Robert Howell

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | robert@doverhall.com​

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Some of Robert’s producing career highlights include seminal music videos for MTV; concerts & festivals that included Radiohead, Coldplay, and Dave Matthews Band; creating brand strategies for craft beer festivals; producing technology-based TV shows for the Discovery Channel; and securing keynote speakers like Ted Danson and Dr. Sylvia Earle for sustainability events. He learned early that great experiences don't happen by accident, but by meticulous planning and organizing teams to execute the creative vision for the client. In 2012, he pivoted away from line production and brought his producer's mindset to the creation, promotion, and marketing of events.

 

At Robert’s first interview at Dover Hall Experiences, he declared his goal to get Dover Hall recognized as the “Best Venue in Richmond,” and to elevate its reputation in the Mid-Atlantic/DMV region. He wrote in his presentation he wanted Dover Hall mentioned in the same breath as Montage Palmetto Bluff where Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin got married in 2019.

 

Two years later, through the relentless dedication and exceptional skills of Dover Hall’s event management, culinary, and facilities teams, Robert’s audacious goal was not only met but exceeded when Condé Nast Johansens named Dover Hall the “Best Venue in North America for Weddings, Parties, and Celebrations” in 2025. Dover Hall repeated this significant achievement in 2026.

 

Beyond expanding Dover Hall's recognition as one of the top event venues nationally, Robert drives growth for 7 Lady Vineyards and its wine club. Working in collaboration with Chad, Jeff and the Events Team, Robert produces and manages day-to-day operations of the 7LV Wine Club Program with membership currently at 400 Members, prior to its new California-style Tasting room being completed. This work includes eCommerce & Web Design; wine club membership and allocations automation; reporting, inventory and data management; fulfillment, shipping, tracking, and tax compliance.

 

Presently, Robert is leveraging the latest AI tools to launch Dover Hall Academy with Jamie Ashenburg, VP of Operations. Dover Hall Academy is an employee learning program designed to speed the training and growth of new team members to hospitality Rockstars across DHE’s venues. This initiative underscores Robert's commitment to fostering an employee culture of lifetime learning, innovation, continuous improvement and excellence.

 

When not working, Robert and his wife, Emily, enjoy the outdoors, playing pickleball and spending time on Maine's Great Cranberry Island. They also curate Mystic Osprey Gallery in Richmond. Mystic Osprey represents fine artists who celebrate nature, wildlife and conservation, a mission inspired by his love of New England’s transcendentalist writers, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

 

• Joined the team: 2023

• Hometown: Originally from Connecticut, Robert spent two decades in New York City's East Village before making Virginia home.

• Nerdiest Thing About Me: In my spare time I experiment with new AI applications and workflows.

• Unfulfilled Job Bucket Item: Utilizing my NYC contacts to have Dave Matthews, Brandi Carlile, or Bob Weir perform a private engagement at Dover Hall for one of our wedding clients

• What Drives Me: Empowering our talented event producers & sales managers to move beyond how they’ve always done it. “There’s no reason for people to produce shows and events like we did 15 years ago. The toolbox has changed.”