This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Michael Marion, CFE General Manager, Verizon Arena


In 1975, I was asked by the president of the Mississippi State Universi- ty Student Association if I wanted to be the Concert Chairman. I said, “Sure, what do you do?” Over the next four years, we booked Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, The Commodores, Hall & Oates, and a lot of other big groups at that time.


I graduated and joined an agency in Los Angeles for six years and helped handle Whitney Houston, Men At Work, Tina Turner, and aer, and a lot of big ‘80s acts. We had a lot of fun, but an opportunity to return to my hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi opened up, and I left to help with the design and construction of a new arena. It was in this arena that I experienced one of my biggest highlights — an agency friendt highlights — an agency friend had called from back in Los Angeles and, when it was all said and done, we ended up with the Eagles on a Saturday night in Tupelo. The opportunity to help with a new arena opened up again, and I moved on to design and open an 18,000-seat venue in Little Rock, Arkansas. And here I am today.


in Los Angeles for six years and en At Wo , Tina Tu un, but an opportunity


y to retur


ppi opened up, and I left to help a new arena. It was in this arena


s and, when it was all said and n a Sa


night in Tupelo


ew arena opened up again, 18,000-sea ve ue in Little


I was aware of IAVM even during my time at Mississippi State. As an agent in Los Angeles, we would go to IAVM’s an- nual conference to exhibit and meet with venue managers. So, once I moved over to the venue side of the industry, I immediate- ly joined and began getting involved with the Associa ion. Going to the Venue Management School (VMS) was a key ex- perience for me. I met a lot of people, and gained a good understanding and overview of everything that goes on in a building. Like most venue managers, I came into my position from one area of focus (book- ing), so VMS helped me learn the other piec-  Now I am able to teach at VMS and contribute back to IAVM to support the


ng my time a Mississippi ould go to IA


with ve e manager . So


f the industry, I immediate- with the Association.


School (VMS) was a key le and gained a good ything


g tha


ager , I came cus (book- her piec-  and he


y e an-


same education that helped me solidify my career as a venue manager. Our business is a very odd business. We sell a good time, and with


that type of an intangible, there is only a small group of people that understands how that works, and it is nice to be around people like that. FM


8


Facility Manager Magazine


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68