SMG Also To Provide Consulting Services For the Coronado Performing Arts Center
West Conshohocken, PA (August 24, 2010) - At the Tuesday meeting of the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE), the Board finalized and approved a five year Management Agreement with SMG. SMG will provide full management services for the Rockford MetroCentre, an 8,000 seat arena that recently underwent a $23 Million renovation, the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, and Davis Park, a downtown park, amphitheatre and festival grounds.
SMG will also provide consulting services to the beautifully renovated, 2,309-seat Coronado Performing Arts Center, one of the nation’s few remaining atmospheric theatres. Additionally, SMG will immediately begin discussions with Rockford’s On the Waterfront organization to determine the best strategy for cooperation and collaboration for future festivals.
“We are delighted to be a partner of the forward thinking leadership of the Rockford area. This provides a unique opportunity for SMG to manage not just an arena, but its major tenant as well. As we have done in many other cities, we expect to be a major part of the renaissance of downtown Rockford and the entire metropolitan area,“ stated Wes Westley, President and CEO of SMG.
During the Board meeting, RAVE also voted to approve Gordon Kaye as Executive Director/General Manager to oversee the MetroCentre, the IceHogs and Davis Park. Kaye is in his sixth year as general manager of the Reading (PA) Royals Professional Hockey Club and also serves as the team’s governor. He was recommended by SMG to manage the activities in Rockford including bookings, food and beverage operations, marketing, and advertising and sponsorship sales. Kaye, who has been with SMG for seven years, will begin his new role immediately.
“There is so much positive momentum going on in downtown Rockford, and I look forward to help capitalize and build that energy in the community,” said Kaye. “That momentum combined with the exceptional people at the MetroCentre and great people in Rockford will lead to bigger and better things ahead.”
“We are thrilled to have a company like SMG and a leader like Gordon Kaye with experience and enthusiasm coming to our market,” said Mike Dunn, RAVE Board Chairman. “We look forward to his creative ideas and strong leadership to lead the organization into the future.”
