Tami Richter, CVA
Director of Event Staffing & Resources for SXSW, LLC
Tami is an accomplished professional in the event industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Event Operations for SXSW, LLC. With an extensive background in event management and a strong focus on safety and event operations, Tami plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of one of the largest and most renowned events in the world.
In her role with SXSW, Tami oversees a wide range of event operations, including a robust volunteer program, event staffing, catering, transportation, accessibility, welfare, security, and the management of the onsite event control room. Health and safety remains a primary focus through all stages of her event planning and execution processes. Her dedication to health and safety is evident through her continued drive to build strong relationships with government and public safety agencies, the development and provision of training for event staff and colleagues, and the implementation of initiatives to build a culture of safety.
In addition to her responsibilities with SXSW, Tami is a member of various organizations dedicated and focused on event safety. She sits on the Board of the Event Safety Alliance and is a member of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) Event Safety Working Group. She actively contributes to the development of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards in event safety.
In 2021, Tami was engaged to co-design and implement a campaign and program aimed at spotlighting harassment at events through education, prevention, intervention, and support. The program has been successfully deployed for the past two years in the Middle East at some of the region's largest events.
Tami remains committed to staying at the forefront of her field through education and opportunities that present themselves to learn from other professionals. She has completed numerous courses from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), Event Safety Access Training (ESAT), OSHA 30 General Industry, OSHA 10 Construction, ARIC Threat Liaison Officer, and various health safety compliance and advisory programs. Tami has also invested significant time in enhancing her crowd management, risk assessment, and leadership skills.
Not only is Tami deeply passionate about event safety, but she also actively imparts her knowledge and skills to others. She serves as an American Red Cross Instructor in Pediatric and Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, certifying hundreds of event personnel. Her dedication to volunteer management is exemplified by her certification as a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA), a distinguished professional credential in the field. She is dedicated to promoting open conversations and providing learning opportunities for others, so the event industry can continue reaching higher standards in safety, while prioritizing the well-being of all involved.
When Tami isn’t producing events, she enjoys time with her husband and four children. As a military spouse, she has been afforded the opportunity to live and travel all over the world, a true passion of hers. She also enjoys being outdoors, smoking and barbecuing meats, watching football, running, and camping.