek.org as well as The Oregon Food Bank: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org. Currently Mayers also participates in a weekly meal delivery service, providing on average 250 meals and supplies to various homeless ~ houseless camps throughout the greater Portland metro area.

Mayers sit on the Advisory Board of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

Tom Martinez is the Chief Deputy General Manager of California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo). Since his start at Cal Expo in April 2016, Tom has revamped and revolutionized the events the state agency puts on. He seeks to expand the idea of Cal Expo's mission to highlight the best the State has to offer. From a Statewide Youth Mariachi Competition to a Farm Laborer Exhibition, which celebrated those who grow, process, and ensure fresh food is made available, to hosting the first ever licensed recreational cannabis consumption event, to the inaugural 2022 California State Fair Cannabis Competition.

Focusing on the future of California, Tom seeks to diversify the types of events held at CalExpo to appeal to new audiences and broaden existing ones. He actively seeks opportunities to highlight industries and technologies where Californians are making inroads, innovating and improving the lives of others.

Throughout his career, he has performed a variety of roles in communications, public relations and government affairs, particularly in the State Capitol community. 

Alicia Karlin is Vice President of Global Touring and Talent at AEG Presents and the Talent Buyer for the critically acclaimed Electric Forest festival where she oversees many of the aspects of the fan and artist experience.

Karlin began her career upon graduating college at the University of Florida in 2006 and was hired by Don Strasburg to help open AEG Presents’ Rocky Mountain office. In 2008, Alicia began a dual-role working at Madison House Inc. in artist booking and management and producing festivals and events at Madison House Presents. In 2008, Madison House Presents, Strasburg and AEG Live the team launched the legendary ROTHBURY festival and In 2011 Madison House Presents teamed up with Insomniac to create Electric Forest where Alicia has been developing genre-bending lineups for the past 12 years. 

Alicia’s dedication within the music community extends to sitting on the Executive Board of national nonprofit Conscious Alliance, an organization committed to hunger relief and youth empowerment, working with music communities and events to raise much needed money and food donations with local food banks with a focus on impoverished Native American communities and national crisis relief efforts.

Jamal Jimoh is a marketing and management professional with over fifteen years of experience. He began his career at Island Def Jam as a New Media consultant before accepting a role in A&R Research and Promotion. There, he was instrumental in bringing new talent to the attention of the label’s brass. With his eye for talent and gift for marketing, Jamal was tapped to oversee Teen Island – the teen marketing arm of Island Def Jam where he worked with then upstart Justin Bieber among other notable young talents signed to the storied labels. After his work with Island Def Jam, Jamal took on the role of General Manager at Nick Cannon’s Ncredible Entertainment where he developed and produced TeenNick Top 10, did digital production and social media for MTV’s Wild’N Out, and brought in Monster Products to develop and launch Nick Cannon’s Ncredible Headphones. Subsequent stops saw Jamal tackling the roles of Director of Urban Digital Marketing at Entertainment One, Senior Director of Urban Programming and Revenue at Premier Music Group, VP of Marketing & Revenue at Rostrum Records and VP/Head of Commerce for HITCO. 

These days Jamal serves as Head of Hip-Hop/R&B Streaming at Venice/Q+A, a talent manager, and a semi-part time International Man of Leisure.

Barry "Hefner" Johnson is co-founder and President of record label, management, and publishing company Since the 80s Records. As a natural-born entrepreneur and leader with a keen eye for undiscovered talent, Barry established his name in the music industry for discovery, development, and determining who has what it takes to be a star. Genius rap duo EarthGang, mastermind lyricist JID, pop-star-in-the-making Njomza, emerging star Sofaygo, and rap wunderkind Metro Maars are some of his most established clients to date.

The Atlanta-born record executive was initially a rapper before managing talent. His grandfather, a disc jockey, instilled in him an early love for music, but at 24, he chose to be a businessman, not an artist. After moving to Pittsburgh in 2005, Barry began interning at ID Labs Studios―where soon-to-be rap superstars Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller were beginning their careers―and throwing massive parties to fund the management company he started, Fab 5 MGMT. Working with Wiz and Mac on the ground level helped hone his marketing skills and the needed presentation to break a new act.

As someone who made music prior, Barry knows what to look for in the next generation of talent and how to groom those artists from unknown to the stars of a movement. He sees himself as a visionary coach, like a Phil Jackson, looking for the next Michael Jordan. After moving back to Atlanta from Pittsburgh, he co-founded Since the 80s Records with Zekiel “Zeke” Nicholson, a Pittsburgh native who was a hungry young manager that started as a Fab 5 intern to becoming a partner, and KeiSaundra 'Kei” Henderson, another manager-turned-music executive. Since The 80s entered a joint venture with Motown/Capitol Records in 2018.

Kell Houston is the Owner/President of Houston Productions, with offices in Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Seattle, HOUSTON PRODUCTIONS is a proven industry leader in casino entertainment buying and consulting.

In 2012, 2014, 2016 & 2018, Kell was named “Casino Buyer of the Year” by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) in Nashville. In 2019 and 2020, Kell was a finalist for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award – Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year.

Houston has worked in all aspects of the entertainment industry over the past 30 years, focusing for the last 20 years on Indian Gaming. In addition, he has chaired entertainment seminars and workshops for IEBA, NIGA, OIGA, WIGA, GPIGA, Raving Consulting, Pollstar, Western Fairs, International Association of Fairs and Expositions, Billboard magazine, The Aboriginal Music Program, Event Solutions International, the Special Event and the National Association of Campus Activities. Houston is a Raving partner, member of the Indian Gaming Magazine Editorial Advisory Board and sits on the Board of Directors for IEBA. Originally from Seattle, he has lived in Los Angeles and currently resides in Las Vegas, NV.

Bryan has spent 25 years at the nexus of technology, music and business. In his current role overseeing partnerships for Yat Labs, he contributes to the company’s mission to make Yats ubiquitous. Yats are self-sovereign, self-directed emoji usernames that become your universal Internet identity, website URL, payment address and more. He provides digital strategy to clients Lil Wayne, The Roots, Jill Scott, G-Eazy, T.I.G. Records and Brandy. Other past clients include Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Drake, T.I. and others. He’s held various key positions at labels, distributors, SoundExchange and with several global streaming platforms. Always the artist advocate, he created the Music Business Toolbox (required text at several college music business schools) to empower musicians.

With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Insight’s clients are  a hit list of legends including Eric Clapton, The Moody Blues, George Thorogood and the Destroyers,  Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, MCA Nashville, Clint Black, Donna Summer, St. Jude Children’s  Hospital’s Country Cares, baseball luminary Tony LaRussa, Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba, the  Wiggles, and a variety of tours and festivals including Eric Clapton’s historic Crossroads Festival.  Providing strategic marketing, tour promotion and artist management services, Insight Management is located in Scottsdale, AZ.

Maria began her career working for over a decade for legendary promoters Jerry Weintraub and Tom Hulett at Concerts West, whose stellar client list included Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, John Denver,  Neil Diamond, Earth, Wind and Fire, and many more. Maria’s responsibilities included tour marketing,  project marketing, record releases and a variety of entertainment events.

Dedicated to giving back to the next generation of entertainment industry professionals, in 2002 Ms.  Brunner helped found the entertainment business program at the University of Montana, where she continues to teach and hold an advisory role. Maria has additionally held an advisory board position at California State University’s Entertainment Business Program, where she was a visiting instructor.

Maria’s lifelong commitment to working with the music industry to mobilize and improve the lives of others extends beyond education. Presently, Maria sits on the board for two regional St. Jude Children’s Hospital initiatives, plus their new rock music program, as well as Phoenix animal rescues,  PAC911, Valley Dogs and Veterans and their Pets. Maria additionally resided on the boards for St.  Jude’s Children’s Hospital’s Country Cares for Kids for over 29 years, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s ARF for 10 years, and renowned musical instrument non-profit, Ear Candy for five years. Maria is the Founder and Director of Musically Fed, a non-profit dedicated to engaging the music industry to fight hunger through repurposing excess tour catering.

With over 40 years of relationships and expertise in the entertainment industry, Maria brings invaluable experience and counsel to ensure the success and exposure of projects at both a grass  roots and international level.

John T. Benn is the Inspector II in the Fire Prevention Bureau, Public Safety Section of the Public Assemblage Unit of the Los Angeles Fire Department. With a B.A. degree from Colorado State University, he also holds certificates in Crowd Management, Sports and Special Event Management, and Venue Evacuation. John also serves on the LAFD Incident Management Team (IMT) that has been an important part in successfully supporting large complex incidents within the city.

Upon joining LAFD in 1986, John was assigned to the busiest fire stations in the City of Los Angeles. He transitioned to Inspector in 1993 where he was assigned to the Schools and Churches Unit, High Rise Unit, Legal Unit, followed by the Film Unit, and settled down in the Public Assemblage Unit where he has worked for the last 20 years.  

John strives to be a powerful force in the public safety realm. He holds a high level of expertise and maintains an accredited reputation from overseeing several high-profile events throughout the City of Los Angeles.  He uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to ensure others around him understand the importance of public safety through strategic planning, crowd management, and crowd safety.

John is highly respected by his colleagues and the community in which he works, where he uses his wealth of knowledge about Los Angeles Fire Code as well as his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge with others.

Adam Bauer is a Partner and Agent at Madison House, Inc., an independent talent agency with four different offices across the country. Since its formation in 1996, Madison House has provided genuine and unique booking and management for a wide variety of artists in the music industry.

Adam Bauer also serves as a board member of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), a nonprofit trade organization for live entertainment promotors, managers, and agents. In 2019, IEBA had almost 2,000 registered members, and still maintains its mission of empowering music industry professionals and increase revenue for the industry as a whole.

Alongside his leadership position at IEBA, Adam Bauer is also a member of the Association of Performing Artist Professionals (APAP), National Independent Talent Association (NITO), Folk Alliance International, and Americana Music Association.

Adam Bauer launched the Ann Arbor, MI office of Madison House in 2016 and added his adult contemporary groups to the company’s primarily EDM roster. Some of Bauer’s most notable clients include Colin Hay, Men at Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Choir!Choir!Choir!, Mike and the Mechanics, The Verve Pipe, and Steve Poltz. As a Partner at Madison House, Bauer produces micro festivals, oversees company acquisitions, manages the operations of the agency, and serves as a mentor for young agents in the company.

Bauer, is also the Owner and Pit Master of Speakeasy Meats, LLC., a prohibition-style smokehouse in the era of the COVID-19. A music business pivot that he created with his family at the onset of the pandemic. Speakeasy Meats, operating out of his backyard, has shipped 1000’s of #’s of succulent smoked meats across North America. They even successfully delivered hundreds of packages of free meats as part of their “Feed Live” program in the winter of 2020 as an effort to help those in need in the live event space.

Before transitioning to Madison House, Adam Bauer was the President of Fleming Artists Inc., where he helped modernize the company. Bauer started off as an entry-level agent at Fleming Artists in 1999, and drove revenue up every year for the 17 years that he worked there. While he was president, Fleming Artists was nominated as Boutique Booking Agency of the year for two years in a row by Pollstar.

For a couple years prior to starting his career at Fleming Artists, Adam Bauer worked at Good Music Agency, Talent Buyers Network, Pacific Rim Talent, and Comedy West. It was at those small agencies that Bauer honed his interpersonal professional skills and learned how to create lasting connections with clients.

Adam Bauer received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Washington State University. Using the communication and relationship networking skills he learned in his courses, Bauer landed in the music industry, helping small artists use their growing platforms. While at Washington State University, Adam Bauer produced multiple live events for students, and is currently the President of the Michigan chapter of the Washington State University Alumni Association.

Gerry Barad, Executive Vice President of Live Nation Global Touring, a division of Live Nation, the world’s most successful leader in the live entertainment industry, has been a music industry trailblazer for over 40 years. Gerry and his world-class team have promoted and produced many of the top grossing tours of the last four decades with past and present clients including U2, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Beyonce and Jay-Z OTR II, Barbra Streisand, Rush, Sting, Peter Gabriel, The Police, Neil Young, CSNY, the late David Bowie, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren and Gorillaz. Gerry has played an integral role in the acquisition, production, merchandising, budgeting, sponsorship affiliation, and execution of these successful tours.  Prior to joining Live Nation, Gerry was a founding partner at The Next Adventure and Vice-President of Client Acquisition at Brockum Merchandising.

Gerry’s passion for live entertainment extends beyond the world of Rock and Roll and Pop and into the world of theatre. An avid theatre patron himself, his appreciation of the fine arts came at an early age with his love for the theatre, musicals and classic films. Gerry has previously sat on the Board of the Chicago Children’s Choir, the Chicago Auditorium Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company. Gerry is currently the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Berklee Popular Music Institute at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Selak Entertainment, Inc. has been providing high-end entertainment for special events, concerts, and parties for over 25 years. We believe our long success in the Entertainment Industry is directly related to the kind and courteous way we treat you, our Client. Our promise to you is that we will always treat you with the respect and patience you deserve.

Whether you need guidance selecting that special entertainer, or choosing the perfect venue for your event, you will always know we are here for you and will be with you every step of the way.

Steve Selak is experienced in all aspects of recorded music and live entertainment. His specialties include work in the fields of Music, Filmmaking, Television, and Publishing. He helps companies accomplish their goals within the Hollywood community.

As President of Selak Entertainment, Inc. since 1993, Steve has been the go-to guy for Music and Entertainment. He is passionate about providing the best live entertainment to Casinos, Performing Arts Centers, Special Events, and large Concert Venues.

Steve has excellent contacts at all of the major music and media publishing companies and can help speed your request through the red tape that often gets in the way of dreams. He offers personal attention and service to each and every client. His expertise in business consulting, planning, negotiation, and industry standards makes him an invaluable asset.

A true music industry veteran, Beata began her career in radio in 1999 at WLLD in Tampa, FL, while still in college. From there she, became National Director at Jive Records in 2006, continuing her career working w/ major artists helping develop radio marketing plans for artists like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Usher, to name a few. During her time at Jive/RCA, Beata’s team delivered multiple #1 singles at RHY Radio and helped break new artists. In 2013 she went back to her 1st love, to one of the nation’s most prestigious radio stations, KIIS-FM Los Angeles.   Beata is also passionately focused on supporting the Los Angeles community and doing it philanthropically with the power of radio.   She has helped raise over one million dollars together in partnership with record labels and artists as an industry! –Dec 2021 iHeartMedia announced that Beata Murphy was to be named Program Director for legendary KIIS FM in Los Angeles.

Alex is the co-founder and CEO of Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform for the entertainment industry that amplifies revenue and reach from non-profit campaigns. Alex has more than two decades in the live music & media space, having spent over 10 years at Superfly where he oversaw brand sponsorships and activations for some of the country’s largest music festivals like Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. Alex served as the VP of National Events & Experiential at iHeartMedia and has consulted various agencies and brands on live event and music content strategy, and partnerships. At iHeart, Alex consulted on the iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHR ALTerEGO Festival, iHeartRadio Music Awards, iHeartCountry Festival, iHR Wango Tango, iHR Fiesta Latina, the Jingle Ball Tour, iHR Theaters in NY and LA, and custom-tailored live music events.

Paul Peck is the co-founder and president of Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform for the entertainment industry that amplifies revenue and reach from non-profit campaigns. A veteran festival and concert producer, Paul is the co-founder of the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival where he served as chief creative officer and head of programming. Prior to that Paul worked with Superfly Presents, where he helped to launch and develop the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and Outside Lands in San Francisco. During his tenure, Paul was a key member of the booking and programming team, as well as other pivotal areas. Paul is known for his creative touch and producing once-in-a-lifetime collaborative concerts that feature superstar artists and virtuoso players in unique configurations. He has worked closely with artists such as Skrillex, Chance the Rapper, Mumford & Sons, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Miguel, D’Angelo, SZA, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Solange and Questlove amongst many others. During his final years at Bonnaroo, his Superjam concerts were the top annual story from each year’s event, garnering coverage from New York Times (including multiple times in the year-end, nationwide top 5 concerts of the year), USA Today, Rolling Stone (#1 concert of the event 3 times) and Billboard.

Steve Lemon has worked in the entertainment industry for over four decades. Steve's roots are in touring and his credits include many large scale special events, and a strong background in event marketing. Steve has been very active as a director of the Event Safety Alliance (ESA) over the last decade, and is a key contributor to the ESA’s book of best practices, the Event Safety Guide.

Over 20 years of experience in facility management with an extensive background in security, risk and event management, parking, guest services, and venue operations. Throughout his career, Mr. Klingenmeier has been a key contributor to the successful operation of many high-profile events including the NBA Finals, NBA Conference Finals, NBA All-Star Game, MLS All-star Game, multiple NLL All-star Game, NHL Conference Finals, NHL Outdoor Games, NHL Return to Play Edmonton Bubble, NBA Global Games, Basketball Africa League, NCAA Final Four, NCAA Frozen Four, Democratic National Convention, FIFA sanctioned events and other internationally sanctioned soccer events.

Mr. Klingenmeier specializes in a variety of staff training including emergency, crowd, and crisis management, emergency procedures, customer service, employee safety, and TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) training. Mr. Klingenmeier has successfully conducted joint operational exercises with both federal and local law enforcement agencies in preparation of large-scale events, including live exercises during NBA and NLL games. In addition, Mr. Klingenmeier has sat on NCS4 Professional Sports Arenas and Stadiums and NBA Security Guidelines Committees, where he was instrumental in helping the NBA rewrite the league guidelines.

Prior to joining Prevent Advisors Mr. Klingenmeier worked for the Houston Dynamo and BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Security Department and coordinated all aspects of security for the venue during events. Mr. Klingenmeier’s other responsibilities included managing local law enforcement, medical provider, parking operations and staff safety training.

Before working in Houston, Mr. Klingenmeier was the Director of Security Venues for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment in Denver, Colorado for 13 years. During his time in Denver, Mr. Klingenmeier oversaw the security operations for multiple sports and entertainment venues including the Pepsi Center, Paramount Theater and First Bank Center, including the build and operations at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Mr. Klingenmeier is a graduate of the Sonoma State University in Northern California and has a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from the University of San Francisco. Mr. Klingenmeier is based out of Las Vegas, NV with his wife, 3 kids and dog.

David is currently an advisor with TPG, one of the leaders in the alternative asset space managing over $109 billion in assets , where he works on guiding new investments as well as working closely with existing portfolio companies such as BookMyShow in India.  He has previously served in senior operating roles with live entertainment, digital media, and ecommerce companies such as Ticketmaster, Youbet.com, SportVision and JAM Productions. At Ticketmaster he served as one of 3 members of the office of the Chairman, who were collectively responsible for overall management of the global ticketing company.  David was CEO of NASDAQ listed Youbet.com, at the time that nation’s largest legal online wagering site, and oversaw its operations and ultimate sale to Churchill Downs.  As Executive Vice President at SportVision David helped guide the interactive business of the creator of the yellow ‘First and Ten’ line for football and other sports broadcast technology enhancements.  He started his career as a talent buyer at JAM Productions and also helped JAM create and launch Tunes.com – and early digital music pioneer – in the mid ‘90s.

Jim is a career live entertainment/touring professional, who has spent the last 7-years working to bring cannabis to live events across North America.

Sameen has been in the Cannabis industry since 2015, with a special focus in event production, compliance, governmental affairs and operations. During her time at cannabis career, Sameen has produced 26 events and the first 5 legal events under Prop 65 in California as well as expanding in Michigan, Oklahoma, Colorado, Oregon, and Nevada. Currently, Sameen is working with Insomniac on projects such as the launch and expansion of Cannabis Nation with their brand RNBW at the forefront. RNBW sits at the intersection of cannabis and music. With Austin as her home for the past decade, Sameen is excited to see the plant make its way to Texas soon enough. 

Michelle been with SOS Global for the past 6 years in touring, production, and logistics.  Prior to that was a buyer, creating the Wrangler Concert Series, the MLB WoodJock festival, the Cinch Concert Series, the 4th of July Musical Festival, the Superbowl preshows, and the WNFR talent in Las Vegas.  She is still a current ACM and CMA member.

James Taylor, Senior Commercial Manager at Wembley Stadium (UK) is responsible for developing the stadium’s commercial events strategy and contracting a mix of concerts and sports events year-round for the stadium. After securing a record 14 concert nights in 2019, Wembley Stadium is now set to host another record-breaking concert season of a minimum of 15 concerts in 2022 bouncing back from 2 seasons of cancelled concerts due to Covid. 2022 is set to welcome Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Westlife and Harry Styles as well as further unannounced nights. In addition to concert nights the stadium will host England internationals, FA Cup Soccer matches, Several EFL finals and further unannounced sports events. Building up to and on event days James will lead the relationship with the promoter until completion of the event.

James also manages the stadium sponsorship and supplier deals including Coca Cola, PepsiCo and Laurent Perrier.

Before joining Wembley Stadium in 2014, James served as the lead on Barclays flagship £80m CSR Programme ‘Barclays Spaces for Sports’ working in conjunction with their Premier League title sponsorship to build and deliver over 200 community sports sites across the UK which remain open and usable to communities to this day.

Elektra recording artist Noelle Scaggs may be best known for her larger-than-life vocals and magnetic stage presence as the co-front person for multi-platinum group, Fitz and theTantrums, but the talented songstress is also an accomplished songwriter, whose credits include co-writing her band’s chart- topping, platinum-certified singles “Out Of My League” and “The Walker.” In 2018, Scaggs was placed at #12 on Billboard’s list of Top 30 Female Artists in the Alternative Songs Chart’s History, amongst names like Gwen Stefani and Lorde.

In November of 2018, Noelle took a step outside of Fitz and The Tantrums and released “Great For You,” her Elektra Records debut as a solo artist. Created in collaboration with LA-based trio BRÅVES (comprised of producer and long time friend Johnny What and brothers Thorald and Issac Koren,) the song is a fully realized product of Scaggs’ ambition and creative vision – a sultry yet heartbreaking, alternative-pop ballad that hooks in the listener from the first beat, like a sonic love at first sight.

Beyond music creation, Scaggs is immensely passionate about two things: good food and world travel. Adventures with Scaggs, LLC. launched in 2018 and serves as her new production house, focusing on the development of original content series for the epicurious, music-centric and avid traveler alike. As a host, Scaggs showcases her travels with friends and solo journeys around the world, displaying the culinary experiences that inspire her the most. In collaboration with Tastemade media, Scaggs has hosted two travel series over the summer of 2019 and continues to connect with chefs, musicians, and communities around the world “to bring together good food, music and discovery.”

Noelle is currently working on her newly founded initiative, Diversify The Stage that launched the spring of 2020, created to foster more accessible pipelines to careers in concerts, events and touring for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Female-Identifying, and Gender Nonconforming communities. She started the initiative upon recognizing the lack of diversity she'd encountered while on tour and hopes to bring more awareness to artists and their respective teams to help build more inclusive hiring practices in the future.

Mariano Otero is the VP and GM for the Americas at Fever. He studied Economics in the University of Buenos Aires and then received an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mariano started his career at Bain & Company in Brazil, then led Google’s expansion into new markets in LatAm. After his MBA, he joined the investment banking team at Goldman Sachs in the US and Australia and in 2016 he was appointed as General Manager to launch Uber in Argentina. He managed different markets for Uber - first on the mobility and then on the food delivery side - before joining Fever in early 2020 to lead the Americas team, the position he currently holds. As GM for Fever in the Americas he oversees the local operations and business development in the US, Canada and LatAm.

Kurt started his career at Universal City Studios in their Safety Department. He then transitioned to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. After his service, he has spent years in the entertainment safety and risk management business advising film and TV productions, Live entertainment promoters and insurance companies regarding the complex subtleties of production risk.

Margolis joined Knitting Factory Entertainment in 2000 as Operations Manager of Los Angeles’ flagship Knitting Factory concert house. Later he took over as VP of West Coast Operations as the company expanded into the Pacific Northwest, where KFE opened concert houses in Boise and Spokane, and produced tours and concerts at other high-capacity venues nationally. In 2007, Margolis was promoted to VP National Operations. Within a year, he was named CEO of KFE and for the past thirteen years has helmed the company. Margolis has guided the corporation from a three-unit venue company to a twenty-unit, multiple tiered operation, and portfolio company with six hundred employees nationally and abroad.

Today, KFE comprises multiple bars / restaurants and several Knitting Factory concert venues; partnerships with Boomtown Brewery, in DTLA and Arrive Hotel Palm Springs, CA; a partnership with The Buckhead Group in several restaurants, in California and Colorado; KF Records’ ownership of Brooklyn-based indie label Partisan Records (Music Week UK Label of The Year 2020, with multiple Grammy nominations annually); Left Music Management; Knitting Factory Management; Selby Artist Management; Giant Step Marketing and Media, TBA theatrical agency, Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform; and the Connect Group culinary management. KFE also owns the tastemaker web and podcast property, The Talkhouse. He created a strategic partnership with Okay Media and a recent partnership with Fillmore Capital group on a multi-use entertainment and hospitality complex in Denver, opened October 2022.

KFE’s national touring and promotions arm tied the knot with CMoore Concerts in 2019 expanding its footprint. Booking national acts across multiple states including, but not limited to Outlaw Field and Memorial Stadium, ID, and Big Sky Brewery Amphitheatre in MO, these venues safely serve more than 150,000 fans outdoors annually. KFE holds and has held numerous promoter contracts including but not limited to Slowdown, NE; Fawcett Hall, WA; and Elevation 27, VA, as a talent buyer. Partnerships have also included Rachel Ray’s Feedback in Chicago, Hortons Hayride in California, the iconic Desert Daze Festival in Moreno Valley, Maha Festival, NE, Bogus Fest, ID and Underground Music Showcase, CO. Next up in 2022 is Wine Country Amphitheatre Wala Walla, WA.

KFE was a co producer of FELA on Broadway, receiving multiple Tony Awards (with Alex Gibney directing the film version); the documentary THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST; and is currently a co-producer on Saul Williams’ critically acclaimed soon to be released film, NEPTUNE FROST.

Geni Lincoln, GM and SVP/Live Events of the Forum, is an integral player in continuing to maintain the Forum’s status as one of the top arenas in the U.S., while expanding the vast and impressive list of artists performing at the building. She began her career at the Universal Amphitheatre working in the Booking Department for House of Blues Concerts from 2000 through the sale of HoB Concerts to Live Nation in 2006. From 2007 through 2013, she worked in the booking department of Live Nation Southern California on events at the Gibson Amphitheatre and most of the company’s Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Las Vegas events. Lincoln joined the Forum in November 2013 and is proud to work with an amazing team at the iconic venue.

Drea Gonzalez is the Digital and Media Strategist for Lobeline Communications. Drea graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in marketing and advertising and a focus on digital strategy and communications. Throughout their years of experience, they have worked with a wide-range of clients in the arts, entertainment, hospitality, non-profit and lifestyle industries with a heavy emphasis on events and live performances. As a seasoned social media expert both in organic content marketing and digital advertisement, their integrated digital strategies have generated tangible ROI and built a digital presence for some of the nation’s largest attractions including Chicago public art installation Art on theMart, EXPO Chicago, and most recently FeverUp. Drea is also an arts aficionado, social justice advocate and active musician, playing at some of Chicago’s most historic venues.

Robert Gibbs is a Partner and Head of Music at ICM Partners. Rob Gibbs represents talent including multi-platinum rapper, producer and music executive J. Cole as well as the entire Dreamville Records roster, including Ari Lennox, Bas, JID, Earthgang, Cozz, Lute and Omen. Other roster highlights include the much talked about new artist SoFaygo as well as Grammy-nominated R&B artist PARTYNEXTDOOR, who was the first signing to Drake’s OVO label.

Last year Gibbs was promoted to Head of Music, a move that makes him the first African American executive elevated to Music Department Head at any major agency in the history of the business. 

He serves on the board of A Place Called Home, a nonprofit serving South Central Los Angeles which provides children and teens with educational programs, counseling and mentorship, as well as the Board of the ICM Foundation which supports charities and organizations both financially and through volunteer efforts.

Boye is the Co-Founder & President of TheFutureParty, a community-based media brand at the intersection of pop-culture and entrepreneurship. TheFutureParty creates content through their daily newsletter and hosts events for creative professionals in media, entertainment, tech and fashion across the country. TheFutureParty also creates and fosters brand communities for their clients through content and audience procurement from Lyft to Lincoln & Warner Brothers. TheFutureParty was acquired by NVE Experience Agency in 2018. Prior to TheFutureParty, Boye worked deeply in the entertainment industry holding positions at WME and Paramount Pictures working across film, TV, marketing and technology. He holds a BA in Media Management from Biola University in Southern California.

Paul has been in the industry for 23 years and had held various as Vice President and/or General Manager since 2003.  His area of responsibility includes programming oversight of MGM’s three arenas in Las Vegas, Dolby Live at Park MGM, all theaters, showrooms, regional properties and international.  Paul is a native of Las Vegas, NV.

David Born is the Senior Director, Business Development and Operations for Prevent Advisors. He has over 25 years of experience in security and event management. Expertise includes physical security and safety, crowd management, training, compliance, investigation, risk management and strategic planning.

Mr. Born has experience in high-profile events including the 2020 NBA Restart in Orlando, Florida; NBA Finals, NBA All-Star Game, NHL Stanley Cup Final, NHL All-Star Game, NFL Super Bowl, NFL Pro Bowl, Grammy Awards, MLS Finals, NCAA Frozen Four, MLB All-Star Game, and numerous concerts and other events.

Prior to working at Prevent Advisors, Born was the Senior Director of Security for STAPLES Center. At the arena he oversaw security operations at the home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the annual Grammy Awards, concerts, and other events.

Prior to STAPLES Center, Born served as the Director of Security for Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly StubHub Center) in Carson, California. Prior to his time at Dignity Health Sports Park, Born worked as the Senior Director of Guest Services and Security at Enterprise Center (formerly Scottrade Center) and the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis, Missouri. Before that Born also worked in executive facility positions with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. 

Born is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with ASIS International and a Certified Sports Security Professional (CSSP) through the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4). He is also an active member of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) and current faculty member of the Academy for Venue Safety and Security. He has been a speaker at numerous security and crowd management conferences. 

Born has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from San Diego State University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Post- Graduate Certificate in Security Management from Buckinghamshire New University. 

Cristina Baxter is a partner in WME’s Music division, representing leading artists such as Kygo, Miley Cyrus, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sofi Tukker, Kali Uchis, Ashnikko and many more.

In her 11+ year career at the agency, she has worked as a global agent, developing her artist’s touring careers both in North America and internationally. Early in her career, she helped build WME’s Asia touring division, expanding the company’s global footprint and representing it’s roster in the region. She currently oversees major concerts for the WME’s contemporary roster in the South Central region of the United States.

A graduate of Royal Holloway, University of London, Baxter grew up in the UK and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She is a passionate advocate of reproductive rights, having served on the board of Sexy Beast, an organization which raised funds in support of Planned Parenthood LA.

Jeffrey Azoff holds the title of CEO of Full Stop Management which bolsters a roster of Harry Styles, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer, Eagles, James Blake, Anderson .Paak,  Lizzo, Mark Ronson, Meghan Trainor and many more. 

Full Stop, founded in 2015, is a privately held music management company that has earned a reputation of managing, as well as developing, A level talent.  They’ve built and maintained a culture that at its core is known to put artists and fans first. The company is based in Los Angeles where Mr. Azoff was born and raised as the son of legendary entertainment couple Irving and Shelli Azoff. 

Previously, he served as a manager at Front Line Management, the world’s largest music management firm.  He then became an agent at CAA, the world’s largest talent agency, before resigning to found Full Stop in 2015.

Jenna Park Adler is a Music Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA).  Adler represents many of the industry’s leading artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Doja Cat, Charli XCX, Green Day, Chloe x Halle, and Mark Ronson, among many others.   

Adler is well-known for her distinct ability to support the careers of some of the world’s most renowned artists, while also discovering and nurturing emerging talent. Most recently, she helped guide Green Day’s worldwide Hella Mega Tour featuring Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer; and orchestrated Jennifer Lopez’s record-breaking Las Vegas residency, as well as Lopez’s inaugural solo headline summer “It’s My Party 2019” tour. 

In addition, Adler’s knack for identifying and developing up-and-coming talent put her at the forefront of numerous client successes in 2020. She oversaw the massive success and mainstream breakout of Doja Cat and played a pivotal role in Chloe x Halle’s breakthrough 2020 year. Among other accolades, Adler has been named among Pollstar’s Women of Live and Billboard’s Women in Music multiple times since 2015. 

As a Korean-American woman, she was CAA’s first homegrown female music agent. Adler continues to fight for her seat at the table and serves as a mentor to the next generation of agents and executives, helping to make room for others at the table as well. She constantly works to amplify diverse voices and hopes to ensure that the next generation of talent knows how to make their voices heard.  As a mother of two college-aged sons, she has instilled in them the importance of having an opinion, asking questions, and always being kind.

Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), a leading U.S. independent festival promoter and producer has acquired Billy Alan Productions, one of the top talent-booking agencies for Native American casinos. As part of the transaction, Billy Alan Productions, has been rebranded as Billy Alan 2 and will be led by company President Billy Brill, who famously ran promotions at Interscope, EMI and MCA Records back in the day and also consulted Sony, BMG and EMI.

Brill (has been booking national talent for Native American casinos since 1999, and currently represents various casinos in California, Oregon and Mississippi. He was named 2017 Independent Talent Buyer of the Year by Global Gaming, Billy is also been nominated five times Acm talent buyer of the year.

Hailing from the management tree of the legendary music manager Bill Ham ( ZZ Top ) Weiss started Atomic Music Group in 1994 in Sausalito California . Originally formed as a one client company ( Reverend Horton Heat ) , Atomic Music Group ( AMG ) representing clients in all genres of music has grown to 19 agents with offices in New York, Los Angeles , Nashville , Austin, and Toronto.

Besides Weiss’s origins in the music industry, his colorful past includes a freshman All American tennis player at the University of Houston, 4 years as a professional tennis player on the WORLD ATP TOUR , Honorary Doctorate , owner of a stable of Thoroughbred race horses in Louisiana, Venture Capitalist , and ultimately ……….. agent in the music business. Although reluctant to drop names ( a lesson taught to him by Robert De Niro ) Weiss / Atomic has represented ( and lost ) some of the most iconic artists in the touring business. Says Weiss , “ tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all ….. & To never have lost a client is to never have represented one. “

Comedian Steve Treviño is “America’s Favorite Husband.” He can “speak wife fluently,” he never calls “the guys” for help on a home project, and he knows better than to “make his own decisions,” since decision-making is a privilege reserved solely for his wife, Renae.

He appeals to audiences by fitting right into their families. This identifiable approach affirms his status as one of the country’s fastest-rising comics, viewed over 175 million times as of 2020, selling out shows coast-to-coast, amassing nearly 1 million total social media followers, and headlining specials for Amazon, NETFLIX, Showtime, and more.

Cutting his teeth in Dallas, Texas, he opened the iconic 2001 Three Amigos Comedy Tour featuring Carlos Mencia, Pablo Francisco, and Freddy Soto. By 2006, he began headlining on his own. He delivered side-splitting performances on The Late Late Show, Comics Unleashed, and BET Comic View in addition to writing for Mind of Mencia and producing and writing for international GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar Pitbull’s La Esquina.

His first Showtime special, Grandpa Joe’s Son, staked out a spot in the Nielsen Top 20. He funded, produced, and shot his 2014 runaway NETFLIX hit Relatable. To promote the special, he uploaded a clip entitled “When Your Wife Comes Home From Shopping.” It exploded, generating 56 million views on Facebook alone and paving the way for heavily shared clips such as “When You Ask Your Wife If She Wants McDonald’s” [21 million views] and “When Going to Vegas With Your Wife Goes Wrong” [4 million views]. Co-produced by Nacelle, 2018’s ‘Til Death maintained his momentum. Steve regularly raises money for Helicopters for Heroes, an organization benefitting veterans.

In 2020, he and his wife, Renae, unveiled a joint weekly podcast entitled Steve Treviño and Captain Evil, and he filmed his fourth self-produced comedy special, My Life in Quarantine, which was picked up by Amazon Prime. The once-in-a-lifetime pandemic special was shot in front of a masked, socially distant crowd and focused on the ups and downs of getting through quarantine.

In 2021, Steve opened for Pitbull at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, in front of 20,000 people. He became the first comedian to perform at Schroeder Hall in Goliad, Texas - a venue that usually caters to music royalty like Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, and Tracy Byrd. He performed the 2nd Annual HA Festival: The Art of Comedy that aired on HBO Max, was featured on Emmy Award-winning “Extra” with Billy Bush, and performed at The Mirage Theatre in Las Vegas in December as part of their highly coveted Aces of Comedy lineup. Steve produced his fifth special at one of his shows in Waco, Texas, entitled I Speak Wife, which will be released this year.

Jaia Thomas is a sports and entertainment attorney with over fifteen years of experience on both coasts. Jaia is also the founder and CEO of Diverse Representation, a company focused on increasing the hiring and exposure of Black agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists in the sports and entertainment industries. In addition to providing the first ever comprehensive database of Black agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists in the sports and entertainment industries, Diverse Representation also curates various diversity programs, events, and initiatives. In 2021 Diverse Representation partnered with Color of Change to launch the Black Music Executives Pipeline, a program aimed at increasing the number of Black executives in the music industry. In 2022 they will be launching a new database of Black music professionals throughout the country. 

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jaia is a graduate of Colgate University (BA) and The George Washington University Law School (JD).

As a serial entrepreneur, Drake continues to be at the forefront of emerging industries with a consumer and brand focus including Crypto / NFT's, Virtual Goods and Cannabis. Drake has founded, led and sold several companies including a consumer goods holding company for wellness and lifestyle products, a music publishing company for film and TV, a social virtual gifting company, a Wharton School incubated social research company and an award-winning talent and lifestyle marketing firm. He is also the inventor and holder of multiple patents with social, virtual goods and technology applications. Throughout his career, Drake has worked with companies both large and small across media, technology, consumer goods and cannabis and he is a key advisor and board member for private and public companies. He is a keynote speaker at global events and has been featured on CNN, Advertising Week, Variety, Huffpost, Techcrunch, Billboard, Digiday, Wall Street Journal, Cheddar TV and SKY News.

Casey McGrath is an award-winning creative director and filmmaker. As Night After Night’s Chief Creative Officer, he currently oversees all work for the agency’s clients with a focus on creating authentic music experiences at the intersection of brands, bands, and consumers.

Over the years, Casey has led business-driving creative for a range of clients across spirits, music, and entertainment including being the creative director behind Jameson Irish Whiskey’s Love Thy Neighborhood platform and successful “Meet Me at the Bar” campaign in partnership with Anderson. Paak, Jagermeister’s “Our Stages, Our Stories” campaign in partnership with the National Independent Venue Association, Martell Cognac’s “Make Your Statement” campaign with Quavo, and Avion Tequila’s “Depart. Elevate. Arrive.” campaign featuring 21 Savage, amongst many others. 

His work has been recognized by the Emmy, Clio, Webby, and Shorty awards, as well as other category-specific awards within the travel and hospitality industries. He was also nominated for a Grammy for co-directing and producing the documentary Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon. 

A sought-after expert for his knowledge and expertise in the music industry, Casey has been called “music’s most sought-after matchmaker” by Billboard and is quickly becoming known as a pioneer within the NFT space as the Creative Director behind Kings of Leon’s history-making NFT YOURSELF collection.

Joel Madden is an enduring figure in the music industry. He has over 20 years as a successful touring musician under his belt as front man of iconic pop punk band, Good Charlotte, and many of his entrepreneurial efforts throughout the last decade have been focused on supporting the careers of independent artists. Today, as founder of livestreaming platform, Veeps, he continues this mission of inspiring and enabling artists and performers to build a sustaining business, on their own terms.

Dr. Hawk is a physician scientist and President of Ampersand Intelligence. Her integrated MD/PhD training built a foundation to explore translational discoveries, understand the research process, and teach new emerging concepts. Following an undergraduate degree in Molecular Cell Biology at UC Berkley, Dr. Hawk completed a master’s in medical radiation physics and a PhD in Neuroscience at The Chicago Medical School. She then completed her medical doctorate, residency and dual fellowship requirements at the University of Southern California (USC), and is now dual board certified in Nuclear and Molecular Medicine as well as Radiology. Currently, Dr. Hawk holds several national leadership positions in organized medicine and is internationally recognized as a thought leader in artificial intelligence applications. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has strategically applied her translational abilities to ensure sports, entertainment and hospitality spaces create safer environments for people to gather and thrive.

Ken Fermaglich is a Partner and Music Agent at leading global talent and entertainment company, UTA. As a member of the music leadership team, he currently oversees the booking and touring for internationally acclaimed artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Paramore, Muse, Daughtry, Mammoth WVH, 3 Doors Down, Bush, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, Seether, Steel Panther, Alter Bridge, and A Day To Remember, among others.

Fermaglich joined UTA in 2015 when the company acquired the world’s largest independent booking agency, The Agency Group (TAG). Previously, he spent 18 years at TAG where he played a pivotal role in managing a team of agents while cultivating the careers of many acts he represents to this day. Prior to that, Fermaglich worked at Artists & Audience Entertainment after a brief stint at ICM. His music career began shortly after he graduated from Skidmore College and started as an assistant at William Morris in 1990.

Recognized as a leader in the industry, Ken has been named to the Billboard Power 100 list four times and was nominated for the “Agent of the Year” Award at the International Entertainment Buyers Association Awards in 2016.

Mike Betterton works alongside the likes of Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Brandon Lay, Ryan Griffin, Walker County, and more, growing his clients from modest venues to global stages. Betterton has been an undeniable force in expanding the touring careers of some of Nashville's most influential artists. When Pollstar rounded up their Top Touring Artists of the Decade at the close of the 2010s, Chesney ranked as the highest-grossing country artist on the list.

Known for the duality of his comfortable-yet-confident nature, Betterton methodically built his career at Morris Higham Management from intern to VP/GM with passion, unparalleled commitment, and vigor. Throughout his 25-year tenure, he has held a number of roles, gaining direct expertise in artist management, talent buying, and booking, working with such hitmakers as Alabama, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and Michael Ray, among others. He joined Paradigm Talent Agency in 2018 when the agency acquired Morris Higham's touring business; Paradigm, in turn, sold its North American music business to Wasserman in 2021.

Betterton has been named to Billboard's "Country Power Players" list in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He previously served on the board of the International Entertainment Buyers Association. In 2012, he received the CMA/SRO Agent of the Year Award. He earned his MBA at Belmont University.

For the past 25 years, Wright has assembled a unique combination of stadium and arena professional management experience. In Wright’s career spanning tenures with SMG, AEG and currently ASM, he has managed sports and entertainment venues which housed teams in Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and currently the National Football League’s Las Vegas Raiders.

In addition to Wright’s experience with professional sports teams and leagues, he has also held corporate positions with regional stadium and arena account management as well as National oversight of concert and other sports content strategies and development.

As General Manager for Allegiant Stadium, Wright has the honor of working with Nevada’s great new showpiece property on the Las Vegas Strip in partnership with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Joey Scoleri is currently Head of Industry Relations for Live Nation Canada. Prior to this he spent 10 years as Senior Vice President Strategic Marketing for Live Nation Entertainment US. He has curated marketing strategies to promote superstar artists along with newer talents by connecting directly to fans through Live Nation’s vast array of direct and partner fan connection channels. Joey has worked on tours with Coldplay, Jay Z, Aerosmith, The Weekend, U2, One Direction and many more.  While at Live Nation Joey conceived National Concert Day which became National Concert Week and is Live Nation’s largest single promotion in company history. Prior to joining Live Nation he spent 12 successful years at The Disney Music Group as VP of promotion and sports marketing working on brand campaigns for artists including Queen, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Breaking Benjamin, Rascal Flatts amongst others.  Joey also worked at Elektra Records and orchestrated campaigns with artists including Metallica, AC/DC and Motley Crue. Before moving into the management side of the music business he spent over 10 years at Q107 Radio in Toronto as Program Director, Afternoon Host and National Television Personality. Joey has guest hosted The Jim Rome Show on CBS Sports Radio/Television across North America, NBC Sports Radio Sportsnet radio nationally across Canada; he has interviewed everyone from Jerry Bruckheimer and Mark Cuban to Sidney Crosby on his shows.

Zeke Hutchins started putting bands together and releasing music in middle school around the age of 14.
He continued doing this throughout his high school years until signing his first record deal with with Sony Music Group while in college. Mostly known as a drummer in the early years of his career, Zeke began to apply his skills learned from the road and ventured into tour management, merch selling, talent buying and working at the legendary Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC.

Upon his move to New York City from North Carolina in 2007, two resumes were sent out regularly: one for drumming and one for tour managing. He successfully worked both jobs traveling around the world without losing sight of one day becoming an artist’s manager. That call came in 2013 while tour managing Deer Tick and playing drums for Sharon Van Etten. Both artists came to him at the same time for management advice. While consulting with Deer Tick and Sharon, Zeke suggested that he become their manager. They accepted.

Shortly thereafter, Zeke hopped off the road and joined Mick Management in 2013 bringing Deer Tick and Sharon Van Etten along with him. His first two signings with Jonathan Eshak and Michael Mcdonald at Mick Management were Leon Bridges and Maggie Rogers. Zeke continues to work with Sharon Van Etten, Mandy Moore, Leon Bridges and Maggie Rogers at Mick Management.

Amy Davidson is the SVP - Head of Touring for mtheory, a management services and artist development company with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville.  She and her team advise the company's roster of managers and their client artists, including Zac Brown Band, Tyler Childers, Yves Tumor, Flume and others on tour operations, logistics, strategy, and marketing. Under Amy’s leadership, mtheory produced the last global tour cycle for The xx, and has taken an active role in global tour operations for Twenty Øne Pilots. Amy toured for 15 years as a Tour Manager and Tour Accountant, working with Arcade Fire, Florence + The Machine, Flight of the Concords and has worked in business management for PSBM. She joined mtheory in 2016.

Venue experience followed by two decades of tour managing lead to Brian overseeing all aspects of touring for Monotone’s entire stable of artists including LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend and Jamie Foxx to name a few.

In depth knowledge of all sides of an artist’s deal, ticketing and touring operations coupled with strategic deal making make Brian an important asset to any artist.

In an era where celebrity talent and brands alike seek to find proven and committed purpose, Denise Melanson’s work provides a compass for meaningful social contributions. In her pioneering role for the company – and the industry – Denise consults with client teams and executives on philanthropic strategies and client social impact engagement. She’s a leading voice on parent company Wasserman’s DE&I Council and its Health & Wellness Committee. Through collaboration and thought leadership, she ensures that all of Wasserman Music’s strategies can deliver a positive impact on society through a variety of initiatives.

After 17 years as a music agent, Denise created the Social Impact Department at Paradigm Talent Agency – prior to Wasserman’s acquisition and integration of the team in 2021. As leader of the Social Impact department, she was responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all of Paradigm's philanthropic strategies with the goal of helping the agency and its represented artists to have a positive impact on society.

During her years leading the department, Denise established relationships with a variety of non- profit organizations around the globe. Denise bridged the gap between nonprofits and cause- related campaigns and agency and artists, co-creating impactful campaigns while empowering staff and clients to engage with their communities. Further, she and the team developed programs and strategies that built industry connections and inspired positive change.
She has worked on national campaigns with Planned Parenthood, Red Nose Day, Everytown for Gun Safety, NRDC, and many more. She’s also partnered on local efforts with Urban Roots in Austin, HOLA in Los Angeles, The Bowery Mission in New York and beyond.

During Denise’s music agent tenure, she represented clients including Stormzy, A-Trak, Knife Party, Pendulum, Chase & Status and many more – securing top spots on festivals and worldwide tours.

In addition, Denise has also served as an advisor to Plus1, as well as Children in Conflict. In May 2019, Denise was selected to represent Austin as part of the United State of Women, a national organization tackling gender equity. Denise was also recognized by Headcount in 2020 for her contributions in helping to engage artists and register voters. She has also joined as an advisor to Propeller, an organization that connects cultural leaders to powerful campaigns that inspire activism and build moments of positive social change.

Denise is a proud resident of Austin, Texas where she and her dog George actively enjoy Austin’s fantastic park system.

Michael Martin is the Founder and CEO of Effect Partners and r.Cup. As an innovator in the merging of business, and social change impact, he has been at the forefront of the environmental movement, climate change, single-use waste reduction, and music industry greening since 1990 - starting with the non-profit, Concerts for the Environment.

Michael introduced many of the greening practices currently being used in the live event industry today. He has worked with hundreds of the music industry’s leading artists and tours including U2, Roger Waters, Jack Johnson, and Rolling Stones. He developed the first-ever, national global warming campaign by uniting Ben & Jerry’s with Dave Matthews Band and the top 20 environmental groups. He has produced multiple nationally broadcast Earth Day events on the National Mall and stadiums. Michael has developed the sustainability/marketing strategies for brands including Live Nation, AEG, Toyota, UPS, Target, Clif Bar, and Apple Computer.

Effect Partners provides comprehensive environmental services to the music industry, including managing zero-waste-to-landfill solutions at events, guiding ethical supply chain choices, and investigating solutions that reduce or avoid carbon emissions.

In 2017, Michael founded r.Cup - the award-winning turnkey reusable cup system built on r.Turn™ technology - to target the more than 4 billion single-use and disposable cups used at live events in North America each year.

Michael sits on the MIT Environmental Solutions Board. In addition, he recently helped catalyze the formation of the Music Sustainability Association—a hyper inclusive member driven association by and for the music industry to collaborate, facilitate and expedite systemic solutions to the biggest environmental challenges that threaten the music industry and humanity.

David oversees all major events for the Global Citizen brand including event and broadcast production of the Global Citizen Festival. The festival is broadcast live on MSNBC and YouTube with highlight programs distributed throughout the world. Past performers include Pearl Jam, Beyonce, JAY-Z, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, No Doubt, Ed Sheeran, Neil Young, and Foo Fighters along with celebrities such as Hugh Jackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Olivia Wilde, Kerry Washington, and Stephen Colbert, and dignitaries including Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and Prime Minister Modi of India.

Most recently, David and his team were responsible for hosting Global Citizen Live, a 24-hour broadcast back in September 2021 aimed at uniting the world to defend the planet, defeat poverty, and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading up to the G20 and COP26 Summits, audiences worldwide were urged to push for action to halt climate change and for wealthy countries to deliver on $100B climate pledge, $6B for famine relief, and for vaccine justice. It served as the platform for over 60M COVID-19 vaccine donations, 157M trees, and over US$1.1B committed to climate, famine, and covid response efforts.

In addition to his role with Global Citizen, David is also a partner at the entertainment law firm of Beame & Mencher LLP. He has negotiated and structured millions of dollars of entertainment related transactions for clients including international platinum recording artists and songwriters/producers, talent and creators of television programs and motion pictures, and pioneering new media and cutting-edge tech companies.

David is a graduate of New World School of the Arts and received two bachelor of arts degrees from Boston University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.

Since the start of his career, Jonathan Shank has thrived on going above and beyond to support artists in fully realizing their vision. With the recent launch of Terrapin Station Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based CEO has created an artist management and production company uniquely placed at the intersection of talent development and community enrichment, while continuing to expand his reach as an industry leader in live family entertainment.

With a dynamic background that includes working with an incredibly eclectic range of artists— Isaac Hayes, Smashing Pumpkins, Eve, Paul Oakenfold, Aly & AJ, Ashley Tisdale, and LFO, to name just a few—Shank first began pursuing his intense love of music as a teenager. Originally from Pennsylvania, he attended Tulane University for the purpose of embedding himself in the rich musical landscape of New Orleans, and promptly scored his first internship by turning up on the doorstep of the then-newly-opened House of Blues. During his time at Tulane, he also interned for legendary producer Kim Fowley, who later sent Shank off to L.A. with a stack of business cards scrawled with the words “Hire This Guy.” After graduating, Shank got his start at a boutique agency in L.A., an assistant gig that quickly led to working with legacy acts like The Doors’ Robby Krieger and John Densmore. Thanks in part to his vast musical knowledge, Shank discovered a rare ability to connect with clients on a deep-seated level, a factor that paved the way for his longtime relationship with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. Not long after taking the role of Hart’s manager, Shank began producing benefit shows for the Rex Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the Grateful Dead and friends. As he mastered the many intricacies of event production, Shank went on to produce such events as Nancy Pelosi’s inauguration bash in 2007 and the history-making Deadheads for Obama fundraiser in 2008. As part of his extensive work with Hart, he also earned a Grammy Award in 2009 for his role in creating the groundbreaking album Global Drum Project.

In 2010 Shank joined Red Light Management, where he soon took charge of developing the company’s family entertainment division. A previously untapped market, the division proved to be a massive success, with productions like Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour, Peppa Pig Live!, and The Fresh Beat Band Live In Concert drawing instant sellouts across the country, generating over $80 million in gross box office sales and garnering three Pollstar Award nominations in 2019 and 2020. In his tenure as senior management executive at Red Light, Shank also played a vital part in cultivating the career of Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice, now a multi-award-winning singer/actor.

Upon launching Terrapin Station Entertainment in summer 2020, Shank brought along his entire Red Light artist roster, including Justice as well as prodigious songwriter Scarypoolparty, “American Idol” winner Maddie Poppe, multi-platinum-selling artist Magic!, multi-hyphenate phenomenon Laura Marano, and global influencer Sam Tsui. With Terrapin Station firmly positioned at the forefront of the family entertainment industry, he also continues to partner with leading brands to conceptualize and create high-impact business models for tours and live experiences. 

Now scaling into other cultural verticals, Terrapin Station is also focused on an endeavor close to Shank’s heart: the production of high-profile charity concerts. Named the 2020 recipient of the T.J. Martell Trailblazer Award (an honor bestowed by the T.J. Martell Foundation, an organization dedicated to cancer research), Shank has produced and directed such events as The Homeward Bound Concert (a fundraiser for L.A.’s unhoused population) and A Tribute to the Music of Linda Ronstadt (a benefit for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research). Not only a means of providing essential resources to those in need, each charity concert helps to fulfill one of Shank’s greatest missions: uniting artists across all genres and eras, and building a mutually supportive sense of community within the music world. Shank lives in L.A. with his wife and two sons.

Stanislav "Stas" Chijik is the co-founder and CEO of Billfold, a payments and access control solution for large-scale events and venues. He has 10 years of experience in event operations and F&B organization, in addition to his owner-operator history with Brooklyn Mirage/Avant Gardner. He still owns and operates his first business he started when he was 19 years old called One Stop Beer Shop, a local bar focused on craft beer. With millions of people coming in contact with Billfold, he understands what users look for and how to solve their needs effectively.

Fabrice Sergent is co-founder and managing partner of Bandsintown Group.  The company’s live music discovery platform Bandsintown serves 66M registered music fans and 550K artists, the Bandsintown Amplified proprietary ad solution reaches 250M monthly unique fans and Bandsintown Promoter serves 15,000 music promoters with a self-serve email + push platform.

At the start of the pandemic, Bandsintown expanded its mission to produce 1400 live streams on its own Bandsintown PLUS and LIVE channels and help artists market more than 85,000 live streams.

In 2021, Bandsintown was named to Variety's "1O Tech Innovators To Watch" and Fast Company's "World’s Most Innovative Companies."

Shirin Nury is a Music Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Nury’s work focuses on championing a diverse group of female-fronted talent. Her roster includes, HAIM, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Sharon Van Etten, Ava Max, FLETCHER, Gracie Abrams, Amber Mark, Betty Who, Celeste, Cherry Glazerr, Deb Never, dodie, Jamila Woods, Paloma Mami, NAO, and Maisie Peters, among many others. Nury also works with breakout star Conan Gray, as she developed and oversaw his last three consecutive sold-out tours.  

Based out of the Los Angeles office, Nury oversees the club division across the Music Touring department, as well as books West Coast clubs throughout the entire CAA contemporary pop and rock rosters.   

Nury is a member of City of Hope’s Future Hope committee. She is also a member of the board at EarthPercent, helping raise money from the music industry for the most effective environmental charities. She began her career at CAA in 2013 and graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in English and Spanish.

Jamie Cheek, president and co-owner of FBMM, is a trusted adviser and financial manager to top recording artists and one of the most highly regarded business managers in the industry. With over two decades of experience in entertainment business management, Jamie is responsible for directly overseeing the firm’s staff of more than 140 employees and sets the vision for the company’s continued growth and excellence. He has been a co-owner of FBMM since 2006, but has been working as a business manager in the industry since 1997.

Jamie is well-respected in the music industry. He has been named the CMA Touring Awards Business Manager of the Year twice (2013 and 2016) and was a finalist for the 2018 award, which co-owner Julie Boos won. He was also recognized as one of Billboard’s Country Power Players, a member of Music Row’s InCharge list of professionals and named to Variety’s 2018 Business Managers Elite list. Jamie was most recently named to the Nashville Post 2019 In Charge list for his influential role in Nashville’s music industry.

He is a board member of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Riser Foundation.

FBMM manages business needs for clients across all genres of music. The firm is composed of award-winning professionals who provide counsel and strategic support to artists and their teams. Their services include tour and personal lifestyle budgeting, tax return preparation, royalty statement review and auditing, and more.

Michael P. Downing brings 35 years of experience to Prevent Advisors. Most recently he served as the Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department and Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau where he led five operational divisions: Major Crimes, Emergency Services Divisions, Metropolitan Division, Air Support Division, and Emergency Operations Division. These divisions include the Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Section, Criminal Investigative Section, Organized Crime, Surveillance Section, Hazardous Devices Section, LAX Bomb K-9 Section, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Mounted Unit, Dive Teams, Emergency Preparedness and Response.

He has worked with the New Scotland Yard's Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command SO 15. Deputy Chief Downing has testified before Congressional sub-committeeÕs relative to intelligence, homeland security, information sharing, and prison radicalization. In April 2010, Chief Downing served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council working group on developing a national strategy for countering violent extremism.

In October 2009, Deputy Chief Downing was appointed as the Interim Police Chief for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Deputy Chief Downing is an active member of the Leadership in Counter-Terrorism (LinCT) Alumni Association, working with alumni from the FBIÕs LinCT Program to develop a global enterprise of networked counter-terrorism practitioners from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Deputy Chief Downing has also worked with the Department of Justice and State Department, traveling throughout South America, Africa, Turkey, Poland, India, and Kenya to transition large national police organizations into democratic civilian policing models and overlay counter-terrorism enterprises on top of cities. His work in counter-terrorism has taken him to Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Kenya, India, France, Afghanistan, and Iraq; all to examine smart practices and build a network of practitioners.

Deputy Chief Downing attended the University of Southern California where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1982 and completed POST Command College in 1997, the FBIÕs Leadership in Counter-Terrorism (LinCT) in 2008, the Post Naval Graduate Executive Program in 2009, and the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston (SMIP PERF) in 2012.

Peter’s influence has resonated throughout the industry since the 1980s. At only 23 years old, he discovered and managed the infamous industrial alt-rock band Ministry, the first of many groups he has successfully supported.

He has worked across numerous scenes, both geographically and stylistically. During the mid-80s, he was closely associated with the birth of house music. Acting as an agent for seminal artists such as Marshall Jefferson and Adonis, he organized some of their first international gigs at iconic venues like Paradise Garage and Ministry of Sound.

Katsis later moved to Los Angeles and became a partner at The Firm. At the agency, he helped the careers of Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Korn, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Snoop Dogg, One Direction, Audioslave, Limp Bizkit, Staind, and others.

Peter has organized and strategized countless concerts and tours, breaking boundaries and setting records along the way. The Backstreet Boys’ 1999 “Into The Millennium Tour” set a Ticketmaster record of sales, with 735,000 sold in the first hour. He produced the only concert by an American band in Castro-era Cuba with Audioslave’s 2005 performance to 100,000 fans in Havana.

In 2008 through 2014, Peter – along with partners Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank – founded Prospect Park Entertainment. During that time, he continued his work managing the music careers of top artists like The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, Korn, Audioslave, Ice Cube, Death Grips, and the Backstreet Boys.

Currently, Katsis is a partner at YM&U Group in Beverly Hills, where he manages artists like, Bush, 5 Seconds of Summer, Fever 333, Jane's Addiction, The Clockworks, and Liz Phair, amongst others.

“THE BEST MANAGER IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS - PERIOD.” – Vanity Fair

Dana Warg is the Vice President of Entertainment Booking for 313 Presents, Detroit’s premiere live entertainment company. Dana provides leadership to maximize event scheduling and oversees the development of key strategic partnerships with promoters, agencies, managers, ticketing partners, artists and other marketing partners in the delivery of first-class events to 313 Presents venues.

Inspired by the soul of Detroit, 313 Presents promotes and produces concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events and family shows at six world-class venues across southeast Michigan including Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre, Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. 

Dana previously served as the Senior Vice President of Facilities for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) where he led the day-to-day booking and other select operations for AEG’s portfolio of owned and operated venues; including STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Toyota Sports Center and Manchester Evening News Arena (London). Dana was involved in planning and building the Sprint Center (Kansas City), O2 (London), Berlin National Arena, Microsoft Theater, Club Nokia (Los Angeles) and outdoor stadiums for soccer, concerts and other events in Bridgeview, Illinois and Harrison, New Jersey. He was also actively involved in the company’s acquisition of several sports and entertainment venues.

The 35-year entertainment and sports veteran has also served in leadership roles with Nederlander Concerts, SFX Music Group, Clear Channel Entertainment, Target Center and Ogden Entertainment.

Independent music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro continues to explore a range of passion projects. He has owned and operated renowned venues Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, The Capitol Theatre, Garcia’s and Wetlands Preserve.  In 2015, he produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA and Chicago’s Soldier Field.  Shapiro founded Lockn’, a four-day music and camping festival held in Nelson County, Virginia as well as Jazz & Colors, an experiential music event held in Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is the creator of FANS, the immersive livestreaming platform with its innovative “Be in the Stream” feature that allows audiences to tune in and appear alongside the artists. He also originated the Rock and Roll Playhouse, developing the family concert series into a weekly national concert series that takes place in over 25 markets across America. His other endeavors include the IMAX concert films U2 3D and All Access, the Jammys awards show, the Green Apple Earth Day Featival, and Easy Rider Live.  Shapiro serves as publisher of Relix magazine and sits on the board of a number of civic and charitable organizations, including: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, New York Public Radio, and City Parks Foundation.  In 2019, Peter was named Chairman of HeadCount, one of the leading youth voter engagement and participation organizations in America.

Grace Blake is a music industry veteran who brings her many years of management and programming, artist relations, talent buying, and production to her current role as Programming Director at City Winery NYC, Pier 57. During her previous tenure as Director of Artist Relations and Programming at The Iridium in Times Square she was recognized and inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame as a Great Music Manager & Promoter.

Blake is the producer of two award winning PBS series “Front and Center” and “Speakeasy” which featured performances by superstar talent such as Shawn Mendes, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark, Jr., Liam Gallagher, and many more. She also produced season one of MTV Live Setlist which highlighted artists like Dua Lipa, Kaleo, Børns and more, prior to playing bigger stages.

Blake currently serves as a Board member for the National Independent Venues Association (NIVA) and New York Independent Venues Association (NYIVA) where she has helped to shepherd NIVA Care, a healthcare insurance and employee benefits program designed exclusively for NIVA members providing game-changing competitive benefits and potentially significant cost saving. Since May 2020, Grace Blake has served as Co-Executive Director of My Good, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization she co-founded with Charyn Harris and Grammy award-winning singer Macy Gray, to provide support, mental health services, and legal resources for the mothers and families who have lost loved ones due to police violence and brutality.

Rashad Robinson is President of Color Of Change, a leading racial justice organization with more than 7 million members. Rashad designs winning strategies to build power for Black communities: moving prosecutors to reduce mass incarceration and police violence; forcing over 100 corporations to abandon the right-wing policy shop, ALEC; forcing corporations to stop supporting Trump initiatives and white nationalists; winning net neutrality as a civil rights issue; changing representations of race in Hollywood; moving Airbnb, Google and Facebook to implement anti-racist initiatives; forcing Bill O’Reilly off the air. Rashad appears regularly in major news media and as a keynote speaker nationally. He was among the first in a global cohort of Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity, and previously wrote a monthly column about race, politics and corporate accountability for The Guardian. Previously, Rashad served as Senior Director of Media Programs at GLAAD. Rashad is currently the Co-Chair of the Aspen Commission on Information Disorder and serves on the boards of the Hazen Foundation and Marguerite Casey Foundation.

Valeisha Butterfield Jones serves as Co-President for the Recording Academy®. In her role, she is responsible for management, strategic planning and growth for the organization, including People and Culture, Membership, Awards, Advocacy, Communications, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and related initiatives. She leverages data insights and delivers practical solutions to solve complex problems.

Butterfield Jones previously served as the Recording Academy's first Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, responsible for advancing the Academy's mission and ensuring that diversity and inclusion are core to business values and standards, demonstrated throughout the organization. She oversaw the designing, building and implementation of world-class programs and industry standards focused on inclusion, belonging and representation for underrepresented communities and creators.

Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Butterfield Jones spent two decades driving change and accelerating business outcomes for global brands at the intersections of entertainment, technology and politics. Butterfield Jones served as the global head of inclusion for Google, Inc., responsible for accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities internally and externally across the global brand. In this role, she led strategies and teams across the United States, EMEA, APAC, and LatAm, focused on access to quality education, growth for minority-owned businesses, global partnerships, and pathways into S.T.E.A.M. for historically marginalized groups. She also served as the national youth vote director for the Obama for America campaign, helping to deliver one of the highest youth voter turnouts in American history, and in the Obama Administration as the deputy director of public affairs for International Trade. She also held positions as the national executive director and senior vice president of Rush Communications / the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and as the national director of diversity and inclusion for the Alzheimer's Association. Her two decades-long career began at Home Box Office (HBO Sports).

In 2007, Butterfield Jones co-founded Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), a nonprofit, global coalition of people committed to the balanced, positive portrayal of women in the entertainment industry.

Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes and Glamour, and featured on Ebony magazine's Power 100, The Root 100, Essence magazine's Top 40 Under 40, Elle magazine's Top 25 Most Inspiring Women, Fortune, and others.

Butterfield Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Clark Atlanta University. In 2021, she was awarded the Pathways to Excellence Award, presented annually to Clark Atlanta University graduates who have consistently made a proven impact in the lives of others.

GLP's foundation was laid in 1979, when George Leitner started his first promoting company presenting Punk, Reggae and Funk artists in Austria and Eastern Europe as well as developing marketing concepts for the industry.
1985 GLP went from promoting to booking European and later worldwide tours.

For more than 40 years GLP has delivered to promoters across the globe, some of the world’s top performers. 
GLP tours included longstanding legends such as James Brown and Ray Charles.
Today GLP still tours legends and outstanding Artists such as The Jacksons, Kool & The Gang and many more Artists such as World and Reggae attractions (e.g. Inner Circle, Wyclef Jean), Jazz and Latin Artists (e.g. Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Luis Fonsi), Rock Bands (e.g. Foreigner, Nina Hagen, Mother’s Finest), Family Entertainment shows (e.g. Ice shows such as Peter Pan on Ice and Cirque de Glace, “Vivaldianno”), Urban Music & Hip Hop Performers (e.g. Busta Rhymes, 50 CENT) as well as Artists in the classical field (eg Jose Carreras).

Jason C Miller is CEO of Eventim Live Asia, focused on bringing the best live entertainment in the world to Asia. Eventim Live Asia is a partnership with CTS Eventim, one of the world’s leading providers of ticketing services and live entertainment. Prior to launching Eventim Live Asia, Miller led all touring activity for Live Nation Entertainment’s Asian and Middle East offices for seven-plus years, as Senior Vice President International & Emerging Markets. Miller and his team produced 80 percent of the last decade’s highest-grossing Asian tours for Western artists, including Madonna, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, U2, and countless others. Prior to Live Nation, Miller was an agent at talent agency powerhouse Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and was integral in the career development of such high-profile clients as Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Jimmy Fallon, and many more. Miller holds a B.S. from Syracuse University and MBAs from UCLA Anderson School of Management and the National University of Singapore.

Christy Castillo Butcher, Senior Vice President of Programming at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, is responsible for developing the programming strategy as well as securing events year-round throughout the entire 300-acre development. This includes SoFi Stadium, American Airlines Plaza, YouTube Theater, and all other event spaces across the site. Within the past 18 months, Castillo Butcher opened two venues curating a diverse lineup of events building a local and global entertainment destination. The inaugural year at SoFi Stadium included sell-out performances by Kaskade, followed by two nights of Los Bukis where the legendary Mexican band took the stage for the first time in 25 years, and two nights of The Rolling Stones. In September, Castillo Butcher and the programming team opened the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park, which has hosted nearly 20 shows since opening. With Castillo Butcher leading the programming team, she booked four nights of BTS in November, with a live feed simultaneously taking place at YouTube Theater. Those shows scored the biggest Boxscore in almost a decade, according to Billboard Magazine, selling over 200,000 tickets. Both SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater are nominated for Pollstar’s “Concert Venue of the Year.”

A Los Angeles-native and entertainment industry veteran, Castillo Butcher previously served as the Senior Vice President of Booking & Events for STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater. She played a critical role in booking and managing some of STAPLES’ most successful events, including the 2000 Democratic National Convention, multiple GRAMMY Awards, multiple X Games competitions, NHL and NBA All-Star Games, and more than 250 sold-out concerts. Castillo Butcher is excited to continue this work to help build the next sports and entertainment capital of the world in Inglewood.

Warnock is the Co-Head of UTA UK and the Head of Global Touring at leading global talent, entertainment and sports company UTA. Based in UTA’s London office, Warnock oversees a robust roster of UK agents and artists, advising on both regional and international touring business strategy. 

Warnock is one of the most experienced music agents in the world and a key architect of the modern live music business. He has directly helped to open up new touring markets in areas such as India and China for international artists, and he has been an influential player in expanding the global footprint of the live music business. He currently represents some of the largest worldwide touring acts including Dolly Parton, Deep Purple, and David Gilmour. His extensive and varied career has also seen him work with legendary artists including Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel and Michael Jackson.  Among his many unparalleled achievements are Michael Jackson’s tour stop in India, The Rolling Stones’ tours in South East Asia and Europe, and Pink Floyd’s two world tours, numerous events, including having the band play Russia before the Iron Curtain came down and negotiating for them to play on the Grand Canal opposite St Mark’s Square in Venice.

Outside of UTA, Warnock is actively involved with the Nordoff Robbins music charity where he sits on the Board as trustee and is Chairman of Fundraising, as well as the Country Music Association Advisory Group where he is a participating member. During his career, he has received multiple industry awards, recognising his significant contributions to the live music business.  In January 2019, Warnock was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours List, for services to Music and Charity.

Ashish Hemrajani is the Founder and CEO of Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited, which operates BookMyShow, India’s leading online entertainment platform, offering tickets and end-to-end management for live events and movies as also sports, games, musicals, etc. It is the one stop shop for all out-of-home entertainment offerings in India.

Ashish started his professional journey after completing his MBA specialising in Marketing in 1997. In 1999, he gave in to his passion for entrepreneurship and founded Big Tree Entertainment.

In 2007, seeing the growth in multiplexes and the increased credit and debit card penetration in the country, Ashish and his team launched BookMyShow as we know it today. While passionately driving his model for BookMyShow, he brought on board believing investors like TPG Growth, Stripes Group, SAIF Partners, Accel and Network 18 (Reliance). BookMyShow has also ventured into international territories and has expanded its operations to Dubai, Indonesia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

While BookMyShow embodies the true spirit of entrepreneurship and is a classic example of how a simple idea can go a long way in resolving a pertinent problem, Ashish also continues to invest his energies in creating and nurturing the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, both within the organization and outside of it.

BookMyShow also gives back to the society through BookASmile, the charity initiative of the organization. Since its inception, BookASmile through the power of Re. 1 has positively impacted millions of lives across the country and continues to generate smiles within the lesser fortunate sections of the society.

Ashish believes in balance and indulges in a couple of leisure activities that help him stay focussed, including sailing. The BookMyShow captain cool considers the sea as a great leveller. He sails every week and participates in sailing competitions regularly along with his crew. Apart from being out at sea, Ashish is also drawn to the philosophy of Vedanta.

Lucy Dickins is a co-head of WME’s Music division, representing several Grammy award winners such as Adele, Mumford & Sons and James Blake. She also represents Grammy nominees Hot Chip, Bryan Ferry and Laura Marling and the popular singer-songwriters Rex Orange County and Mabel.

Dickins has received numerous accolades, including being named to Billboard’s 2020 'Women in Music' list and 2019 ‘Women in Music Top Exec’ list. She was also honored as Music Week’s ‘Live Music Agent of the Year’ in 2017 and again in 2019, as well as ‘Live Agent of the Year’ at the 2019 European Festival Awards.

Dickins is a member of Endeavor’s Diversity and Inclusion working group, which focuses on the amplification of marginalized voices, and ways to deeper develop the company’s proactive commitment to both diversity and inclusion.

Zac Bluestone’s niche is developing left-of-center artists, many of whom he has discovered across emerging digital platforms. His clients include Lauv, Noah Cyrus, Alec Benjamin, mxmtoon, Tai Verdes, and social media tastemaker Ari Elkins. Bluestone helps oversee Wasserman’s pop music team and is a member of the agency's A&R committee. He is a graduate of Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, where he returns each year as a guest lecturer for the university's Economics of Entertainment class.

For reasons bigger than music and after years of driving success for some of the industry’s most iconic artists brands and companies, Jonathan Azu left an executive role at entertainment powerhouse Red Light Management to start management firm, Culture Collective.

With a focus on clients of color, Culture Collective is driving change within its industry while also representing creatives who are redefining their culture. While providing its clients with the services to build their careers, Culture Collective is also exemplifying and promoting diverse and inclusive leadership in entertainment which is greatly lacking in music companies today.

As Jonathan stated in his Variety Magazines 2019 Inclusion Impact Report interview, “I wanted to build a company that has diversity and inclusion as its mission…it is important because without it our culture’s narrative could be lost or mistold.”

Prior to joining Red Light, Azu, a two-time Billboard 40 Under 40 Power Player, was EVP & General Manager of Red Light Management, EVP of Operations and Business Development for Superfly Presents and was VP of Music Partnerships for CBS Radio. He is a graduate of Drake University and currently serves as a Board Trustee. In 2020 Azu was added to University of Southern California’s faculty as an adjunct professor in artist management. He was also honored as a Billboard Change Agent for his work at Culture Collective and in launching Diversity in Music, the first employment database in focused on underrepresented executives in music.

In his career Jonathan has overseen the development of many notable artists and brands including Anita Baker, Emily King, Jośe James, Cory Henry, Luke James, Michelle Williams, Miguel, Kool & the Gang, Lecrae, Leon Thomas, Outside Lands Music Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and many more.

Donna Westmoreland is the Chief Operating Officer of I.M.P., Inc., the Washington, DC company that operates the renowned 9:30 Club, The Anthem, Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Lincoln Theatre. An avid music fan and born event planner, Donna was drawn to the independent company post-college, quickly taking on production responsibilities, and subsequently becoming General Manager. She returned to I.M.P. as VP of Marketing after spearheading the marketing, nonprofit and sponsorship components of Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair touring festival. Its groundbreaking, all-woman lineup played over 130 shows in three years at major North American venues including the Rose Bowl, Jones Beach and The Gorge in Washington State. In her roles at both I.M.P. and Lilith Fair, Donna has enjoyed opportunities to work with top performers, Fortune 100 executives and national and regional leaders.

Active in civic and philanthropic causes, curating benefit events at I.M.P. venues and elsewhere. Donna served on the Board of Directors of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, organizing an annual fundraising hike for 10 years. She is the Chairwoman of the Board of Washington, DC’s Southwest BID and served on the Sports & Entertainment subcommittee of Mayor Bowser’s ReOpen DC Committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donna is a second-generation Washingtonian; she spent most of her childhood abroad with her Foreign Service officer father and family, primarily in Southeast Asia. She attended high school in Bethesda before attending the University of Maryland, where she studied Government and Politics. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and is an avid cook and competes in triathlons across the country.

Marty Diamond founded his celebrated boutique agency Little Big Man Booking in 1994, following
stints at booking agency International Talent Group, record labels Arista and PolyGram, Bill Graham
Management, and as talent buyer at Manhattan music venue The Ritz (now known as Webster Hall).
Little Big Man won the Pollstar Award for Boutique Booking Agency of the Year 10 times in 11 years
before being acquired by Paradigm in 2006. Diamond became Paradigm's Head of Global Music, and is a
15-time nominee and three-time winner of Pollstar's Agent of the Year award.

Diamond takes pride in being an architect of artist development. He represents many of music's most
creatively and commercially successful artists, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Janelle Monâe,
Sigur Rés, Sara Bareilles, Liam Gallagher, Sia, Lorde, Alessia Cara, Bastille, Snow Patrol, Jess
Glynne, and Vance Joy, among others.

Diamond is a Samburu Trust board member, serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the University
of Delaware's Colleqe of Arts & Sciences, and is actively involved with Global Citizen and the
Surfrider Foundation in an advisory capacity. Diamond and his family were honored at the T.J.
Martell Foundation's 2013 Family Day. In September 2019 he received the City Parks Foundation's
SummerStage Icon Award in New York.

David Marcus is EVP, Head of Music for Ticketmaster, where he is responsible for the company’s Music division. Ticketmaster Music designs and deploys ticketing strategies for more than 500 touring artists each year, and provides concert venues and promoters with the industry’s most advanced and effective ticketing software. Before joining Ticketmaster, Marcus was Chief Commercial Officer at ScoreBig, the country’s first name-your-own-price ticketing platform. Before ScoreBig, Marcus spent 4 years as Warner Music Group’s SVP, Worldwide Artist Services, where he developed new lines of business for the music group, including global touring, ticketing, merchandising, and e-commerce. Previously, he was SVP, Global Music at Ticketmaster, where he built and led an international team that provided sales and marketing strategy and operational support to touring musical artists. Marcus began his career as an entertainment and intellectual property attorney at O'Melveny & Myers.

Samantha Kirby Yoh is a Partner and Co-Head of Worldwide Music at leading global talent, entertainment and sports company, UTA. She joined the company in October 2020. Her extensive roster includes Grimes, Rosalía, LCD Soundsystem, Channel Tres, FKA twigs, Spoon, Moses Sumney, Arca, M.I.A., Florence + The Machine, St. Vincent, Banks, Arlo Parks, James Blake, Soulwax, Shygirl, Swedish House Mafia and more.

Under her leadership with co-heads David Zedeck and Scott Clayton, UTA’s Music department has emerged at the forefront of the agency landscape through aggressive expansion in terms of staff and roster. She and Zedeck spearheaded the acquisition of UK-based Echo Location Talent Agency, helping expand UTA’s global music footprint by gaining international representation of Davido, Wizkid, Diplo, Major Lazer, Marshmello, and Alesso. She also oversaw the group’s growth with the hiring of top agents in Los Angeles, Nashville and London. These new team members brought in clients such as Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Tori Kelly, Young The Giant, Jamey Johnson, Surfaces, YUNGBLUD, Jimmy Eat World, Midland and more. Additionally, she helped lead the opening of UTA’s new Nashville headquarters, which opened in June 2021. The team now occupies the site of the former downtown Carnegie Library at 225 Polk Avenue in the heart of Music City.

Kirby Yoh champions multiple diversity and inclusion initiatives for the agency. She is a Founder and Board Member of She Is The Music — a nonprofit focused on increasing the number of women working in the global music industry. Plus, she is the Executive Sponsor of Justice Now, an internal task force within UTA Music which aims to reverse systemic racism in the industry. In addition, Kirby Yoh co-founded “Noise for Now,” which connects performers to organizations fighting for reproductive rights and gives under-resourced women access to clinics that provide the full spectrum of reproductive health services.

All registrants will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to gaining entry to the conference.

Safety & Wellness

We are excited to welcome you to Pollstar Live! 2022 in Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton. As we continue to plan for the event, we are closely following the guidelines outlined by our local and federal government officials and the Beverly Hilton Hotel. In addition, we are working with a team of professionals in the medical and hospitality fields to help implement additional safety, security and sanitization procedures. All attendees, guests, speakers, crew, volunteers, and VNC staff will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to gaining entry to the conference. 

We ask that all of our guests act responsibly and do their part to help protect those around us. We will distribute additional information to attendees prior to the conference.

The best way to protect yourself and everyone around you is to get vaccinated.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

We ask everyone to:

Stay home if you are sick or not feeling well.
Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

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