Creating the ultimate live event experience
Nashville Convention Center,
Nashville, USA
Three days of workshops looking in-depth at three key issues affecting every event organizer and producer:
Sustainability, Safety & Security, and Technology & Special Effects
Alan is the Safety & Training Director for IATSE Local 728, Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians, and is a member of the IATSE’s Crafts Advancement Program Committee. He currently serves as Co-Chair for the ECTP Entertainment Electrician Certification, sits on the PLASA Technical Standards Council, and is a member of the Motion Picture/Television Industry Wide Safety Committee, a member of the NFPA.
Alicia launched The Spellbound Group in 2011 to execute unique campaigns for bands and brands to build sustainable markets. She applies her years of expertise as the chief architect behind the integrated marketing department at Rocket Science, where she directed social media campaigns, digital sales initiatives, and on-and-off-line events to build successful campaigns for her clients at The Spellbound Group.
Brandi is a vibrant event producer, conscious convergence strategist, motivational speaker and healer. With over a decade of experience creating and producing prolific live events and exclusive nightlife gatherings, Brandi is now devoted to using her vast knowledge and skill to raising awareness and creating sustainable programs that effectuate change.
Charlie has worked with many international rock acts, but his most important achievement has been as a founder of Just a Bunch of Roadies, which has taken the talent and skills of live event professionals to help people caught in natural disasters all over the world, starting with the Haitian earthquake in January 2010. While relief agencies were trying to figure what to do and how to do it, Hernandez was making help happen.
Obsessed with what new media and technology can do to drive change, Christopher founded PictureHealing, a customizable mobile app solution for the non-profit community. His progressive approach to company structure and team communication have helped him lead new media efforts for large non-profits such as Casa Pacifica all the way across the board to wealth management companies such as Mass Mutual.
Clair Global is a premier concert sound reinforcement company. Dave is the company’s primary instructor for the formal education program, and developer of curriculum for road staff employees, new and existing. Topics focus on company protocol and safety for assembly and operation of large concert sound systems, client service, new technology, proprietary equipment, general safety and peripheral equipment needed to operate such systems.
David has been in the insurance industry since 1981, and has extensive experience in all aspects of music & and touring operations, concert promo- tion, equipment and vehicle rental operations, safety and loss control, business and corporate management and financial analysis. David He is a graduate of Ohio State University and has continued postgraduate educational endeavors at the University of California at Los Angeles and Pepperdine University.
David VandenHeuvel spent 23 years as a meteorologist with the United States Air Force. He now leads WDT’s WeatherOps Enterprise Services division, providing direct meteorological decision support to the entertainment and outdoor venue industries. Prior to joining WDT in 2010, David was the COO of IPS MeteoStar, a meteorological software company in Denver, CO.
The Do LaB is an event creations company based in Southern California that produces the annual flagship event, Lightning in a Bottle Arts and Music Festival. Dede leads the operational, political and logistical components of the festival as well as other creative projects and environmental spaces that The Do LaB curates, including stage and art areas for Coachella and Boom Music Festival.
Donald recently retired as Ohio State Fire Marshal, having served in countless fire-rescue EMS roles since 1979. He is the author of several emergency-service textbooks, a major contributor to the renowned medical reference text Wilderness Medicine, and a research evaluator for the National Fire Academy. In 2005 he led a team deployed to St Bernard Parish, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Born into a logging family in Oregon, Jesse learned first hand how poor natural resource management holds negative consequences for local communities. In 2010 he earned a PhD in Environmental Policy from UC Irvine, studying the “Resource Curse,” international development, and globalization. Jesse spent over two years studying the impacts of global consumer behavior throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and into Antarctica.
Ed is an entertainment technology engineer, entrepreneur, immersive experience designer and pioneer of large-format digital cinema. His company, Vortex Immersion Media, produces immersive and interactive experiences for Fortune 500 brands including Condé Nast, EMC2, Microsoft, Nestlé, NFL, Nike, Nokia and Sprint. It also operates the Vortex Dome, the first commercial immersive media production studio and events venue located in downtown Los Angeles.
Ed has been an executive at Digital Domain since 1993 and is the chief architect of its commercials business. Ed executive-produced the Academy Award-winning visual effects for Titanic and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, as well as for Zodiac, Adaptation, and Fight Club; music videos for the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and other artists; 500+ commercials and the digital likeness of Tupac Shakur.
Coming soon...
Eric founded Global Inheritance in 2002. Global Inheritance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that develops creative, cause-based campaigns to educate individuals about issues that affect us globally. Its unique programs focus on the power of interactivity to communicate ideas that push for progressive social change by empowering millions of individuals at festivals, events, workplaces and schools throughout the world.
Erika develops and enriches corporate social responsibility initiatives for Insomniac, America’s largest dance music festival producer. This includes initiating sustainability-focused efforts during Electric Daisy Carnival, and activating and empowering fans via the voter registration initiative Spin the Vote. Insomniac now has several successful fan-focused enterprises including Ground Control, a robust volunteer network, and free water refill stations at all festivals.
Geoff Cairns is an entrepreneurial sales, business and channel development executive with a proven 20+ year track record of building high performance teams and driving business growth in software and technology. During his career Geoff has held a number of senior leadership positions at both Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard in which he successfully drove new market, product and channel initiatives.
Lambda Productions offers ways to brand corporations through corporate events utilizing award programs, sponsorship execution, webcasting, video production, mobile marketing, satellite conference and as consultants helping to review business strategies. It builds and manages the stages of the largest festivals in the USA, and provides light design, stage design, stage management, production management and artist management services for big-name concerts and tours.
Coming soon...
MC, poet, activist for peace, and visionary of the conscious hip-hop collective Luminaries, J Brave’s greatest gift is his ability to bring people together for the greater good. As CEO of Lu Fam Pro, which is the band’s rapidly evolving label and production company, he is visioning a large-scale festival to expand the mission and further enhance the constant message of unconditional love.
Jeff Giek is the President and Founder of Rhino Staging. Rhino Staging has grown rapidly over the last 20 years and now has offices in 12 cities, servicing 23 distinct markets. The development of safety and educational materials for Rhino Staging employees has been a big key to the company’s success.
Jeffrey was a pioneer in online marketing for the entertainment industry, founding digital marketing departments for Universal Music Group and MCA Records. Since then he has worked as a digital marketing consultant developing strategies for many big-name events and organizations. He now oversees the digital responsibilities for HUKA Entertainment and its festivals. His groundbreaking marketing programs have increased traffic and revenue for his clients.
Jennifer is the Executive Director and founder of LEAF, a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to connecting cultures and creating community through music and arts since 1995. LEAF has three core programs: LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival); LEAF in Schools & Streets, empowering youth locally; and LEAF International in seven countries, connecting youth to their local music and arts traditions.
Jennifer is the Global Sustainability Director for AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. She advises company executives on environmental strategy and assists division leaders with integrating sustainable practices into their operations to achieve the company’s AEG 1EARTH 2020 Environmental Goals, which focus on energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, employee education and sustainable purchasing for all of AEG’s operations.
Holding a unique skill set combining creative vision and organizational talent, Jessica is able to orchestrate all aspects and angles of productions large and small. Paired with the assets of technical knowledge and story-telling honed while earning a degree in film production at Chapman University, Jessica brings a fresh approach to all the events she produces with her company, ZOē Productions.
Jim’s 30-year tenure in the entertainment business has, for the last 23 years, focused primarily on international live music touring, handling many artists at the top of their game from Marilyn Manson to Linkin Park. His recent mission to elevate industry best practices regarding safety has given him a wholly new focus and led to the creation of the Event Safety Alliance. In early 2013 the ESA will release the entertainment industry’s first Event Safety Guide.
Coming soon...
Founder and CEO of Brown United, John Brown introduced the four-post roof to promoters of boxing and concerts. The company currently acts as general contractor to the ESPN X Games in the USA and Europe, and as equipment supplier to the likes of AEG, Live Nation, Disney, and countless other special event producers worldwide. John is proud to be one of the founders of The Event Safety Alliance.
Jonathan co-founded ShareMeister alongside Marlon Henderson. Since then he has collaborated with nonprofit, business, government, and economic-thought leaders to research, develop, and implement ShareMeister’s social enterprise services. Jonathan continues to seek out elite entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and thought-leaders focused on driving social change through positive disruption in the marketplace.
As Chief of Operations for Black Rock City’s 911 system, Joseph has an ongoing government relations role with outside agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt General Hospital, and the Nevada Department of Health to make Burning Man as safe as reasonably possible from a public health and safety perspective, while still preserving the vital essence of the Burning Man experience.
Joshua is a pioneer of entertainment technology. A visual effects professional for more than 20 years, he has credits in some of the most successful films of all time, and worked on The Pixar Image Computer nearly a decade before Pixar produced its first CG animated features. Since then, Joshua has always been ahead of the pack on technology development, visual effects techniques, and filmmaking trends.
Joshua’s responsibilities include handling the technical production and logistics for FOX’s corporate meetings, sports hospitality programs, premiere parties and special events. He has also been responsible for sustainability programs and setting standards for sustainable events at FOX Broadcasting Company. At FOX he has “greened” hundreds of events including making the FOX Upfront Presentations carbon neutral and green.
Karl is the Technical Standards Manager for PLASA. He administers the ANSI-accredited Technical Standards Program for equipment and safe work practices, and writes about standards, legislation, and technology. He represents PLASA members on UL and NFPA committees. Karl holds an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara with majors in Dramatic Art and in Psychology.
Ken has 17 years’ experience in the event industry, starting in design and manufacturing then moving into event support and management as a Technical Resource Director. He has spent the last three years in safety and compliance, and has taught safety and tent/temporary structure operations throughout the industry since 2008. Ken holds several industry-specific licenses and certifications, including OSHA trainer certifications.
Kent is Safety and Training Representative for IATSE Local 80 and Chairman of the IATSE Safety Committee. In his capacity with the union, Kent has taught many classes from basic safety to fall protection systems, high-angle rescue, rigging, camera cranes, and camera car rigging. He also is part of many ESTA committees and programs, and was part of the first ETCP Certificates.
Kevin has been an innovator in the world of high-technology entertainment since 1974. He has designed and technically directed thousands of live events and shows, and creates special effects for American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, TV and film, music videos, and more. Live special effects, laser entertainment and custom reveals are among the unique talents at TLC.
Kevin Rowell is the founder of The Natural Builders. The firm helps create more sustainable environments, integrating natural materials and permaculture principles. Clients include Portugal’s Boom Festival, a 30,000-person psychedelic environment with integrated educational and entertainment programming and featuring the use of composing toilets, gray water recycling, bamboo structures and permaculture gardens.
Laurie is Executive Director of the IFFS andIMFCON, as well as an experienced attorney, having worked with Miramax, ICM, and Orion Pictures. She has directed numerous regional and international film festivals, serves on the board of directors for Alliance Hollywood (an advocacy organization that uses the voice of Hollywood for social change), and frequently lectures and writes on non-profit corporations and sponsorship.
Italian-born Leonardo, aka GloVibes, is a DJ and producer who began playing for big-name Italian clubs and radio stations at the age of 16. He now makes his own music and DJs across the world, blending 'old school' analog methods with the latest digital technology. He has collaborated with vocalists including Angie Brown, and played at private parties for Madonna and Kim Kardashian.
Liz consults with clients on how to use interactive technologies to harness audience insight, create further meeting engagement, and capture event metrics for making better business decisions. She performs quarterly workshops and specialty demonstrations on the topic of the interactive meeting environment, and has also consulted on meetings for Intuit Financial, Cisco, HP, AAA, eBay, PG&E and Electronic Arts.
Luis is a member of the Entertainment Agency Council for a leading entertainment insurance carrier, and has excellent and long-standing relationships with insurance companies. Luis is a licensed property and casualty insurance broker.
Matt has overall responsibility for security, safety and preparedness for AEG’s domestic and global operations and facilities. Previously he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to lead California’s homeland security and emergency management operations as the Secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA). He was a member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s cabinet for nearly six years and served as the Chairman of the California Emergency Council.
Michael has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years and has developed and maintained numerous relationships with producers, directors and writers. He has also been involved with environmental and humanitarian causes for as long as he’s been in the media business, and as a result has maintained strong relationships with sustainable companies that are aware of his long-standing dedication to promoting conscious living.
Michael has over three decades of experience in the pro-audio/video industry. Most recently he was named President of ATK Audiotek, a leading audio production and systems integration vendor. Prior to ATK he served as EVP of Sales and Marketing at Harman Professional. Michael has worked for other manufacturers including a 10-year stint at Yamaha International. As a consult at Pilot Business Strategies, Michael provided insight to over 30 companies.
Michael and five others founded Weather Decision Technologies in 2000. Today the company has 75 employees and is the leading technology firm in the weather industry, with many other large weather companies in the USA using its technologies. Additionally, WDT provides interactive weather maps (iMap) and weather content for over 500 local media websites, and mobile applications to over 75 media clients.
CG pioneer/actor Philippe Bergeron is President of PaintScaping.com, a world leader in 3D projection mapping. He has produced 3D mapping for live events nationwide, and clients including MGM Resorts, Cirque du Soleil, Sony Pictures, Caruso Affiliated, and Ritz-Carlton. He holds a BSc and MSc in Computer Science from University of Montreal, and has published over a dozen articles in computer graphics.
With over 20 years’ experience, Raffi is recognized by industry professionals for his exceptional work in lighting and technical production. His body of work includes events ranging from small press conferences to full-scale productions for leading artists and clientele in the corporate and private sectors. Heading a special event technical services company, Neptune Productions, Raffi is a leading expert and sought-after professional within the industry.
Richard Byford, Owner of Byway Events & Entertainment Inc, a green global special events and entertainment company, has performed and traveled all over the world, and has owned and operated Byway Entertainment for over 30 years. When you meet Richard the one thing that stands out most is that he is passionate about taking care of our planet and producing “green events”. He is a firm believer that people in the special events industry are leaders and are in a great position to help change the face of America and the world.
Richard is President, CEO and Founder of Operation USA (also known as Operation California), a Los Angeles-based nongovernmental organization specializing in disaster relief as well as international and domestic healthcare and economic development projects. Privately funded, Operation USA has worked in 100 countries since 1979 and has provided over $375 million in aid and development assistance.
Roger has more than a decade of professional experience advising music and entertainment clients in the evaluation and management of financial risk relating to event cancellation perils, and constructing tailored insurance solutions to meet their specific needs.
Ron is a CPA, licensed in California and Florida. He is in charge of the music tour and music festival areas of CAPS payroll. Ron has been involved in all aspects of music touring payroll and taxation for over 12 years, and may be the foremost expert in the field in the USA.
Scott has more than 20 years’ experience in insurance on both the carrier and the broker sides. Since December 2008 he has been managing the Take1 (Entertainment) Insurance Program for US Risk. Within this program, Scott is the underwriter responsible for an all lines admitted program with one of the leading writers of entertainment insurance in the world.
Scott’s diverse professional experience includes the investigation and repair of existing structures, in addition to many facets of emergency response and structural stabilization efforts. He coordinates the firm’s Property Loss Consulting Practice within the Chicago office, with responsibilities for response and condition assessment of damage caused by fires, hurricanes, tornados and structural collapses.
Steve is a FEMA-certified, large-scale event planner and manager based in Los Angeles, California, who has worked professionally in the industry for over three decades. His background includes special events, theatrical presentations, live television and film production, galas, industrial and trade show management as well as an extensive background in tour and production management.
Steven is the head of Adelman Law Group PLLC in Scottsdale, Arizona. His practice focuses on risk management, litigation, and expert testimony regarding sports and entertainment venues across North America. In addition to being one of the officers of the Event Safety Alliance, Steve writes the monthly Adelman on Venues newsletter, and is on the faculty of IAVM’s Academy for Venue Safety & Security.
Tim has been Company Director and Senior Advisor at TESS since 2000. His principal duties include oversight of company project management, development of Health & Safety plans and documentation, drafting of risk assessments and policy documents, site analysis and design, license applications and on-site safety management. He is also responsible for planning and implementation of event control and joint agency facilities.
Todd Rogers is a co-founder of CrowdTorch, a leading provider of mobile applications for consumer and social events. His aim was to develop technology that could create a modern version of the paper event guide for music festivals. That product evolved into the current offering from CrowdTorch: mobile applications for consumer and social events hosted on multiple platforms.
Tom has over 40 years of hands-on theatrical and production experience in virtually all aspects of the entertainment industry. His accomplishments include production, technical direction and design responsibilities in grand opera, rock and roll, major marketing events and themed attractions. He has contributed to many multi-million dollar productions, including film premiers, many major industrial shows and international projects in Mexico, Brazil and China.
Since 2007 Whitney has spearheaded many innovative fundraising initiatives for Linkin Park’s non-profit organization, Music for Relief, including Download to Donate for Haiti and the Grammy Award-winning band’s Secret Show for Japan to aid victims of the tsunami. She has grown the grassroots disaster relief and environmental organization by utilizing social media to engage young music fans, artists and industry professionals in creating durable change.
