For our annual roundup of industry trends, we recruited four of IEBA’s 2018 Industry Award winners to debate the big questions facing live entertainment and spotlight top-of-mind topics to watch for during our 2019 conference. Continuing consolidation, eco-friendly initiatives, non-traditional entertainment, new international markets, and touring in an election year are all on the agenda.

Panelists:
Becky Colwell, Greek Theatre (Amphitheater of the Year)
Ali Harnell, Live Nation (Promoter of the Year)
Roger LeBlanc, Madison Entertainment (Festival Buyer of the Year)
Jim Mallonee, House of Blues (Club Buyer of the Year)

Moderated by Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment

Sponsored by Choctaw Casino Resort Durant

Dan & Luke bow out with the final live installment of their Promoter 101 podcast. Since its launch in 2016, Promoter 101 has hosted more than 150 podcasts and interviewed such industry luminaries as Michael Rapino, Marc Geiger, Marsha Vlasic, and Bob Roux — whose live episode from IEBA 2017 was a conference highlight. The guys return to IEBA this year with very special guest Debra Rathwell.

Debra Rathwell is SVP of Global Touring and founder of AEG’s New York office. One of the most influential executives in touring today, she’s currently orchestrating massive tours for Elton John, Carrie Underwood, and JoJo Siwa.

The deals we make are more than agreements – they shape careers. At the heart of every great negotiation, the best interests of the promoter, agent, and artist are all in sync. It takes experience, skill, and an honest and healthy back & forth to get everyone on the same page. These veterans of live entertainment are here to share their strategies for navigating the give and take, building the trust that ensures we don’t over-complicate the process, and developing those well-worn relationships that are there when opportunities appear.

Panelists:
Jeffrey Hasson, Paradigm Talent Agency
Gayle Holcomb, WME
Aaron Tannenbaum, CAA
Alex Hodges, Nederlander Concerts
Darin Lashinsky, NS2
Susan Rosenbluth, Goldenvoice / AEG Presents

Moderated by Pam Matthews, IEBA

Ahead of a full night of parties and entertainment, take the chance to greet and exchange pleasantries with valued partners and new friends. Our opening reception provides plenty of networking, live performances, local fare, and of course – an open bar.

Live performances by Blood, Sweat & Tears, Leonid & Friends, and Alter Ego.

Live performances by The Bacon Brothers, Magic Giant, Dashboard Confessional, and a special appearance by Chris Daughtry.

Live performances by Scooter Brown Band, Little Texas, David Nail, and Plain White T’s.

Live performances by The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill and Caleb Johnson & The Ramblin’ Saints.

Sponsored by Country Fest

Panelists:
Jeff Jarrett, Contemporary Productions
Debbie Meyers-Shock, BRAVO! Entertainment
Rick Whetsel, G7 Entertainment Marketing

Moderated by Paul Creighton, T. Skorman Productions

Sponsored by Integrity Events

Panelists:
Jason Bernstein, AEG Presents
Tim Epstein, Duggan Bertsch, LLC
Frank Page, CWA Management

Sponsored by Miller Theater

Panelists:
Amanda Bonafine, Professional Facilities Management
Rick Hansen, Historic Theater Group
Nate Kranz, First Avenue
Shlomo Lipetz, City Winery
Aaron Zimmerman, Tobin Center

Moderated by Abby Wells Baas, WME

Sponsored by Bang Productions

Panelists:
Greg Baker, Manager for Trace Adkins
Chris Cobb, Exit/In
Kylen Sharpe, CAA

Hosted by Andrew Farwell, Outback Presents

Sponsored by Outback Presents

The working lunch, elevated to a networking event. On the menu: focused conversations at a table specifically-seated with conference attendees who share interests.

This event has limited capacity and an RSVP is required to attend. Instructions will be emailed to registered conference attendees.

Sponsored by College Park Center and Texas Hall Performing Arts Center

Panelists:
Deana Baker, Choctaw Casino Resorts
Ryan Frohberg, Casino Del Sol Resort
Kell Houston, Houston Productions
Tammy Kite, Golden Nugget Casinos
Lori Otelsberg, Signature Entertainment

Moderated by Andrew Blank, C3 Presents

Sponsored by Houston Productions

Panelists:
Danny Bell, Goldenvoice
Aly Ehlinger, C3 Presents
Kieran Manzi, Variety Attractions
Brittany Schaffer, Spotify

Moderated by Joe Giordano, Jr., BOK Center

Sponsored by Variety Attractions

Panelists:
Emily Bragg, Tour Manager for Bon Iver
Drew Magid, Tour Manager for Imagine Dragons and Florida Georgia Line
Marne McLyman, Tour Manager for Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn
Mark Miles, Production Manager for Little Big Town

Moderated by Kevin Meyer, MiEntertainment

Sponsored by Minnesota State Fair

Panelists:
Lynn Carlotto, Leon’s Centre
Marty Elliott, Miller Theater
Don Kronberg, NiteLite Promotions
Michael Pugh, Premier Productions
Shelley Todd, Outback Presents

Moderated by Kim Bedier, Tacoma Venues & Events

Sponsored by Prism

Panelists:
Danny Aguilar, Delaware State Fair
Lance Alleman, WME
Gene Cassidy, The Big E
Sara Shelton Novak, Triangle Talent
Justin Watada, Greeley Stampede

Moderated by Mallory Hines, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

Sponsored by Romeo Entertainment Group

Yes, it’s the kind of music you can listen to while wearing your ugliest Hawaiian shirt, that reminds of magenta-hued sunsets and high-calorie daiquiris. We’re talking about yacht rock — that monolith of soft, jazzy rock that ruled AOR radio and still holds our hearts with a mustachioed grip. No hypnotic rave beats tonight – just smooth sailing on a sea of saccharine sincerity and magical melodies.

with live performances by Nashville Yacht Club Band and Pablo Cruise

Sponsored by Casino Del Sol

Live performances by Kalie Shorr, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Lifehouse, and Ezra Ray Hart.

Live performances by Clay Walker, 98 Degrees, Blanco Brown, and King Calaway.

Live performances by Tim Rushlow – Formerly of Little Texas, Lorrie Morgan, Jenny Tolman, and Seth Cook.

Sponsored by Gold & Gold Productions

In accordance with IEBA By-Laws, Article II, Section 6, Paragraph (a), the Annual Membership Meeting reports the organization’s growth and achievements over the past year.  We’ll also hear from She Is The Music & Musically Fed, two great organizations committed to making positive change in our community.

If there was an industry catchphrase in 2019, it might have been diversity. On the road, that translates to more non-traditional offerings in addition to the touring staples of pop and country. For 2019’s installment of our most popular panel, we’ve enlisted specialists who have paved paths to headlining sellouts with comedy, Latin, family shows, and podcasts.

Panelists:
Sara Bollwinkel, Paradigm Talent Agency
Bruno del Granado, CAA
Joe Fucigna and Phil Battiato, UTA
Matthew Morgan, WME
Nick Nuciforo, UTA

Moderated by Sally Williams, Live Nation

Sponsored by NS2 and FPC Live

IEBA’s Agents Alley is a trade show like no other. In two short hours at 80 booths, buyers have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of agents who represent virtually every artist touring nationally in the upcoming season. IEBA’s Agents Alley is a concentrated marketplace for entertainment professionals who buy, book, and sell talent. The buying starts here.

Agents Alley sponsored by Toyota Arena

Promoters Alley sponsored by ASM Global

Sponsored by ICM Partners

Hip-hop is fueling the recording industry’s resurgence and runs the game when it comes to overall music consumption. It surpassed rock to become the most popular music genre in 2016, and Nielsen’s 2019 mid-year report declares urban music’s dominance with 30% of total streams. Thanks to such chart-topping artists as Lil Nas X, Post Malone, Khalid, and Juice WRLD, on-demand streams are up nearly 40% from 2018.There may be no more vital and influential genre in music today, and its stars may be inherently more compelling than any other’s. Any questions about hip-hop’s supremacy revolve around touring. As the next wave of hard-ticket headliners hits arenas, we ask the experts how they’ve tackled the unique challenges of taking hip-hop artists from emerging underdogs to ticket-selling heavyweights.

Panelists:
Joe Hadley, CAA
Colin Lewis, Live Nation
Ryan Northcott, LAFC Sports / Banc of California Stadium
Casey McCabe, AEG / Bowery Presents
Kevin Shivers, WME

Moderated by Yves Pierre, ICM Partners

Ah, the tour offer. No longer just for stadium and arena headliners, artists at every level are accepting guaranteed income across x number of cross-collateralized dates. When a promoter joins the artist’s team, they bring of a robust set of tools that includes experience, data, and consistency. How do centralized systems of marketing, ticketing, VIP, and production provide a powerful lever to elevate a tour? Does a single-promoter relationship secure any long-term success on the road?And how do venues get to play on that touring team? How do they differentiate themselves in a multitude of routing options?

Panelists:
Kelly Kapp, Live Nation
Adam Kornfeld, AGI
Kate McMahon, Messina Touring Group
Raj Saha, Fiserv Forum

Moderated by Megan Wilson, Red Light Management

IEBA is pleased to induct Joan Jett & Kenny Laguna, Rod Essig, Kevin Lyman, Larry Vallon, and Steve Dahl (posthumously) into its Hall of Fame at this year’s Honors & Awards Ceremony. In addition, The Delaware State Fair will be inducted on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

Seventeen industry awards will recognize outstanding achievement and commend those who work outside the spotlight.

IEBA’s Honors & Awards Ceremony is a free private event for conference attendees.

Hosted by Illusionist Mike Super

Sponsored by TaxSlayer Center

Live performances by The Cadillac Three, HARDY, Lainey Wilson, and Shy Carter. Hosted by Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin.