VNC Panel Announcement: Holding Space For Non-Music Events That Win

Movistar Arena Madrid’s Paz Aparicio, Paladin Artists’ Craig Newman, All Elite Wrestling’s Kosha Irby and Feld Entertainment’s Denis Sullivan will take part in the VenuesNow Conference panel “Holding Space For Non-Music Events That Win.” The conversation will be moderated by Pollstar Managing Editor Ryan Borba.

From combat sports and Broadway to dirt events, motorsports, family shows, and theatrical productions, non-music events play an essential role in filling venue calendars and generating revenue. In this session, our panelists will discuss how producers and facilities are finding success outside traditional concert touring, reducing dark days, and creating new opportunities for venues and audiences.

VNC 2026 takes place Sept. 29-30 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, marking VNC’s return to the Emerald City for the first time since 2021. Produced by Pollstar and presented by Marsh and Oracle, VNC brings together live entertainment, sports, and venue executives to address the industry’s most critical operational, financial, and strategic dynamics. 

The panel announcement follows last week’s news that Seattle Kraken owner Samantha Holloway will open VenuesNow Conference. Holloway is also the managing partner of One Roof Sports and Entertainment, the umbrella brand for the Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, and One Roof Foundation.

During the opening fireside chat, Holloway will share her perspective as a technology entrepreneur, investor, and operator, and will discuss how she brings her founder’s mindset to sports and live entertainment, combining operational rigor and data-driven decision-making with a strong focus on the fan experience. 

Additional confirmed speakers taking part in VNC panels, keynotes and town halls include Chris Granger and Emily Lindahl (Oak View Group), Sean Saadeh (Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment), Mike Hayes (UTA), Bruce Solar (Paladin Artists), Gary Hutchinson (Oak View Group), Laura Chiplin (Tottenham Hotspur), David Powell (Ethara), John Page (Acrisure Arena), Thayer Lavielle and Sara Dean (The.Team), Bryan Bedford (Cisco), Kevin Devore and Ryan Zoukis (ME Engineers), Greg Farley (MD Energy Advisors), Dani Stern (Honeywell), Adam Stover (Populous), Luke Tingle (Daktronics), Katy Dychala (PWHL), Mike Sciortino (UBS Arena), Declan Weir (Stantec), David Reed (ModeScore & ActiveScore), Aaron Thomas (Columbus Arena Sports & Entertainment), Wesley Cullen, Gina Rotolo, Ashlee Stokely, and Guy Dunstan.

VNC follows the inaugural Secure Venues Summit on Sept. 28 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, which is being launched by Oak View Group & Prevent Advisors. The event is programmed specifically for safety, risk management, and venue operations leaders, and will feature a Keynote address on the “State of Security in America: Trends, Evolution, and Adversaries in Preparation for the 2028 Olympics in LA” by Voviette D. Morgan (SVP, Safety & Security, LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Mike Downing (CSO/President, OVG/Prevent Advisors).

Also taking place Sept. 28 is the pre-conference VNC Golf Classic, a separately ticketed event providing executive networking on the course prior to the afternoon SVS breakout sessions and opening reception.

To register for the VenuesNow Conference 2026 or the Secure Venues Summit, or for schedule updates and venue information, visit venuesnowconference.com and securevenuessummit.com.