Unmatched expertise and deep industry relationships deliver more content and value for our partners.
OVG’s Media & Conferences division propels the industry forward by communicating relevant industry information and building innovative experiences. Our Pollstar publication, historical data, conferences and awards, are the essential source for music, concert, live entertainment and venue news and information.
College athletics face unprecedented financial strain from revenue sharing, NIL payments, and expanded scholarships, threatening non-revenue sports. OVG is helping protect them by driving new revenue through high-value sponsorships like Naming Rights, Field Entitlements, and Jersey Patches, supported by its Marketplace Valuation System.
As leaders of sustainability in the industry, OVG integrates sustainability into all content and also hosts intentional time to gather sustainability leaders together. As one example, GOAL’s Sustainability Leaders Forum is an event to gather like-minded individuals from across the industry to explore, share ideas, and collaborate.
In Fall 2024, Oak View Group partnered with The University of South Carolina to offer a course for students in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management. The course introduced students to the unique environment of live event management and the production of live sports and entertainment events through the vision of OVG, the worldwide leader in event and venue management. OVG executives were featured speakers throughout the semester.
In 2025, Harvard Business School published a case study entitled, “Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena: Ticket to a Greener Future.” The case study features multiple interviews including Steve Collins, OVG President of Global Venue Development & Special Projects. The HBS research explores how Oak View Group and its development partners rebuilt an aging Seattle landmark into the world’s first Zero Carbon Certified arena.
The Oak View Group Internship Program empowers students to make an impact through real project contributions, from enhancing fan experiences to promoting sustainable venues. As an OVG intern, you’ll bring your curiosity, creativity and passion for live entertainment to make a difference.
The Ascend program is Oak View Group’s early-talent initiative designed to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds by partnering with institutions such as HBCUs, HSIs, and other mission-aligned schools. Through on-campus activations like career fairs, workshops, and networking events, students discover career pathways in sports, live entertainment, and hospitality while gaining not only skills, but also social capital to strengthen their professional networks.
Selected participants receive immersive, behind-the-scenes exposure at premier OVG events and venues—shadowing teams, contributing to real projects, and engaging in day-to-day operations.
OVG and Briar Cliff University hosted a Business and Media career day at Tyson Events Center in February 2025, providing an opportunity for high school students to explore careers in accounting, marketing, public relations, operations, event management, graphic design, finance and more. OVG professionals hosted sessions covering key areas of the industry, including partnerships, marketing, operations, leadership and more. The event concluded with a discussion on leadership and management, highlighting the importance of adaptability, communication, and strategic thinking.
In May 2025, Mark Shulman, Senior Vice President of Programming for Oak View Group spoke at the commencement for Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, his alma mater. Shulman also attended a fireside chat at PSU’s “Onward and Upward: Conversations with Commencement Speakers” series. Mark shared his career experience since graduating from the University in 1996, managing projects from music festivals and major stadium concerts.
In January 2025, Peter Luukko, Co-Chairman of OVG Alliance and OVG360 spoke about his storied sports management career with students at the Grand Canyon University Colangelo College of Business as part of the school’s T.W. Lewis speaker series. During his hour long chat, Luukko encouraged students to work hard, network and take advantage of mentors. “I was you, and I wasn’t born in this age or in this position. I was fighting for a job,” said Luukko.
Katee LaPoff, OVG’s Chief Technology officer shared her perspective on technology developments and deployments in the live experience and venue development, management and hospitality business in August 2024
On “Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainability in Sports and Entertainment,” Kristen Fulmer, OVG’s head of Sustainability, explored how sports and entertainment venues can illuminate important issues through sustainability. She discussed the need for personalized and relatable solutions for each community (debunking the misconception that it is always an added cost.
