
NIVA ‘22 Speakers
Thank you to all our speakers! We were fortunate to have a wide range of speakers from various facets of our industry to share their unique insights, expertise, and experiences.
Co-Owner, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern • Executive Director, Cleveland Rocks: Past Present Future
Executive Artistic Director, City Parks Foundation, SummerStage, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
Board President, NIVA • CEO, First Avenue Productions
Director of Government Relations, Carnegie Hall
Program Manager, Cultural Affairs Denver Arts & Venues, City and County of Denver
Executive Editor, Pollstar and Venues Now
Executive Director, Backline
Sales Manager Venues, Music Tours & Live Events, CAPS Payroll (A Cast & Crew Entertainment Company)
Independent Researcher and Journalist on Cities and the Creative Economy
Events Director, Water & Music • Founder, RealCount
Chief Counsel for Policy and Strategy, House Judiciary Committee
Cleveland Incubator's First Artist • Leader, Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts
Independent Music Advocate, MEADOW (Music Ecosystems and Artist Development Organization of Wichita), DTour, Hartke Presents, Wave, Cotillion
Advocacy Co-Chair, NIVA • Partner, Hartke Presents / Wave / The Cotillion / D Tour / MEADOW
Artist and Former Booker
Senior Counsel, Akin Gump
CEO, Nederlander Concerts
Owner and Comedy School Principal, DC Improv Comedy Club
Executive Director, Assembly for the Arts
Senior Culture Marketing Manager, Red Bull North America
CEO, VenuePilot
Executive Director, Clio Music & Clio Cannabis
Research Associate, University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Policy
CFO, First Avenue & 7th Street Entry
Founder and President, RAMPD
Co-Owner and Producer, Trio Presents + Roots N Blues Festival
Senior Client Solutions Manager, Meta
VP of Strategy and Partnerships, See Tickets
Vice President of Marketing, Nederlander Concerts
Musician, Mumford & Sons • CEO, The Venue Group (tvg hospitality)
Owner, MeanRed Productions
Senior Advisor, EnterGain
President and CEO, The Right Productions, Inc.
CEO and Co-Founder, Stellar
Vice President of Partner Relations, DICE
Senior Director of Sales, Music, Tixr
Executive Director, Friends of Noise
Staff Writer, Rolling Stone
Chief Strategy Officer, Embarc Events
Co-Founder and CEO, Eluvio
Executive Vice President & Head of Music, See Tickets
Freelance Music Journalist, Forbes
Chief Curator and VP of Curatorial Affairs, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Chief Operating Officer, World Cafe Live
Owner, xBk Live
Executive Director, Calling All Crows
Regional Sales Director, Gamut
Advisory Board Chair, NIVA • CEO, See Tickets North America
Executive Director, Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts & Engagement, University of Iowa
Chief Commercial Officer, Lyte
Executive Producer, National Cannabis Festival • Principal, THS Presents
Senior Director of Strategy & Web3, Wasserman Music
Board President, National Independent Venue Foundation • Founder and President, World Cafe Live
Director of Sales, Music Venues, Etix
Partner, Chair of Entertainment, Masur Griffitts Avidor LLP
Executive Director and Co-Founder, NIVA • Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Marauder
Board President, National Independent Talent Organization • Founder, High Road Touring
Senior Manager of Artist Partnerships, TikTok
Best Life Presents • Board Member, NIVA
VP of Marketing, First Avenue
Founder, Intellectible Holdings, LLC
President, Reel Media Insurance Services
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bandsintown
Chief Counsel, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
Agent, Fairs and Festivals, Wasserman Music
Management and Program Analyst, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program
Director of Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, Small Business Administration
Chief Legal Officer, Ideal3
Founder and Co-Owner, The Hideout • Co-Founder, Chicago Independent Venue League
Senior Consultant, Fund For Our Economic Future Hospitality Workforce • Co-Owner, Happy Dog
Senior Director of Business Programs & Partnerships, Americans for the Arts
Chief Operating Officer, I.M.P., 9:30 Club, The Anthem, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Lincoln Theatre
Head of Festivals, Mint Talent Group
Head of Live Music, Bohemian Foundation • Treasurer, NIVF
President, Elevation Group
VP of Booking, Ruido Fest • CEO, Wonderlandia