Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe, CVE

President & CEO
‍San Diego Convention Center Corporation

Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, Certified Venue Executive (CVE), is a convention and meeting industry veteran who serves as President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and as the Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).

Rippetoe has a long and successful career in venue management and operations, including experience in for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Before assuming his role in San Diego, he was President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board Venues. Throughout his career, Rippetoe has worked for organizations hosting and providing services to top national tradeshows, conventions, and major sporting events, including the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, and for large-scale public assembly facilities such as the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake. In addition, he brings several years of experience working in the performing arts sector.

A published author who shares his expertise locally and nationally, Rippetoe has chaired several IAVM committees and served as a mentor in the IAVM Mentor Program. In San Diego, he serves on the Boards of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. He is also Board Chair for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and serves on its executive committee. In support of arts and tourism, he is a Steering Committee Member for the Comic-Con Museum and an Advisor for the San Diego Hotel-Motel Association and the San Diego Tourism Authority. Rippetoe, his team, and the Convention Center facility have earned many industry awards; recently, VenuesNow named Rippetoe a “2020 All-Star” for venue management and leadership.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree from Claremont School of Theology.