Adventures In Venueland

Dave Redelberger, Paul Hooper

The EVMC Podcast - Explore the personal journeys and experiences of people in the live entertainment industry. Join hosts Dave Redelberger and Paul Hooper as they talk with guests who work in live entertainment about what they are currently doing, their history in the industry, and the challenges they faced along the way to lead them to where they are today.

Adventures In Venueland is a side project of the Event & Venue Marketing Conference, a non-profit conference that brings together diversified events and venue professionals to cultivate inspiration, collaboration, and innovation for the growing entertainment industry.

The AIV theme is comprised of elements from the Nine Inch Nails track 16 Ghosts II off the Ghosts I-IV album, and is licensed under a Creative Commons license (BY-NC-SA).

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170 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes170

Newest first

Wednesday · 50 min
Barb Saito
Journey with us to the Aloha State as we visit Hawaii and talk with Barb Saito, President of Aloha Group International Inc., who is based in the capital city of Honolulu on the island of O’ahu. Barb, who has 45 years of experience in the industry, supports concert promoters by consulting and assisting with financial and logistical challenges that come with promoting shows in Hawaii. She also works a lot with Asian artists who often do fan club flyaway events in the area. We chat through the many benefits of routing shows to Hawaii and learn about how they navigate challenges in keeping costs low and making adjustments to tours, using local vendors and shipping gear to make the finances work. Barb tells us about her start in live events, stage managing for plays in high school and ultimately getting a job as a book keeper with legendary concert promoter and DJ, Tom Moffatt. She shares memories from early shows and talks about what it was like breaking barriers as a woman handling settlements and production in the 80s and 90s. We also talk about her volunteer work with Hawaii Events Coalition, a group which formed during the pandemic to support overall live event business in the state. Enjoy this fun, fascinating episode filled with aloha, a love of live events, and amazing stories. Barb Saito: LinkedIn | Email Aloha Group International: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X –––––– 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.
July 15 · 43 min
Adam Straight
We’re off to the Midwest as we visit the city of Omaha, Nebraska and chat with Adam Straight, President & CEO of Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA). Adam tells us all about MECA, which is a venue management company which manages city-owned properties including CHI Health Center Omaha (which includes an arena and convention center), Charles Schwab Field Omaha (which hosts the College World Series), and The RiverFront (72-acre urban green space along the Missouri River). We hear what makes each venue special and how their combined strength makes the city competitive when attracting events. Adam tells us about what makes Omaha special, trends he is seeing in the convention side of the industry, and we discuss the importance of sustainability with venues. We learn about Adam’s history in the industry, which he started unconventionally as an electrician working sporting events at University of Maryland, eventually leading him to working at two of the top five convention centers in the country. Enjoy this episode which provides an interesting perspective of managing a diverse group of venues and is sure to add Omaha to your visit list. Adam Straight: LinkedIn MECA: Facebook | LinkedIn | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
July 1 · 16 min
LIVE at EVMC 2026: Awards Red Carpet Interviews
Live from Sacramento – Join us on the red carpet as we interview award winners at the 11th Annual Event & Venue Marketing Conference Awards. Dave and Paul speak with award recipients in the various categories and get insight into their experience and advice they have for others wanting to be in their shoes. In addition to this audio version, click this link to watch the video version: 🎥 Watch Video Interviews Winners (in order of appearance): Mortgage Matchup Center – Most Creative Artist Gift (Under $500) Intrust Bank Arena – Marketing & Publicity Campaign of the Year Fiserv Forum – Most Creative Artist Gift (Over $500) Fiserv Forum – Most Creative Artist Welcome Paycom Center – Grassroots Campaign of the Year Kaseya Center – Impact Award Alyson Katz – Breakthrough Professional of the Year Jeff Johnson – EVMC Hall of Fame Inductee Kate Bean – Gigi Award of Excellence –––––– 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.
June 17 · 42 min
LIVE at EVMC 2026: Beyond Venue Walls Panel
Live from Sacramento – Sit in on this 2026 Event & Venue Marketing Conference session as we chat with Vanessa Mancao (Tour Marketing Manager, Red Light Management), Karl Crudup (Director of Event Sales & Production, Sacramento Kings), and Jessica Eckley (Managing Partner, Crackerjack Media) in front of a live audience. In this session, titled "Beyond Venue Walls: Creative Strategies for Marketing Experiences Beyond Traditional Events" we explore how creative marketing and branding can promote activities tied to other events, plaza parties, and unique experiences beyond traditional events inside venue walls. Walk away with actionable ideas to craft fun interactions, boost awareness, maximize assets, create a larger community impact, and build deeper fan connections beyond event night. Hosted by Adventures In Venueland’s Dave Redelberger and Paul Hooper, this episode gives you a taste of this year's sold out conference at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. If you joined us in-person, this is a great way to re-listen for notes and share this episode with a boss or colleague for them to get a taste of the EVMC experience. Vanessa Mancao: LinkedIn Karl Crudup: LinkedIn Jessica Eckley: LinkedIn –––––– 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.
June 3 · 45 min
Krystal Gonzalez
Join us as we head to the Sparkling City by the Sea – Corpus Christi, and chat with Krystal Gonzalez, Director of Sales at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds (RMB Fairgrounds). We learn all about the fairgrounds, which is home to a conference center, two exhibit halls, arena pavilion, and equestrian arena which host a wide mix of social events, expos, rodeos, concerts, and dinner events. We learn about the city, Krystal tells us about her role, and we talk about how they leverage the versatility of all their venues to sell clients and market their spaces. We talk with her about her history in the industry and how all her experience working on different sides in different departments prepared her for her current role where she handles different tasks and collaborates with coworkers to make sure they are meeting their client’s needs. Enjoy this fun, unique episode which includes some nerdy venue talk, great career advice, and interesting perspective. Krystal Gonzalez: LinkedIn RMB Fairgrounds: Facebook | Instagram –––––– 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.
May 20 · 29 min
Inside: EVMC 2026
BONUS EPISODE – Warm up your taste buds and meet us in the Farm to Fork Capital because the 2026 Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) is just around the corner! This bonus episode is filled with everything you need to know as you pack and prepare for this year’s conference in Sacramento, California. Hosts Paul and Dave are joined by a couple special guests which help craft this podcast KBYG — Kim Allen (EVMC President, Director of Arena Marketing at Golden 1 Center) and Brandon Darnell (Director of Marketing at Visit Sacramento). Hear about the agenda, evening events, awards, and top conference advice from each person. If you’re visiting Sacramento for the first time, learn what makes the city special, some restaurant and dish recommendations, and key landmarks to visit on your trip. Whether this is your first time attending EVMC, you’re a seasoned vet, or you’ve never been and are wondering what it’s about – we’ve got you covered! Coming to the conference? 🎙️ Be sure to join us Thursday, June 11 at 9am in the Regency Ballroom for Beyond Venue Walls, an Adventures In Venueland LIVE session! Our hosts will moderate a special, recorded session that explores creative strategies for marketing experiences beyond traditional events. Come say hello, meet our team, and grab a free AIV sticker! We’ll see you in Sactown! Event & Venue Marketing Conference: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
May 6 · 50 min
Jeff Cuellar
Ahoy Venuelanders! 🛳⚓️ Join us for a revelry at sea as we set sail with Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Sixthman, a promoter focused on “tearing down walls” by creating community-inspired festival experiences that use cruise ships as their venue. Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a company, Jeff gives us an overview of Sixthman, their approach to their experiences, and the history of the company. Learn how they bring to life the magic of passionate communities through performances, food and lodging, international destinations, and entertainment while providing a safe space for fans to be together and bond over shared passions. While music is their core business and what started it all, they have expanded to comedy, podcasting, as well as other passionate groups that led to the creation of events such as Chefs Making Waves and The Broadway Cruise. Additionally, Sixthman has had the pleasure of working with other brands that have extremely tight communities like the Savannah Bananas and Hallmark, providing an opportunity for a more intimate and curated experience for their fans. We also chat nuts and bolts with Jeff about setting up, loading in, and challenges producing a festival at sea – including things like working with naval engineers, accounting for motion and weather, and coordinating production operations. So, grab a Mai Tai and dive into this fascinating episode that gives you an inside look into a wonderfully unique side of live events on the open seas. Jeff Cuellar: LinkedIn Sixthman: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok –––––– 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.
April 23 · 25 min
Breaking In: Artist Growth | Messina Touring Week
Welcome to Messina Touring Week on Adventures In Venueland! 🎉 As we celebrate 2️⃣5️⃣ years of Messina Touring, we’ve got a couple special episodes dropping this week to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what makes them one of the top concert promoters today. — For this bonus episode which extends our Breaking In series, we talk with Rachel Powers, VP at Messina Touring Group, about artist growth from clubs to Sphere. We jump right in and talk about Rachel's role with Messina Touring, where she oversees marketing and promotional strategy for some of the biggest names in country music (Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band and Ty Myers). Using the case study of Ty Myers, she tells us about his growth from a local Austin kid to playing a club tour, growing into an arena artist, and some of their strategies and challenges facing developing artists. We then chat about Zac Brown Band, in which Rachel helped with their Sphere residency. From 500 cap rooms to global stages, hear what things stay consistent, what recommendations she has for emerging artists (and those marketing them) and some great stories as we break in with this fun episode capping off our Messina Touring Week. Rachel Powers: Email | Instagram Messina Touring: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn –––––– 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.
April 21 · 44 min
Kate McMahon | Messina Touring Week
Welcome to Messina Touring Week on Adventures In Venueland! 🎉 As we celebrate 2️⃣5️⃣ years of Messina Touring, we’ve got a couple special episodes dropping this week to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what makes them one of the top concert promoters today. — To kick things off, we’re chatting with Kate Des Enfants McMahon, Executive Vice President at Messina Touring Group, who has been with the company since the beginning. One of the most influential forces in live music touring, Kate has helped shape the modern touring business across companies like Pace Concerts, SFX Touring, and Clear Channel Touring before starting Messina Touring with Louis Messina and Rome McMahon 25 years ago. We chat about the history of the company, her current role, and how their “concierge promoter” all-in services have earned them such a great reputation. We learn about her career in the industry, what she thinks makes a good venue, advice she has for women entering the industry, and some landmark moments of her career – such as being involved in one of the first country music stadium shows. Enjoy listening to this five-time Billboard Woman in Music recipient and Pollstar Impact 50 recipient as we talk shop, share stories, and discuss amazing career advice. Kate Des Enfants McMahon: LinkedIn Messina Touring: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn –––––– 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.
April 8 · 43 min
Crystal Carpenter
We’re headed to the Home of the Blues, Memphis, for this episode where we chat with Crystal Carpenter, Event & Marketing Coordinator at FedExForum. In a city known for its culture, music, soul, and food, Crystal tells us all about FedExForum, which is the home for the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and Memphis Tigers (NCAA). We discuss her role with the building and some of the unique ways their departments are structured. She tells us about fun promotional ideas they have done with local businesses and how her role, which is nested under the Arena Operations side, focuses on being in the community, working with promoters and managing show day experience and hospitality. Crystal also tells us about being a DJ, which she has done for over 17 years, and co-founding SheDJs, which is a network of over 50 women DJs who support each other. We learn about her career journey from being an athlete to her time in radio to managing a record studio that worked on GloRilla’s debut hit album. Enjoy this fun, creative episode full of inspiration, grit and grind, and creative ideas. Crystal Carpenter: Instagram | LinkedIn FedExForum: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
April 1 · 8 hr
Live Events White Noise
We’ve had a good run at Adventures In Venueland but we’ve decided to shift focus and give the live event industry what they really want (and need) – a good night’s rest. Introducing… Snoozing In Venueland… or Adventures In Slumberland… honestly we’re too tired to decide. Having a hard time settling in for some sleep after a crazy run of show days? Enjoy 8 hours of the familiar, comforting white noise of semi trucks humming paired with the occasional background noise of backstage banter. 🚚 Take a load off, get some good rest and relaxation on us, then meet us for a walk and chalk at the venue first thing in the morning. Happy April Fools Day! –––––– 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.
March 25 · 32 min
Roxey Garcia
Join us in beautiful San Juan as we chat with a force behind many unforgettable live event experiences in Puerto Rico – Roxey Garcia, Founder of RXY Marketing. We talk with Roxey about starting her company, which provides promotions, event production, artist logistics, and digital marketing to not only tours and venues but also other businesses in the area. She talks about the emphasis she puts on being a great communicator and reliable, offering solutions to problems and support during stressful challenges. We talk with her about working at the historic Bad Bunny residency in Puerto Rico, and his impact as an artist in the area as he has grown from his first tour to a global superstar. Roxey walks us through her career history from starting as a Premium Concierge at Coliseo de Puerto Rico, transitioning into digital marketing to help build their brand, going to school to get her MBA, and then opening Coca Cola Music Hall as the Marketing Manager before starting her own business. Enjoy this inspiring, fascinating episode that takes you inside live events in Puerto Rico and what it’s like to start your own agency. Roxey Garcia: LinkedIn | Email RXY Marketing: Instagram –––––– 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.
March 11 · 50 min
Vanessa Mancao
We’re headed back to Tinseltown to chat with Vanessa Mancao, Tour Marketing Manager in Los Angeles for Red Light Management – the largest independent artist management company in the world. Vanessa works closely with artists like Jon Pardi, The Fray, Trombone Shorty, Maoli and Slightly Stoopid, helping behind the scenes of major tours, collaborating closely with promoters and venues to turn strategy into sold out shows. We talk about how she helps prepare for tour announcements, reviews assets, works with tour managers and agencies, and helps facilitate ideas for ticket promotions. She tells us about her career history from growing up in Wichita and attending University of Missouri for Broadcast Journalism to being a television producer on Good Morning Oklahoma and her first industry job at BOK Center and ASM Global as Special Events & Festivals Coordinator, ultimately moving to a booking role on the convention center side before relocating to LA and her current role. Enjoy this really interesting and fun episode which provides great insight into the management side along with some fun stories. Vanessa Mancao: Instagram | LinkedIn Red Light Management: Instagram –––––– 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.
February 25 · 48 min
Megan Loveless
We’re headed to one of the most legendary small rooms in the country to chat with this episode’s guest, Megan Loveless, Talent Buyer for The Blue Room at Third Man Records – the independent record label in Nashville run by Jack White. Megan tells us all about the venue, which previously had been used for underplays, photoshoots, and special experiences, but in 2021 was rebranded as a full venue to host a wide range of events weekly. From its literal blue walls that give it its name to the lathe room that houses a 1955 Scully lathe which allows them to record select shows direct to acetate – The Blue Room is a truly unique venue. Hear what goes into curating their calendar and how Megan balances booking touring and local acts along with other types of community events. We learn about her history growing up in a small town with a love for Nirvana and Sub Pop Records which led to her attending MTSU for Music Business and internships at a small label and Third Man Records. Enjoy this fun episode filled with interesting information and career advice, discussions about live music building community, and even some band recommendations to check out. Megan Loveless: Instagram | Substack The Blue Room: Facebook | Instagram Third Man Records: Facebook | Instagram –––––– 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.
February 11 · 55 min
Lucy Albers
Join us where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain as we journey to Oklahoma and chat with Lucy Albers, Director of Marketing & PR for Paycom Center, home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With plans in motion, we dive into talking about the new arena coming to OKC in 2028, its unique design, and what to expect from the exciting addition – which is slated to open the same year the city hosts two Olympic events. We talk about the success of the Thunder and how the venue not only hosts the NBA team but also their G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Lucy breaks down her team, which oversees marketing and PR for all non-Thunder events. We talk about how Lucy began her career in Sioux Falls, South Dakota wanting to be a music writer and help people discover bands and how that evolved into writing gigs with magazines and bands and her first experience at a venue, where she cut her teeth. We learn about her background on the ticketing side which eventually moved to marketing and led to her current role in OKC. Lucy talks about her decision to become a Solo Mother by Choice and how she balances work and home life while also offering support for others considering the same choice. Enjoy this fun episode packed with lots of interesting experiences and great career tips. Lucy Albers: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Paycom Center: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter | LinkedIn –––––– 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.
January 28 · 1 hr 9 min
James Rasmussen
Pull up a chair as we head to "America's Farm to Fork Capital," Sacramento, for a special in-person episode with James Rasmussen, VP of Arena Programming at Golden 1 Center. Our hosts sit down with James in the Sacramento Kings podcast studio and dig into what makes the city special and things to look forward to for those coming to the Event & Venue Marketing Conference in June. Fresh off a venue tour before recording, we talk about the many features of the arena that make it stand out – including being 100% solar powered and the importance of the solar panels on the roof, giant window walls that can open to cool the venue with the delta breeze, sourcing 90% of their food and beverage from within 150 miles, LEED Platinum Certification, and so much more. We talk through the building’s evolution as it approaches its 10th anniversary and their emphasis on designing for the future. We chat through James’ career history from working as a security guard at Bob Dylan’s house while in college at Pepperdine University to his entry into live events with Arena Network, and many shows and tours he worked on along the way. There’s nothing like recording these in-person and you’re sure to enjoy this special episode live from halls of Golden 1 Center. James Rasmussen: LinkedIn | Email Golden 1 Center: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
January 14 · 37 min
Missy Zedeck
We 🫶 New York and are heading back to the City That Never Sleeps for this episode with Missy Zedeck, Marketing Director for AEG Global Touring Division. We hear from Missy about how a typical day or week might look – reviewing marketing budgets, national campaigns, overseeing marketing plans for the tours, and making any adjustments based on needs and sales which vary by tour. She tells us about how she checks in with venues and tours to provide support and will often catch tours they are working on when they come through NYC. We talk about some of the most personally rewarding tours and events she has worked on, advice she would give venues, and trends Missy is seeing for front and back of house activations and gifting. From early jobs to her experience out of college with CAA and Live Nation before landing at AEG, Missy offers great tips and advice for people wanting to pursue a career in live events and what can set them up for success. Enjoy this interesting and fun look inside the promoter side of the industry! Missy Zedeck: Instagram | LinkedIn AEG: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
Dec 31, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
AIV Rewind: 2025 Episodes
BONUS EPISODE – We're wrapping up 2025 and headed into a new, exciting year in Venueland! 🎊 As we plan ahead, we decided to take a look back and recap our 2025 episodes. Hosts Paul Hooper and Dave Redelberger are joined by Audio Editor & Mixer Camille Faulkner as we reminisce on Episode 100, our live episode recorded in Atlanta, fascinating guests, and fun bonus episodes. If you missed some and want a quick catch-up or are wondering which to go back and listen to, this episode is a great way to hear about some of our favorite moments and notable adventures from the year. What were some of your favorite episodes and quotes from 2025? What guests or topics would you like to see us feature in 2026? Drop a comment or send us a message! –––––– 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.
Dec 17, 2025 · 46 min
Molly Fremgen
Escape with us to the eucalyptus and redwood grove of Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove in San Francisco — home of the iconic Stern Grove Festival — as we sit down with the festival’s Marketing Director, Molly Fremgen. We learn about the magic behind this beloved concert series, now entering its 89th season in 2026, and the legacy of Stern Grove Festival as the nation’s longest-running nonprofit music festival — bringing free live music to the Bay Area since 1938. We dive into the nuts and bolts of producing a large-scale nonprofit concert series, from the challenges of live events to the creative solutions that keep the festival thriving. Molly talks about the pride the team takes in stewarding Stern Grove’s legacy, and how the organization uses its platform to support the broader live music and local business community in San Francisco. Molly also traces her path into live events — from producing a music festival while studying at the University of Illinois, to roles at MTV, AEG, Goldenvoice, and on the PR team at Coachella. We learn about Molly’s 500 mile hike of the infamous Camino de Santiago in Spain which happened at a crossroads in her career and helped guide her to her current dream role, and how her goalkeeping and manifesting has steered her to achieve career and personal goals. This episode is full of fascinating info, great career advice, and lots of laughs. Molly Fremgen: LinkedIn | Email Stern Grove Festival: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter –––––– 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.
Dec 3, 2025 · 41 min
Christine Pileckas
We’re off to the land of Oz as we chat with Christine Pileckas, the Director of Booking & Marketing at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Christine, who recently celebrated her 15 year anniversary with the venue, gives us the lay of the land on the venue’s place in the city, the city’s place in the state, and how she juggles her roles at the arena. Recognized as one of the Top 20 busiest arenas in the world for their venue size, INTRUST Bank Arena is somewhat unique with its blended marketing and booking departments, which provide a synergy which help both excel. Hear how things are structured, what motivated Christine to add booking to her resume, some misconceptions about both sides of the industry, and how their approach helps them chase and market shows. We learn about how she got her start in live events, from a shifted major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania to an internship and starting role in New Jersey to her time in Wichita – Christine talks about how not being afraid to take risks and working for the job you want has led her to this point in her career. As we hit our 150th overall episode (119 main + 31 bonus) enjoy this conversation packed full of great career tips, fun marketing ideas and strategies, and lots of interesting information about the Air Capital of the World. Christine Pileckas: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn INTRUST Bank Arena: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter –––––– 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.