VenueConnect 2025

Lee Esckilsen
Associate Professor / Principal
Johnson & Wales University / ESVenues


Lee A. Esckilsen, CVE, CHE Associate Professor Lee Esckilsen has been an Associate Professor at the Johnson & Wales University Providence Campus since 2003. He teaches in the Department of Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management. Esckilsen is a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) endorsed by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). Esckilsen is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), endorsed by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LEI), Washington, DC. Esckilsen is a co-author of four IAVM publications, including Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting and Convention Venues. Published by Kendall Hunt Publishers for IAVM, 2020, and 2025. Esckilsen is also co-author of Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting and Convention Venues. Published by Brown Books for IAVM, 2015. Esckilsen is a co-author of Public Assembly Venue Management: Principles and Practices. Published by IAVM, 2009. Before his teaching career, Esckilsen developed and managed seven entertainment and sports venues over a 20-year period. These included the Manchester Arena (UK), the Mullins Center at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, MA, and the Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI. Esckilsen stays active in the venue management industry through his consulting company, ESVenues.com, which assists in the development and management of entertainment and sports venues and events. Esckilsen has completed over 50 venue assessments of NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and USL stadiums and arenas in the past 15 years. Degrees • M.S., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN • B.S., Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH • A.S., Dean College, Franklin, MA

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