Ed Traversari, MBA

Professor, Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business

Contact Information

• Office: 1113 West Penn Hall
• Phone: 412-392-8016
• Fax: 412-392-8012
• Email: etraversari@pointpark.edu

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Robert Morris University
• MBA, concentration in SAEM, Point Park University

Courses Taught

• Venues and Facility Management
• The Business of Live Entertainment

Background

Professor Ed Traversari has more than 46 years of live entertainment expertise. He has worked for Pittsburgh concert promoters company DiCesare Engler Productions as a production manager, talent booker, director of marketing and general manager of the Chevrolet Amphitheatre at Station Square. DiCesare Engler produced concerts at the Stanley Theatre (which they later sold to the Cultural District to become The Benedum Center), the Syria Mosque, AJ Palumbo Center, Mellon Arena, Heinz Field, PNC Park and Chevrolet Amphitheatre at Station Square, among others. In 1999, DiCesare Engler Productions was purchased by SFX Entertainment, which was later sold to Clear Channel Entertainment and most recently spun off to Live Nation, the largest producer of live entertainment events in the United States.

In addition to teaching, Traversari consults for a number of clients including Heinz Hall, Seven Springs Resort, The Pittsburgh Irish Festival, PBS Television Concert Series and Carnegie Science Center. He also helped produce The Joe Grushecky/Bruce Springsteen shows at Soldiers and Sailors Hall and The Bob Marley Celebration at The Benedum Center. Traversari has been interviewed by KDKA-AM and KDKA-TV and was featured as guest on the PCNC show "Night Talk."

Selected Presentations, Awards and Honors

• "Event management," presentation at The Event Showcase and Expo, Rivers Club, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 9, 2014.
• Who's Who Among College Students in America, Robert Morris University

Professional Memberships

• Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pa., board of directors
• Tickets for Kids, advisory board member
• WYEP Radio, advisory board member

In the News

• "How Pittsburgh Helped Put the Rock Band Kansas on the Map," Pittsburgh Magazine, May 15, 2023.
• "Forget Taylor Swift or Beyonce. Here the Students Study Their Managers," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 11, 2021.
• "70s Turn 50: City of Champions Rises, Concerts Surge and Steel Sees Last Gasp," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Feb. 22, 2020.
• "Introducing Pittsburgh Record Label Roundup: The diverse and plentiful selection of the city's record labels," Pittsburgh City Paper, Nov. 13, 2019.
• "Point Park University Student Performs Single Off EP," KDKA-TV, April 19, 2018.
• "Point Park University Making Music With Pioneer Records Label," KDKA-TV, April 3, 2017.
• "Initiative afoot to make Pittsburgh a music city," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 9, 2017.
• "Point Park University Starts Record Label," KDKA-TV, April 14, 2015.
• "Point Park Students Mix Business & Music Through New Record Label," NakYouOut.com, March 31, 2015.
• "Point Park's Record Label Gets Students in the Studio," Pittsburgh Magazine, Feb. 19, 2015.
• "Point Park students developing record label," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb. 1, 2015.
• "Classmates to help Point Park student, Murrysville native launch music career," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 15, 2015.
• "Seven Springs Rib & Wing Festival Opens This Weekend," KDKA-TV, July 24, 2013.
• "SAEM program at Point Park helps students find jobs," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 24, 2013.
• "Veteran concert promoter introduces students to the profession," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Sept. 14, 2012.

Point Park Features

• "Students Network, Explore Music and Live Entertainment Industry at IEBA Conference in Nashville," Point Park University website, Dec. 5, 2023.
• "Point Park University’s Pioneer Records Opens Official Headquarters on Downtown Pittsburgh Campus, Announces 2023-24 Pioneer Stars," Point Park University website, Nov. 13, 2023. 
• "SAEM Alumni Thrive in Nashville Entertainment Industry," Point Park University website, Aug. 1, 2023. 
• "Life Among Entertainment Legends Featuring Ed Traversari," Take the Hill Leadership Podcast, June 1, 2023.
• "Point Park University's SAEM Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary," Point Park University website, April 14, 2023.
• "SAEM Major Lacey Muto '24 is a Creative Services Intern at KDKA," Point Park University website, Dec. 2, 2022. 
•  "SAEM Professor Ed Traversari Featured in New Music Industry Documentary, "Behind the Stage Door," Point Park University website, Sept. 19, 2022.
• "SAEM Alumnus Max Kovalchuk '14 is a Manager of Artist Development at 300 Elektra Entertainment," Point Park University website, July 13, 2022.
• "SAEM Alumnus Travis Johnston '15 Lands Role with the NCAA," Point Park University website, June 3, 2022.
•  "With Pioneer Records Release Show, Students Acquire Authentic Industry Experience," Point Park University website, May 2, 2022.
• "MBA Alumnus Offers Internships to SAEM Students at Artist Management Company," Point Park University website, Feb. 17, 2022. 
• "SAEM Professor Ed Traversari Helps Curb Local Hunger with Musically Fed," Point Park University website, Oct. 10, 2021.
• "From Intern to Social Media Manager, SAEM Senior Dana Jo DeSantis Finds Success at Marketing Pittsburgh," Point Park University website, April 9, 2021.
• "SAEM Alumna and Outstanding Student Award Winner Grace Offerdahl Pursues Passion for Live Entertainment," Point Park University website, Feb. 12, 2021.
• "SAEM Grad Advocates for Live Entertainment Industry Pandemic Relief," Point Park University website, Dec. 9, 2021.
• "Spotlight on the Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Major: A Q&A with SAEM Faculty," Point Park University website, June 3, 2020.
• "Making Music Industry Connections: SAEM Students Selected to Attend Pollstar Live! 2020 Conference in Beverly Hills," Point Park University website, Feb. 14, 2020.
• "Pioneer Records Selects Rock Guitarist and R&B Singer as its Newest Stars," Point Park University website, Nov. 26, 2019.
• "Point Blank Comedy Club Hosts 'Yinz'prov: College Comedy N'at,'" Point Park University website, Oct. 16, 2019.
• "Grammy Award-Winning Songwriter Joe West Provides Career Advice, Performs His Hit Songs," Point Park University website, Oct. 3, 2019.
• "Business Students Land Opportunities to Work at Cher Concert and Derek Hough Live Show," Point Park University website, April 24, 2019.
• "History of American Music Class and SAEM Students Visit Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," Point Park University website, April 9, 2019.
• "Pioneer Records EP Release Party Features Artists ALLISSA and SouthWest DFRNT, Premieres Behind-the-Scenes Footage of Music Video," Point Park University website, March 26, 2019.
• "SAEM Students Mingle with Music Industry Artists and Leaders at Pollstar Conference in Beverly Hills," Point Park University website, Feb. 19, 2019.
• "Lady Gaga Bassist Jonny Goood Performs Concert at Stage AE Led by SAEM Class and Pioneer Records," Point Park University website, Nov. 30, 2018.
• "Metallica Rocks Pittsburgh: SAEM Students Work in VIP for Legendary Heavy Metal Band," Point Park University website, Oct. 26, 2018.
• "Pioneer Records Names Allissa Logsdon as its Newest Recording Artist," Point Park University website, Oct. 23, 2018.
• "Taylor Swift in Pittsburgh: SAEM Students Work the Large-Scale Concert at Heinz Field," Point Park University website, Aug. 15, 2018.
• "MBA Students and SAEM Alumna Work in VIP at Panic! At The Disco Concert in Pittsburgh," Point Park University website, Aug. 1, 2018.
• "Concert Connections: SAEM Majors Work at Justin Timberlake, Def Leppard/Journey and Kenny Chesney Shows," Point Park University website, June 8, 2018.
• "Legendary Actress Carol Burnett Rehearses with SAEM Students at Her Show in Pittsburgh," Point Park University website, May 9, 2018.
• "Students Create Mixtapes and Dynamic Cover Art for History of American Music Class," Point Park University website, April 27, 2018.
• "Take a Note Music Video By Pioneer Records Artist Gabe Reed Debuts at Stage AE," Point Park University website, April 24, 2018.
• "Entertainment Management Professor Selected to Attend 2018 Sociable City Summit," Point Park University website, Feb. 22, 2018.
• "SAEM Professor, Concert Promoter Striving to Make Pittsburgh a Music City," Point Park University website, March 15, 2017.
• "Making Connections Across the Country: SAEM Students Attend Pollstar Live! 2017 Conference," Point Park University website, Feb. 24, 2016.
• "WYEP Chooses SAEM Program as Partner for Reimagination CD Project for Area Youth," Point Park University website, March 25, 2016.
• "SAEM Students Assist with WWE Monday Night Raw at CONSOL Energy Center," Point Park University website, Dec. 8, 2015.
• "Students Meet Warped Tour Founder, Work at Shania Twain Concert," Point Park University website, July 21, 2015.
• "Pioneer Records Hosts CD Release Party for Student Artist Hannah Jenkins," Point Park University website, April 27, 2015.
• "SAEM Students Work at VIP Table for Maroon 5 Concert in Pittsburgh," Point Park University website, March 27, 2015.
• "SAEM Students Network With Top Music Industry Professionals at Pollstar Live! Conference," Point Park University website, March 4, 2015.
• "Point Park Launches a New Artist and New Label, Pioneer Records," The Point, Winter 2015 issue.
• "Ed Traversari Shares His Expertise on Pittsburgh's Entertainment Industry," Point Park University website, June 12, 2014.
• "Bruce Springsteen's Stage Manager Meets with SAEM Students During Concert Setup," Point Park University website, May 7, 2014.
• "SAEM Department Offers New Course Focused on the Recording Industry," Point Park University website, Dec. 6, 2013.
• "High School Students Learn the Business of Managing Sports, Arts and Entertainment," Point Park University website, July 26, 2013.
• "High School Students Spend the Day at Stage AE for SAEM Workshop," Point Park University website, April 22, 2013.
• "SAEM Students Work for Bon Jovi Concert and get Behind-the-Scenes Tour," Point Park University website, March 7, 2013.
• "SAEM Students Gain Event Management Experience Co-Hosting 'Zoo U' With the Pittsburgh Zoo," Point Park University website, April 26, 2012.
• "SAEM students help promote, produce historic Marley concert," Point Park University website, Oct. 21, 2010.