Education for our arena community

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior venue and event management executive with more than 20 years of experience in the live event and entertainment industry. Has led Arena Riga (Xiaomi Arena), Latvia's largest multi-purpose indoor venue, as Chairman of the Board since 2013, overseeing venue strategy, operations, commercial performance and the delivery of major international concerts, sporting events and productions. Combines deep hands-on production expertise, gained as technical director for number of shows and events and local production manager for world-class touring artists, with strategic leadership and international industry involvement through the UEFA Stadium and Security Committee and the European Arenas Association. Recognised for safe, efficient and commercially successful delivery of large-scale indoor and outdoor events.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Venue management and operations
• Event management, planning and production
• Large-scale festival and outdoor event production
• International touring production and artist hosting
• Venue safety, security and crowd management
• Contracting, budgeting and financial reporting
• Staff planning and team leadership
• Stakeholder and partner relations
• Board-level governance and strategic planning

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chairman of the Board

Arena Riga LLC (Xiaomi Arena), Riga, Latvia

November 2013 - Present

Provides executive leadership for Xiaomi Arena, the country's leading multi-purpose arena for international concerts, sporting events, family shows and corporate events. Sets the venue's strategic direction and oversees all operational, commercial, technical and administrative functions.

Oversees the annual event programme, including the attraction and delivery of major international tours and sporting competitions. Ensures the highest standards of venue safety, security, guest experience and regulatory compliance. Manages budgets, financial performance and long-term investment in venue infrastructure. Builds and maintains relationships with promoters, event organisers, sports federations, sponsors, public authorities and international partners.

Member of the Board

Arena Riga LLC, Riga, Latvia

September 2012 - November 2013

Took part in board-level management of the venue, contributing to operational planning, commercial decisions and business development. Supported the transition of event operations experience into executive venue leadership.

Event Manager

Arena Riga LLC, Riga, Latvia

November 2005 - September 2012

Held responsibility for international events and productions hosted at the arena from contracting through to post-event reporting. Negotiated and managed contracts with promoters, production companies and service providers. Planned staffing and coordinated venue teams, contractors and external services for each event. Supervised show days on site, acting as the main point of contact for touring productions and resolving production issues in real time. Prepared event budgets, after-show reports and settlements.

Member, UEFA Stadium and Security Committee

UEFA, Nyon, Switzerland

September 2019 - Present

Contributes venue and event operations expertise to UEFA's work on stadium infrastructure, safety and security standards for European football competitions.

Board Member

European Arenas Association

April 2016 - September 2022

Represented Arena Riga on the board of the association of Europe's leading arenas, contributing to the exchange of best practice in venue management, operations and industry development.

Freelance Technical Director and Production Manager

Self-employed, Riga, Latvia

May 2008 - Present

Technical Director of the Positivus Festival (2008 and 2011 to 2018), the largest music festival in the Baltics with around 30,000 visitors, responsible for site planning, technical production, infrastructure, suppliers and on-site coordination. Main Stage Manager at the Positivus Festival (2010). Local Production Manager in Riga for international tours by Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers, coordinating local production, suppliers and venue logistics.

Technical Manager

X Agency Ltd., Riga, Latvia

November 2004 - November 2005

Handled site planning, coordination of technical services and on-site supervision for outdoor events.

Project Manager

BDG Concerts, Riga, Latvia

January 2002 - November 2004

Managed concert projects from planning and booking through to production and delivery.

EDUCATION

Master's Degree in Social Anthropology (not finished)

Riga Stradins University, 2013 - 2015

Master's Degree in Social Sciences

University of Latvia, 1997 - 2004

LANGUAGES

• Latvian - Native
• English - Full professional proficiency
• Russian - Professional working proficiency

Robert Fitzpatrick was appointed President of Arenas Europe (formerly European Arenas Association) in 2025, succeeding Olivier Toth.

As President, he is leading the organisation into a new phase with an expanded remit across education, advocacy and industry leadership. Building on the Association’s 35-year legacy, his vision is to strengthen collaboration across the sector, invest in the next generation of talent and create greater influence across the European arena ecosystem.

A seasoned C-suite executive, Robert has successfully led both public and private organisations for more than 25 years. Until recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Odyssey Trust Company in Belfast, a role he held for eighteen years, before assuming the position of Chair of the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey Club.

Robert has been closely involved with the EAA since 2010, including co-founding the Arena Resilience Alliance with Olivier Toth during the pandemic and most recently serving as Chair of the EAA Education Steering Group.

Throughout his career, Robert’s strategic vision has driven competitive success and led transformational growth across commercial operations, customer engagement and organisational development on an international scale.

In 2023, he was named European Leader of the Year by the European Ice Hockey Clubs Alliance, recognising his leadership, innovation, and influence across the wider European ice hockey community.

Robert holds a Master’s in Business Administration and serves as a Visiting Professor at the Ulster University Business School.

Victoria Matthews is the Executive Director of the European Arenas Association (EAA), leading strategic initiatives and overseeing daily operations. She began her career with the EAA in 2012 as Co-General Manager during the Madrid presidency.

In 2015, Victoria founded SEMA4, specialising in enhancing customer experiences for live entertainment venues and has worked with many of Europe’s leading arenas developing experience-led growth strategies.

Victoria holds a Master’s in Business Communication and is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP).

With 30 years in live events and entertainment, Adrian’s career began in hospitality before moving into venue management at Wembley Stadium. He relocated to Belfast in 2000 to join the management team at the then Odyssey Arena, playing a key role in its landmark opening.

Adrian has since held senior roles including General Manager and Chief Experience Officer, before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in March 2025.

Adrian has sat on the Board of W5, where he was instrumental in launching the LANTEC programme - an ambitious initiative transforming teacher professional learning, as well as the Board of the European Arenas Association (now Arenas Europe), where he helped to drive forward the organisation’s strategic pillars, including Education.

Closer to home, he chaired the Tourism NI Venues Group, advising the government on safe and sustainable post-Covid reopening strategies. He also contributes as a Council Member of Belfast Chamber of Commerce and as part of the Maritime Belfast Waterfront Task Group.

Vice President of the Management Board at PreZero Arena Gliwice – one of the largest and most modern entertainment and sports venues in Poland, and a leader in green transformation. Together with his team, he is responsible for the arena’s overall operations, sales, and strategic development, with a focus on long-term goals and market positioning.

Previously, he headed the Sales and Marketing Department at PreZero Arena Gliwice for six years. He began his career in the venue industry at TAURON Arena Kraków, where for more than three years he led the sales and marketing department. The teams under his leadership were responsible for event contracting, business development, and building lasting partnerships, which contributed to a steady increase in the number of hosted events.

This is Konrad’s second term on the EAA Board, where he is responsible for the Eastern Europe region. He is also actively involved in the work of Education Steering Group that develops EAA education program.