BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Fresh Outta Comps
In live events, opportunities often come through relationships, but building those relationships takes more than showing up when you need something.
Fresh Outta Comps explores how to make meaningful connections before you need to ask for a favor, how to approach those asks with professionalism and respect, and the do’s and don’ts of reaching out when an opportunity matters. The conversation will also dig into the power of visibility: how staying connected, showing up, and being genuinely engaged can help you stay top of mind when opportunities arise.
Come for practical advice on building relationships that feel authentic, making the ask when the time comes, and becoming someone people remember when the right opportunity crosses their path.
SPEAKERS
Meesha Kosciolek
Blessed with more than two decades of experience orchestrating large-scale tours for some of country music’s biggest icons. In 2020, Meesha joined Messina Touring Group (MTG)as a Promoter Representative. In this pivotal role, he represents the promoter’s interests on the road, overseeing high-stakes venue logisticsand coordination for legendary stadium-level headliners, including George Strait, Blake Shelton, and Eric Church.
Erik Leighty
Erik’s background in the music business was formed as a member of the Student Activities Board Concert Committee while attending The University of Kentucky. After graduating in 1994, he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in the music business. By1999, he was on the road as a Merchandise Manager and then Tour Manager but eventually transitioned to the role of Production Manager.
Since 2005, Erik has overseen worldwide touring productions for Staind, Nelly Furtado, Alice In Chains, Rob Zombie, Billy Currington, Paramore and for the last 10 years, Miranda Lambert, including her Velvet Rodeo Las Vegas Residency.When not touring, Erik has spoken to music industry classes at Belmont University,MTSU and Point Park University. In 2024, he was part of the inaugural CMA Mentorship program
Ryan Smith
Ryan is the Regional Manager of Artist Relations at the Shure office in Nashville, TN. In 1993, he started at Shure Headquarters in the Customer Service Department, joined the AR team in 1995, and moved down to Nashville in 2001. Some of the artists Ryan works with include The Who, Maroon 5, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Lawrence, Jason Mraz, Jon Pardi, Brett Young and many more. Ryan has over 30 years of performance experience, playing drums, percussion, and singing in various groups and genres.
David Schultz
MODERATOR
David Schultz is a touring and live-events professional with over 10 years of experience working across multiple sectors of the music industry. He has toured internationally and worked with artists across multiple genres, bringing a broad technical and operational perspective shaped by his previous roles as a stagehand, concert promoter, DJ, audio engineer, and lighting technician.
David studied Audio Engineering at Belmont University and began his career at Bandit Lites in Nashville, TN, before transitioning into tour management. He specializes in bridging creative and technical teams effectively, with a strong emphasis on clear communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. As a board member and industry leader, David strives to empower the people around him through positive reinforcement, thoughtful mentorship, and a team-first approach that enables everyone to do their best work.
Outside of his professional pursuits, David enjoys playing the drums, traveling, strength training, and attending music festivals.