Building the Modern Arena with Rachel Quinn
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 104
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What makes a venue memorable? According to Rachel Quinn, Senior Director at Live Nation, it starts long before the first ticket is scanned. In this episode, Rachel reflects on her work shaping major destinations like CSU Spur Life Sciences Campus and Intuit Dome Arena, and shares why the best projects begin with a clear vision and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Rachel and CEO Martha McGee dive into the invisible work behind the scenes: coordinating massive teams, balancing creativity with logistics, and designing spaces that millions of people will experience every year. They discuss how art helps people feel connected to place, why live events continue to thrive in a digital world, and how emerging technologies like facial recognition and personalized AI are reshaping the industry. But amid all the innovation, Rachel argues that the heart of live entertainment remains unchanged: creating moments of collective energy and human connection that simply can’t be replicated from the couch.
Discussed in the Episode:
Live Nation
CSU Spur
RiNo Art District
CAA Icon
Intuit Dome Arena
Amy Parsons, President of Colorado State University
Jocelyn Hittle, Associate VP, Spur Campus & Special Projects
Gillian Zucker, CEO, Halo Sports & Entertainment
Artist Nikki Pike
Crescendo by Nikki Pike
Platte River
National Western Center
Intuit Dome High School Jersey Project
Santigold
Kia Forum
Crypto Arena
Vital Rhythms by Norman Lee at CSU Spur
The Bale by Patrick Marold at CSU Spur
Living Arena by Refik Anadol at Intuit Dome Arena
DATALAND
Halo Sports and Entertainment
Steve Ballmer, Chairman, The LA Clippers
The Wall at Intuit Dome Arena
Denver Summit FC
Rachel Quinn on LinkedIn
About Rachel Quinn:
Rachel Quinn is a Senior Director with Live Nation as part of their Venue Development team. Her primary role is oversight of new venues within the western region of the US. Prior to joining Live Nation, she began her career as a design architect which led her to working at an industry leading Owner’s Representative firm, specializing in Sports and Entertainment venues. Rachel’s prior work experience includes Oklahoma City Thunder’s new arena, Intuit Dome, CSU Spur Campus, and CSU’s Canvas Stadium. Rachel has been a Denver resident since 2009 and resides there with her fiancé, Drew, and new puppy, George.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!
