Making Music Industry Connections: SAEM Students Selected to Attend Pollstar Live! 2020 Conference in Beverly Hills Friday, February 14, 2020
"I'm extremely grateful to Point Park University and Professor Traversari for making a trip like this happen. Through panel discussions and meeting with people in the industry in small groups, I learned a lot about the music industry and what working in it means. Everything I learned and the connections I made will be of huge help when I enter the job market this spring.”
Ten Point Park University sports, arts and entertainment management students were selected to attend Pollstar LIVE! 2020 — the music industry’s largest conference in the United States — held Feb. 4-6 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
“Our students were part of a select group of college students who were picked to work the conference and also attend many of the sessions,” said SAEM Professor Ed Traversari, MBA, who accompanied the students on the trip.
Highlights of this year’s conference included sessions focused on women on the road in the music industry, data and the live events industry, the cultural technological and biological impact on future concerts and music labels’ role in touring.
Keynote speakers were music performers Nicki Minaj, Scott Stapp and Chris Young while Elton John and comedian Sebastian Manascalso surprised the audience by appearing at the 31st Annual Pollstar Awards.
Additionally, Traversari arranged for Point Park students to have private roundtable discussions with the following music industry professionals:
- Will Dzombak, manager for Wiz Khalifa
- Jonny Goood, bass player for Lady Gaga
- Kelly Weiss, VP of legal affairs for Live Nation Global Touring
- Stuart Ross, head of touring, festivals and personal management for Red Light Management
- Brittany Hoydich, manager for Universal Music Group
At Point Park University’s Alumni Dinner in Los Angeles, the SAEM students had the opportunity to network with SAEM alumni living in LA including:
- Alexis Galasso, manager of streaming operations for Universal Music Group
- Karley Ferlic, executive assistant for Topple Productions
- Rebecca Karch Tomlinson, vice president of feature development for Lord Miller
The students also met with alumnus Jimmy Miller ’80, talent manager, producer and founder of Mosaic Media Group, and former SAEM student Matthew Noszka, actor and international model.
"Pollstar is the premier music business conference in the United States and to be able to take a group of Point Park students there is awesome,” Traversari said. “The contacts they made while attending the conference were incredible. Plus, they handled themselves so professionally while working the conference. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Direct from the Students
Nate Grossi ‘20
Senior SAEM major from Tuscarawas Valley High School in Bolivar, Ohio
“I chose to go to the Pollstar LIVE! Conference because of the amazing networking opportunities it provides with some of the biggest people in the music industry. From agents to managers to promoters, everyone is there and most are ready to talk to you. I'm extremely grateful to Point Park University and Professor Traversari for making a trip like this happen. Through panel discussions and meeting with people in the industry in small groups, I learned a lot about the music industry and what working in it means. Everything I learned and the connections I made will be of huge help when I enter the job market this spring.”
Grace Offerdahl ’20
Senior SAEM major from Austintown Fitch High School in Youngstown, Ohio
“It was so interesting to hear what all of these amazing professionals had to say. Hearing Nicki Minaj speak was really incredible, because I have loved her music for a long time. I also had the opportunity to work backstage during the Pollstar Awards. It was really cool to walk with people like Billie Eilish's team and Post Malone's manager. I also got to be backstage when Elton John arrived to speak on stage and accept his award! This was the best networking opportunity I have ever had.”
Tracy Randall ‘20
SAEM major from Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown, Ohio
“I chose to go to the Pollstar Conference because I wanted to network with industry professionals who may be able to help me enter into the areas of booking and promoting live music events. I feel a great deal of respect for Professor Traversari and believe he really is looking out for all of us and trying to connect us with key people in this business. I am hoping that some of the connections I made there, especially with Point Park alumni, will give me an advantage when I make the move to work full time in the entertainment business."