Populous House
Austin | March 16–17, 2026
Over two days, leaders from sport, music, art and design came together to share ideas, perspectives and time with one another. What emerged was more than a series of conversations. There was a sense of openness in the room, a willingness to engage, and a shared energy that made it easy for connections to form and ideas to move beyond the stage.
The goal was to create a space where people felt a sense of belonging, and that came to life through the way people showed up. Thoughtful questions, honest dialogue and moments of genuine connection carried over from panel discussions onto the patio.
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Live performances inspired us to ask ourselves “Why?” and imagine the future of live entertainment. At night, we gathered around musicians whose art inspired us to embrace a sense of feeling alive and grateful for the opportunity to connect with their music and each other.
Our first Populous House was a success because it was shaped by everyone who participated. Our guests embraced our theme of Me to We, bringing themselves through the door as individuals ready to listen and, more importantly, to be part of something together.
That spirit is what these images capture. The conversations, the performances, and the moments in between. A glimpse into what can happen when people come together with intention and leave with something shared.
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Live entertainment is entering a new chapter. Audiences are more connected, expectations are higher, and the relationship between artist, venue, and fan is being redefined in real time.
View the full recording of “The Future Is LIVE,” our second panel at Populous House.
Our panelists:
Shantell Martin, MBE | Artist, Philosopher, Cultural Facilitator
Jonathan Vlassopulos | Managing Partner, A-Force Ventures
Kuzi Cee | Performer
Michael Lockwood | Senior Principal, Populous
Brian Mirakian | Senior Principal, Populous – Moderator
Read more about how Populous explores the ways that live experiences are evolving to meet a higher standard: shared, immediate and impossible to replicate.
Check back here soon for full recordings of our other panel presentations.
Gallery
View complete gallery here.
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Artist, Philosopher, Cultural Facilitator
Partner HBSE/Philadelphia 76ers & Founder, Darco Capital
Chief Executive Officer, KC2026
UN Young Leader & Founder, The Battery Tour
World Cup Champion and Co-founder, Striver
Former Nike Design Director
Global Director | Managing Director, Americas, Populous
Head of Brand Media & Events, Moderator, Populous
Chief of Ideas + Co-Founder, IN GOOD CO
Founder & Partner, Archi-Tectonics and Director & CEO Sci-Arc
Managing Partner, A-Force Ventures
Artist
Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Moment Factory
Director, Moderator, Studio Di Simone
Senior Principal, Kansas City, Populous
Senior Principal, Senior Event Architect, Denver, Populous
Senior Principal, San Francisco, Populous
Schedule
Monday, March 16
4:30 PM 4:30 – 6:00 PM 6:00 – 9:15 PM • 6:00 PM • 7:15 PM • 8:30 PM 9:30 – 11:30 PM
Doors Open
Welcome Reception & Happy Hour
Live Music Showcase
Lew Apollo
Superfónicos
Walker Lukens
Late Night DJ: DJ Topaz
Tuesday, March 17
9:00 AM 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM 1:15 PM – 1:30 PM 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM – 10:15 PM • 6:00 PM • 7:15 PM • 8:30 PM • 9:45 PM 10:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Doors Open
Panel 1: The City as Collective Ambition
How do you design sports and entertainment venues to create economic vitality, shape civic identity and turn a city into a community that people can believe in?
“The City as Collective Ambition,” brings together an extraordinary group of industry leaders and experience creators to discuss how design, planning and undeterred vision can create momentum well beyond game day or the encore.
David Adelman | Partner, HBSE/Philadelphia 76ers & Founder, Darco Capital
Dom Audet | Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Moment Factory
Winka Dubbeldam | Founder & Partner, Archi-Tectonics and Director & CEO, SCI-Arc
Chris Danton | Chief of Ideas + Co-Founder, IN GOOD CO
Jonathan Mallie | Global Director & Managing Director - Americas, Populous
Dean DiSimone | Director, Studio Di Simone – Moderator
Performance & Post-Panel Networking
Panel 2: The Future Is LIVE
Live entertainment is entering a new chapter. Audiences are more connected, expectations are higher, and the relationship between artist, venue, and fan is being redefined in real time.
This conversation brings together those shaping what comes next—from performance and production to venue design and fan experience. We’ll examine how live moments compete, complement and coexist with digital-first culture.
Because what happens live still matters. And how it evolves will define the future of entertainment.
Shantell Martin, MBE | Artist, Philosopher, Cultural Facilitator
Jonathan Vlassopulos | Managing Partner, A-Force Ventures
Kuzi Cee | Performer
Michael Lockwood | Senior Principal, Populous
Brian Mirakian | Senior Principal, Populous – Moderator
Break for Lunch / Post-Panel Networking
Fireside Chat: Art for Social Impact
AY Young, UN Young Leader & Founder, The Battery Tour
Ariana Vargas | Head of Brand Media & Events, Populous – Moderator
Panel 3: One Event. 16 Cities. All of Us.
In 2026, the World Cup doesn’t simply happen. It takes over. An entire continent becomes the stage, and what unfolds is not a single moment, but a journey experienced in countless ways.
This panel brings together leaders who understand that the World Cup is shaped far beyond the field of play. From arrival to activation, from infrastructure to experience, every touchpoint matters.
We’ll explore how intentional design transforms a global tournament into something personal and communal — how cities welcome the world, how experiences extend beyond the ticket, and how brands and athletes connect global moments back to local identity.
Pam Kramer | CEO, KC2026
Gilberto Silva | World Cup Winner and Co-Founder, Striver
Wilson Smith | Former Design Director, Nike
Jeff Keas | Senior Principal, Populous
Ariana Vargas | Head of Brand Media & Events, Populous – Moderator
Post-Panel & Fireside Chat Networking
Break
All guests must exit.
Doors Re-Open
Populous Happy Hour ft. justadam.
Live Music Showcase
Next of Kin
Mobley
Kuzi Cee
Grandmaster
Late Night DJ: justadam.
3TEN | 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd Suite 1A, Austin, TX 78701
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