John Dunlap

About John Dunlap

HIGH PRODUCER AND CHANGE AGENTImpact is at the center of my identity. I am driven by a constant pursuit of excellence and gravitate to challenging circumstances where I believe I can make a difference. That\'s where I get the biggest reward in the work I do. As a deeply-committed change agent, engineering tectonic shifts in corporate operations that evaluate every aspect of status quo, I am unafraid of asking tough questions, empowering others to facilitate change, and creating safe environments for staff feedback and vision. The value I bring is that I can step into any organization and quickly identify efficiency gaps and present plans for improvement with a clear vision. I work hard to gain stakeholder consensus by collecting widespread internal/external stakeholder feedback analysis to garner buy-in. I then distill those findings into a comprehensive vision for target objectives that drive business development and profit growth. Additionally, I lead teams and organizations to achieve their fullest potential. As a talent developer, I tap into staff strengths to fully develop each individual and I always include teams in decision-making processes while requiring accountability. With expertise as a bottom-line focused leader, I have an innate ability to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement, discover new markets, and develop plans that maximize business performance. Financially, I leverage my systematic fiscal acumen to reduce expenses, eliminate non-value adding areas, identify areas of improvement, and open up new opportunities. Externally, I have gained a reputation as a high-level connector who quickly establishes trusted relations with stakeholders, political players, industry leaders, and strategic partners. For companies seeking to shift their paradigm and evolve into their fullest potential, I build the roadmaps to get there! https://thefloridavillager.com/2019/10/09/john-dunlap-president-jungle-island/ http://voyagemia.com/interview/meet-john-dunlap-jungle-island-watson-island/

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer

   VENU+

   Jul 2025 — Present

   As CEO of VENU+, I lead a global provider of tech-enabled guest engagement solutions for entertainment venues, including smart lockers, mobility rentals, photo capture, and entertainment activations. I am responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction, driving operational excellence, and guiding innovation to enhance guest experiences and support business growth across domestic and international markets.

Education

• Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

  MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2007 — 2009

• University of Virginia

  BA with Distinction, Latin American Studies

  1995 — 1998

Skills

• Coaching
• Six Sigma
• Business Strategy
• Nonprofits
• Event Management
• Leadership Development
• Event Planning
• Management
• Team Building
• Budgets
• Contract Negotiation
• Strategic Planning
• Public Speaking
• Resorts
• P&L Management
• Hotels
• Food
• Sales Management
• Negotiation
• Performance Management
• Forecasting
• Team Leadership
• Strategy
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Marketing
• Organizational Development
• Business Development
• Program Management
• Hospitality
• Training
• New Business Development
• Leadership
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Customer Service