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

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

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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.

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

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

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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.

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

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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.

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!

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ADVENTURES IN VENUELAND

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

We’re headed north of the border to Hamilton, Ontario to chat with Nick DeLuco, Senior Vice President & General Manager of TD Coliseum. This is opening week for the venue, which will open after an extensive $300 million renovation by Oak View Group this Friday, November 21, with a kick off concert with Paul McCartney. We chat with Nick about the arena’s place in the Golden Horseshoe market, Oak View Group’s investment in the cutting-edge venue, and their music-first approach to the design and strategies. We talk about the balance of paying homage to the 40 year history while also blazing a new path with innovations – including unique floor level suites built into the lower bowl. As they approach their opening, we hear about how the team worked together on the project and their focus on being present during the busy opening week. Nick also walks us through his venueland history, from taking Sports Management in school and wanting to be a sports agent to an internship at his hometown venue in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to his first job post graduation in ticketing in Mississauga. We talk about his path to opening new buildings in Kingston and New Brunswick as well as his time spent in Edmonton overseeing live events. Enjoy this fun look behind the curtain as they prepare to open this venue while also enjoying great career advice, fun stories, and recommendations for your next visit to Hamilton.

Nick DeLuco: LinkedIn
TD Coliseum: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

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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.

Just like your favorite venue ghost, we’re back to bring you spine-chilling stories, spooky event info, and harrowing Halloween haunts to make all your nightmares come true! 🦇 For this year’s frightful feature, we learn all about Paramount Theatre in Austin, which in addition to being haunted also presents an annual horror film series – Panic at the Paramount! 🎬 Our (g)hosts are joined by Javier Ramirez, Director of Marketing at Paramount & State Theatres and Moontower Comedy Festival (largest annual comedy festival in North America). Javier acts as our guide through an overview of both theatres before we dive into their horror film series. We learn about how Panic at the Paramount was created, their thought process with ticket pricing and branding around the events, and how various actors and legendary film director Robert Rodríguez have gotten involved in presenting films for the series. We then learn about the 110 year old Paramount Theatre’s three resident ghosts, which have been seen around the venue, photographed disappearing into the seats, and even… smelled?! 👻 Enjoy this fun annual Halloween episode to get you in the mood for today’s holiday.

Javier Ramirez: Instagram | LinkedIn
Paramount Theatre: Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

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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.