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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – July 19, 2023 – Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University Associate Professor Lee Esckilsen, CVE, chair of the Sports Entertainment & Event Management (SEEM) program in the College of Hospitality Management, received the 2023 Education & Service Award from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). Esckilsen has been a member of IAVM for 35 years and is a Certified Venue Executive (CVE).

This prestigious award recognizes member involvement through community outreach, educational opportunities, mentorship, and internships that demonstrate excellence within the industry, as well as giving back to the community. This award is open to university staff, professional members, faculty, allied companies and individuals, as well as retired IAVM members.

The IAVM represents public assembly venues from around the globe. Active members include managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, and amphitheaters.

Esckilsen has managed more than 1,000 entertainment and sports events throughout his venue management career. He was also the first General Manager of the UK Storm hockey franchise.

Esckilsen is in his 21st year at Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University, where he conducts research and teaches venue management, operations management, event management, safety/security/and risk management, ticketing/access management, ancillary services, and revenue management.

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Founded in 1914, Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at Â鶹¹ÙÍø is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer McGee, Director of External Communications & Media Relations, 202.427.5981, Jennifer.McGee@jwu.edu