Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Names Betsy Bender as New Director of Marketing

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is proud to welcome Betsy Bender as the new Director of Marketing. Ms. Bender comes with more than 15 years' experience in the entertainment industry, including most recently, as the Director of Marketing and Sales at BIG ARTS on Sanibel, FL.

Ms. Bender will replace Julia Mays who is retiring after thirty years in the performing arts industry and looks forward to spending time with her granddaughters and family back in Ft. Myers -her official retirement date is August 19, 2014. Mary Bensel, Executive Director said, "We are thrilled to welcome Betsy to our team and I am excited to see the plans she has for expanding the reach of the Van Wezel as we continue to seek new levels of excellence. I cannot thank Julia Mays enough for all she has done to help turn the Van Wezel around financially and creatively. Under Julia's leadership we saw targeted marketing on every show and saw the Hall expand its social media awareness and gain the Number 1 Performing Arts Hall title 4 times for Venues under 2,000 seats in North America as noted by Venues Today magazine."

Betsy Bender is a multimedia professional with social media, digital marketing, event management, contract negotiations and television production experience. Ms. Bender collaborated on numerous marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships and website launches for several high-profile clients, including the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, ESPN, CBS Sports, Tennis Channel and USA Network. Recently appointed to Visit Florida's Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Committee for 2014-2015, Ms. Bender started her career as the Promotions Manager for Tennis Week magazine in NYC, overseeing sponsorships for more than 50 professional tennis tournaments across the country as well as facilitating tournament operations for the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Ms. Bender said, "It is an honor to join such a prestigious venue. I look forward to working with Mary Bensel and the wonderful team at the Van Wezel."