Ashley Ryan is from Minnesota but loves the desert and the ocean. Her first concert was in a basement, but the best show she’s ever seen was D’Angelo at First Avenue.

Currently the VP of Marketing at First Avenue, in Minneapolis, Minnesota – you’ll find her in a First Avenue venue any given night of the week.

Prior to her time at First Avenue, Ashley spent six years in Austin, Texas, working in radio marketing and promotions, and producing behind-the-scenes broadcast events at music festivals like SXSW, ACL, FunFunFun Fest and more.

An alum of the University of Minnesota, she couldn’t be happier to be back in her home state, working for an iconic group of venues. Ashley serves on the board of the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance, is on the Planned Parenthood NCS Ambassador Council, and is committed to her local community.

First Avenue Productions is considered Minnesota’s leading independently owned and operated concert venue and promoter. It has received numerous accolades over the years, including Top 3 Big Rooms” by Rolling Stone, a “Top 10 Must Play” by Billboard Magazine and has been named “One of the 10 Greatest Rock Venues of All-Time” by Gibson Guitars. First Avenue celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2020, and the business has expanded beyond its star-adorned walls to include the Fine Line, the Turf Club, the Palace Theatre, and the Fitzgerald Theater. A public development of a Community Performing Arts Center on the Mississippi riverfront is in the works.