Las Vegas Events announced today that Tim Keener will become the new president of the organization, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Keener currently serves as the vice president of event and ticket operations for LVE.
Keener will replace its long-tenured president Pat Christenson who will transition to a consultant role to the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees through 2023.
“Tim brings a wealth of experience, leadership skills and institutional knowledge to the position,” said LVE Board of Trustees Chairman Bill McBeath. “For more than 21 years, Las Vegas Events has enjoyed tremendous continuity and success under the direction of Pat Christenson. Our expectation is that Tim will continue to build on the core tenets of the organization and lead it into the future.”
Keener, a native of West Virginia and a graduate from West Virginia University with both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Sports Administration, has extensive experience in the development, operation and management of special events.
In 1988, Keener began his career in sports management in Charlotte, where he spent the next six years working at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports. While at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports, he served in a variety of roles overseeing the operation and execution of numerous collegiate football and basketball events.
In 1994, Keener moved across town to ESPN Regional Television where he worked for nearly eight years in the management and operations of various special events, including collegiate basketball, football and golf events. During his time at ERT, he developed extensive experience in the television production of special events.
While at ERT, Keener was responsible for coordinating the Las Vegas Showdown, a collegiate basketball event which included UNLV as the anchor team. It was during this time that Keener developed a relationship with Christenson and UNLV, as well as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This relationship led Keener to Las Vegas after being hired by Christenson at LVE in 2001.
For more than 21 years at LVE, Keener has been responsible for the administration and operation of all company-related events pertaining to operational planning, event ticketing, sponsor fulfillment and sales and game day-execution. Most notably, Keener has overseen the planning and execution of a variety of events, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®, the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, SCORE Off-Road Racing, USA Men’s Basketball Training Camp and Exhibition, the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and several NCAA Championship events (2008 USA Olympic Wrestling and Judo Trials).
In particular, Keener’s role with the Wrangler NFR has allowed him to work closely with General Manager Allen Rheinheimer, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Thomas & Mack Center senior staff on many aspects of the production and operation of the event. During his tenure, he has coordinated the front of house setup, shuttle bus operations, the outside interactive plaza, installation of on-site branding and the management of both the Cowboy Corral and Ace’s High Saloon & Exhibit. Keener’s department also oversees all aspects of event ticketing for the NFR.
In addition, Keener has led LVE’s coordination of the America’s Party citywide pyrotechnic display on New Year’s Eve and currently oversees the NCAA Championship bid process that takes place every four years. Through this relationship with the NCAA, Keener will manage the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Finals that was awarded to the destination.
Tim makes his home in Las Vegas with his wife, Bridget. Their son, Tim, Jr., is a teacher in the Clark County School District.
Courtesy of NFR Experience
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