Adventures In Venueland

Peel back the wrapper of some English chocolate and put on your favorite Tori Amos album – we’re headed to Los Angeles to chat with Natalie Caplan, Vice President of Entertainment for ArenaNetwork, Venue Coalition & Theater Network. Natalie tells us about her job and how they empower and assist independent venues – providing important resources and driving content to them. With more than 140 venues across North America, hear how ArenaNetwork, Venue Coalition, and Theater Network leverage their staff experience and collective knowledge among venues to provide curated support and industry advocacy for a wide mix of venues in different market sizes. From England to Arizona to New York to touring to Los Angeles, Natalie takes us along as we walk through her career journey. With an interesting path that includes publicity at Atlantic Records, being Assistant Tour Manager for Tori Amos, and the Director of Artist Relations and Events at The Greek Theatre for Nederlander Concerts, she has seen numerous sides of the industry which provided valuable perspective as she pursued new roles. We discuss trends and challenges facing venues and tours in 2024 and tips for navigating what the new “normal” is for the industry. Enjoy this educational and interesting discussion packed full of great perspective and fun stories.

Natalie Caplan: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email
Venue Coalition: Facebook | Instagram

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

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Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way! Head to the Atlantic Terminal at the crossroads of Flatbush Ave and Atlantic Ave as we visit the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. We chat with Adina Erwin, Executive Vice President of Business Operations and General Manager of the venue and learn all about this one-of-kind arena nestled in the middle of NYC. Home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA), New York Liberty (WNBA), and many other concerts, comedy shows, and family events – Adina tells us all about her role at the venue and its place in the neighborhood. We hear how Barclays Center’s plaza acts as a town center and plays a critical role as a convening space for the community. It’s iconic looped LED “Oculus” serves as an important touch point for the many people that commute and walk past it daily. Adina walks us through her career journey, from graduating at UNC Chapel Hill to her first industry job as an event receptionist at the Charlotte Coliseum, all the way to her time in Brooklyn by way of Atlanta and Boston. She talks about the importance of being willing to take risks and try new things and how she has learned so much from branching out to roles in different departments, having the attitude of a willingness to learn. Enjoy this fun, informative episode that includes everything from stories about Deadhead yeast balls to can’t-miss Atlanta restaurants to invaluable career advance that is sure to help you on your live event journey. And if you don’t know, now you know…

Adina Erwin: LinkedIn
Barclays Center: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Grab your laptop and throw those rock hands in the air because we’re chatting with Fabrice Sergent, Leader & Co-Founder of Bandsintown. Fabrice takes us through the history of the company, which is the largest concert discovery platform in the world. He explains how Bandsintown alerts fans when their favorite artists come to town and helps them discover new artists, helps artists to promote their tour dates and reach new fans, and helps venues populate dates on different platforms and reach new buyers. With over 650,000 artists using the platform, it has become a valuable resource which allows them to focus on their art and stage presence and makes the marketing side easier. Fabrice tells us about his longtime passion for live events and how he feels love music is a critical part of society and promotes happiness, tolerance and understanding in the world. We talk about the global market and how an international perspective is important for artists and also can yield important perspective and tips for venues. Enjoy this fascinating episode that looks inside the origins of Bandsintown throughout a broader discussion on live events, music marketing, and challenges facing venues, promoters, and artists.

Fabrice Sergent: Instagram | Email | LinkedIn
Bandsintown: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

New England here we come! Join us in Somers, Connecticut, as we talk with Marissa Dionne, VP of Marketing for Oak View Group. Marissa gives us an overview of OVG, where she is primarily focused on marketing for venue management, hospitality, parking, and arena and theatre alliances, for the company. She oversees marketing and provides support for 400+ venues through venue management, booking and hospitality. We talk about the value of such a large network and how it’s important to share ideas while still remaining authentic to your city and what your fans respond to. We discuss various trends that Marissa is seeing on the marketing and hospitality sides, such as an increased focus on creating an entertainment destination. From Illinois State University to the Hartford Civic Center with MSGCT to MassMutual Center with Global Spectrum to Oak View Group – Marissa talks about her love of the industry and the career path that has led her to her current role. Enjoy this interesting and informative episode with great tips and interesting insight into venue trends.

Marissa Dionne: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oak View Group: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Tighten those laces and grab your adventure gear because we’re headed to The City of Trees, Boise, to chat with Michael Cullen, Assistant Director of Marketing & Brand Development at ExtraMile Arena. Michael guides us through his adventure as well as fun facts and tips about all things Boise and Idaho. Whether it’s late nights organizing merch at the arena or working large events at Boise State’s iconic blue-turfed stadium, there’s never a dull day. From digital, graphic design, and grassroots marketing to merchandising, we hear about a day in the life of Michael and ExtraMile Arena, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Hear some great advice from Michael for people wanting to enter the industry and make the most of their college experience. From growing up a festival junkie to guiding people at a local festival – Michael talks about his love of music and how a visit to Sasquatch Music Festival changed his life and music tastes. Enjoy this fun, inspiring episode with “Adventures In Venueland’s #1 Fan,” which may inspire you to try something new, listen to a new band, or look up flights to check out Treefort Music Fest. Just remember, as Jewel's The Boise Song reminds us, “there’s no Z in Boise.”

Michael Cullen: LinkedIn | Email
ExtraMile Arena: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

BONUS EPISODE – Pack your bags for Italy and dust off some clues with us as we dig into our first episode of a new ongoing bonus series – Ancient Venues. For this first episode we take a look at the Amphitheatre of Capua (Anfiteatro Campano), located in modern day Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy. We are joined by Valerie Higgins, Associate Professor of Archaeology at The American University of Rome, who guides us through the history of this legendary venue from the Roman Empire. The current amphitheatre sits on the site of two former, smaller amphitheatres, the first of which is presumed to have been built close to 100 B.C. It is second in size only to the Roman Coliseum and is located next to what was the most notable school for gladiators, where Spartacus was from and began his rebellion. We learn all about this incredible venue, historic venue terminology, seating and ticketing, events that were hosted, why large scale events like this took place, concessions and design, and its fascinating hypogeum – located under the arena floor where they staged scenery and warriors for the events. Whether you’re a venue nerd or a history buff, or a little of both, you’ll love hearing all about this ancient wonder that helped shape the venues we all know and love today.

Valerie Higgins: Website | Papers | Book

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Rev those engines and join us in Motor City as we head north to talk with Kim Klein, VP of Marketing & Communications for 313 Presents in Detroit, Michigan. We learn all about 313 Presents, which oversees Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre (Detroit), Comerica Park, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. They work with over 30 promoters across all the venues, producing and promoting over 300 events a year. Kim tells us about the structure of her team and how she heavily values mentorship and prioritizes balance and culture to prevent burnout and support the team. We hear about the latest waves Detroit is making and how the city is blooming with rich culinary and music scenes. Kim walks us through her history in the industry, from a love of symphony band freshman year to jobs and internships at The Palace of Auburn Hills, and how networking and passion for live events has helped lead her from one opportunity to the next. Enjoy this great episode filled with marketing talk about SMS, working with partnerships, and other tips, as well as a heartfelt discussion about what makes Detroit great.

Kim Klein: LinkedIn | Email
313 Presents: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Live from the Mile High City – join us as we talk with Chad Brown, Colorado sports legend, in front of a live audience at the 2024 Event & Venue Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado. Chad won a NCAA championship in football with the Colorado Buffaloes, played 15 years in the NFL (including two Super Bowl appearances and 3 Pro Bowls), is a football commentator and radio analyst, and owns his own business. Having played in and called games at numerous venues, we talk with him about what makes a venue great, and how it’s often the impact it has on the community more than the innovations and shiny features. From playing football in his neighborhood in Pasadena as a kid to playing in multiple Super Bowls, he speaks about the joys of being a professional athlete as well as what it’s like to deal with loss when you lose the biggest game of your life. As he says, “Struggle is life. It is the downs that make the ups so great. It is the losses that make the wins so satisfying.” Chad explains what makes a team great is not the most talent, but those that play for one another. Enjoy this fun live episode with audience questions and interaction, great advice from a pro athlete turned entrepreneur, and a taste of being an attendee at the sold out 2024 EVMC conference.

Chad Brown: X/Twitter | LinkedIn
All Pro Shipping: Website

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

BONUS EPISODE – We’re headed to the mile high city for the 2024 Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) and taking you along for the ride with a preview of this year’s sold out conference.

🥳 Joining us in Denver? Listen along as you pack your bags for important tips and useful advice to make your adventure to the Rockies a smooth one. Dave and Paul are joined by former guest and current EVMC President, Kim Allen (Director of Arena Marketing at Golden 1 Center), as the three talk through every aspect of the conference, including: dress attire, tips for first-timers, evening events, can’t-miss sessions, and what to expect with the  conference’s new name. Consider this your audio KBYG for EVMC 2024. We also talk about the live podcast episode that will be recorded at the conference, featuring Chad Brown, NFL & NCAA Champion, Sports Commentator, and Entrepreneur.

☹️ Not joining us in Denver? We’ll miss seeing you, but this episode is a great way to find out what EVMC is all about. You’ll get a taste of what you’re missing and hopefully join us next year for EVMC 2025!

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.

Grab your magnifying glass and inspector hat and join us on this adventure as we investigate the live experience with this episode’s guest, Bret McCormick, Facilities, Fan Experience, & Ticketing Beat Reporter for Sports Business Journal (SBJ). Bret, who is based in Charlotte, but travels a dozen or so times a year to various venues, tells us what it’s like covering the live experience and some general trends he is seeing. We discuss two areas where he’s seeing ground-shaking changes – European soccer stadiums and college sports venues. We deep dive into interesting innovations in ticketing and fan experience. Bret tells us how he approaches venue coverage by treating them as if they are alive, visiting the districts and cities that call them home, and looking at things that make them unique. We discuss some of the most interesting changes and innovations coming to the Intuit Dome, and how it’s upending current trends with truly unique features and a fascinating approach to fan engagement. Whether it’s sustainability, wrap-around video screens, or biometric data, we discuss the future of venues and how innovation is moving the industry forward, sometimes forcefully, and setting new bars for what fans are coming to expect from the live event experience. If you’re a venue nerd like us, a glutton for innovation, and want to hear some tips for pitching a great story, you’ll love this episode.

Bret McCormick: LinkedIn | Email
Sports Business Journal: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X/Twitter
Learn more about Event & Venue Marketing Conference

Meet our team:

Paul Hooper | Co-host, Booking, Branding & Marketing
Dave Redelberger | Co-host & Guest Research
Megan Ebeck | Marketing, Design & Digital Advertising
Samantha Marker | Marketing, Copywriting & Publicity
Camille Faulkner | Audio Editing & Mixing

Have a suggestion for a guest or bonus episode? We'd love to hear it! Send us an email.