Getting To Know Your VenuesNow Conference Panelists: Grand Casino Arena GM Kelly McGrath

The eighth annual VenuesNow Conference will take place Sept. 9-11 at Resorts World Las Vegas. Presented by Lockton and Oracle, the event marks the debut in the entertainment capital of the world and the first time VNC has expanded to three days.

VNC is the preeminent forum for live events, sports, and cultural venue owners and partners to explore industry dynamics, share best practices, and discuss future trends. This year, the three-day conference will feature sessions on bookings, hospitality, premium experiences, technology, and a new half-day of curated programming focused on sustainability across all venue types, touching on energy, water, and waste management, along with strategies to strengthen financial performance, corporate partnerships, and guest experience.

Registration for VenuesNow Conference is open now at venuesnowconference.com. Use the discount code VNCVEGAS at checkout to save 10% on your registration (valid through Aug. 31).

Here’s a quick Q&A with Kelly McGrath, general manager at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota (formerly known as Xcel Energy Center), who will be moderating the VNC 2025 panel “Hot Button Topic: Navigating Energy Solutions.”

HOT BUTTON TOPIC: NAVIGATING ENERGY SOLUTIONS
3:35 pm – 4:15 pm Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

MODERATOR:
Kelly McGrath: General Manager, Grand Casino Arena

SPEAKERS:
Michael DeCaluwe President, Nania Energy Advisors
Ashley Gladney Sustainability Program Manager, CRVA / Spectrum Center
Nicholas Gordon Head of Business Analytics, Future Energy Solutions

BIO:
Kelly McGrath has built her career within Grand Casino Arena and the NHL Minnesota Wild gaining deep experience across ticketing, marketing, public relations, sales and service, event management, and guest experience. That breadth has shaped her into a well-rounded leader who understands the business from every angle and continues to be energized by the work.
McGrath is recognized as a leader in arena sustainability, driving forward-thinking initiatives that deliver cost savings while expanding the definition of sustainability to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Career tent poles you are most proud of?

Kelly McGrath: I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built my career within this organization. When I started, I never imagined I’d still be here to see the completion of our 25-year naming rights contract — and yet I’ve had the privilege to experience that milestone firsthand. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to gain deep experience across ticketing, marketing, public relations, sales and service, event management, and guest experience. That variety has shaped me into a well-rounded leader who understands our business from every angle and continues to be energized by the work we do.

What was the best part of your past year?

Our campus continues to raise the bar on sustainability. We’re the only venues in the world that hold LEED, Green Globes, and SES/EIC Gold certifications—which is something we’re really proud of—but we don’t stop there. This year we rolled out trash sorting, added more automation to run more efficiently, and started leaning into the UN Sustainability Development Goals to broaden how we define and measure sustainability. It’s been exciting to keep pushing forward.

Why must everyone go to your panel?

Everyone should come to this panel because sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing — it’s also smart business. We’ve seen firsthand how sustainable choices can both lower costs and increase revenues, and we’re always looking for new ways to build on that. It’s a chance to learn how “going green” can create real value for your organization.

What’s the story you won’t tell?

The irony of our venue—named for an electric utility company—losing control of our house lights during a show due to severe storms. It was one of those moments that was chaotic at the time but is funny to look back on now.

What may cause tempers to flare?

Sustainability initiatives will no longer be a “nice to have” — they are going to be expected by tours, fans, players, sponsors, etc.

Your predictions for 2026’s live industry highlights?

The next generation of fans is already demanding eco-friendly events, and I see things like zero-waste initiatives becoming the standard across venues, not just tied to certain artists or tours. At the same time, AI and new technologies will keep reshaping how venues operate—everything from smarter ticketing and operations to creating more personalized fan experiences.