Richard Andersen’s professional career includes 28 years in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Richard served as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of PETCO Park, and as President and CEO of Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami, Florida, current home to the Miami Dolphins and then home of the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He has overseen Super Bowls, World Series, Olympic Games activities and a host of large sports and entertainment events – and wrestled an actual bear.

Richard’s true passion however is around maximising human potential. As CIO (Chief Illuminations Officer) of Venue Solutions Group Advantage Training, Richard is a sought-after facilitator and speaker. He draws upon his 35 plus years as a senior executive in professional sports, venues and hospitality management to design and deliver leading edge training and professional development programs that deliver those “aha moments”.
In 2022 Richard and VSG Advantage Training were named HR Magazine’s “Top Emerging International Training and Development” company as a result of their cutting-edge professional development work.
Richard also served as President and CEO of Seafair, a premier festival management organization, and President and CEO of Northlands, one of the world’s largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes. While at Northlands he starred on an episode of the popular television show, “Undercover Boss.”

Richard has volunteered in a variety of industry related leadership roles including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He continues to instruct at the IAVM Venue Management School and Graduate Institute and was also Chair of its Board of Regents. Additionally, he regularly teaches internationally including as part of the faculty of the Venue Management Association Asia Pacific School and Leadership Institute.
Richard holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and an ICD.C (corporate director certification) from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. His many professional service honours and distinctions include Major League Baseball’s Lee McPhail Award for excellence in business operations, Virginia Citizen of the Year, and the IAVM Venue Management School Ray Ward Award for his contributions to industry education.Olympic Games (2000 – 2024), 2015 Cricket World Cup (Australia/NZ), the 2015 Baku European Games (Azerbaijan), Lake Placid 2023 World University Winter Games and FIFA World Cup 2026 Boston. More locally, Peter has conducted event security and resilience reviews for festivals and events across the USA and Canada, ranging from grass roots through to some of the most iconic festivals and events.

Kim Bedier is a seasoned venue executive, recognized for leadership excellence. She is passionate about great guest experience both front and back of house, and creating and fostering positive work cultures that focus on belonging, equity and continuous learning.
Kim’s career has taken her from Northern Canada to Southern California with stops in primary and secondary markets, new construction and historic icons, NHL/NBA arenas, convention centres, and complexes. She has successfully collaborated with boards, private management and ownership, and a variety of government and not for profit entities.
Kim most recently was Senior Vice President and General Manager for Honda Center/OCVIBE in Anaheim, California, home of the National Hockey League Anaheim Ducks. She was responsible for Honda Center and the development of OCVIBE venues including a 5700 seat concert hall, located in a 95 acre mixed use district being built around Honda Center.
As Director of Venues and Events for the City of Tacoma, Washington, Kim led the iconic 21000 seat Tacoma Dome, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Cheney Stadium (AAA Baseball), and historic theatres.
Kim’s first job after graduating from university took her to the village of Igloolik in the Eastern Canadian Arctic, where she managed the construction of a recreation complex under the midnight sun.
Kim holds the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association in 2015. During her tenure as an IAVM senior leader, she created the Legacy Program, facilitated initiatives for women in leadership and strongly advocated (and continues to advocate) for diverse and inclusive representation. She has encouraged and mentored many IAVM members and is a sought-after educator and speaker. Kim currently serves on the Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Committee and the Industry Affairs Committee and has never lost sight of her mantra “leave it better than you found it.”
Kim is former Chair of the Board of Regents of the IAVM Venue Management School and currently Dean of the IAVM Leadership Institute. She is also on the faculty of the Asia-Pacific (Australia) Venue Management School and Leadership Institute.
Kim was named one of five inaugural “Women of Influence” in venue management by trade publication Venues Today and received the Ray Ward Award for recognition of her contributions to education at IAVM’s Venue Management School. In 2018 she was named Venue Executive of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) (and was nominated again in 2023). In 2022 industry publication Pollstar/Venues Now included her as a “Women in Live” honoree.

Darius U. Dunn, CVE serves as Assistant General Manager, Arena Operations of Capital One Arena in Washington, DC - home to the NHL Capitals and NBA Wizards. With twenty-five plus years of industry experience, Darius has an abundance of executive level facility operational knowledge. His event experience stretches from the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games to the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

His career began at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, working venue operational support to a host of major events including primary tenants NFL Eagles and MLB Phillies, World Cup Soccer and major stadium concerts. Since then, he has opened two new 10,000 seat arena construction projects and has managed event logistics of over ten intercollegiate sport programs and special events on five university campuses that have included stadium, arena, and theatre responsibilities.

Darius has a passion for emergency preparedness training, providing both clients and patrons a great in venue experience; as well as being a vocal proponent of valuing and investing in employee development. Achieving IAVM’s Certified Venue Executive designation in 2013, he continues to volunteer on association committees and give back to an industry he loves.

Eric is the President/CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA).

The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex and three City of Tampa municipal golf courses- Rocky Point, Babe Zaharias and Rogers Park. The TSA also serves as the landlord for Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steinbrenner Field, spring home for the New York Yankees.

Eric previously served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Prior to Lansing, Eric served as the Director of Event Services for the Minneapolis Convention Center and as Associate Director for the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He began his career at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa where he served as the Guest Services Manager and was later promoted to Event Coordinator.

He is currently and instructor at the Graduate Institute and in his 16th year of instruction for the Venue Management School. Eric earned his Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation from IAVM in 2013 and currently serves as the Past Chair of IAVM’s Board of Directors.

Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Business Education and Administration from Illinois State University and serves as member of the Westshore Alliance, the Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission board.

He is happily married and the proud parent of two daughters. Eric loves to hunt, golf, fish, wood-work and spend time with his family.

Tammy Koolbeck, CVE organized her first event in 6th grade – a “carnival” for MDA at the shelter house of the baseball park across the street from her house. The fundraiser earned $95 – not bad for a holiday weekend afternoon in a town of 600 people where the games were a quarter each. The baked goods saved the day! Twenty plus years later, she started her first job in the venue management industry as Director of Marketing for the U.S. Cellular Center (then Five Seasons Center) and Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after working as a hotel sales manager, community relations for a minor league basketball team and in sales for the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Many moons later, Tammy is still in Iowa and in August 2015, she began serving as Executive Director of Stephens Auditorium on the campus of Iowa State University becoming only the fifth director in the venue’s 50 year history. She had career building stops as the General Manager of the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena (hockey smell anyone?) and in the VenuWorks corporate office as National Director of Marketing, Vice President of Venue Operations and Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer before coming off the road and getting back to her first love of events. During those corporate years, she was fortunate to work four Super Bowls, open a college football stadium and convention center as well as persevering through several campaign events and presidential visits (thanks to Iowa Caucuses). But the lure of working events daily pulled her off the road and back into a venue full-time.

Giving back has always been important to Tammy. Through the years, she has served on many local boards and credits her volunteer work with giving her a good understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order and keeping her involved in events before she discovered this crazy, exhilarating industry of venue management as a career. She began her involvement in “national” organizations after starting at the venues in Cedar Rapids by joining the Arena Marketing Conference Planning Committee in 1997. In 1999, she became the first Board President when she helped transition the group into a 501(c)6 organization known as the Event and Arena Marketing Conference (EAMC). In 2006, she was awarded the GiGi Award of Excellence by EAMC.

The opportunity to serve in IAVM leadership came in 2006 after serving on sub committees that needed some marketing/public relations assistance for a few years. She was tapped on the shoulder by the late David Ross, CVE and Steve Peters, CVE to join the Region III leadership as treasurer. Tammy served as Region III Director from 2009-2011. After her board term ended, she continued with committee work over the next several years chairing the VenueConnect Planning Committee and Industry Affairs Committee and becoming an instructor and Regent at Venue Management School. Tammy was awarded IAVM’s Chair Citation in 2014. In July 2017, she was elected by IAMV membership for a four-year term in Board Leadership. She recently finished her year (2019-20) as Chair of the Board for IAVM and currently serves as Past Chair, Chair of the Leadership Development Committee and continues to assist with advocacy efforts.

Always up for a road trip, Tammy has one state (Alaska) and two major league baseball cities (Oakland and Detroit) to visit before she can check off 50 states and 32 MLB cities. Her husband, Mike and son, Tyler usually like to tag along because wife/mom can get good seats.

Steve has 37 years of experience within the Hospitality and Events industry, 28 years focused on the technology side of the business.

He worked in some of the most luxurious resorts in the world before establishing himself as a world leading expert in the event technology field, holding management roles in tech companies such as Micros-Fidelio, Ungerboeck Software, Aventri and is currently Executive Vice President at Momentus Technologies.

Currently Steve is the North American Chair for the International Convention & Congress Association (ICCA), is also Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Strategic Leadership & Resources Committee, on the Board of Regents (and an Instructor) for IAVM’s Venue Management School, a member of IAVM’s Cyber Security committee, and an instructor at the Venue Management Association’s (VMA) Australian Venue Management School.

Over the past 25 years, Steve has spoken in over 20 countries on topics related to the industry, with a focus on technology.

Kerry Painter, CVE, CEM, CMP is the General Manager/Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex which encompasses the Raleigh Convention Center, Duke Energy Performing Arts Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and Walnut Creek Amphitheater. Previously, Kerry was the AGM in Tulsa Oklahoma where the convention center won the Venue Excellence award in 2017. Earlier to that, Kerry was the President/GM in Niagara Falls Canada and has assisted in constructing/opening five venues in total throughout her lengthy career.

Kerry is a member of IAVM, IAEE and PCMA, and has served on several boards/committees both within the industry and in her communities. Kerry currently serves as First Vice Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors and as the Treasurer on the IAVM Foundation. She was awarded Venues Today Woman of Influence in 2015, and Woman of Distinction in 2017. She teaches at the Venue Management School yearly for IAVM and both domestic as well as internationally for CEM classes through IAEE (Korea and Bangkok), and advises for Meredith woman’s college. Kerry is a graduate of University of Michigan majoring in Business, Economics and Communications. She has a son Garrett who is 17 years old, and they live with their new cat Bachelor, a bearded dragon named Kermit and a 36-year-old box turtle Mr. B in Raleigh.

With a demonstrated record of improving financially challenged venues, Cheryl’s original career path was in health care as a registered nurse. She quickly advanced into health care administration managing one of the largest health care facilities in Iowa. She provided leadership to numerous health related organizations and taught classes to health care providers at the community college.
Cheryl transitioned into venue management as Bookings Manager for the Sioux City (IA) Convention Center, Auditorium and Tourism Bureau. During this time Cheryl attended Public Assembly Facility Management School (now Venue Management School) and became dedicated to IAVM.
In the position of Executive Director, Cheryl opened an arena at Eastern Michigan University, managed a performing arts theater and football stadium. At Michigan State University, she was the Executive Director of the Breslin Center. From there she transitioned to North Dakota managing a complex housing an NCAA D-I indoor football stadium, arena and conference center. She is currently with Experience Columbia (South Carolina) as the Vice President and General Manager of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Cheryl is also an adjunct faculty member for the world ranked University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management teaching Introduction to Event and Venue Management.
With a lifelong passion for learning, Cheryl holds degrees in nursing, health care administration, business & psychology as well as a Master’s Degree in Sports & Event Marketing/Technology Management. She also has taught or guest lectured at universities in Michigan, North Dakota and South Carolina. Serving on the faculty for Venue Management School provided the opportunity to teach in the similar program in Australia. She has also presented on various industry topics at IAVM conferences, USC’s Sports, Entertainment, Venues Today Conference and RISE (Raising the Industry in Sports & Entertainment).
Throughout her career, Cheryl has provided leadership and service in every community through executive boards for chambers of commerce, hospitals, nursing homes, service clubs, health care organizations, young professional advisory boards and an Honorary Commander with the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Attending Public Assembly Facility Management School (the original name for Venue Management School) planted a passion for service to IAVM. While currently a regent, Cheryl has served as the Chair of the VMS Board of Regents, served on IAVM Board of Directors on 3 occasions, served as chair of the Board of Governors for Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell University, Professional Education Council, Research Task Force, and District Chair. Throughout the past 20 years, she has served on multiple committees including Arenas, Universities, Convention Center, Conference Planning, Governance, Textbook Review and E Book Review. Cheryl has provided coaching in IAVM’s Mentor Connector program for several years as well.
Besides local recognition from various community service organizations, Cheryl was recognized as a Venue’s Today Women of Influence Award and as a Luminary Entertainment Venue Executive.

Paul Turner, Certified Venue Executive (CVE), is a recognized leader in the venue and event management industry. Throughout his 32-year career he has developed a led operations in performing arts centers, arenas, stadiums, and convention venues. He is currently the General Manager of the San Diego Convention Center where he oversees operations for the award-winning facility. He has held positions with Caesars Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles, Portland Trailblazers, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Paul is active in the venue management industry and is a Founding Distinguished Fellow for the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX). He is a former Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) schools, the Academy for Venue Safety & Security, and the Venue Management School. Paul is well known for developing industry standards and practices for customer service, event management, security, and venue operations. He has created many training and development programs and has presented at industry conferences throughout the United States and internationally.