2025 Impact NextGen Honoree: Vilona Trachtenberg

VILONA TRACHTENBERG
Live Events Marketing Manager
Buffalo Sabres

RECENT HALLMARK HIGHLIGHT
George Strait closing out the old Highmark Stadium.

As the Pollstar Impact: NextGen list looks to usher in a new era of live industry leaders, Vilona Trachtenberg is already well on her way to ushering in a new era in her home market, where George Strait recently played Highmark Stadium, home to the Buffalo Bills.

“George is such a legend, and it was the last concert at the current Highmark Stadium, as our new stadium is currently being built,” says Trachtenberg, who leads venue marketing efforts for live events at Highmark Stadium and KeyBank Center, home of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

“Being inside the stadium after working on the show for months and seeing 50,000 people enjoying themselves is immensely gratifying. It’s the best feeling and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity. We also worked on press for the show, and I interacted with George’s band members and they were all amazing people. That’s one for sure I’ll remember forever.”

The new HighMark Stadium is slated to open next summer and with a price tag of $2.2 billion.

Other recent highlights for Trachtenberg, 34, include Paul McCartney at KeyBank Center and Lionel Richie, where she helped create an artist gift that earned an EVMC marketing award. She adds, “I also recently joined the Recording Academy as a Professional Member and the Country Music Association as an Industry Tier Member and volunteer for Women In Music.”

Getting her start in college as an intern at local promoter After Dark Presents and working part time with Live Nation at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Trachtenberg says she values all the experience and wisdom of those she’s worked with, and enjoys networking with others regularly to gain insight.

“My current boss, Rob, at the Buffalo Sabres has been a great mentor to me. I’m grateful to run ideas by him for artist gifts, photo activations and having the ability to be creative,” she says. “In this ever-evolving industry, we experience new lessons every day, and I constantly learn from the talented people at Live Nation, AEG, Messina Touring Group, and the many other promoters I am lucky enough to work with every day.”

Trachtenberg says it’s important to be flexible and expect the unexpected, and surely more experience will prepare her and others to be great bosses in the future. “The beauty of this industry is that anything can happen during a live event – it’s important to constantly expect the unexpected,” she says. “But with that, reacting with grace and kindness is what makes the best leaders.”