Atlanta’s Fox Theatre is proud to announce it has been named Theater of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), one of the live entertainment industry’s most respected organizations. This honor recognizes the Fox Theatre’s commitment to excellence in programming, hospitality and audience experience, further cementing its reputation as one of the nation’s most iconic venues.

Lucy Lawler-Freas, the Fox Theatre’s director of programming, accepted the award on behalf of the entire Fox Theatre team during IEBA’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by IEBA among so many exceptional venues,” said Lucy Lawler-Freas, Director of Programming at the Fox Theatre. “The Fox has the privilege of hosting some of the best artists in the world, and this award is a testament to the collaboration and trust that makes those performances possible.”

Founded in 1970, the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) represents live entertainment professionals across all genres and sectors of the industry. Each year, IEBA’s membership recognizes outstanding achievements in live performance venues, promoters and talent agencies through its annual Industry Awards.

“Receiving this award from IEBA is an extraordinary honor,” said Allan Vella, President & CEO of the Fox Theatre. “It recognizes not just the excellence of our programming and operations, but the passion of our staff, the loyalty of our patrons and the continued confidence artists place in the Fox when they choose to perform on our stage.”

The Theater of the Year award celebrates venues that demonstrate leadership, innovation and consistent excellence in booking and executing live events. The Fox Theatre stood out among its peers for its rich programming mix, exceptional guest experience and dedication to preserving its historic grandeur while operating as a forward-looking, independent nonprofit.

The Fox Theatre hosts more than 200 performances annually, from Broadway engagements and concerts to comedy, dance and community events. In 2024 alone, the theatre welcomed more than 600,000 guests and generated over $50 million in ticket sales, earning top national rankings from Billboard, VenuesNow and Pollstar.