Melissa Schaaf
Director of Marketing
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
HOMETOWN: Pottstown, Pa.
UNIVERITY: University of Delaware
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: Hospitality Coordinator at the Wells Fargo Center.
HOW YOU GOT YOUR JOB: I am lucky to have spent my entire career thus far with the Comcast Spectacor family. While I was employed as the Marketing director at our Spectra facility in Orlando, the position here in Philadelphia became available and I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to return home to Philadelphia.
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: Definitely the people that I work with. Whether it be here at the Wells Fargo Center or throughout the industry, I feel truly lucky to work with some of the best in the business. It makes coming to work every day easy and fun, and I’ve made great friendships along the way.
IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR JOB, YOU WOULD: Really enjoy event planning for a nonprofit.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT YOU’VE ATTENDED: Billy Joel & Elton John at Citizens Bank Park in 2009.
BUCKET LIST ITEM: To see a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW: My Spotify playlists usually consist of John Mayer, anything country and the occasional old school 90’s lineup for motivation during a busy afternoon at the office.
PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN: I have never had a hamburger, but I am not a vegetarian.
BEST ADVICE: Be Happy. Be Bright. Be You.
(215) 389-9557
Doug Higgons
Managing Partner
Pinnacle Venue Services, Virginia Beach, Va.
ORIGINALLY FROM: Central Massachusetts
UNIVERSITY: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: Working for Mich Sauers in the sales department of SMG. I knew nothing about venue management but learned a lot quickly! Mich was my very first mentor in the business and to this day is the one person I consistently look to for advice and counsel.
HOW YOU GOT YOUR JOB: After working for what’s now Spectra Venue Management for 20 years, I decided that I needed a change. My good friend Tom Paquette and I realized that there was a niche in the industry for a smaller firm that focuses on customized consulting and management solutions. We started Pinnacle Venue Services one year ago and business took off almost from day one.
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: I love building, establishing and growing interpersonal relationships. This includes clients, colleagues, mentors and employees. I love working with clients and potential clients on solving their problems and delivering on promises.
WHEN YOUR WERE A KID, YOU WANTED TO BE: A football coach. I bet at some point later in life I circle around to this on a volunteer basis.
FREE TIME: Hanging out with my wife and kids. I also try to get out for a run as often as I can.
SOMEONE FROM HISTORY YOU’D LIKE TO MEET: Steve Jobs. I love the passion he had for his brand.
BEST ADVICE:
Practice “Reputation Management.” This is a Mich Sauers classic and I still think about the meaning of this term every day.
(757) 323-9380
Chris Eure
Executive Director
The Paramount Theatre, Charlottesville, Va.
ORIGINALLY FROM: Mostly Virginia Beach. My Dad was military I was also fortunate to get to live abroad and spent several of my high school years in Brussels, Belgium.
UNIVERSITY: William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: This one.
HOW YOU GOT YOUR JOB: I was asked to take the position of executive director to help rejuvenate the community nonprofit side of the venture but love all of it now.
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: Giving the audience the chance to escape and be happy with no cares in the world, even if only for a few hours. The joy on their faces makes all the hard work worth it for both young and old.
IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR JOB, YOU WOULD: Spend more time with my grandbabies.
DREAM SHOW: Diana Ross on our small intimate stage. She loved the intimate setting of 1,041 seats and really fed off the crowd. The other one would be Lady Antebellum.
A FAMOUS PERSON IN HISTORY YOU’D LIKE TO MEET: She’s really only famous to me and I have already met her, but would love some more time with my Mom. She left us way too soon.
(434) 293-1007