2026 Women Of Live: Elizabeth Tulipana

Elizabeth Tulipana
16 On Center | COO & Vice President of Business Integration

FAVORITE SHOW 0F 2024 | Asake’s set at Wireless Festival.
BIZ ADVICE |  “Follow your gut instinct, it’s the only way to remain true to yourself.”

Elizabeth Tulipana serves as COO and VP of Business Integration
of Chicago-based 16 on Center. 

The hospitality and live music collective has become one of the city’s most influential independent entertainment operators – owning, co-owning or operating a half dozen major music venues from intimate clubs to outdoor spaces including the indoor/outdoor Salt Shed. 

Launched in 1992 and anchored around its first music venue, the Empty Bottle, the company also includes bars, restaurants and dining concepts that have helped shape downtown food halls including From Here On.  

In celebration of being named one of Pollstar’s 2026 Women of Live, Tulipana chats about growth, success and what’s next.  

Pollstar: What highlights stand out from the past year?

Elizabeth Tulipana: The team celebrated booking Mt. Joy at United Center, along with multiple shows at Chicago Theatre and Auditorium Theatre. We employed the greatest number of people this year, surpassing 1,000, and our business development team expanded our partnerships with national accounts, Southwest Airlines, Toyota and Green Thumb Industries. 

We had our biggest year to date at Salt Shed, as well as hit 100% occupancy within the complex (Goose Island, Elston Electric, Reverb and all of our retail spaces were occupied with local, small businesses). 

We had some amazing private events at Salt Shed featuring artists like Shaboozey, Sheryl Crow and more along with our first “Move at the Shed,” a festival celebrating movement, wellness and community. 

We celebrated Empty Bottle’s 33 ⅓ anniversary, Evanston SPACE’s grand opening of their new lobby and patio, and our 1,000-cap. room Thalia Hall hosted its most concerts in a year. We hosted more festivals and shows outside of our spaces than ever before and had fewer dark days than ever. 

What’s next?
One of the things I love about 16 on Center is there is always something new around the bend. We have some exciting irons in the fire for the City of Chicago and beyond.