Pam Matthews will retire from her role as executive director at the International Entertainment Buyer’s Association (IEBA) in the first quarter of next year after 11 years at the helm of the talent buying and booking organization. 

Matthews modernized the group’s annual conference in Nashville, transforming the once sleepy get-together into a must-attend annual conference that drew the country’s top concert promoters, booking agents, venue managers and touring crews. Matthews is also responsible for launching IEBA’s Educational Outreach Fund, which each year awards up to 50 scholarships to aspiring young professionals in the music business to attend educational programs across North America. 

Eric Bresler, immediate past chairman at IEBA, described Matthews as a “a transformative leader, guiding IEBA through unprecedented growth and setting a standard for industry trade organizations,” while Barry Jeffrey, president of the IEBA Educational Outreach Fund board, said Matthews has an “undeniable history of success and dedication (that) has inspired many and has left an indelible mark on our industry.”   

“Thank you to Eric, Barry and IEBA’s board of directors for their leadership and support throughout my time with the organization,” Matthews said in a press release. “The IEBA staff and our board are some of the finest folks I’ve had the privilege of working with over my many years in this business.” 

Prior to IEBA, Matthews served as GM of the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on behalf of the building’s owners, Gaylord Entertainment. During her eight-year tenure at the Ryman, the venue received its National Historic Landmark status and became one of the top-grossing theaters in the world.