SAEM Business Students Volunteer at 2025 IEBA Conference, Explore Nashville's Music Scene Thursday, October 16, 2025
Students from the Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Business program pose outside of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The group traveled to the city as volunteers during the 2025 IEBA Conference.
“Ed Traversari and the SAEM faculty truly put students first, connecting us with alumni and organizing meaningful opportunities that allowed us to learn, network, and see the industry up close. Their support made the experience both inspiring and unforgettable.”
Students from Point Park University took a brief break from their classes at Wood Street to explore the music scene along the Honky Tonk Highway, learning all about the entertainment in Nashville earlier this month.
The experience was a part of the Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Business (SAEM) program’s trip to volunteer at the 2025 International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Conference. Between the echoes of soulful guitar music and basking in the glow of bright neon signs, students used their trip to Nashville as way to gain an insider perspective of the music industry.
“The experience that these students get from coming on this trip and getting to volunteer at such a prestigious music business conference is incredible,” said Ed Traversari, a professor in the SAEM program. “Their interaction with former SAEM alums at our Alumni Party is one that could help them perhaps land their first jobs in the music business.”
The conference serves as a major event for industry professionals, bringing together expert managers, booking agents, venue operators and record company executives to speak on the industry and discuss the evolving environment of the music entertainment business. The conference took several deep dives into current entertainment bussiness trends, with Point Park students easily able to make the connections to what they learn each day in the classroom.
“We learned a lot about the world of venues, and how one operates and uses one,” said Kate Painter, a SAEM graduate currently working as a graduate assistant. “We also learned about the layout of venues and events taking place within them. I thought it was also interesting to see the actual positions and titles we learned in class such as a booking agent, a talent buyer, and a promoter.”
“I attended a panel where agents talked about the touring industry and the decision process of choosing what venues and cities to hit on tour,” said Grace Thomas, a senior in the SAEM program. “I have taken a Talent Booking and Management course where we covered these same topics.”
The annual conference is hosted in the center of the action of Nashville, which allowed SAEM students from Point Park to also see some iconic venues such as the legendary Ryman Auditorium, The Gibson Garage and The Pinnacle.
“My favorite part of the trip was touring the Ryman Auditorium,” said Lydia Zarefoss, another senior in the SAEM program. “You can feel the deep history in every corner of the building. Standing in such an iconic venue, where Nashville’s musical roots were built and so many legends performed, was an unforgettable experience.”
“Getting to learn about the history of this iconic music venue, and then see it in person, was such an incredible experience,” Thomas said.
Another highlight for students was being able to meet Point Park alumni who attended the conference or actively work in the high-paced Nashville music scene. Over 35 attendees joined the alumni gathering at ACME Feed and Seed, getting to meet some of the next generation of Pioneers destined for careers in entertainment.
“I’m so thankful to Point Park University and the Rowland School of Business for giving students this incredible opportunity to volunteer and attend IEBA,” Zarefoss said. “Ed Traversari and the SAEM faculty truly put students first, connecting us with alumni and organizing meaningful opportunities that allowed us to learn, network, and see the industry up close. Their support made the experience both inspiring and unforgettable.”
