We’re headed out west to the stepping stone to the Central Valley – Escalon, California – to chat with Cassie Gause, Co-founder & Partner at C&K Media Solutions. Cassie tells us all about her company, which offers marketing, sponsorship, and management support for venues, promoters, tours, and artists - from one-off events to entire tours. We learn about her focus, on the marketing side, supporting a variety of clients with traditional advertising, public relations, digital advertising, and social media management. A self-proclaimed “data nerd,” we dive in quickly to chat about trends she is seeing, digital platform diversity, strategies for approaching and tracking ROI, which platforms to prioritize, and so much more. Cassie, who formerly oversaw marketing at Adventist Health Arena, Bob Hope Theatre, Oak Park Ice Rink, Stockton Ballpark, and Stockton Downtown Marina, walks us through her career journey and what led to the creation of the company. We learn about tips and challenges with running a business, and their approach on serving clients, expanding their team, and balancing various client needs. If you’re wanting to explore data more, expand your digital advertising, or have thought about striking out on your own to start a business – this episode is for you. Enjoy this fun conversation packed with great take-aways!

Cassie Gause: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
C&K Media Solutions: Facebook | Instagram | 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.

BONUS EPISODE – Peace up ✌️ A-Town down 🅰️ – the 2025 Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) is just around the corner and we have everything you need to know as you pack and prepare for this year’s SOLD OUT conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosts Paul and Dave are joined by a trio of guests which help craft this podcast version of a KBYG: Kim Allen (EVMC President, Director of Arena Marketing at Golden 1 Center), Roberta Wright (Gigi Award Winner & EVMC Hall of Famer, Former Director of Marketing at Cross Insurance Arena), and Meredith Chapple (EVMC Planning Committee, Marketing Coordinator at Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE). Each guest talks about their experience and history with the conference as we dive into important advice and tips for getting the most out of your experience. Hear about the agenda, networking opportunities, evening events, and places to visit while in Atlanta. We go over advice on what to pack, transportation around town, and the conference layout. Whether this is your first time attending, you’re a seasoned vet, or you’ve never been and are wondering what the conference is – we’ve got you covered!

Coming to the conference? 🎙️ Be sure to attend our fourth annual Adventures In Venueland LIVE episode where we’ll be interviewing J Carter, Founder & Managing Partner of ONE Musicfest. Come say hello, meet our team, and grab a free AIV sticker to slap on your water bottle! We’ll see you in ATL!

Event & Venue Marketing Conference: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | 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’re back in the city that’s so nice they named it twice, the financial capital of the world – New York City. On this episode we chat with Joyce Leveston, CEO of New York Convention Center Operation Corporation (NYCCOC), which oversees the Javits Center, one of the busiest convention centers in the world. Resting right on the Hudson River, on the west side of Manhattan, Joyce tells us about numerous features that make Javits Center unique. In addition to its expansive convention space, it also has a farm where they grow over 60 crops and a 6.75 acre green roof which serves as a habitat for 72 different bird species and houses nine beehives. We talk about what makes convention centers unique compared to other live event venues, and Joyce’s passion for the convention side of the industry. We talk about her career path, from San Diego, Houston, Miami, Washington D.C., Boston, and then Philadelphia, before landing in New York City. Joyce explains what makes good hospitality, and how important it is to treat venues like your home and make them inviting for guests. This may be our first convention center specific guest, and you’ll love it as it’s packed with great advice, fascinating information, and fun stories.

Joyce Leveston: LinkedIn | Email
Javits Center: 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.

Music City welcomes us back as we head to Nashville to chat with Dustin Turner, Music Marketing Executive at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Dustin walks us through his day to day, and explains how CAA often functions as a bridge between promoters and management teams, working with the artist teams to figure out what the creative is going to look like, and strategizing on ways they can work with venues to make sure tours are successful. Dustin tells us about the many advantages of being based in Nashville while also enjoying close collaboration with their offices in Los Angeles and New York. We dive into some shop talk, discussing marketing strategies, trends and future predictions, and how venues can better support tours. Dustin talks to us about how he got his start in live events, from setting up tents for Clear Channel Radio in San Antonio, to roles at various venues, Live Nation in Florida, Feld Entertainment in Philadelphia, and ultimately moving to Nashville to join AEG Live before moving to his current role with CAA. We discuss how those experiences have taught him valuable lessons, given him a great perspective on all sides of the industry, and instilled the importance of networking and building connections. You’ll love this fun episode that is full of great career advice, fun stories, and some Nashville recommendations.

Dustin Turner: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
CAA Music: Instagram

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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 to Edmonton for this episode, home of the Oilers, to catch up with Chris Ng-Muk-Yuen, Marketing Manager for Rogers Place and ICE District. Chris tells us about the venue and surrounding district, and its place in the city and approach to engaging with fans. Fresh off the Edmonton Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, learn how the team and venue are capitalizing on the success, enhancing their fan experience, and bringing the city together in ICE District. Chris, who manages social media for both venues among numerous other tasks, breaks down their approach for each social platform, and we discuss when is the best time to invest time and effort into new platforms. Learn how he caught the photography bug and what he enjoys about being one of the venue’s house photographers. We talk about Chris’ entry into live events through an internship as a business analyst which led to roles in ticketing, sponsorship, and his current role in marketing. Chris gives some advice for young people entering the industry, as we discuss tips and the importance of a passion for events. From chats about the NHL bubble to his love of traveling to early planning for venue anniversaries – there’s a little of everything in this fun episode!

Chris Ng-Muk-Yuen: Instagram | LinkedIn
Rogers Place: Instagram | Facebook | 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.

Let’s talk premium! On this episode of Adventures In Venueland we head back to Cali and chat with Michele Kajiwara, Senior Vice President, Premium Business & Events at Crypto.com Arena and AEG, and the 2024 WISE Woman of the Year. Michele oversees the sales and service of premium seats, suites, lounges, and hospitality spaces - supporting the various tenant teams (Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, and Los Angeles Sparks) and touring events while operating quasi independently and reporting directly to AEG. She talks about their close relationship with booking and marketing and the role touring shows play in boosting value for members while increasing retention. We talk about hosting residency shows, the relationship between LA venues, and the impact live events have on clients and the people connected with them. Michele tells us about her career journey, from attending Cal State Long Beach and University of Southern California to jobs in Lake Tahoe, New York City, and LA with numerous trips in between. She provides some amazing perspective and career advice – including the importance of travel and how sabbaticals have helped recenter her and provide new perspective at key points in her life. From fun stories to a great work/life harmony discussion, you’ll love this episode that may inspire you to explore that next career challenge.

Michele Kajiwara: LinkedIn | Email
Crypto.com 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.

Put on your shades and pull back that convertible top because we’re headed to Los Angeles for this episode where we chat with Alex Hodges, Chief Executive Officer of Nederlander Concerts. Alex, who is in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, recipient of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s “Spirit of Excellence” Award, and recipient of the SEVT Lifetime Achievement Award, has decades of experience in all aspects of the live event industry. After we discuss Nederlander Concerts and the numerous venues they work with, we learn how Alex developed a passion for the industry, from seeing shows as a kid at Fox Theatre in Atlanta to booking bands with his college fraternity brother at Mercer University. We talk about his time as an agent, representing emerging artists at the time such as Otis Redding, The Allman Brothers Band, The Police, and many more, as well as founding Paragon and Empire Agencies. He tells us about his time as the personal manager for Gregg Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughan before joining Nederlander Concerts the first time, working at House of Blues Concerts, and then returning back to Nederlander Concerts. Alex provides an incredible perspective of the industry over the years and how things have evolved – imparting advice and valuable insight into an ever-changing landscape. You’ll love this episode with this legendary trailblazer that is chock full of amazing stories, great career tips, and plenty of laughs.

Alex Hodges: Email
Nederlander Concerts: 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 to the Garden State for this episode and talking with Michelle McCarthy, Founder & CEO of MCC Marketing Group. Michelle, who is based in Jersey City in the New York City market, tells us about her experience with launching her business and the excitement and challenges that come along with it. She emphasizes the importance of a strong network and tells us about some of her recent clients, including David Gilmour’s sold out US tour, the Rock The Country festival series, and a sold-out reunion performance featuring the original Broadway cast of Anastasia, The Musical at Lincoln Center. She talks about her love of music and other passions which drive her and her focus of optimizing results and maximizing campaigns for her clients. We talk with Michelle about her career journey, which began in County Cork, Ireland, where she did marketing and promotions for arts festivals before moving to Dublin to work with Hot Press magazine and the Dublin Theatre Festival, eventually overseeing marketing for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Her work there led her to New York City, where she promoted shows at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall before going on to spearhead marketing strategy for live entertainment at Prudential Center and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. You’ll love all the great tips and conversations in this episode such as advice for those considering starting their own agency, the value of time off in recentering your path, and plenty of fun stories speckled throughout.

Michelle McCarthy: LinkedIn | Email
MCC Marketing Group: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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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.