Getting To Know Your VenuesNow Conference Panelists: Busch System’s Bryan Wojcik

Bryan Wojcik, Business Development Manager at Busch Systems International Inc., chats about why everyone must attend the VenuesNow Conference 2025 panel “Hot Button Topic: Navigating Waste Solutions.” He says, “The title of our panel really says it all – sustainability is the hot button topic right now! Everyone’s talking about it, but not everyone has real solutions. That’s why you’ve got to come to our panel where you will get real solutions to tackling waste. Plus, when else do you get permission to talk trash in public?”

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. 

See below for a quick Q&A with Wojcik.

HOT BUTTON TOPIC: NAVIGATING WASTE SOLUTIONS (SPONSORED BY BUSCH SYSTEMS)
2:50 pm – 3:30 pm Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

Listen live as venue leaders unpack and dig into pitches from Solution Providers. This session is intentionally built to walk the audience through the process of engaging in solutions and building a sustainability plan on the topic of waste. In a unique format built to equip the audience, the solutions will each pitch for 5 minutes, followed by a lively discussion between them and venue leaders.

MODERATOR:
Bryan Wojcik, Business Development Manager, Busch Systems International Inc.

SPEAKERS:
Ciera Culcasi, Sustainability Manager, Moody Center
Kristen Fulmer, Head of Sustainability at Oak View Group and the Executive Director of GOAL
Joe Giarraputo, VP, Event Operations, UBS Arena
Jeffrey Lerma, President & CEO, Soap2o
Michael Martin, Founder & CEO, r.World
Zach Ruiz, Sustainability Manager, Miami Heat

Pollstar: Career tent poles you are most proud of?  
Bryan Wojcik: One of the key turning points in my career was shifting from consumer packaged goods to B2B sales with Busch Systems. This move gave me the chance to align my work with my values and put sustainability at the forefront. It’s been rewarding to focus on solutions that not only support businesses but also make a measurable difference for the environment.

What was the best part of your past year?  
The best part of my past year has been the incredible opportunities for travel and connection. I’ve had the privilege of attending some amazing events with Oak View Group — a highlight being the UBS Arena tour and our first VenuesNow conference last year. Beyond the events themselves, what’s been most rewarding is building relationships with venues and industry leaders who are just as passionate about creating sustainable spaces as we are. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the new opportunities and partnerships 2026 will bring as sustainability continues to grow in importance across the live industry.
 
What story will you tell during the panel? 
Our story is about four decades of innovation, designing recycling and waste containers that don’t just collect trash, but can actually change behavior and reduce waste. We’ll show how the right containers can increase diversion rates and deliver real environmental results.

What’s the story you won’t tell? 
The story I won’t tell is how many photos of recycling containers Busch Systems’ staff have on our phones – some people have sunsets and food pics, we’ve got waste bins!

What may cause tempers to flare? 
Honestly, nothing stirs public frustration more than wanting to recycle and not knowing if you’re doing it right. Our job is to make sure the container guides the behavior, and not the other way around.  

Your predictions for 2026’s live industry highlights?  
Forget surprise guests — what if sustainability was the main act? By 2026, I’d love to see waste diversion take center stage at every live event, where compost bins are as common as confetti and recycling is just part of the show. Let’s make eco-friendly operations the new encore!