VenueConnect 2025

Michelle Menningmann
Assistant Executive Director
Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center


Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Michelle Menningmann discovered her love for sports and community early on. A scholarship athlete at the University of Alabama, she played softball under Coach Patrick Murphy from 2003 to 2007 and helped the Crimson Tide secure their first SEC Championship in 2005. Today, Michelle serves as a senior leader at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. Now in her ninth year, she is a driving force behind the success of the 400,000-square-foot, 48-year-old venue. Working alongside Executive Director Matt McDonnell, she oversees event execution, staffing and HR, risk management, capital planning, and strategic partnerships. Michelle has led key modernization efforts—balancing infrastructure improvements and smart tech upgrades with preserving the Coliseum’s character. Under her leadership, the venue continues to attract premier events: major concerts, national festivals, cheer, volleyball, basketball, and hockey tournaments, trade shows, conferences, and large-scale family entertainment. What sets the Coliseum apart is its commitment to true Southern Hospitality. The events team, under Michelle’s guidance, is known for warmth, responsiveness, and reliability. Clients and guests feel valued from booking to breakdown—earning the venue a loyal following across the touring and production world. Michelle leads with a “make it happen” mindset, combining strategy with adaptability. Whether solving last-minute challenges or transforming a space overnight, her approach fosters creative solutions and seamless execution. Through her blend of tradition, innovation, and grit, Michelle continues to elevate the Mississippi Coast Coliseum as a trusted and in-demand destination on the Gulf Coast.

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