Bart Whitaker

Success Strategist

Bart Is one of the most versatile Venue and Event Expert Professionals in the United States.

From the Superdome and the Georgia Dome to the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final 4, the Rolling Stones Attendance Record Setting Concert, and the Olympics – he has been involved in the Big Ones.

In addition to those iconic venues, Bart has also managed two arena/theater complexes and hundreds of every type of event involving their six venues.

As an entrepreneur, he added Sports Travel, Corporate Hospitality, Sponsorships/Fundraising, and Sports Marketing to his list of skills.

This Management Experience has given Bart the knowledge of Leadership, Organization and Communications abilities to produce Start-ups, Reorganizations and Grand Openings.

Having seen events as a Venue Manager, Promoter, Sponsor, Contractor, Consultant, and as a Patron gives you a One Stop Shop for all things Venue/Event and which has led to an outstanding Career in Expert Witnessing.

Bart spent the first years of his career Managing Stadiums, Arenas, and Theaters/Auditoriums, including two years as a Board member for the IAVM.

Then in 1996, The Centennial Olympics came to Atlanta where Bart was the Start-Up Manager – Assistant General Manager responsible for day to day and event operations, final interior design, FF&E, staffing/hiring plan, and policy/procedure development (Interim GM at times) at the World’s Largest Cable Supported Domed Roof.

“With the Biggest Sporting Event in the World coming to town, I wanted to be involved so I left the comfortable role as a Venue Manager for the Real World-on my own. Initially, this was to be a one-time hiatus from my successful Venue Management Career. Instead, it kicked started my career as a Sports Travel Manager, Corporate Hospitality Manager, Venue/Event Consultant/Advisor, and Expert Witness.”

Expert Witness Cases

Success Strategist

From my first case with Johnny Cochran in 2000 through the Travis Scott Astroworld case in 2022, I am still undefeated.

Theft of Intellectual Property
Personal Injury/Standard Operating Procedures
Personal Injury/Event Set up
Crowd Management Standard Operating Procedures
Event Set up
Event Setup
Performer Injuries/Equipment Rigging

Security/Crowd Management

Security/Crowd Management
California Fire Insurance Claim Dispute
Business Standard Operating Procedures
Facility Set up
Security/Felony Assault/Crowd Management
Personal Injury
Construction/Engineering Complaint & NBA Game Incident/Personal Injury/Negligence

Security/crowd management

Venue Management

Success Strategist

As a manager I have managed two of this country’s most renowned stadiums, the Superdome and the Georgia Dome, as well as two  arena/theatre complxes

The Superdome

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To improve internal Operations Departmental communications and coordination, I combined the Event Services Department (staff of 20) with the Security Department. In addition to the responsibility of each Superdome Event, I also directed the daily Security Force of 50 and Public Service/Contract Security staff of 1000+. During this time I was also deputized as a Deputy Sheriff of Orleans Parish. World Class Events I managed: The 1982 NCAA Final 4 (the first ever held in a domed stadium), the 1981 Rolling Stones Concert that sold 87,500 tickets; still the World Record for an indoor concert. Super Bowl XX was a highlight featuring the once-in-a generation Chicago Bears.
Orleans, Parish

Georgia Dome

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The largest cable–supported Domed Stadium in the World. I was hired as the first Operational Official of this $500+ million-dollar state-of-the-art facility. In this fast tracked construction project, I was tasked with designing out the finished spaces, the FF&E Budget, and directed all Start-up Activities. Also led the staff through a very vigorous Grand Opening, Atlanta Falcons inaugural season, Super Bowl XXVIII, the Rolling Stones, NCAA Final 4.
Atlanta, Georgia

Macon Centreplex

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Hired to reorganized the corporate structure/operation, including staffing, security, bookings, corporate partners, budget, and marketing plans. These efforts resulted in the organization’s only two profitable years in its 20-year history. Recognizing Macon’s strategic location in central Georgia, I spearheaded an RFP that resulted in the new Macon Centreplex Name and addition of the Convention Center. Additionally, we created the slogan, “Meet in the Middle” taking advantage of Macon’s strategic location on I-75 and I-16. The Macon Centreplex: (Macon Coliseum, Macon Auditorium, Luther Williams Field)
Macon, Georgia  

Bayfront Center

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Directed a dynamic restructuring project, involving a public-to-private management transformation while undergoing a $75 million dollar renovation/construction project.  Our Staff Implemented a newly created BFC Foundation start-up, first everevent series, and first ever sponsorship activities. The Bayfront Center staff also assisted in the start-up and Grand Opening of the Florida Suncoast Dome (Tropicana Field) (Bayfront Arena, Mahaffey Theater, Marina)
St Petersburg, Florida

Event Management

Success Strategist

I have over 30 years of organizing large public events including the largest indoor concert ever held in the United States, at the Louisiana Superdome, during the 1981 Rolling Stones Concert, which attracted 87,500 people.

Liaison with two NFL Teams Atlanta Falcons & New Orleans Saints

First NCAA Final Four to be held in a Domed Stadium Featuring UNC Freshman Michael Jordan

Managed two Superbowls Super Bowl XX at Louisiana Superdome 1986 and Superbowl XXVIII at the Georgia Superdome

Rolling Stones concert at Superdome World Attendance Record for an indoor concert

Liaison with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Hosted Gymnastics and Basketball for the 1996 Olympic Games

Crowd Management

Success Strategist

Managed the Largest indoor concert in the history of the world-Rolling Stones, LA Superdome, 87,500. Deputized as a Deputy Sheriff of Orleans Parish, LA (New Orleans), managed dozens of Concerts & Sporting Events of 50,000+ Including:
  • The first ever NCAA Final Four to be held in a Domed Stadium, 72,000 (at the time was a national attendance record)
  • Super Bowls XX & XXXIV
  • Two Final Four’s
  • Two Rolling Stones Concerts
  • 10 NFL Seasons with the Saints and the Falcons
  • Six Sugar Bowls
  • Six Chic-fil-A Peach Bowls
  • Managed Security/Public Safety Departments at the Superdome and the Georgia Dome
  • Achieved Deputy Sheriff rank with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Department

Startups/Reorganization

Success Strategist

  • The Louisiana Superdome: Implemented the reorganization for the Events, Public Services and Security Departments reorganization
  • The Macon Centreplex: Developed and implemented an RFP for expansion, “Meet in the Middle” Slogan and managed the only two operationally profitable years in history
  • The Bayfront Center: Directed a management transformation from Municipally managed to a Private Management Co. while simultaneously orchestrating a renovation project.
  • The Georgia Dome: A construction/design project from dirt to Grand Opening
  • Carolina Panthers/Cleveland Browns of the NFL: Start-up
  • Georgia Dome Event Security/Crowd Management Privatization Start-up (Andy Frain)
  • Chamblee Business Association Start-Up
  • SMG (Olympic Operations/Marketing Plan)

Sports Travel/Corporate Hospitality Project Manager

Success Strategist

  • Hired by the Atlanta Falcons to facilitate lodging, transportation and tickets to the Family and Friends for the first ever Superbowl in Miami-Superbowl XXXIV
  • Directed several Atlanta Centennial Olympics Corporate Hospitality Programs
  • Provided Masters Badges and Lodging for clients for 10 years
  • US Open, PGA Championship, PGA Tour Championship
  • Provided Staffing Services for NCAA Final 4 Merchandise Programs
  • Directed the Sydney Olympics Program for Beaulieu of America – 350 people
  • Tour de Georgia Hospitality Manager
  • Provided various corporate programs including for the Atlanta Braves and MLB All-Star Game
  • Rolling Stones, U-2
  • Rose Bowl and BCS Championship Game

Sales & Sponsorships Projects

Success Strategist

  • Executive Director for the televised Delta Air Lines Holiday Basketball Classic(Georgia/Georgia Tech)
  • Atlanta Steeplechase
  • Marketing and Promotions Manager for Georgia State University Basketball Team (Lefty Driessell)
  • Norfolk State University Athletic Marketing Department
  • Group Ticket Sales for Pace Motorsports/Supercross
  • Sugar Bowl Parade and Gala
  • NCAA Final Four Merchandising
  • Lefty’s” Golf Classic
  • Official Beer Vendor for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games

Contact Us

Success Strategist

Bart Whitaker

Venue-Event Project Director/Expert Witness

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