HomeAboutNewsRaleigh Convention + Performing Arts Complex’s Kerry Painter Named to International Leadership Position, Accepts Education and Service Award

Raleigh Convention + Performing Arts Complex’s Kerry Painter Named to International Leadership Position, Accepts Education and Service Award

August 14, 2023
Headshot of Kerry Painter wearing a gray top standing on an indoor balcony overlooking large windows and a sculpture in background.

Raleigh, NC – The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the premiere organization representing more than 7,000 entertainment venues around the world, welcomed Kerry Painter as chair of its board of directors for a one-year appointment.

 

Painter has served as the General Manager and Director of the Complex since 2019.

During a ceremony in Pittsburgh at the organization’s annual VenueConnect event, Painter also accepted the Education and Service Award, awarded to the Raleigh Convention Center for its commitment to ongoing professional development, service to the community, and involvement in the venue industry. The IAVM Education & Service Award recognizes member involvement that demonstrates excellence within the industry as well as giving back to the community. 

 

Key points to know:

  • IAVM represents public assembly venues from around the world and provides education, advocacy and networking for its more than 7,000 members.
  • IAVM leadership boosts venue visibility and opens up opportunities for partnerships and event bookings - for example, last year’s Security Day (covered by most Triangle media) was co-hosted by IAVM and brought some 400 people to Downtown Raleigh.
  • Under Painter’s management, the Raleigh Convention Center has welcomed prominent national events such as The Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) and multiple international esports tournaments such as the Rainbow 6 Siege Raleigh Major, the Fortnite 2022 FNCS Invitational Tournament, the 2023 Call of Duty Major I, as well as the EsportsTravel Summit in May 2024.
  • Under Painter’s leadership, the naming rights for the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts will bring in more than $500k to the city annually for the next 20 years. The rights to Red Hat Amphitheater were extended through 2027 and will produce $235k per year.
  • This fiscal year, the Convention Center is in especially high demand, having rented space to 154 events. 64 of these events were booked in partnership with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and generated 100,050 contracted hotel rooms, drawing in $70.4 million in direct economic impact tied to events associated with overnight visitation. The RCC has booked nearly 90% of sellable dates (70% is the benchmark for most venues).
  • The current IAVM Board includes leaders from such notable organizations as Pier 57 in Manhattan, the Georgia World Congress Center, the South Australian Cricket Association, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Baltimore Convention Center and the Vivint Arena/Utah Jazz. The previous chair is general manager of the Barclay Center in Brooklyn.

With Painter as chair, Complex employees and others in the area now have a terrific conduit to a very active association. Venue management professionals can tap into Painter’s massive network for professional development, training, etc. IAVM also is a great resource for exposure to industry best practices and innovations, especially as the Raleigh Convention Center enters a phase of growth, including the proposed facility expansion.

 

Kerry Painter Bio

Kerry Painter is the Director and General Manager of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex in Raleigh, for which she oversees three downtown venues (Raleigh Convention Center, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Red Hat Amphitheater) and the nearby Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Kerry has constructed and/or opened five venues throughout her celebrated career and served as AGM in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the President/GM in Niagara Falls, Canada. 

 

Painter teaches annually at Venue Management School as well as CEM courses both domestically and abroad. She has won the Venues Today Woman of Influence Award in 2015, the Woman of Distinction Award in 2017, formerly advised the Meredith College’s Hospitality & Tourism Management program, and founded the IAVM Foundation’s 100 Women of IAVM scholarship, which provides scholarships to burgeoning female leaders in the venue management industry.