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Mark Girton
SVP of Special Events at AEG Presents
Professional Background
Mark Girton is a highly experienced Special Event Professional with a rich history in coordinating and executing a diverse range of events, from concerts and award shows to mixers, after parties, product launches, and festivals. With a passion for event management and a commitment to excellence, Mark has made significant contributions to the event industry through his various leadership roles, most notably as the Senior Vice President of Special Events at AEG Presents. In this prestigious position, Mark is dedicated to growing and developing events across the numerous AEG Presents venues located throughout the country. His expertise and leadership help ensure that each event hosted is executed flawlessly and meets the high standards expected by both clients and attendees.
Mark’s career has seen him at the helm of multiple notable organizations. Previously, he served as the Vice President of Special Events and General Manager at AEG Live/Goldenvoice, where he played a pivotal role in developing event strategies that increased audience engagement and satisfaction. He has succeeded in turning ideas into reality by leveraging the unique characteristics of each venue and tailoring experiences to audience preferences.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the events industry, Mark’s innovative approach combined with his experience has allowed him to understand and anticipate trends, ensuring that AEG Presents remains at the forefront of hosting exceptional events. His career reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating memorable experiences.
Education and Achievements
Mark Girton’s educational background is rooted in the essential disciplines of communication and law enforcement. He studied Business and Organizational Communications at The University of Akron, where he honed his skills in professional communication, crucial for managing stakeholder relations and fostering positive partnerships in the special events field.
In addition to his degree, Mark also has foundational training as a Deputy Sheriff at the Summit County Sheriff's Department. This experience provided him with essential insights into law enforcement and public safety, factors that are paramount when planning large-scale events. The knowledge gained from his law enforcement training has enabled him to prioritize safety protocols and procedures while managing event logistics.
Mark attended Medina High School, where he began cultivating his interests in management and teamwork, laying the groundwork for his future career in event planning.
Achievements
Mark has achieved remarkable success in the special events sector, where his leadership capabilities have shone through in various roles throughout his career. Notably, his tenure as the General Manager at the legendary House of Blues Concerts/Live Nation set the standard for the coordination and execution of live performances, establishing him as an authority in the industry. His drive and vision allowed him to create unparalleled experiences that delighted audiences and helped artists connect with fans.
His previous role as Director of Operations at House of Blues Concerts further solidified his understanding of the intricacies involved in running successful venues and executing large events. His strategic mindset also allowed him to navigate challenges effectively, finding creative solutions to deliver exceptional outcomes.
Under Mark's leadership, the events he managed exhibited high levels of creativity, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. His former positions have provided him with a wealth of knowledge regarding venue operations, technical sound and lighting management, event marketing, and audience engagement strategies. Mark embraces collaborative work, ensuring that his seasoned team at AEG Presents can work seamlessly together to bring any vision to life.
Mark Girton continues to pave the way for the future of special events, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. His enthusiasm for creating unforgettable experiences is evident in every project he undertakes, and with his extensive background, attendees can look forward to exceptional event experiences across AEG Presents venues.
Highlights
I'm going to share some Cheat Codes (you may not like them) for having a career in the Live Event Industry. These will work if you stick with them, but it's like going to the gym, it takes time and dedication to make progress. They are not difficult, or complicated, but they do require discipline and patience. If you are willing to do the work, you will succeed. Ready, set, go!
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Keep showing up. You'll beat 80% of the competition by simply continuing to show up over time. This isn't easy, they will fade away and you will endure and overcome.
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Accept that you are going to have to put in the work to see the results. Stop looking for that shortcut, it's a lie.
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Don't believe the doubters and naysayers. Listen to them, use it as fuel. Nothing better than proving them wrong, but never believe them.
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Decide that you are going to do it, whatever it may be and then go put in the work. Don't try to do it, make the decision that you ARE going to do it and then put in the work. Never stop moving toward that goal.
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Learn and accept that the journey, the work, the path you are on IS the reward. Don't set your sights on some dream destination, it's the path that is worth taking.
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Don't try to do this alone. Make friends and allies, it is far more rewarding, and more importantly, you're going to learn from them. You don't and never will know it all. You're going to need them, they will make you better (and you can help make them better as well).
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Realize that who you are, your character, your willpower, your dedication, is your best asset. Honesty and hard work will always (maybe not right away), win out in the end. Don't get caught up looking for the fast or easy path, those never go anywhere you want to go.
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Be humble. Even when you make progress and become a leader, and one of the best, there is always someone better. If you become the best in the world at what you do, it is only for a period of time. Enjoy it, but don't be arrogant about it or you will end up alone and it isn't worth it.
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Set big goals, but put together a plan to get there with small milestones. If you run a mile, and you get one second better a day, you'll make progress a lot quicker than you realize. One Second a day is FAST when you apply it to a year. Usain Bolt trained for years to run the 100 meters, but it was only 9 seconds. He won during his training, not the 9 seconds.
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Don't quit. The best cheat code there is. If you do not quit you cannot fail. You only fail when you accept it and stop moving forward. Not quitting is tough, really tough, brutal, but it always overcomes. What you feel is impossible today, you will one day look back and think of that as a warm up if you do not quit. You WILL improve. You WILL overcome.
Now that you have, share what you have learned and help others. That, is the best reward.
#aegsev #empirepoloclub #goldenvoice #aegpresents #dmc #dmo #eventplanner #specialevents #liveevents #venues #corporateevents #mentoring
Do you want to know why I have spent my entire professional life, 30+ years now working in Live Events?
Maybe the better question is, what would you get from being in the live event business?
Here are a few things I have learned and that I love about what we do.
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There is no sense of professional satisfaction the same as watching thousands of people leave an event happy and with lifelong memories. And this happens after every event.
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Every event is different, every audience is different and you will never be bored.
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No matter how good you get, there is always more to learn.
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Your peers in the business are among the most fascinating people on the planet.
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You will make a difference in your community. Live events create memories and bonds between people that last forever.
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We get paid to be at the events other people pay to be at. We get the full experience and behind the scenes memories that only a select group of people experience.
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The stories and characters are neverending. Ask anyone who has been in the business 10 more more years and they all have great experiences they can share.
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We don’t have to look at a screen all day. Yes, we work, and screen time is often part of the job, but nothing replaces the reality of a live audience. Nothing.
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The crowds. I often feel as though the crowds are more entertaining than the “talent”. We experience the absolute best people watching in the face of the Earth.
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We make a genuine difference in people’s lives. The audience may not remember our names, but we help give them experiences that last. They build bonds that connect them to one another. We are the glue that brings it all together. Memory making at its finest.
Our business isn’t easy, and you will sacrifice a lot, you won’t keep a “normal” schedule, you may not make a million bucks, but you will be rich in life experiences.
We get one life, live it to its fullest, be kind and good to people, make a difference. We do all of this in Live Events, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
#aegsev #aegpresents #goldenvoice #empirepoloclub #makeadifference #memorymaking #venues #festivals #music #sports #leadership #mentorship #community
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
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