RALEIGH, N.C. – The Raleigh Convention Center, as part of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, is pleased to announce the promotion of Lori Shumpert to Director of Events.
Shumpert joined the Raleigh Convention Center as an Event Manager in 2022, and was promoted to Senior Event Manager in 2025. She brings over 18 years of valuable experience spanning large-scale event management, premium services, and venue operations. Lori’s skill in managing complex events and leading teams, with a focus on mentoring and developing staff, elevates the Raleigh Convention Center’s commitment to exceptional client and guest experiences. This serves the Raleigh Convention Center well as it prepares to welcome a full schedule of guests in 2026 and move towards the coming expansion.
“Lori’s collaborative leadership and expertise are a major asset to this team. Her ability to think strategically paired with her meticulous attention to detail are invaluable for our mission to provide planners, attendees, and partners with a great experience” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of The Complex.
Lori is an experienced leader in the event industry, having worked venues and organizations around the country before joining the Raleigh Convention Center in
2022. She is an active member of IAVM, having most recently served as the co-chair of the 2025 IAVM Super Regional in Raleigh. Lori will be attending and speaking at IAVM’s 2026 Super Regional conference this April.
“I’m excited to lead this great team of event professionals and to continue providing our clients with exceptional moments,” said Shumpert. “We’re constantly striving to reach new heights in customer satisfaction and operational excellence. I’m eager to keep this great momentum we have as our venue grows and we continue to offer more, bigger, and better space and moments for event planners.”
She began her new role on April 4th.
About The Complex
The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex (“The Complex”) encompasses four city-owned and managed facilities that bring together residents, out-of-town visitors and a host of performing artists from around the country and the world.
In the heart of North Carolina’s vibrant capitol city, three of the four venues welcome some 1 million visitors to downtown Raleigh each year. The award-winning, 500,000-square- foot Raleigh Convention Center is a leader in innovation, sustainability and guest experience. Next door sits the city’s signature open-air music venue, Red Hat Amphitheater, with 6,000 seats and a buzzworthy schedule of musical performances.
A short walk away, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts offers four unique theaters, seating from 150 to 2,369, and is home to resident companies Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera and PineCone. Beyond Downtown Raleigh, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek boasts a 20,000-person capacity amphitheater on 77 rolling green acres and regularly packs the house with big- name acts.
submitted by the Raleigh Convention Complex
