Johnny Cupcakes to Keynote Annual Conference Headed to Sacramento June 10-12; Awards Ceremony Presented by Atmosphere TV

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Sacramento, CA (May 6, 2026) – The Event and Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) announced today that Kate Bean will be honored with the Gigi Award of Excellence, Jeff Johnson to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, “Rescue a Reef” with Kaseya Center will be awarded the Impact Award and Alyson Katz is named the Breakthrough Professional of the Year.  Johnny Cupcakes, the visionary founder behind the cult brand, will lead the Keynote address at annual conference taking place June 10-12, 2026, in Sacramento. Registration is available here.

Additional leaders and innovators shaping the live entertainment industry to be recognized at the annual EVMC Awards Ceremony, held June 11, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, hosted by Ari Waller, the multi-talented emcee (in-arena host) for NBA Golden State Warriors and WNBA Golden State Valkyries, featuring DJ Stace Lace.  This year’s ceremony is presented by Atmosphere TV, a streaming entertainment platform built on the insight that TV should be fun to watch everywhere, delivering 30+ channels of visually entertaining, brand-safe content -- in restaurants, bars, gyms, airports, and more.

Each year EVMC recognizes professionals across the entertainment industry for their outstanding contributions.  The organization’s top honor is the Gigi Award of Excellence, named after the late Gigi Pilhofer, one of the founders of EVMC.  The award celebrates a professional’s dedication to the conference and their commitment to educating the live entertainment industry.

This year’s honoree is Kate Bean, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Bryce Jordan Center.   Bean manages the complex intersection between concerts, family shows, and collegiate athletics while driving revenue through integrated digital strategies.  Her greatest achievement as a leader is rooted in mentorship.  A dedicated EVMC member since 2013, Bean has contributed significantly to the organization, serving on the Intern & Scholarship Committee, the EVMC Board, and the Executive Board as Secretary. Her tenure as Chair of the Intern & Scholarship Committee was particularly impactful, as she worked to lower barriers for emerging professionals. Furthermore, as a founding member of the DEI Committee since 2020, Kate has been a vocal advocate for inclusion, ensuring the industry evolves to be more accessible and representative.

Jeff Johnson is this year’s Hall of Fame inductee.  A titan of the sports and entertainment industry with a career spanning over 40 years, Johnson joined Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) more than 27 years ago to open what is now Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As a marketing expert, he oversaw the events department while managing media buying, promotions, and branding. His diverse portfolio ranges from the Indiana Pacers and Fever to the complex conversion of the arena into a natatorium for the World Swimming Championships. Johnson’s legacy includes work on two NBA Finals, the 2024 NBA All-Star, the 2025 WNBA All-Star, and the historic 2021 Men’s Final Four. A dedicated supporter of EVMC, he was instrumental in launching the First-Time Attendee program and helped lead the committee that brought the conference to Indianapolis in 2011.

The Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization making a change for the good within their community or the live entertainment industry and this year’s recipient is Kaseya Center.  The Kaseya Center partnered with the University of Miami’s Rescue a Reef program, donating one dollar for every pound of recycled post-event waste to fund the restoration of South Florida’s coral reefs. This initiative successfully planted over 300 heat-resilient corals, demonstrating a scalable model for how major entertainment venues can integrate environmental stewardship into their operations

Alyson Katz, Senior Brand Manager at CFG Bank Arena, has been named EVMC’s Breakthrough Professional of the Year. In less than a year after CFG Bank Arena’s reopening, Katz transformed its digital presence from zero to 14 million views while orchestrating 360-degree marketing campaigns that drive its status as a top-grossing global venue. Her award-winning approach to experiential marketing blends digital strategy with bespoke creative touches, such as hand-crafted gifts for artists that deepen the connection between performers and the arena. A respected leader and mentor, Katz’s ability to execute flawless activations while fostering a culture of innovation makes her a deserving recipient of this honor.

EVMC is excited to announce its keynote speaker, Johnny Cupcakes, founder of the cult-favorite Johnny Cupcakes brand. In his keynote, “The Unexpected Sprinkles: Recipes for Building Brand Loyalty Through Holy Sh*t Experiences,” Johnny will share his signature approach to creating unforgettable customer moments, turning fans into lifelong advocates, and building a brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace. Known for blending storytelling, creativity, and experiential marketing, his session will deliver both inspiration and actionable ideas for attendees looking to elevate their audience engagement strategies.

EVMC, the premier gathering for marketing professionals in the live event and venue industry, is coming to Sacramento for the first time. Known for bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the country, EVMC offers a unique platform for collaboration, idea-sharing, and professional growth. This year’s conference continues that tradition in a new city, and registration remains open for those looking to be part of the conversations shaping the future of event and venue marketing.

For more information visit

EVMC Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

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About Atmosphere TV

Atmosphere TV is a streaming entertainment platform built on the insight that TV should be fun to watch everywhere.  Atmosphere TV delivers 30+ channels of visually entertaining, brand-safe content – in restaurants, bars, gyms, airports, and more.  By capturing the attention of 150+ million unique monthly viewers, Atmosphere TV has created a new lane for video advertising that delivers unique solutions for reaching consumers wherever they are.

About Event & Venue Marketing Conference

The Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) is a dynamic conference that unites a diverse community of entertainment marketing professionals from across North America. Each June, in a new host city across the continent, our community gathers for 3 days of in-person meetings ranging from general & concurrent sessions, breakouts, awards, networking and evening events, all with our mission of fostering inspiration, collaboration, and innovation within the rapidly evolving entertainment industry.

 

Media Contact

Cassie Gause – cassie@ckmediasolution.com