Event and Arena Marketing Conference Announces 2023 Honorees
Honorees to be Recognized at Annual EAMC Awards Luncheon with the Most Innovative and Creative Marketing Professionals in the Live Entertainment Industry on June 8, 2023 in Seattle

Los Angeles, CA (May 11, 2023) – The Event & Arena Marketing Conference (EAMC) announced today that Tami Allen will be honored with the 2023 Gigi Award of Excellence, Nina Jackson will be inducted into the EAMC Hall of Fame, Chanell Thomas will receive the Impact Award and Samuel Guerrero has been named the 2023 Breakthrough Professional of the Year. The honors will be presented at the annual EAMC Awards Luncheon taking place during the conference, June 7-9, 2023, in Seattle, where EAMC will also recognize the most innovative and strategic marketing professionals in the live entertainment industry.

Each year EAMC recognizes professionals for their contributions to the live entertainment industry and conference. The top honor is the Gigi Award of Excellence, named after the late Gigi Pilhofer, one of the founders of EAMC. This year’s honoree is Tami Allen, Senior Director, Winter Sports Events for IMG, where she has worked for 24 years. Allen splits her time between New York and traveling with Olympic and international figure skating superstars on the Stars on Ice tour. She leads a team to coordinate production, strategic marketing, branding, advertising, and social media campaigns. Since 2000, Allen has actively participated in EAMC, volunteering for the annual conference. She is the former Secretary (6 years), Board Member (9 years), and Committee Chair who currently serves on the Site Committee. Her dedication and passion for the live entertainment industry has helped shape EAMC and cultivate mentorship among first time attendees.

Nina Jackson is EAMC’s 2023 Hall of Fame inductee being recognized for her impact in marketing trends for the live entertainment industry, and support for the conference. Jackson is the Regional Director of Marketing and Public Relations for ASM Global’s NRG Park, a Harris County owned complex in Houston, Texas. In her role, she is responsible for brand awareness, all collateral materials, website development and maintenance, media relations, social media, facility and event advertising and marketing at NRG Park, in addition to overseeing ASM Global’s other stadiums. A longtime EAMC attendee, Jackson is also the Vice Chair and Finance Committee Chairperson for the Board of Directors for the St. Paul Industrial School, has served on the Health Adventures mentorship program through M.D. Anderson Hospital, as well as on the Board and Scholarship Committee for the Barbara Jean Hoffman Memorial Foundation. Currently, Jackson is a board member for the Houston chapter of WISE, Women in Sports and Events, where she mentors and recruits the younger generation of women, while fostering relationships for women of color.

This year’s Impact Award recipient is Chanell Thomas for her positive influence and commitment to mentorship which has made a genuine difference in the lives of students seeking careers in the entertainment industry. Thomas developed EAMC’s LEAD program, a professional mentorship and collegiate support platform, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds. She has volunteered to devote her time to the LEAD program, which has helped many students secure internships, jobs, and representation in the industry. Additionally, Thomas volunteers on the EAMC DEI committee and serves as the Assistant VP of Sponsorship. Thomas is the Director of Marketing and Sales for the Colonial Life Arena and a trailblazer within the live entertainment industry.

Samuel Guerrero, Social Media and Digital Marketing Manager for the Bryce Jordan Center has been named EAMC’s Breakthrough Professional of the Year. The Breakthrough Professional of the Year Award recognizes a professional who has worked for the live entertainment industry less than ten years, yielding trackable results and innovation. Within his first two years at the Bryce Jordan Center Guerrero has immensely increased engagement through his strategic marketing and social media campaigns. A former EAMC intern, Guerrero currently serves on the planning committee overseeing the Intern and Legacy of Leadership Fund Chair for EAMC, and the DEI committee further demonstrating his passion for mentoring future marketing leaders.

These honorees, along with the winners for “Marketing and Publicity Campaigns of the Year,” “Best Artist Gift” and “Artist Welcome of the Year” will be recognized at the annual EAMC Awards Luncheon held this year on Thursday, June 8th at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Register HERE.

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Event & Arena Marketing Conference

The Event & Arena Marketing Conference is dedicated to the talented professionals that cross the scope of the live entertainment industry: marketing, publicity, promotions, group sales, live touring shows and arenas. Networking, educating, and sharing trends and ideas across these disciplines through various industry leaders is a critical aspect of not only the Event & Arena Marketing Conference but the success of the live entertainment industry. 

Media Contact: Vanessa Kromer / vkromer2@gmail.com