HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (February 28, 2025) – Paciolan's annual community conference, PACnet, once again brought together hundreds of live entertainment clients to share ideas, uncover best practices, and unlock opportunities. This year, attendees from multiple genres, including college athletics, performing arts, professional sports, and arenas, participated in the event.
The conference featured senior executives tackling significant topics in live entertainment. Topics included breaking barriers, the evolving landscape of college athletics, and turning strategy into action. Functional sessions spanning ticketing, fundraising, marketing, sales, and Paciolan product-focused content were also included.
"PACnet is a special event for our community. It is a privilege to host our partners and come together with our peers to share ideas, technologies, and strategies to help unlock new opportunities and build upon the incredible momentum in our industry." ~Deana Barnes, President of Paciolan
The conference commenced on Monday, with Deana Barnes, President of Paciolan, Christian Lewis, Chief Revenue Officer, and Keith White, Paciolan's Chief Technology and Product Officer, taking the stage to introduce the theme of "Let’s Go Further." This year’s theme emphasized the extraordinary growth and dynamism in the live entertainment industry, underscored by record-setting demand, sales, attendance, events, and technology innovation.
Monday's session, "Adapting to a New Era of College Athletics," focused on the key trends reshaping the landscape, the challenges these trends bring, and strategies for institutions to thrive in this dynamic environment. This insightful discussion set the stage for a powerful panel featuring leaders from the collegiate sports world, including Ben Mathan from Learfield, Mario Morris from the NCAA, Garrett Klasey from Fresno State, and DeWayne Peevy, Vice President and Director of Athletics at DePaul University.
Additionally, the "Women Leading the Way” brought together trailblazing women who are shaping the future of leadership across various industries. This engaging discussion centered on overcoming challenges, fostering inclusive cultures, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Tuesday kicked off with the inspiring "Dream 'The Impossible' Dream" Keynote by Aaron Lazar, an award-winning actor, singer, speaker, and advocate. Aaron's presentation was a highlight of the day, offering an uplifting message that encouraged attendees to embrace their passions and push beyond their limits. The sessions that day further delved into strategy and action, featuring functional sessions spanning various aspects of live entertainment operations. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from Paciolan experts and innovative clients, who shared their stories of success and provided tips to elevate success in their respective areas.
PACnet also featured the prestigious 19th annual Star Awards, acknowledging excellence and achievement during the previous year. The winners included:
Newcomer of the Year: The Bushnell for fully embracing PAC technology and services. The team onboarded across three entities & drove record-breaking Broadway revenue.
Innovation of the Year: Illinois Athletics for pushing the envelope in ticketing and transforming its ticketing process to enhance the customer experience. Their Per Seat Model Calculator, built with Eloqua, enhances engagement & simplifies personalized sales conversations.
Event of the Year: Texas A&M for their innovative pricing & 100% NFC ticketing. In just one week, they hosted George Strait at Kyle Field & the MEXTOUR Soccer match, achieving record ticket sales & revenue.
Star of the Year: Southern Methodist University for embracing innovative strategies, making bold changes to their business, launching new technology, and driving revenue. From their move to the ACC to record-breaking revenue growth, a surge in Mustang Club membership & expanding women’s ticketed sports.
But the journey doesn’t stop here! Save the date for #PACnet26: 📅 Feb 22-25, 2026—we’ll see you in Huntington Beach for another incredible experience!
Until then, keep innovating, collaborating, and making magic!
