VenuesNow 2025 All-Star Honoree: Rachel Bomeli

RACHEL BOMELI
Vice President, Facility Operations
Fox Theatre Atlanta

ATLANTA THROUGH AND THROUGH:
Jeezy’s sold-out TM101 20th anniversary “rivaled a Broadway run’s gross in a single night.”

The best of America’s storied theatre venues blend modern amenities and convenience with historic significance and craftsmanship — they just don’t make ‘em like they used to — and Atlanta’s Fox Theatre is a perfect example.

“This past year, I led the Fox Theatre through one of its most ambitious capital improvement cycles yet, delivering multimillion-dollar restoration projects on time and on budget while preserving the building’s National Historic Landmark integrity,” says Rachel Bomeli, the downtown Atlanta venue’s vice president of facility operations. The venue also achieved its highest-ever guest satisfaction scores, she says.

“Balancing preservation with modernization is a constant challenge,” she says. “The Fox is nearly 100 years old, and every improvement must honor its history while meeting today’s guest expectations for comfort, accessibility, and safety. I approach this by fostering cross-departmental collaboration early in the process, bringing operations, design, and preservation experts to the table together. That, plus constant communication with stakeholders, ensures we protect the soul of the building while evolving it for the next generation.”

An example of that modern-meets classic was the recent Jeezy concert at the Fox, a 20th anniversary performance of Thug Motivation 101. “Backed by a full orchestra. Sold out – standing-room-only sold out – and rivaled a Broadway run’s gross in a single night,” says Bomeli. The July 26 performance sold 4,415 tickets and grossed $1.17 million. “It was Atlanta through and through. Guests came in tuxes and gowns, treating it as the true celebration it was. I’ll be talking about that one for a long time.”

The work continues, with a new space being developed within the venue’s premium Marquee Club – “essentially building a private within a private,” Bomeli says. “We’re (also) in the early stages of preparing for the Fox Theatre’s 100th anniversary in 2029, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the Fox and Atlanta on a national stage. In parallel, I’m continuing my personal mission to mentor the next generation of venue professionals, helping them navigate and thrive in an industry that’s as demanding as it is rewarding.”