Live Entertainment Leaders Convene at VenuesNow Conference 2026

Some of the biggest names in the live entertainment venue world have spent the last few days of September at the 2026 edition of VenuesNow Conference, taking part in panels, networking and brainstorming how to continue making this industry even stronger.

VNC, held Sept. 29-30 in Seattle at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, opened with Oak View Group CEO Chris Granger encouraging attendees to focus on preserving humanity and fostering connection. Granger later returned to the stage Tuesday morning to moderate a fireside chat with Samantha Holloway, majority owner and managing partner of One Roof Sports and Entertainment, the parent brand of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken Community Iceplex, One Roof Foundation, the Memorial Stadium redevelopment and interests in the Coachella Valley Firebirds/Acrisure Arena.

Produced by Oak View Group ( Pollstar ‘s parent company) and presented by Marsh and Oracle, VNC brings together live entertainment, sports and venue executives to address the industry’s most critical operational, financial, and strategic dynamics. VNC 2026 followed the inaugural Secure Venues Summit on Sept. 28 in Seattle, which was launched by Oak View Group & Prevent Advisors and programmed specifically for safety, risk management, and venue operations leaders. The week also included the VenuesNow All-Stars Reception, celebrating the 2026 VenuesNow All-Stars honorees .

Speakers taking part in VNC panels, keynotes and town halls include Wesley Cullen, Gary Hutchinson and Emily Lindahl (Oak View Group), Sean Saadeh (Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment), Mike Hayes (UTA), Bruce Solar (Paladin Artists), Laura Chiplin (Tottenham Hotspur), David Powell (Ethara), John Page and Gina Rotolo (Acrisure Arena), Thayer Lavielle and Sara Dean (The.Team), Bryan Bedford (Cisco), Kevin Devore and Ryan Zoukis (ME Engineers), Greg Farley (MD Energy Advisors), Dani Stern (Honeywell), Julie Rinaldi and Adam Stover (Populous), Luke Tingle (Daktronics), Kaity Dychala (PWHL), Mike Sciortino (UBS Arena), Declan Weir (Stantec), David Reed (ModeScore & ActiveScore), Aaron Thomas (Columbus Arena Sports & Entertainment), Ashlee Stokely (Nissan Stadium), Courtney Carter (Seattle Sounders FC & Seattle Reign FC), Christen Greene (Live Nation) and Guy Dunstan (Co-op Live), among others.

Inaugural Secure Venues Summit Delivers Insight On Security Trends Shaping Modern Venues

Chris Granger Opens 2026 VenuesNow Conference With Heart

A New Era For Professional Sports And Entertainment In Seattle, A Fireside Chat With Samantha Holloway

Thinking Outside The Box (But Together) At VenuesNow Conference

Convention Centers: Big Box To Big Business (VNC Panel Recap)

Building Automation for Good: Energy Efficiency & Business Benefits (VNC Panel Recap)

University Athletic Programs Adapt To Change In Real Time (VNC Panel Recap)

VenuesNow Conference Preview: Climate Pledge Arena’s Brianna Treat Talks ‘Integrating Sustainability Seamlessly Into Your Venue’

VNC Panel Preview: Integrating AI Into Your Venue

VNC Panel Preview: International Business – Market Conditions, Opportunities & Strategies

VNC Panel Preview: Leagues/Owners – Contemporary Facility-Team Dynamics

VNC Panel Preview: Beyond the Ticket – Creating Live Experiences That Better Serve Women

VNC Panel Preview: Make Your Building A Must-Play

VNC Panel Preview: Fan Engagement And Adding Value To The In-Game Experience

VNC Panel Preview: Holding Space For Non-Music Events That Win

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/09/30/venuesnow-conference-2026-hub/)._