Overland Park, Kan. (Sept 21, 2026) — Brett C. Mitchell, CVE, General Manager of the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC), has been installed as Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the leading global association representing public assembly venue professionals. Mitchell received the gavel from outgoing Chair Stacey Church, CVE, COO of the Georgia World Congress Center, during IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference, held August 9–12 in Indianapolis.
Mitchell first joined OPCC in 2001. From 2004 to 2010, he served as Vice President of Convention Center Operations for Global Spectrum (now Oak View Group), overseeing 26 convention centers nationwide, before returning to Overland Park in 2010 as General Manager. Under his leadership, OPCC has repeatedly been named one of the Best Small Convention Centers in North America by Exhibitor Magazine.
Mitchell’s path to the IAVM chairmanship included service as Chair of IAVM’s Convention Center Committee prior to being elected to the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA), which named him its 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Mitchell previously served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). He is a graduate of Brigham Young University, where he earned a degree in Sports Business Management.
When Mitchell was nominated to IAVM’s senior officer track in 2025, IAVM President & CEO Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, praised his “deep-rooted commitment to the industry, strategic vision, and passion for venue excellence.”
During his term as chair, Mitchell said he plans to focus on bringing in-person and on-demand content to the 7,000 members who cannot attend IAVM’s regional or national conferences. In addition to expanding online resources, he has pointed to IAVM’s Utah and Arizona chapters as models for bringing professional development and networking opportunities directly to members.
“Removing the barrier of travel costs will greatly increase member access to professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities, especially for our young professionals,” Mitchell wrote in his inaugural Chair’s Column for IAVM’s Venue Professional magazine.“I hope this conveys my love and passion for our Association,” Mitchell wrote. “Let’s keep paying it forward so the next generation of venue professionals inherits an even stronger industry than the one we have now.”
To read Brett’s full Chair’s Column, “Gratitude on the Ground Floor: My Journey to IAVM Chair,” in the digital edition of IAVM’s Venue Professional magazine, click here.
To learn more about Brett C. Mitchell, visit: http://opconventioncenter.com/event-planners-near-kansas-city/brett-c-mitchell/
