Alison Maternowski '12 Uses SAEM Skills to Make Live Events Unforgettable in Columbus
Meet Alison Maternowski
- Job Title & Employer
- General Manager, KEMBA Live!
- Job Title & Employer
- Director of Operations, PromoWest/AEG
- Major/Program
- Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business
- Graduation
- 2012
- College Activities
- SAEM Club
- Hometown
- Rochester Mills, Mi.
- High School
- Stoney Creek High School
- Now Living In
- Columbus, Oh.
- Hobbies & Interests
- I like to spend time gardening and hiking!
"Point Park’s emphasis on internships and part-time work really softened the adjustment from classroom to career. Starting small and balancing job experience with classroom experience is the way to go."
How did Point Park’s sports, arts, entertainment and music business (SAEM) program help prepare you for your career?
SAEM taught me the importance of real-world experience. Its emphasis on internships and industry experience helped me build a well-rounded foundation that has been critical to getting me where I am today.
Tell us more about your current role and responsibilities. What does a 'day in the job' look like?
At the director level, I support the General Managers of PromoWest and AEG Presents Great Lakes Region with operational and financial guidance. I work closely with the AEG National Operations team to roll out new initiatives and streamline processes. As a General Manager at KEMBA Live!, I oversee facility management and financial reporting, along with venue operations.
Each day is very different as I “generally manage” all aspects of the venue. One minute I can be collaborating with the bar manager on new & fun featured cocktails, and then next I can be turning off the venue water due to a broken backflow! Every day is an adventure!
How did your internship while at Point Park help you get into the industry?
The marketing internship at Point Park was my foot in the door to the entertainment industry. Although I quickly realized that marketing was not my chosen path, I learned about the importance of promoters in the concert industry, which helps me to this day as a General Manager. Without that internship, I would not be where I am today.
Can you detail your journey to your position as director of operations? What lessons did you learn through that process?
Since starting as a Marketing Intern at Stage AE in 2011, I’ve held roles in Box Office, Office Management and Special Events before transitioning into marketing and communications with Olympia Development in Detroit and later Little Caesars in Phoenix. I returned to the Midwest in 2019 as Assistant General Manager in Columbus and soon advanced to General Manager. Following AEG Presents’ full acquisition of PromoWest in 2025, I was appointed as the operational liaison supporting the newly merged PromoWest and AEG Great Lakes region.
What I’ve learned is that advancement does not happen overnight, and patience can be challenging. Doing the right thing and working hard will pay off in time.
You’ve had several jobs across sports, entertainment and commercial marketing positions. What is it like to rotate between those focuses?
It’s funny, the minute I left the live events industry, I was looking for a way back in. Working other positions outside of event operations truly never felt 100% right, so if anything, it solidified that I’m in the right industry!
What is the experience like moving from the classroom to a career?
Honestly, Point Park’s emphasis on internships and part-time work really softened the adjustment from classroom to career. Starting small and balancing job experience with classroom experience is the way to go. Find your perfect blend and take the leap!
Why should students be interested in pursuing a career in the live entertainment industry?
Live events are constantly evolving, and no day is ever the same. It’s a thrilling industry to work in. At the end of the day, we are making memories for all the guests who visit our venues, and that is very special.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The faculty in the SAEM program all offer a wealth of knowledge! Spend as much time as possible picking their brains and cultivating those networks.