David Chadwell
Nashville,TN
Summary
Seasoned Vice President with 23 years of experience in planning, developing, and executing events and initiatives to achieve maximum potential. Creative and highly strategic with excellent leadership and client relations abilities. Forward-thinking professional offering advanced experience in overseeing event operations, driving business strategy to deliver high-impact business results.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Event Operations
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
Nashville , TN
07.2012 - 10.2024
- Directly oversaw guest services, box office, and public safety departments, as well as third-party staffing, ticketing, and parking services for 150+ annual arena events.
- Lead Direct Event Profit team with a mission to maximize profit for every event. Average profit per event grew over 21% under my leadership. The team was composed of representatives from booking, marketing, box office, facility operations, food and beverage, premium seating, event services, and finance.
- Aggressively evaluated production for events to capitalize on available inventory for suites and seats, or closing areas to dress the venue; trading inventory for promotional value; proactively collaborating with promoters to reprice tickets; creating VIP packages; utilizing internal resources for promotion.
- Developed and oversaw customer service training to coach all full-time and event staff on the culture, standards, and guest expectations for Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators.
- Worked closely with the Facility Operations Department to maintain the arena and map future renovations. Instrumental in designing and developing a $4,000,000 state-of-the-art, 600-person capacity event-level lounge with annual revenues of over $7,000,000.
- Assisted finance with preparing and sustaining the annual budget for three departments.
- Strived to be on the forefront of technology to improve guest experiences while driving revenue; early adopter in mobile ticketing, frictionless metal detection, and facial recognition ticketing.
- Primary liaison with the National Hockey League for the 2016 National Hockey League All-Star Weekend and the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
Director of Ticket Operations
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
Nashville , TN
07.2005 - 06.2012
- Directed the daily ticket operations of Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Predators, and the Country Music Association Music Festival.
- Responsible for creation, implementation, and management of ticketing operations policies and procedures.
- Managed a department of twelve full-time and 60 part-time employees.
- Ensured all timelines were met for Nashville Predator Season Ticket Holders from invoicing, order processing and ticket shipment.
- Industry leader in ticketing technology. The Nashville Predators / Bridgestone Arena were one of the first organizations to utilize digital (paperless) ticketing, dynamic pricing, and kiosks.
Assistant Director of Ticketing
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
Nashville, TN
10.2003 - 06.2005
- Managed all aspects of event ticketing for concerts and family events, including event set-up, maintenance, and reconciliation.
- Facilitated the creation of sales and custom reports for upper management.
- Primary contact for customer service complaints pertaining to ticketing issues.
- Served in the Manager on Duty program as the primary contact for any event issues.
Booking Assistant
Creative Artist Agency
Nashville , TN
01.2003 - 12.2003
- Assisted with booking the West Coast territory, including giving artists availability to buyers, soliciting offers, updating artist itineraries, and issuing contracts.
- Communicated with artist management and agents regarding confirmed and pending dates.
- Assisted buyers with information needed to promote their shows.
Director of Ticketing
AmSouth Amphitheatre / Live Nation
Nashville, TN
01.2001 - 09.2003
- Managed all aspects of ticketing for Live Nation events in Tennessee.
- Formulated and processed daily ticket sales reports.
- Created events and ticket promotions on Ticketmaster.
- Maintained ticket allotments for venue, bands, labels, fan clubs and artist management.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Recording Industry Major – Music Business Emphasis
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TennesseeSkills
- Event Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Budget Oversight
- Process Improvement
- Policy and procedure development
- Contract Negotiation
- Decision-Making
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Customer Service
- Training and mentoring
Affiliations
- Member of International Association of Venue Managers
- Member of International Ticketing Association
- International Association of Venue Managers – Venue Management School Graduate
- International Association of Venue Managers Mentor Connector Program
- International Association of Venue Managers Arena Committee
Accomplishments
- 2005 recipient of the Experience the Excellence Award. The award given to the Bridgestone Arena / Nashville Predators employee who has exemplified the mission statement in an extraordinary fashion.
- 2007 and 2009 recipient of the Lead by Example Award. This award is given to the Bridgestone Arena / Nashville Predators employee who has consistently demonstrated leadership skills.
- 2011 recipient of the Bridgestone Arena Messier Award. This is awarded to the employee who exemplified great leadership qualities year-round.
Timeline
Vice President of Event Operations
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
07.2012 - 10.2024
Director of Ticket Operations
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
07.2005 - 06.2012
Assistant Director of Ticketing
Bridgestone Arena & Nashville Predators
10.2003 - 06.2005
Booking Assistant
Creative Artist Agency
01.2003 - 12.2003
Director of Ticketing
AmSouth Amphitheatre / Live Nation
01.2001 - 09.2003
Bachelor of Science - Recording Industry Major – Music Business Emphasis
Middle Tennessee State University
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