International Association of Venue Managers Names Randy L. Brown Chairman of the Board of Directors

During the International Association of Venue Managers’ VenueConnect, the Annual Conference & Trade Show held July 25-29 in Phoenix, Randy L. Brown was named chairman of the board of directors.

“My desire for the next year is that the association is positioned for future success,” Brown said. “IAVM is an 86-year-old association that is the acknowledged leader in venue management. We have programs and content that are the envy of the industry.”

He added, “This is a year of transition for us. We have a new CEO and President, Vicki Hawarden, CMP, and a brand new research program, VenueDataSource, which is generously funded by the IAVM Foundation. These changes will only enhance our legacy and propel us forward.”

Brown is the executive vice president and general manager of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He began his career in 1978 at Indiana University in South Bend, Ind., where he ran the theatrical facilities.

He moved to Notre Dame Saint Mary’s College, where he served as auditorium manager. He’s been with the War Memorial Coliseum since 1988.

Brown joined IAVM in 1983 and earned his Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation in 1995. Past positions in the association includes chair of Arenas Committee, Industry Affairs Council, Annual Conference Planning Committee and Budget & Finance Committee.

He also served as the district vice president for District 2 in 1998-1999. He served as director at large for arenas from 2006-2008.

Currently, he is on the board of the Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation, is a past-president of the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and is past-president of the Northeast Indiana Chapter of the Indiana University Alumni Association.

“Randy was essential to my decision to join IAVM as its CEO,” Hawarden said. “His vision and leadership are readily apparent, and he is dedicated to taking IAVM and the industry to new levels of excellence.”