Madison Vickers has come a long way from her small town of Desloge, Missouri.
Just four years after graduating from Missouri State University in May 2020 with a BS in Entertainment Management and a minor in legal studies in business, Vickers is making a name for herself in the world of entertainment management.
She is thriving in her role as booking coordinator at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where she helps bring world-class events to life. In addition, the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Foundation chose her for its Class of 2024 30 Under 30.
This prestigious program recognizes rising stars in the venue management industry and celebrates their outstanding achievements and future potential.
“Being recognized as a 30 Under 30 recipient has been a goal of mine since college and it’s unbelievably rewarding to have achieved it,” Vickers said.
Entertaining large crowds
In her current job, Vickers has helped bring events, such as concerts, the Super Bowl, WrestleMania and Final Four to the city of Las Vegas.
“My responsibilities include everything pertaining to scheduling, working through tight conversion timelines and contracting for the events,” Vickers said.
Her career in the industry launched with internships and strategic moves, including a stint at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas while she was a student in 2019. It was there that her passion for venue management flourished.
She returned to Las Vegas after graduation, securing positions that allowed her to work closely with event promoters. She then moved to Allegiant Stadium, gaining operations experience that has benefited her in her current role on the booking team.
“I really enjoy how tightknit the entertainment industry is,” Vickers said. “I also love the collaboration piece of my job, working with internal and external parties to make large scale events come to life. Figuring out how to make things work is like a challenging puzzle, and it’s insanely gratifying to see it all come together.”
The MSU years
Vickers’ academic journey at Missouri State began in 2016. Besides focusing on her studies, she got involved outside of the classroom.
She served as events representative and later vice president of the Entertainment Management Association. She was also a key member of the live entertainment committee for the Student Activities Council.
Additionally, Vickers gained valuable work experience at the Career Center, where she eventually became the employee relations graduate assistant, and at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts as a house manager. She assisted in coordinating show days.
Her commitment to her alma mater continues as she currently serves on the Entertainment Management Council. Vickers is also pursuing a graduate degree at MSU — an MBA with a certificate in marketing, which she should complete by December 2025.
“I owe so much to the entertainment management program and Missouri State for introducing me to the industry I love so much. I enjoy giving back and hope to one day bring my experience back to the classroom and teach,” Vickers said.
Maximize opportunities
She urges students to explore their passions and embrace every opportunity to learn.
“Reach out to people who have the job you’re interested in, set up a phone call and pick their brain until you have a better understanding of things,” she said. “Networking is key in entertainment and people love to talk about things they’re passionate about.”