VENU Appoints Entertainment Industry Veteran Ron Bension as Strategic Advisor to Accelerate Growth
Venu Holding Corporation, a developer, owner, and operator of premium live entertainment destinations, has announced the appointment of Ron Bension, one of the live entertainment industry’s most experienced executives, as a strategic advisor to the company’s Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, J.W. Roth. The appointment represents another step in VENU’s strategy to strengthen its leadership team as it expands its portfolio of entertainment venues and pursues long-term growth opportunities.
In addition to joining the company as a strategic advisor, Bension has also been nominated for election to VENU’s Board of Directors at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. His appointment to the board remains subject to shareholder approval.
In his advisory capacity, Bension will work closely with Roth and the executive leadership team to evaluate strategic initiatives, identify expansion opportunities, and support the company’s long-term growth strategy. His decades of experience leading some of the world’s largest entertainment and venue management organizations are expected to provide valuable insight as VENU continues to expand its footprint within the live entertainment industry.
Ron Bension brings more than 50 years of leadership experience across venue management, live entertainment, hospitality, and large-scale destination development. Throughout his career, he has overseen major corporate transformations, strategic acquisitions, operational growth initiatives, and international expansion projects that have helped shape the modern entertainment industry.
Most recently, Bension served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ASM Global, one of the world’s largest venue management companies. During his leadership, ASM Global managed a portfolio of more than 400 venues across five continents, including arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts facilities, and exhibition venues.
One of the defining achievements of his tenure at ASM Global was leading the organization through its $2.3 billion acquisition by Legends, a transaction completed in August 2024. The acquisition represented one of the largest deals in the global venue management sector and further strengthened Legends’ position within the sports and entertainment marketplace.
Before leading ASM Global, Bension held several senior executive positions across the entertainment industry. Among his notable accomplishments was serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Studios Recreation Group, where he oversaw the development and expansion of some of the company’s most significant theme park projects.
Under his leadership, Universal Studios advanced multi-billion-dollar expansion initiatives across Japan, Orlando, and Hollywood, helping transform the company’s global theme park operations while expanding visitor experiences and increasing international attendance.
Bension also played an important role during his time with Live Nation, where he helped significantly expand the company’s House of Blues entertainment portfolio. During his leadership, the network of clubs, theaters, and amphitheaters grew from approximately 35 venues to nearly 120 locations, demonstrating his ability to successfully scale entertainment businesses while maintaining operational quality and customer experience.
That experience is expected to complement VENU’s own growth strategy as the company continues developing its expanding network of premium live entertainment destinations.
VENU has positioned itself as an innovator within the live entertainment sector by introducing a business model that combines premium concert experiences with a distinctive ownership-based capital structure. The company develops and operates venues designed to deliver enhanced guest experiences while creating long-term value for investors through strategic real estate and entertainment assets.
As strategic advisor, Bension will work directly with J.W. Roth to evaluate potential acquisitions, partnerships, expansion opportunities, and other initiatives that support VENU’s objective of building a differentiated portfolio of entertainment venues across key markets.
Commenting on his decision to join the company, Bension expressed confidence in VENU’s business model and long-term vision.
“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,” Bension said.
Drawing on his extensive experience operating and negotiating major entertainment industry transactions, Bension noted that VENU’s approach stands apart from traditional venue operators.
“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,” he said. “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.”
His endorsement is expected to further strengthen investor confidence as VENU continues pursuing aggressive expansion plans within the competitive live entertainment market.
Founder, Chairman, and CEO J.W. Roth welcomed Bension’s appointment, describing him as one of the industry’s most accomplished executives and highlighting the value his experience will bring to the company.
“Ron is one of our industry’s most respected executives, guiding corporations through transitions, mergers and acquisitions, and expansive growth,” Roth said.
He added that Bension’s decision to join the company reinforces VENU’s strategic direction and future potential.
“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,” Roth said. “Ron sees what I see, and now he’s going to help us, and our shareholders, get there faster.”
The appointment comes as the live entertainment industry continues experiencing strong momentum following sustained recovery in consumer demand for concerts, festivals, sporting events, and immersive entertainment experiences. Companies across the sector are investing heavily in new venues, premium hospitality offerings, and enhanced guest experiences to meet growing demand while creating diversified revenue streams.
For VENU, adding an executive with Bension’s background provides access to decades of expertise in venue operations, strategic planning, corporate development, and large-scale entertainment infrastructure. His knowledge of managing global venue portfolios and executing transformative acquisitions is expected to support the company’s continued evolution as it seeks to expand its market presence.
If shareholders approve his nomination at the 2026 Annual Meeting, Bension’s addition to VENU’s Board of Directors will further strengthen the company’s governance by bringing extensive operational, financial, and strategic experience to board-level decision-making.
As VENU continues developing premium entertainment destinations and exploring new growth opportunities, the company believes Bension’s leadership and industry relationships will play an important role in accelerating its long-term strategy. His appointment reflects VENU’s commitment to building an experienced leadership team capable of driving innovation, expanding its venue portfolio, and creating sustainable value for shareholders in the rapidly evolving live entertainment industry.
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