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
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