IEBA A Done Deal: Showcasing The New (And Some Old) In Music City

The 2025 International Entertainment Buyers Association’s (IEBA) annual conference, that transpired at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville Oct. 4-7, effectively brought together the fresh and familiar. This year saw the trade organization announce a new brand identity as it continued its mission to focus on deal-making between buyers and agents that the gathering is long known for while showing off the latest developments in talent and venues in Music City.

Multiple talent agency showcases took place at the new Pinnacle at Nashville Yards, a 4,500-capacity, multi-level indoor venue in walking distance of Honky Tonk Highway on Broadway, with artists including an energetic Taylor Dayne backed by an impressive set of dancers, Hank Azaria’s EZ Street Bruce Springsteen tribute, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, The Sugar Hill Gang and others over two nights as conference delegates networked over drinks, barbecue and more than a couple pieces of jalapeño cornbread.

There’s a comfort in some things never changing, though, like when the price of talent was addressed during a discussion about music festival talent budgets.

“We’re at IEBA, a conference for talent buyers, and speaking with the head of a talent agency earlier, in their words, they’re the problem,” said Steve Thacher of Activated Events, which produces festival properties like Boots In The Park, Coastal Country Jam and Party In The Park in Southwest and West Coast cities including Albuquerque, Long Beach, Las Vegas and Fresno. “But on the flipside, we (as talent buyers) are also the problem because we’re competing with one another.” 

He says overpaying for talent raises the price for all buyers and exacerbates the problem, although promoters continue to get creative with ancillary revenue sources like food and beverage, merch and onsite activations. 

“We need to work together with each other,” said Thacher, who brought Luke Combs to Albuquerque in May, drawing about 25,000 fans. “If there is more consistency and camaraderie working across the board from one promoter to another, I think we’d have a little more leverage when putting those offers in.”

He was mostly preaching to the choir, as the panel discussion included just one speaker from the agency side, in this case Wasserman Music’s Jazmyn Griffin, who stressed the importance of transparency when finding the middle ground. 

“A ‘disconnect’ is definitely the word I would use for it,” said Griffin, who noted her own previous experience as a promoter.  She recommended being transparent upfront rather than starting at extremes. “For the promoter side, I’d ask for transparency in where they are coming from when the offer can’t get where it needs to be. On the other side of the situation, I can’t speak for other agents and agencies, but personally I try to provide that information — where is the guarantee coming from? This is what we think it should be, based on x, y and z –  rather than it being something arbitrary. Approaching it more as a collaboration between the agents and the promoters rather than being agents versus promoters, is really important.”

Tuesday’s IEBA Honors and Awards, also taking place at the Grand Hyatt, was hosted by comedian Dusty Slay, whose awkward style was oddly appropriate considering the typical industry audience sometimes being a tough crowd, but Nashville’s good natured sense of humor was mostly receptive to his charms and appreciated his efforts in handling hosting duties. Touching tributes were produced for Nederlander CEO Alex Hodges, with professional quality video montage showing highlights from his storied career dating back to Otis Redding, Stevie Ray Vaughan and his time at the helm of Nederlander Concerts. 

A similar tribute was given to AEG Rocky Mountains’ Chuck Morris, who credited colleagues and mentors for much of his success, noting the importance of working together with like-minded successful entrepreneurs (like Denver promoter Barry Fey) and always hiring people who are smarter than yourself.

“These awards are truly special because they are selected by those who know the work best—their peers,” IEBA’s Executive Director Brian Wagner said in a statement. “They celebrate the visionary minds and tireless leaders working out of the spotlight who, with every show, propel our industry forward.”

Check out the list of 2025 IEBA Industry Awards winners below.

Club of the Year: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

Casino of the Year: Mohegan Sun

Theater of the Year: Fox Theater Atlanta

Arena of the Year: Bridgestone Arena

Amphitheater of the Year: The Greek Theatre

Fair/Expo of the Year: Wisconsin State Fair

Festival of the Year: Austin City Limits Festival

Club Buyer of the Year: Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

Casino Buyer of the Year: Deana Baker, Choctaw Casino Resort – Durant 

Special Events/Corporate Buyer of the Year: Neste Live!

International Buyer of the Year: Susan Heymann, Frontier Touring

Fair/Expo Buyer of the Year: Andrew Fortin, Neste Live!

Festival Buyer of the Year: Amy Corbin, C3 Presents

Venue Executive of the Year: Laurie Jacoby, BSE/Barclays Center

Young Professional of the Year: Marcus Greenstein, Day After Day Productions

Music & Entertainment Industry Educator of the Year: Mike Garcia, USC

Boutique Agency Agent of the Year: Seth Shomes, Day After Day Productions

Major Agency Agent of the Year: Kevin Kastrup, Wasserman Music

Promoter of the Year: Adam Weiser, AEG Presents