Connecting eCommerce and Entertainment

Rob co-founded Openstage in 2020. Openstage helps artists to centralise and capture all relevant fan data in one place. Empowering them to understand better, reward and engage with each fan, and to realise the true potential of their fanbase.

Jim McCarthy is the founder of Impresario Strategic Growth Service. The co-founder and former CEO of Goldstar and Stellar Live, Jim is the world’s leading authority on audience development for live events organizations. He and his team have supported more than 2,000,000 live events and delivered tens of millions of customers to partners and clients.

His work at Impresario Strategic Growth Service focuses that expertise on professional football (soccer) teams and leagues, supporting their revenue and audience growth.

Jim also serves on the Advisory Board of the Rose Bowl Institute, the Board of Trustees at the Pasadena Playhouse and is an adjunct professor at the Greif Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California. He graduated from Harvard University and earned an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.

Chris combines expertise in consumer psychology and leadership, supported by an MBA and over a decade of experience developing and leading Data & Analytics teams across e-commerce, e-gaming, and healthcare.

Since joining TickX in 2022, he has been driving the company’s vision of data as a product, helping position TickX as a thought leader in data across the industry.

Passionate about using data to create value and inform strategy, Chris brings a unique blend of behavioural insight and leadership to the table, making him a leading voice in the field.

The Shubert Organization is Broadway’s largest theatre owner and America’s oldest professional theatre company, dedicated to advancing live entertainment. With a rich history spanning over a century, Shubert continues to shape the future of theatrical experiences through technology-driven solutions and exemplary customer engagement.As Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at The Shubert Organization, Kyle leads efforts in audience strategy, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships to support Broadway productions. Overseeing teams across business development, media, data, and marketing operations, he drives product development and campaign execution to enhance audience engagement and financial efficiency.

Kyle also spearheads the development of Shubert AI, an internal platform designed to strengthen marketing intelligence and operational workflows. Beyond his work at Shubert, he is a co-founder of Broadway Tech Studios, a boutique lab dedicated to live entertainment innovation and serves on the Board of Directors at CO/LAB Theater Group, a nonprofit empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through theater arts.

Laura Pallarès Bertran leads ticketing at The iLUKA Collective with 20 years’ experience, including eight Olympic Games and five global football events.

Fluent in six languages, she connects effortlessly with clients worldwide. She’s driven major projects for iLUKA such as FIFA™ World Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo and Paris).

A pioneer in digital ticketing, Laura led the shift from traditional systems. In 2024, she scaled operations for 10 major simultaneous projects. Outside work, she enjoys travelling and extreme racing in remote locations.

The Shubert Organization is Broadway’s largest theatre owner and America’s oldest professional theatre company, dedicated to advancing live entertainment. With a rich history spanning over a century, Shubert continues to shape the future of theatrical experiences through technology-driven solutions and exemplary customer engagement. Since joining Shubert Ticketing in 2012, Eric Schwartz has played a pivotal role in serving over six million patrons annually across 34 theatrical stages.

Overseeing sales across online platforms, box offices, phone services, and 90 distribution channels, Eric ensures seamless experiences for both audiences and producers. He has managed many of the biggest on-sales in Broadway history, applying strategic expertise to navigate the complexities of ticketing. In addition to his role in ticketing operations, Eric drives software development initiatives, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and innovation in the industry. His commitment to customer service ensures that every patron enjoys a seamless and satisfying Broadway experience, from purchase to performance.

Eric’s favorite event is the annual Broadway Flea Market, where he runs the Shubert table with unmatched enthusiasm.

Brian Fenty is the CEO and Co-Founder of TodayTix Group, the global media and cultural eCommerce company that powers connection between audiences and the world’s best live entertainment. Using rich data, human technology and an unparalleled network of members in both scale and texture, TTG is redefining how audiences discover and connect with culture around the world. For over 10 years, Brian has explored the intersection of technology, commerce, and culture, leading a portfolio of brands including TodayTix, Secret Cinema, Show-Score, Encore and more.

A lifelong entrepreneur, investor, and Tony-Nominated Broadway producer, Brian has a passion for unlocking greater access and diversity for the arts and culture sector. He started his career with the New York Yankees, where he launched innovative marketing and ticketing initiatives, and later at Managing Director at Hamilton Investment Partners, a New York-based Private Equity firm, overseeing the firm’s e-commerce and consumer investments including Sweetgreen (IPO) and Sir Kensington’s (acquired by Unilever).

Brian is also the Owner and Producer of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, the world’s longest running show.

Brian has been recognized by Crain’s 30 under 30, Variety’s Dealmakers List, the Broadway Impact List and recipient of the Dramatists Guild Fund award. Under his leadership, TTG has been recognized as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company and The Andreessen Horowitz Marketplace 100

Pauline Williams has over 20 years of experience in the ticketing industry, having worked in a variety of roles across event and ticketing membership.

As the Ticketing Manager at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium, Pauline is a valued member of the team. She collaborates closely with the stadium’s hirers and ticketing partners to manage requirements on ticketing builds and set up events within the ticketing system. Her expertise and strong relationships are pivotal to delivering the seamless ticketing experience for which Eden Park is renowned. Pauline’s responsibilities include providing in-depth training to clients on new ticketing systems, managing on-site events and staff, delivering both face-to-face and online customer service, assisting with membership and corporate suite holders, and delivering detailed ticketing reports. She also works alongside the Operations and Facilities teams to coordinate event-day logistics.

Her previous roles include Event Manager positions at Response Ticketing and Ticketmaster, where she gained a well-rounded understanding of the ticketing sector. At the Auckland Rugby Union, she operated as Ticketing Services Manager, overseeing the management of memberships for both renewals and acquisition phases. Passionate about ticketing, Pauline consistently goes above and beyond to ensure an exceptional experience for all event attendees.

Shah-Zeib Ahmed, or, Shah, as we know him, is a #TBF regular and a known name in the world of sports ticketing. Having worn all types of hats one can wear in the industry, he is now in the third year of running his ticketing consultancy, glosancon-sports, which has taken him to some of the biggest and best events out there including FIFA World Cups, Olympics, Paralympics and many more. Offering over a decade of experience spanning the globe, Shah personifies the ticketing chameleon that can be dropped in any environment, where he continues to add value for his clients and make memories – one ticket at a time.

Shah, having found his calling in the world of sports ticketing has now made it his mission to bring ticketing closer to those, who aspire to work in the world of sports business by lecturing at numerous academic institutions and through his CPD-accredited online course that could not be named better: “Sold Out – An Introduction to Ticketing Sports Events”. This year Shah also joins us as a judge at the Ticketing Business Awards 2025 to recognize and celebrate those, who make a difference in our industry. 

In three decades of experience of live event production, Ingrid Sutej has produced and promoted hit musicals in London and Europe, as well as concerts and tours by most of the top operatic stars and musicians of our generation.

In London’s West End, Ingrid co-produced – during her tenure as CEO of U-Live – the highly successful productions of White Christmas in 2014 and Elf the Musical in 2015, both at the Dominion Theatre.

Following this, in 2015/2016, Ingrid produced a ground-breaking tour to five major European opera houses of a season of the Salzburg Festival’s production of Norma starring Cecilia Bartoli. Since leaving Universal at the beginning of 2016, Ingrid has coproduced with Robert Mackintosh Rent the Musical on tour in the UK, including a two-month run at The Other Palace in London, and produced, with Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, Mamma Mia! The Party both in London and Stockholm. She promotes concerts around Europe and the world with the world’s top opera singers, including Cecilia Bartoli, Angela Gheorghiu, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón, among others.

Prior to producing musicals, Ingrid’s association with AEG began as Director of Content Development for London’s The O2, where she created original shows for the venue’s first five years. She commissioned for the Arena: Ben Hur Live, Star Wars Live (and The Star Wars Exhibition), Romeo and Juliet in partnership with The Royal Ballet and Bizet’s Carmen, which were performed in the round, and on the end stage The Nutcracker with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and a theatrical production of Carmina Burana. At Ingrid’s invitation, Cameron Mackintosh staged Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary at The O2. Ingrid further initiated, on behalf of AEG, The O2 Arena version of Jesus Christ Superstar of 2012 and brought Robert Redford’s Sundance Festival to London as co-producer for The O2.

David brings his passion for fan and event experience to the world of ticketing technology at SECUTIX. His extensive background in international hospitality, having worked with renowned brands like Marriott and Intercontinental, has shaped his strong people and service-based values.

As Director of London’s Tourism and Marketing agency, David led the commercial, business tourism, and significant events teams for the capital. His experience also includes supporting the growth of international event agencies as a Non-Executive Director, contributing to the delivery of major sporting events such as the UCI Cycling World Championships.

Putting the fan/customer first for rights holders and the entertainment world is David’s mantra, now embodied in his work with FAN4LIFE.

Chloé Mutel joined Maison Gainsbourg in September 2024 as the Ticketing and Public Development Officer, working closely with Charlotte Elie, head of the Ticketing Team. In her role, Chloé works with the public on a daily basis, giving her an understanding of their expectations, motivations, and profiles when visiting the museum. She plays a role in the commercialization of tickets for the house and the museum and is responsible for designing visits for specific audiences. One of her primary missions is also to ensure that the institution is inclusive to all visitors.

Before joining Maison Gainsbourg, Chloé worked as a mediation and cultural programming officer in Pontoise, a city in the Parisian region. Her experience in the field of cultural mediation has provided her with valuable insight into audience engagement. Chloé completed her master’s degree in Mediation and Cultural Project Management in Paris, during which her thesis specialized in immersive sound tours in cultural institutions.

This helped to strengthen her expertise in cultural management and public relations.

Passionate about creating meaningful experiences for diverse audiences, Chloé is dedicated to making cultural spaces welcoming and engaging for everyone.

Hugh Gledhill has 25 years experience launching and scaling marketing for leisure and entertainment start ups. Combining deep expertise in event sales, ticketing, lead gen/CRM, and website optimisation, he took Family Tickets from concept validation to the world’s first Shopify-integrated ticketing platform, and transformed Layered Reality’s ticketing path creating 217% increase in mobile revenue.

Dr. Nina Zobel is a seasoned executive specializing in digital insurance, insurtech, and business transformation. As Chief Commercial Officer at Companjon, she leads commercial strategy and product/solution development. Before joining Companjon, she spent nearly ten years at Boston Consulting Group as a Principal, focusing on digital insurance, M&A, and large-scale transformations. Nina holds a Ph.D. in International Management and Strategy from the University of St. Gallen and has also studied at WU Vienna, Maastricht University, and Singapore Management University.

Oliver is the General Manager of Data and Insights for Ticketek Ovation UK, a global leader in live event ticketing, data, and analytics. Ticketek’s integrated model provides clients with a highly valuable combination of insights, marketing, and sales. Oliver has been with Ticketek since early 2017 and was a key player in securing their world-first deal with Cricket Australia which delivered a comprehensive understanding of engagement, buying behavior, and grassroots involvement in Australian cricket. Before moving to the UK Oliver was Head of Commercial Data and Product for Ticketek Ovation in Australia where he gained extensive data and insights experience across live entertainment sport, music, and theatre, and worked with partners and sponsors from multiple industries including finance, insurance, media, retail and automotive.

Pierre-Mary Thibault is a consultant specializing in the transformation of visitor attractions, working across the full spectrum of strategic and operational challenges. He supports cultural institutions, tourist sites, and sports venues in reshaping their business models and optimizing their ticketing, marketing, and IT ecosystems. From defining long-term strategies to managing day-to-day operations, Pierre-Mary helps organizations align their digital tools with their visitor experience goals.

With over 20 years of experience, he has led numerous consulting missions focused on digital performance, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of CRM and ticketing systems. His approach combines a deep understanding of on-site operations with a clear vision of emerging trends in the sector.

Pierre-Mary is also a regular contributor to industry conferences and workshops, where he shares practical insights on innovation, audience engagement, and the future of visitor experience. His clients value his ability to bridge strategic thinking with operational realities.

Prior to Cover Genius, Chris worked as a Business Development Manager for a global leader in refund protection, Booking Protect where he managed prospects and pipelines. Chris holds a degree in Business Studies from Worcester College.

Gabriela is the Director of Customer Strategy and Retail at the House of Commons, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance customer engagement and commercial operations. With nearly two decades of leadership experience across London’s most prestigious institutions, including the Royal Ballet and Opera, National Theatre, Barbican Centre and ATG Entertainment, she brings extensive expertise in visitor experience and operational excellence. Currently pursuing an MBA, Gabriela also serves as a Board Member for the Association for Cultural Enterprises, contributing to commercial excellence across the cultural sector.

Kevin Wright is Head of Commercial Projects at London’s Natural History Museum (NHM). The NHM is a world-leading science center and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration, and joy, with more than 80 million specimens, including some of the world’s most valuable cultural and scientific treasures, the Museum welcomes almost six million visitors a year through its doors in South Kensington, inspiring each new generation to understand their place in the natural world.

Kevin’s role is focused on growing the Museum’s self-generated income, helping the museum to become a more resilient and sustainable organization able to realize its ambitions and deliver its mission to create advocates for the planet. His position involves championing the strategic development and optimization of technology in the commercial team, including ticketing and e-commerce. Recently he led the project team that opened Visions of Nature, the NHM’s new mixed-reality experience. Before joining the NHM, Kevin was Head of Commercial Development at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Lou Champion is a ticketing specialist with many years’ experience within the ticketing business. Currently Director of Ticketing at The O2, previous roles have seen her head up ticketing for FKP Scorpio UK (now Communion One), Mama Festivals (a Live Nation company), Warner Music, Kili Live, as well as the London 2012 Festival (LOCOG).

Matthias Becher is the Managing Director of Stuttgarter Kickers. Born in 1987 in Mannheim, he is a seasoned manager and sports enthusiast with extensive experience in strategic and leadership roles in both football and hockey. Throughout his career, he has held various key positions at Mannheimer Hockey Club, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and the German Hockey Federation. His responsibilities have included serving as a coach, sports director, coordinator for academy match analysis, and knowledge manager. As assistant coach of the German national hockey team, he contributed to winning the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Becher holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, which he complemented with a Master of Arts in Sports Management. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf.

 Stuttgarter Kickers e.V.

SV Stuttgarter Kickers e.V. is a traditional German club from Stuttgart with nationwide recognition and a successful history in professional football. The first team currently competes in the 4th division. With the GAZi-Stadion (11,468 seats), over 3,300 members, and our successful youth academy, they offer a family-oriented yet professional environment. Many talents, such as Jürgen Klinsmann and Fredi Bobic, started their careers with them.

Blake has spent his professional career contributing to the sports and entertainment industry, specializing in business development, marketing, and commercialization including spearheading first-time sport and entertainment experiences in numerous territories across APAC and the Middle East.

In 2021, Blake joined Michael Cassel Group with a focus on expanding the company’s touring theatrical productions around the globe and the development of new musical markets. Most recently, Blake led the business development and commercial negotiations for the first-ever international tour of Hamilton and & Juliet in Singapore.

Prior to MCG, Blake held the position of Senior Director, Live Events at ONE and served eleven years with Feld Entertainment.

His next move has been announced in January 2025… as Head of Asia for Proactive Entertainment.

Sam Shemtob is a director of the Face-value European Alliance for Ticketing (FEAT), which he launched in 2019 together with some of Europe’s leading promoters to fight for a fairer ticket resale ecosystem. FEAT was instrumental in uniting the live sector to fight for landmark regulation of online secondary ticketing marketplaces in the Digital Services Act, which came into force in 2024. Sam has also led FEAT’s development of industry resources on how to tackle unauthorised ticket reselling. Prior to helping establish FEAT, Sam founded leading communications consultancy Name PR, which counted the Society of Ticket Agents and Resellers (STAR), the Association of Independent Festivals, Twickets and Eventbrite among its clients. Sam contributes to the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ticket Abuse.

Pedro Piccoli Soares is a Pricing and Revenue Management expert with extensive experience in mobility, travel, and technology. As Pricing Director at Omio, he optimizes pricing strategies and traffic monetization. Previously, he held leadership roles at SIXT, FlixBus, and HEINEKEN, specializing in AI-driven pricing and revenue management. Pedro holds an MBA in AI, Data Science & Big Data and a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from PUCRS. He is currently pursuing an MSc in Business Management at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (2025).

Josef Lageder is a seasoned professional with a robust background in sales, marketing, and management. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Portfolio & Global Ticketing Partner Manager at SKIDATA, where he has been instrumental since 1997. His roles have included Business Segment Manager for Global Events and General Manager for People Access in Italy, a position he held for 18 years. With an education in economics and 27 years of experience in revenue and access management systems for the sports, attractions, and mountain industries, Josef is a visionary and innovator who has brought award-winning innovations to the industry.

Emily is General Manager for STH UK, leading the team to deliver world-class travel and hospitality programmes. She has worked on a range of major sport events including the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019, PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and a number of International Cricket Council events globally.

Eleonora Mihova is the CEO of Ticket Station Bulgaria, one of the leading ticketing companies in the country. With extensive experience in event management and ticketing, she plays a key role in shaping Bulgaria’s live entertainment landscape. Under her leadership, Ticket Station Bulgaria has become the exclusive ticketing platform for the country’s largest live music promoter, providing seamless access to world-class concerts, festivals, and cultural events. Beyond ticketing, Eleonora is passionate about enhancing fan experiences in the live entertainment industry. With a strong background in project management and strategic planning, she has successfully expanded Ticket Station’s reach, forging partnerships with major promoters and venues. Her expertise and dedication continue to position the company as a trusted leader in the market.

Born and raised in Hobart Tasmania, Kat has been keenly involved in the live performing arts sector since a young age. Having traveled and performed extensively in Australia for many festivals and outdoor events and working in event and arts administration, she moved into live performance ticketing with Australia’s first performing arts centre, the Canberra Theatre Centre in 2013. Built in 1965, the Canberra Theatre Centre is undergoing redevelopment and expansion to include a 2000-seat lyric theatre. Kat is very excited to be part of the team developing a world-class entertainment precinct in the nation’s capital.

Phil Lofthouse is leading the technical development of All In, the new UK and Ireland access scheme, which is being developed in partnership with Arts Council England, Arts Council Ireland, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales, and Creative Scotland.

Phil is the Tech Lead for the project making sure All In is using the right digital tools to best facilitate relationships between creative and cultural organisations and their customers.

Previously Phil worked as Client Operations Lead at Spektrix, working out of their New York Office to support arts organisations across North America before returning to the UK to become the ticketing and CRM specialist for the Digital Culture Network.

Nigel has worked within the cinema industry for over 20 years. Joining as a graduate trainee cinema manager and built his career through roles within finance, property, operations, and commercial to his current role.  As Head of Commercial Performance, he is responsible for all market, competitor, and share analysis building appropriate strategic responses.   He is also responsible for all pricing strategy and management across the 116 cinemas, this includes working with the digital team to build out frictionless and intuitive customer journeys and collaborating with marketing on price communication and promotion.  Nigel’s role works alongside the Head of Sales in delivering promotions and offers with 3^rd parties to ensure an effective ticket mix and range of purchasing channels for ODEON guests.

As Managing Partner of Braintrust Hospitality & Leisure, José Ignacio Sánchez Butragueño brings over 20 years of executive international experience with some of the tourism & leisure industry’s most prominent companies.

Before joining Braintrust, José Ignacio worked at Deloitte as a Senior Director for the Travel & Leisure industries. He served as Global Vice President of Revenue Strategy for NH Hotel Group, leading a team of over 230 people who played a pivotal role in the company’s revenue growth within the context of a highly ambitious Strategic Plan. He also held the position of Revenue Management Director at Parques Reunidos, where he developed revenue optimization processes and strategy from scracth during an IPO process. Additionally, he was Revenue Management Director-EMEA for Meliá Hotels International, overseeing a team of more than 70 people across over 20 countries.

He has been also member of the advisory board in different companies, such as The Leading Hotels of the World, Sercotel or Selenta Hotel Group, as well as in the american pricing technology company Duetto.

José Ignacio offers clients an unmatched blend of strategic vision, executional expertise, and deep commercial & marketing knowledge. A recognized leader in the Tourism and Leisure sectors, he is considered a respected authority in Commercial Strategy & Pricing and has been a driving force behind transformative growth for top organizations since 2001. José Ignacio’s proactive approach prioritizes both immediate results and long-term strategic alignment. His commitment to profit optimization and sustainable growth has consistently enabled his clients to thrive in competitive markets and has solidified his reputation as an industry leader and valued partner.

José Ignacio holds a diploma in Tourism Business Administration from UNED (Madrid) and a diploma in Information Technology from Complutense University (Madrid). He also has a Master’s in International Hotel Management from Les Roches – Swiss International School of Hotel Management and a Master’s in Digital Marketing from ESIC (Madrid).
Alongside his professional endeavors, he is also a distinguished professor in university master’s programs, such as International MBA at IE Business School, URJC University or Politécnica University, sharing his expertise in pricing and commercial strategy.

Leading Proactiv’s ticketing department since 2017, managing more than 200 events in this time, based on three business lines: music, exhibitions, and family shows. With events all over the world, the main markets are Spain and UAE

Jimmy Adams serves as the Marketing and Partnerships Manager at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), bringing over a decade of marketing expertise. Over the past six years, Jimmy has led the PDC’s marketing, branding, and ticketing strategies, with a focus on maximizing ticket sales and creating unforgettable fan experiences. His efforts have helped transform darts into a premier global entertainment option and one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

At the PDC, Jimmy collaborates with global ticketing platforms, marketing teams, and arena partners to design and execute dynamic campaigns that consistently deliver sell-out events. Under his tenure, the PDC has achieved remarkable growth, selling over half a million tickets annually across the globe. Notable achievements include sold-out events at iconic venues such as London’s Alexandra Palace and O2 Arena, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, and Madison Square Garden in New York. Jimmy’s work has helped establish the PDC’s reputation for world-class events and positioned darts as a globally recognized sport.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Seated (seated.com), David McKay is transforming how artists connect with fans through ticketing. David started his career at Atlantic Records, where he led digital marketing for Photo Finish Records.  David then joined the founding team at Applauze, leading their ticketing business until its acquisition by Ticketmaster in 2016. 

Driven by a vision to give artists greater control over their ticketing experience and customer data, David founded Seated in 2017. Today, the Seated platform has become an essential part of the touring strategy for thousands of artists across the industry. Seated powers presale registrations for major acts like Dead & Company, Post Malone, and Gracie Abrams, manages high-demand waitlists for sold-out tours from Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Fred Again.., and handles comprehensive end-to-end ticketing solutions for Noah Kahan, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mendes, and thousands of others.

Maik Erkelenz is a B2B marketing strategist with a deep background in consulting, digital transformation, and customer lifecycle optimization. As Director Marketing at vivenu, he is on a mission to establish the company as the global leader in modern ticketing. His focus is on driving sustainable growth, building strong industry positioning, and ensuring that event organizers worldwide recognize vivenu as the premier choice for open and flexible ticketing solutions.

Before joining vivenu, Maik spent years advising companies on tech-driven strategies, digital transformation, and long-term customer value (CLV) growth. His work in business consulting and digital strategy enabled enterprises to optimize customer journeys, increase retention, and unlock scalable revenue streams. As Director of Business Consulting and Head of Digital Consulting, he helped organizations rethink their approach to digitalization, leveraging technology to create lasting business impact.

At vivenu, Maik is not just marketing a product—he is reshaping the conversation around ticketing. His approach blends strategic brand building, data-driven decision-making, and a relentless focus on industry leadership, ensuring that vivenu scales its global presence and continues to disrupt the market.

For many years, Jamie has worked in the theatre industry, specifically ticketing and audience and business development. Having started in the box office and worked his way up from Head of Ticketing to Business Development, he has experience at all levels of the industry. He has worked for festivals, ticket agents, theatres (including London’s West End), gift card schemes, as well as ticketing and CRM software suppliers and in marketing, giving him a breadth of knowledge and a wealth of experience. He is Head of Business Development at the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, helping theatres across the UK develop new audiences and sell as many tickets as possible!

Tobias (40 years old) has been Head of Ticketing & Customer Service at RB Leipzig since July 2019. His team consists of 22 people and he and his team are responsible for all ticketing activities (strategy, sales, matchday organization) and customer service (inbound, complaints management, fan service). Tobias studied Economics in Hamburg. During his studies, Tobias completed an internship in ticketing at Hamburger SV and then worked as a working student.

After his studies, Tobias was responsible for customer service at Hamburger SV until July 2016 and then headed ticketing at Bayer 04 Leverkusen for three years. Over the past six years, Tobias and his team have developed RB Leipzig into one of the most progressive clubs in the ticketing sector. RB Leipzig is the only club in Europe to use mobile tickets without exception. In addition, RB Leipzig has a strong focus on digitalization, User Experience, dynamic pricing, and no-show optimization (forecast and overbooking). RB Leipzig received the Ticketing Business Award in 2023 for its digital away ticketing for its fans. Tobias has also been the spokesperson for the ticketing representatives of all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs in Germany since 2018.

Su Jella is a visionary leader who harnesses the power of data and AI to drive innovation and transform challenges into enlightening journeys of discovery. Her work fuels smarter business decisions and catalyzes transformative growth in top-tier organizations.

Recognized globally for her contributions, Su has received numerous prestigious awards, including being named among the Global Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics, winning the Women in AI (Asia Pacific) award, and being listed as one of the Top 25 Leaders in Australia.

With a passion for technology, travel, and creating memorable moments, WillemJan Brabers is a dynamic entrepreneur dedicated to crafting innovative solutions that bridge brands and their audiences. Standing over two meters tall and known for his boundless enthusiasm, WillemJan is a natural leader who sees opportunities where others see challenges.

As the founder of Yuno, he has revolutionized how businesses engage with their customers, fans, and employees. Yuno Travel provides a customizable platform that combines tickets, hotels, and unique experiences, helping brands deepen loyalty and elevate their customer relationships. With a mission to turn every trip into a lasting memory, WillemJan and his team focus on enhancing satisfaction and retention through tailored solutions.

When he’s not spearheading cutting-edge projects, WillemJan is an avid world traveler, though his heart remains firmly rooted in his home province of Brabant, the Netherlands. His ability to connect deeply with people, paired with his love for meaningful experiences, defines both his personal and professional journey. Whether building platforms, expanding partnerships, or sharing his insights on customer engagement, WillemJan continues to inspire others to think bigger and aim higher.

Steve Zapp has spent 30+ years in the music industry, with 20+ of those at ITB, where he manages a roster of around 55 acts, including festival headliners Biffy Clyro. A pivotal moment in his career was spotting Biffy Clyro at Liverpool’s Cavern Club and helping them rise to arena-level success.

Born in Folkestone in 1973, Steve’s love for music began with Top of the Pops and acts like Adam & the Ants, Duran Duran, and Wham! Early live music experiences, such as sleeping in a train station after missing the last train home from a Pete Wylie gig, only fueled his determination to make a mark in the industry.

With a calm demeanor and unwavering dedication, Steve has built a career defined by passion and perseverance.

Phillipa Hicks is the Co-founder and Head of Product at Seat Unique, the leading provider of premium tickets and experiences. She spearheads all technical aspects, product development, and strategy, with a key focus on managing the product roadmap to align with the company’s vision. Having built a talented technical team, Phillipa’s exceptional leadership style has contributed immensely to Seat Unique’s growth and success. As a trailblazing force in tech and a prominent female leader, she is committed to driving change and paving the way for future generations of female tech leaders.

Born and raised in Switzerland, Manuel joined EU Business School on its Montreux campus before moving to Barcelona to complete the sports management program. After a first professional experience in the sports industry with IMG at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell ATP Masters 500, Manuel joined Euroleague Basketball in the Business Operations department and is now leading the company’s efforts in the fields of ticket sales, VIP Hospitality, and customer experience.

In charge of extensive ticket sales and VIP Hospitality programs for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, Manuel has focused in recent years on maximizing ticketing revenue for the league, creating new experiences and revenue sources, and enhancing the customer journey of the event.

James Charrington has been Chief Executive Officer of Dewynters since 2016.

James draws on 25 years of expertise in arts marketing – both as an independent consultant and through leadership positions in the UK and continental Europe, including 7 years as International Commercial Director for Stage Entertainment.

He started his career with a 12-year stint at theatre marketing agency Dewynters, returning to the agency after a 15 year gap in April 2016 as CEO. It’s an agency that has both changed with the business and changed the business itself. Remember that Dewynters was the agency that created the first entertainment show brands like Les Miserables and Cats in the 80s.

In 2002, he started the advertising agency Koenig Englaender in Hamburg, turning the city’s riverboats and harbour front yellow for The Lion King, as well as working with visitor attractions and football clubs across Germany.

In 2006, he took responsibility at Stage Entertainment for commercial activity across Europe. In 2014, he set up Jampot Consulting Limited (“Jampot”) before returning to Dewynters. Ultimately, everything Dewynters does for its clients is about growing the audience, selling more tickets, driving more revenue and improving marketing effectiveness.

Suzi has extensive global experience across industry leading brands and organisations in the retail, leisure, sports, music and entertainment sectors.

After receiving her degree from the University of Cape Town, Suzi relocated to London to begin her career in the sports sector with roles at TaylorMade adidas Golf and Surrey County Cricket Club. She made the move into music and entertainment with AEG Europe, where she held various senior positions across the marketing and commercial functions for their UK venue portfolio, including The O2, the Ovo Arena Wembley and the Ovo Hydro.

During her time at AEG Europe, Suzi was responsible for delivering ticketing and sponsorship revenues for hundreds of events including the Barclays ATP World Finals, The Sundance London Film Festival, Country 2 Country and many other diverse music, comedy and entertainment acts.

In 2012, she launched The O2’s first permanent tourist attraction, Up at The O2, which is now regularly listed amongst the top 10 things to do in London. Since leaving AEG Europe in 2017, Suzi has worked on a variety of projects including the launch of ICON Outlet at The O2, Mamma Mia! The Party, ABBA Super Troupers the Exhibition, Sandi Toksvig Live, Van Gogh Alive and London’s first permanent digital immersive art experience, Frameless.

Since joining TLE in 2022, Suzi has been a central part of the team responsible for delivering 3 record-breaking runs of Elf The Musical in London’s West End and on Broadway, in addition to several other immersive, classical and comedy events and tours.

Cat Nunes has been working in the Museum Heritage sector for 15 years.

She is currently the Ticketing and Insights Manager for The Postal Museum in London. Her experience ranges from delivering Ticketing and CRM projects to virtual Reality Projects, Donations, and Membership.

Lesley, a Chinese MBA entrepreneur and ACCA qualified accountant, founded the Creative China Initiative over a decade ago. Since then, she has been providing consulting, public relations, marketing, representation, and other services to various music companies and organizations in both China and the UK. Her expertise has helped artists and businesses navigate the complexities of the China market.

Lesley is committed to building productive business relationships and regularly participates in music conventions and showcases such as ILMC, jazzahead!, and MIDEM. During these events, she shares her insights into the Chinese music market and serves as a mentor at various music events, including Music Matters and SXSW.

With a passion for facilitating conversations and collaboration between China and the rest of the world in the music sector, Lesley has conducted numerous cultural exchange programs and regularly shares global music trends and best practices with Chinese music professionals and enthusiasts.

Currently, Lesley serves as the Creative Industry Advisor to the Longgang district of Shenzhen municipality.

Matt Rothman is based in the London office and is focused on European venues as part of international business development. He has worked at technology companies providing key consumer services in the US and UK.

Tim Chambers is a Mentor, Advisor and Consultant. He currently works with a number of organisations seeking to enter, redefine or expand their operations within the live entertainment and ticketing sectors, advising on corporate development strategies and directing transactions. Tim also has a number of advisory posts including NED roles with various start-ups and emerging companies.

Carolyn Sims is a seasoned marketing strategist and consultant with extensive experience in ticketing, audience engagement, and campaign management across both the commercial and charitable sectors. Known for her creative, collaborative approach, she has successfully led initiatives to build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders and deliver impactful, results-driven projects. Her freelance consultancy work since May 2021 has seen her contribute to high-profile organisations like The Roundhouse, Eden Project, and FKP Scorpio Entertainment, where she delivered projects ranging from venue pricing strategies to major capital fundraising and large-scale event marketing.

Edwin studied Medicine and later Business Economics at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He has always had a strong interest in IT, and throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of business and IT. Even in his general management roles, he has consistently focused on leveraging IT to drive business efficiency, growth, and differentiation from competitors.

He moved into strategic and senior executive positions over 15 years ago. For the past decade, he has concentrated on the ticketing industry, working with a top European soccer team and a large international live entertainment company. He firmly believes that ticketing should be at the core of the organisation and its technical architecture. This belief is rooted in the understanding that ticketing represents the main source of revenue, data, and customer interaction, making it a strategic asset for any organisation.

His experience includes selecting and implementing two ticketing systems and playing a leading role in developing a ticketing system from scratch, which is now in use by over 30 clients.

Georgia has over 20 years of experience in the sports industry, beginning with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens 2004, where she worked in Tennis. In 2005, she joined Panathinaikos FC, where her passion for ticketing truly took root. In 2012, Georgia became Head of Ticketing Operations at UK Athletics, overseeing a diverse portfolio of national and international events, including the IAAF World Athletics Championships and the World Para Athletics Championships in London (2017).

In December 2020, Georgia took on a new challenge at Warwickshire County Cricket Club at Edgbaston, contributing to the successful delivery of pilot events post-Covid, as well as the inaugural matches for The Hundred. She then returned to football, joining Everton FC, where she managed ticketing for both Goodison Park and the new stadium development at Bramley-Moore Dock, before joining Arsenal FC for a short but impactful time.

Currently, Georgia is leveraging her extensive experience as an Event and Operations Consultant, helping event organisers navigate the complexities of large-scale events and optimize their operations.

Katy Raines MA MBA (CEO, Indigo-Ltd) is regarded as one of the UK’s leading consultants on data-driven strategy for Cultural Organisations. She has developed and led research and implementation programmes for large and middle scale organizations throughout the UK and Europe.

During Covid-19 she developed and delivered the UK’s largest collaborative dataset of cultural attenders’ attitudes to returning to events, beginning with After-The- Interval, and working with over 800 organisations – capturing over ½ million responses from attenders, for which Indigo won several awards, and Katy won a national award for Outstanding Leadership (Covid Response Awards).

For Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, Katy developed the West Midlands Place Profiler and authored the Audience Development Strategy (Identity-Confidence-Connection), before leading a consortium of industry specialists to undertake the overall Evaluation of Birmingham Festival 2022.

Indigo’s recent clients include the Young Vic, Leeds Heritage Theatres, Donmar Warehouse, National Lottery Heritage Fund, British Film Institute, Theatre Forum Ireland and National Museums Liverpool.

Mark is the Head of Commercial Operations for the Elite League, the UK’s highest level of professional ice-hockey.

Mark joined the Elite League from Ulster Rugby where he was Sponsorship Manager having previously served as Sponsorship & Partnership Manager for the Odyssey Trust, owners of the Belfast Giants, The SSE Arena and W5.

Martin is the Managing Director and Founder of Nimbus Disability; a Queen’s Award for Innovation winning consultancy service working across a range of industries providing practical and tangible support in meeting and exceeding legal obligations toward disabled people.

Nimbus offers a range of services including The Access Card: the first scheme of its type to offer a universal and consistent way for disabled people to evidence and communicate their access requirements to providers quickly and discreetly.

Martin was named in the New Year’s Honours List 2020 as an MBE for services to Accessibility in the Tourism and Entertainment Sectors.

He boasts a brilliant career in the Sport Industry, particularly in Football. Before Juventus, in the latest stage of this path, he has covered the role of Venue Business Director at AS Roma. Previously, from 2018 and until 2021, he was Corporate Hospitality & Ticketing Manager at AC Milan. His first experience in football was at FC Internazionale as Ticketing Manager, where he joined in 2016. He also had an important experience in basketball at the beginning of his career: from 2010 he worked at Pallacanestro Olimpia EA7 – Emporio Armani Milano where he held roles of increasing responsibility until taking on the position of Manager – Ticketing, Hospitality and Merchandising.

Sarah‘s career has spanned 25 years across the Attraction, Leisure, and Hospitality sectors, from hands-on front-of-house roles to senior commercial and operational positions, before honing her ticketing/membership/EPOS/CRM software knowledge. This cross-sector and industry experience provides 360-degree insights, enabling you to select the right tech or deliver the operational and commercial practices that will grow your business.

As a supplier, Sarah led the strategy and delivery of sales and marketing, development roadmap, and client engagement and retention. Suppliers partnering with ReWork gain a dedicated strategic advisor with firsthand industry expertise and a deep understanding of their unique challenges.

Through ReWork, Sarah ensures that both operators and suppliers make informed, strategic decisions that lead to sustainable growth. Leading to Happier operators, suppliers, and guests/visitors.

Tom Dawson is Director of Digital at the Association for Cultural Enterprises. Tom works on digital content, membership, sustainability, mentoring and strategic partnerships. The Association for Cultural Enterprises is the only organisation dedicated to supporting the cultural sector with sustainable income generation, with a membership representing over 1,800 sites.

Greg Loewen is the CEO of Digonex – the leading provider of automated dynamic pricing solutions in the live entertainment and attractions sectors.

Greg has been CEO since 2014 during which time the company has achieved rapid growth and developed a robust network of ticketing partnerships. Greg is also actively involved in his local arts community, currently serving as the Board Chair of the Indianapolis Symphony.

Prior to leading Digonex, Greg held a variety of leadership roles in the North American media industry. He is a graduate of Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada) and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

With a career that began as a lighting technician in the West End and in the first years of the Barbican Centre, Jonathan Brown went on to spend several years as a stage manager and production manager taking tours of plays to the Far and Middle East and to theatres around the UK.

He moved into theatre management in 1990 when he was appointed Associate Producer and subsequently General Manager at the Theatre Royal in Windsor.

In 1997 he became a director of Hardsell, a full-service theatre marketing and advertising agency. In addition to working on West End shows, he also acted as a consultant on various projects, including the launch of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR). He subsequently took on the administration of STAR, alongside his work as a producer for small and mid-scale regional touring productions, before becoming Chief Executive.

Jonathan has an extensive knowledge of legislation and regulation affecting ticket sales and has represented STAR and the ticket industry in the press, on radio and television and as a speaker at industry events for many years. His work for STAR includes a continuing dialogue with other industry bodies, government departments, law enforcement and regulatory bodies on ticketing matters.

STAR has always offered a dispute resolution service for its members and their customers. Since 2016, that service has been approved by the Government under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes Regulations and STAR is accountable for its work to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. STAR has handled over 8,600 disputes since 2019.

Francis Casado is one of the founders of Mobile Media Content – 3D Digital Venue and is currently serving as Head of Business Development. Prior to founding MMC- 3D Digital Venue, that revolutionized Interactive Digital Venue Management for Sports and Entertainment Venue Industry, Francis made his career around the beneficial application of 3D Technology and Virtual Reality for various sectors. A true entrepreneur, Francis’s previous time at Barcelona Media was primarily focused as a product manager responsible for developing innovative 3D solutions for use in construction of new urban developments by Barcelona Smart City Council.

An established sports industry CEO for over ten years now, Daniel Gidney launched the first ever cricket bond as part of an innovative £12m fundraising to develop and operate a new 150 bedroom Hilton hotel, which will open summer 2017. Daniel’s time at LCCC has generated record profits and the securing of the largest ever naming rights in First Class Cricket, with Emirates. He also secured ECB International matches, including an Ashes Test and a World Cup semi-final in 2019. Daniel was also the 2011 Midlands Business Person of the Year, and the 2014 Trafford Business Person of the Year.

Ian is the Owner and Founder of TheTicketingBusiness Forum and its news channel TheTicketingBusiness.com – both presented by his Xperiology events and marketing agency. His working life began in sports events management (including Formula 1, horse racing and Wimbledon) before pursuing an award-winning career in B2B magazine publishing. He has co-launched and edited numerous B2B publications and meetings, ranging from energy and industrial processes through to airport design and Intelligent Transportation Systems. He has also founded many of the sports sector’s most respected publications and news sources – including Stadia magazine, TheStadiumBusiness.com and TheStadiumBusiness Summit. In his downtime from family and worklife, he takes his dogs on the Downs, rides his (motor)bikes and treks up the occasional mountain.