In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with David Weingarden, Vice President of Concerts + Events at Z2 Entertainment, independent promoter, and chair of the Colorado Independent Venue Association, to unpack what it’s really like fighting on the front lines of ticketing reform. From testifying before the U.S. Senate to experimenting with new tech stacks, David breaks down how independents can survive (and win) in a landscape dominated by monopolies and scalpers.

Inside the episode:

• David’s path from local promoter to Senate witness on ticketing reform
• The real impact of speculative ticketing, bots, and resale abuse on independents
• Why today’s ticketing ecosystem still needs stronger guardrails
• A frank discussion on monopoly power, market pressure, and venue survival
• Z2’s move to a new ticketing partner and what drove the decision
• How Prism and Insights support smarter, more connected decision-making
• Where AI could improve workflows for promoters, marketers, and venue teams
• Why David believes independents can still win in the years ahead