ATLANTA — Recognizing Black History Month, Trade Show Executive (TSE) is spotlighting some of the industry’s influential Black professionals. This week, TSE features Stacey Church, CVE, who recently became Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA).
She is the first female COO in the GWCCA’s 50-year history. Previously, Church was General Manager at Oak View Group and helped oversee management, promotion and operation at Fair Park Dallas.
Her career — which spans mid-sized markets, large markets and various management structures — also includes roles at Kentucky Venues, the City of Fort Worth, and Spectra by Comcast Spectacor. Additionally, Church is Second Vice Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and will become Chair in 2026.
TSE connected with Church to learn about her illustrious career and what’s next as she joins the GWCCA.
ANDREW: How did you start in the trade show and events industry?
STACEY: I have an accounting degree and there was a job for a Director of Finance at a local convention center in South Bend, Ind., near my hometown. I thought, “Hey, I’ll apply for this and see what happens,” I applied and got the job.
I learned that there was an entire industry that I had no clue existed. I had never really thought about how there were convention centers, arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters all around us.
ANDREW: What do you enjoy about the field?
STACEY: I love that every day is different. Today, you could be working a soccer game at the Cotton Bowl Stadium and tomorrow you could be at an event at Dos Equis Pavilion. One day, you could be hosting a consumer show, another day, you can see Michelle Obama as a keynote speaker, and the next day you can work at a robotics event.
I also love that we get to help clients. For a lot of associations, their annual conference is their biggest revenue generating opportunity. Helping to make those successful is great.
ANDREW: How was mentorship key to your success?
STACEY: I’ve been fortunate to have people that really believed in me, gave me chances and helped grow my talent.
As a finance professional, you aren’t typically considered when someone is looking for an Assistant General Manager, a General Manager or a similar position. People usually gravitate towards Directors of Sales or Directors of Marketing — those more traditional roles that are client-facing.
Within my network of peers and mentors, I had people who exposed me to areas outside of my normal discipline and considered me for positions in which there may have been other candidates that it made more sense to go with. I was fortunate enough to have big supporters who gave me a chance.
ANDREW: What were some highlights from last year?
STACEY: The Cotton Bowl is undergoing a $140 million renovation and I appreciated being a part of that. Also, I did my second Texas-OU [The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Oklahoma] football game.
I love the Dallas market … Getting to be here and welcome different groups to the city is always a highlight. I’m sure that I’ll love the Atlanta market as well.
ANDREW: How did you start working with IAVM and what would you like to share about its work?
STACEY: IAVM is the professional association for venue managers and has over 8,000 members and a really strong volunteer member base.
The organization focuses on education, certifications and advocacy, and serves as a tool and a networking group where venue managers can connect, learn and grow.
It also has a couple of schools, including one in venue management, one centered on safety and security, and another that focuses on executive-level content.
It’s a place where professionals at any level can join, learn and connect, and it advocates for the issues that affect venues.
Related. Black History Month Series: Show Strategy’s Glenn Charles, Jr.
ANDREW: What drew you to the GWCCA and what do you plan on achieving in this new role?
STACEY: I love working in convention centers. That’s where I feel most comfortable and where I really thrive. Being in Dallas and getting to welcome a wealth of international clients, I was interested in another large market.
Atlanta definitely fits the bill. I knew about the GWCCA from my experience working in venues and I’ve visited as a conference attendee, and was always impressed with Atlanta.
I put out some feelers and talked to people about the team there and the market, and heard nothing but great things. As I interviewed and got to meet Kevin Duvall, the GWCCA’s CEO, and the other executives, it became apparent that this was an opportunity where I could learn, be impactful, be a change agent and help the organization move forward in a positive direction.
What I’m most excited about is getting to know the building, the campus and the market, and collaborating with the folks in Atlanta that are working hard every day to make sure that the destination continues to serve as an economic engine for the state.
I’m excited to join the team and contribute in any way that they need me.
ANDREW: In today’s turbulent times, how do you think events professionals can keep collaborating for success?
STACEY: We are offering a space for folks to connect and grow. What we’re doing is all positive.
No matter who the group is or what their message may be, we’re providing a place for people to connect and engage. When folks come into our venues, they’re counting on us to provide a fantastic experience and a safe environment. That’s what we should focus on.
ANDREW: Why do you think representation matters?
STACEY: If you can see it, you can believe it. If I see someone who looks like me leading an organization, then it makes it that much more plausible that it could be me.
Folks that I engage with and the organizations that I’m involved in realize that we’re most successful when we are representative of the communities that we operate within and the folks that walk through our buildings. For that reason, I believe that everyone’s committed to making sure we do whatever we can to encourage diverse opinions and experiences.
ANDREW: What advice would you give to an up-and-coming events professional?
STACEY: Be open to opportunities. When opportunity knocks, somebody has to answer. If you find out about an opportunity or someone approaches you about an opportunity and it sounds interesting, be open to it.
People have asked me “Oh, do you have ties to Atlanta?” and I say, “No, but I didn’t have ties to Dallas before I moved there; I was there six years, and enjoyed them.”
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