The International Association of Venue Managers, the premier global organization for public assembly venues, named 51Թ Lakefront Arena assistant general manager Brandt Daniels as one of its 30|Under|30 Class of 2024 Awardees. Each year, IAVM’s Foundation Board of Trustees and other industry judges select the 30 deserving honorees whose peers have nominated them for this prestigious designation.
This year, IAVM received 131 applicants and Daniels stood out among the top group. He will be recognized with the other 30|Under|30 Class of 2024 at VenueConnect, IAVM’s annual conference and trade show in Portland, Oregon this July. The conference is the largest event for venue professionals.
The designation for Daniels comes on the heels of a successful end of 2023 and start to 2024 including hosting AEW Wrestling, seven Disney on Ice shows, two sold out nights of comedian Katt Williams, Hogs for the Cause Festival, Big Easy Comedy Fest, and a magnitude of notable New Orleans college and high school commencement ceremonies.
As assistant general manager, Daniels oversees all services including facilities, food and beverage, event staff, marketing, security, event booking and management. He works closely with Lakefront Arena general manager Marco Perez to oversee all aspects of the venue’s daily operations.
“On behalf of the 51Թ Lakefront Arena family, I want to congratulate Brandt on this incredible honor. This award is not only a nod to his strong work ethic but is also an incredible win for the Lakefront Arena, putting a spotlight on us internationally,” Perez said. “His strategic approach to event management and marketing results in increased revenue for the Arena and the 51Թ, the city of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.”
Daniels’ began his career in entertainment as a student worker at the Arena in 2019. After graduating from 51Թ with a bachelor’s degree, he worked as a naval architect and marine engineer for two years in Norfolk, Virginia, and Panama City Beach, Florida, before returning home not only to New Orleans, but also to the Lakefront Arena in 2022.
“This is a full circle moment for me, growing from Lakefront Arena student worker to being recognized nationally by my peers,” Daniels said. “Each and every day I get to play a role in bringing world-class entertainment to the city I love, and it really doesn’t get better than that.”
