VenuesNow Conference Panel to Discuss Global Live Entertainment Market

VenuesNow Conference Panel Preview: International Business Wednesday, Sept. 30 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM | Grand Ballroom A & B at the Sheraton Grand Seattle

The live entertainment business has never been more global.

The number of markets with a great live events infrastructure, led by a healthy venue circuit, is greater than ever and growing fast – exceptions confirm the rule.

While an entire conference could be dedicated to just the international venue business and the vast opportunities it holds, the International Business panel at this year’s VNC will give an overview of what’s happening in various territories.

Moderator Gary Hutchinson, Executive Vice President – Global Touring and Content at Oak View Group (Pollstar’s parent company), will lead the conversation. Speakers on the panel include Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s Laura Chiplin, Oak View Group’s Wesley Cullen and Plenitude Arena’s Jules Scharapan.

Chiplin is the Major Stadium Events Director for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, widely regarded as one of the greatest football – pardon: soccer – stadiums on earth, and one that shows how to construct a monumental building that can host both sports and entertainment without having to compromise on either one.

Chiplin will have plenty of insights to share as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been increasing its non-sports entertainment offering constantly over the past few years.

Cullen, who serves as Managing Director Latin America at Oak View Group, has witnessed the emergence, growth, and now explosion of the Latin American live entertainment circuit first-hand. She’ll be able to explain which territories in the region are emerging, and which are established; which ones are ready for their first major events arena, and which could do with a second one.

Scharapan is the Senior Booker & International Dev. Director for Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, France, a western suburb of Paris. At a maximum capacity of 45,000, it is the biggest indoor stadium in Europe, offering enough space for the biggest productions without exposing spectators to the elements.

Scharapan will be able to talk about the incredible business opportunities a covered indoor space of such scale presents in the age of blockbuster productions and stadium-sized experiences.

VenuesNow Conference takes place Sept. 29-30 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Produced by Pollstar 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 follows the inaugural Secure Venues Summit on Sept. 28 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, which is being launched by Oak View Group & Prevent Advisors. The event is programmed specifically for safety, risk management, and venue operations leaders, and will feature a Keynote address on the “State of Security in America: Trends, Evolution, and Adversaries in Preparation for the 2028 Olympics in LA” by Voviette D. Morgan (SVP, Safety & Security, LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games) .

To register for the VenuesNow Conference 2026 or the Secure Venues Summit, visit venuesnowconference.com and securevenuessummit.com .

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/09/24/vnc-panel-preview-international-business-market-conditions-opportunities-strategies/)._