Veteran Entertainment Executive and Industry Dealmaker Ron Bension Joins VENU as Strategic Advisor to CEO
Former ASM Global CEO and architect of its $2.3 billion Legends acquisition to advise VENU on strategic opportunities and shareholder value
Venu Holding Corporation ("VENU" or the "Company") (NYSE:VENU), an owner, operator, and developer of premium live entertainment destinations, today announced that Ron Bension, former President and CEO of ASM Global, has joined the Company as a strategic advisor to Founder, Chairman, and CEO J.W. Roth. Bension has also been nominated for election to VENU's Board of Directors at the Company's 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, subject to shareholder approval. In his advisory role, Bension will work directly with Roth to evaluate strategic growth opportunities for the Company.
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Ron Bension
Bension brings more than 50 years of experience in the live entertainment and venue management industry to the role at VENU. His most recent transaction was leading ASM Global, one of the world's largest venue management companies, with a portfolio of more than 400 venues across five continents, through its $2.3 billion acquisition by Legends, completed in August 2024. His career highlights also include overseeing Universal Studios' multi-billion-dollar theme park expansions in Japan, Orlando and Hollywood as Chairman and CEO of Universal Studios Recreation Group. He grew Live Nation's House of Blues portfolio of clubs, theaters, and amphitheaters from 35 venues to roughly 120, experience he now brings to bear as VENU builds out its own disruptive portfolio.
"I took this role because I love what J.W. is building. I think it's game-changing for the live entertainment industry and I believe I can help him maximize shareholder value," said Ron Bension. "I've spent my career operating and transacting at the highest levels of this industry and I've never seen a model quite like VENU's. The combination of premium offerings, an ownership-driven capital structure, and the speed at which this team executes creates strategic opportunities that simply don't exist anywhere else in the industry."
"Ron is one of our industry's most respected executives, guiding corporations through transitions, M&As, and expansive growth," said J.W. Roth, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of VENU. "When someone who's run the biggest venue portfolio on the planet looks at what we're building and wants in, that tells you everything about where VENU is headed. Ron sees what I see and now he's going to help us, and our shareholders, get there faster."
Ron Bension - About
Ron Bension is one of the most accomplished executives and dealmakers in live entertainment, with a career spanning more than four decades. He most recently served as President and CEO of ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management company, with a portfolio of more than 400 arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts venues across five continents. He led ASM Global through its $2.3 billion acquisition by Legends, completed in August 2024, one of the largest transactions in the history of the live entertainment industry. Bension currently serves as a board member of Merlin Entertainments, operator of LEGOLAND parks and one of the world’s largest attractions companies. Previously, Bension spent a decade with Live Nation Entertainment, where he led the company’s House of Blues Entertainment division and later served as President of Venue Nation, growing Live Nation’s portfolio of clubs, theaters, and amphitheaters from 35 venues to roughly 120. As Chairman and CEO of Universal Studios Recreation Group from 1990 through 1996, Bension oversaw Universal Studios’ multi-billion-dollar theme park expansions in Japan, Orlando and Hollywood. He has also served as CEO of Tickets.com, TicketsNow.com, and GameWorks.
About Venu Holding Corporation
Venu Holding Corporation ("VENU") (NYSE:VENU) is a premier owner, developer, and operator of luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations. Founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur J.W. Roth, VENU has a portfolio of premium brands that includes Ford Amphitheater, Sunset Amphitheaters, Phil Long Music Hall, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, Aikman Owners Clubs, and Roth’s Sea & Steak. With venues operating and in development across Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas and a nationwide expansion underway, VENU is setting a new standard for live entertainment.
VENU has been recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Billboard, VenuesNow, and Variety for its innovative and disruptive approach to live entertainment. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as AEG Presents, NFL Hall of Famer and Founder of EIGHT Elite Light Beer, Troy Aikman, Billboard, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Tixr, Boston Common Golf, Niall Horan, and Dierks Bentley, VENU continues to shape the future of the entertainment landscape. For more information, visit VENU’s website, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the sections titled "Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, on file with the SEC, as well as in reports subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
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Investor Relations
Sarah Rothschild, srothschild@venu.live
Media Relations
Chloe Polhamus, cpolhamus@venu.live