The SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena (Wichita, Kan.) was nominated for the Best New Major Concert Venue award by Pollstar Magazine. A total of four nominated venues were announced last Friday including the SMG-managed Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.) along with the 1stBank Center (Broomfield, Colo.) and Williamsburg Waterfront (Brooklyn, N.Y.). The winner will be announced February 5, 2011 at the 22nd Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards and Party at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Pollstar is a weekly trade magazine for the concert industry. Voting is done by Pollstar subscribers and takes place between November 12 and December 17.
A.J. Boleski, General Manager of the Arena said: “We are thrilled with this nomination. INTRUST Bank Arena is world-class facility with a staff that has worked tirelessly this past year to provide top-notch service to tours, artists and our front-of-house guests. To be recognized by our peers is a tremendous honor.”
The $206 million dollar venue opened in January of 2010 and is owned by Sedgwick County.
Sedgwick County Manager Bill Buchanan commented: "Sedgwick County is pleased to hear INTRUST Bank Arena has been nominated for this honor. We believe the new Arena has helped encourage top performers to come to our community, and the outstanding ticket sales have demonstrated that Wichita has a great base of fans for all types of entertainment."
Since opening with a sold-out Brad Paisley concert, INTRUST Bank Arena has hosted 25 of Pollstar’s top-100 touring acts in 2010 including: George Strait with Reba, Elton John and Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Walking with Dinosaurs, Nickelback, Star Wars In Concert, Daughtry, Brooks and Dunn, Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum, Michael Bublé, Eagles, Rascal Flatts, Celtic Woman, Dave Matthews Band, Rush, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band.
Several major events are scheduled through the end of 2010 including: Dane Cook, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Barney, Wichita State University / University of Tulsa men’s basketball and Cirque du Soleil.
