Features
Pollstar Live: A Primer
Details for the upcoming Pollstar Live! conference, at the JW Marriott at LA LIVE Feb. 1-3, are rapidly coming together.
This year, event producer Steve Macfadyen has emphasized the “young guns” with several panels moderated by, or including, the new guard.
Dan Steinberg, who promotes under the banner of
Steinberg will take no prisoners in getting to the bottom of it, but there are no shrinking violets on the panel, from
Also injecting some new blood into the conference is Brian Swanson of
Expect to see, throughout the conference, plenty of the so-called young independents with the ability to speak their minds.
Even though we anticipate everyone will want to check out “The Art of Winning an Unfair Game” keynote – a discussion with Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane and bestselling “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis, hosted by Bob Lefsetz (and now with a book signing component) – it’s hardly the only must-see event at the conference.
The second day of Pollstar Live! will include an unfortunately all-too-timely “The 10 Commandments of Live Event Safety,” moderated by
It’s been one of the worst years on record for event safety, with the fatal Indiana State Fair stage collapse, prior to a
The panel will include
Earlier that day, Outback Technologies CEO Fred Rosen will host a panel that’s long overdue: “Policing Holds & Date Conflicts.” Everybody is putting dates on hold – from promoters to agents to facility managers like
So when there are first and second holds on a date, what is the criteria for getting the pole versus second position? And who moderates the conflicts? Rosen, the man who built Ticketmaster, may be outspoken but in this case is the kind of neutral party that can work this out. Panelists include venue GMs Michael Marion and Scott Mullen, and country music agent Rob Beckham.
There’s plenty more: the IAVM-sponsored panel Feb. 1 called “Evolve or Die: From Four Walls to Partner to Promoter.”
“Serious Funny Business,” moderated by
That’s not all: there will be panels focusing on new agents, alternative ticketing, South American touring, casinos and Elliott Lefko is back with his tales of adventure – and we’re hearing plenty of rumors of some rock ‘n’ roll cameos.
Registrations are running well ahead of last year and the on-site hotel is nearing capacity. All the details are at PollstarPro.com/Live2012.