The Show Must Go On: Business of Live Entertainment

With a remarkable career spanning over 20 years, Blount has established herself as a dynamic leader, content creator, and producer. She played pivotal roles in producing and developing new sonic and cultural platforms for global brands, including impactful contributions to Sonos, NPR, and Cornerstone/The FADER. Notably, as a Global Marketing Director for Sonos, Blount elevated the company’s presence in the music and audio content space, garnering recognition for the development of award-winning content as the Executive Producer of their music service, Sonos Radio.

For over 45 years, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! has presented celebrated global music icons, chart topping indie bands, critically acclaimed dance troupes, films and more. It has become one of New York City’s foremost cultural attractions and a beloved summer tradition.

Patricia Cruz began her term as Executive Director of Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis Hall, Inc. in 1998. Ms. Cruz is responsible for overseeing programming and administrative management as well as long range planning, fundraising, fiscal management and program development in accordance with the mission of the institution. She directs a staff of 18 and is the chief liaison to the Board of Directors. Accomplishments include:

• Securing $2 million in endowment funds
• Expanding programs and audiences; and
• Successfully completing a $26 million Campaign for Harlem Stage for the adaptive restoration of the Gatehouse

Ariel Palitz is New York City’s first “Nightlife Mayor,” Appointed as the Founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Nightlife serving under both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mayor Eric Adams (2018 to 2023). In that time, she used her experience as a former East Village nightclub owner and community board member to create the infrastructure for a new government office, identified systemic challenges and developed non-enforcement solutions, while simultaneously navigating the hospitality industry through the Covid 19 pandemic.

Today Ariel is a global nightlife ambassador working as an independent government consultant, and public speaker, and is the Managing Director of Hospitality and Intergovernmental Affairs with Oaktree Solutions while serving as the Nightlife Advisor for both the NYC Hospitality Alliance and International Nightlife Association.

Gwynne Wardrop is an Emmy Award-winning producer of live events and experiences. Gwynne joined The New York Times in 2005, where she has produced many of The Times’s signature consumer event programs, including the long-running TimesTalks series, The New York Times Food Festival, Arts & Leisure Weekend, and Election Night Live. She led the development of The Times’s conference business, creating and executing live journalism events that engaged industry leaders and Times readers on such topics as education, climate change, the future of work and sustainable cities, in locations throughout the world.