SMG congratulates John Bolton, General Manager of the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center, on his nomination for 2nd Vice Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers Board of Directors. This prestigious honor denotes exemplary leadership and dedication to the Sport, Entertainment, and Convention/Exhibition Industry. In this role, Mr. Bolton will become a Senior Officer of the organization, a four (4) year term, ascending to the Chairman position in 2013-14.
Mr. Bolton is the General Manager of the SMG Tulsa/BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center and has served in this position since 2007. He has been in the industry since 1986, and joined SMG in 2003 as the General Manager of five venues in Evansville, Indiana.
“John Bolton is a great example of the talent we are fortunate to have at SMG. We are extremely proud that his dedication to the industry and local community is being recognized by this honor. The demonstrated success of the Tulsa BOK Center, as displayed by the numerous impressive events and awards for the facility, is evidence of his leadership ability. He has been a dedicated employee of SMG and we're delighted to see him achieve this well-deserved recognition from the industry's premier organization, IAVM,” said SMG President and CEO Wes Westley.
In 2008, Mr. Bolton won Venues Today's magazine “Hall of Headlines Award” for most outstanding bookings in addition to being nominated as “Facility Executive of the Year” by Pollstar magazine (2008 and 2009). The BOK Center under Bolton's leadership also has been recognized with nominations of New Major Concert Venue of the Year (2008) and Arena of the Year (2009 and 2010) by Pollstar Magazine, IEBA, and the Academy of Country Music. The arena routinely ranks among the best in the country, recently being ranked by Venues Today as the fourth best tour stop, based on concert and event grosses in 2010.
A member of IAVM since 1994, Mr. Bolton has served the industry as a volunteer member in many capacities, including Chair of the Professional Development Committee, Chair of Board of Governors for IAVM's Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell University, and served as the local host for the 2010 Arena Management Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Currently he is the Director for Region 6 and Chair of the Arenas Committee, and serves on the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors of IAVM.
“I am very humbled by the honor of representing an industry I love so much. IAVM and its programs and services have played a major role in the success I have enjoyed throughout my career. Having the opportunity to give back in a leadership role like this is truly a dream come true for me,” stated John Bolton, CFE.
“John Bolton is one of the rising stars of our industry. John has demonstrated unique imagination, creativity and drive, in his professional approach to venue management. He has been a valuable and productive member of our association through a myriad of volunteer positions and assignments and is a great choice for Second Vice Chair. IAVM will benefit significantly from his energy, skill and enthusiasm,” said John Christison, CFE, President & General Manager of the Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Washington.
John Bolton, CFE follows in the path of a great number of predecessors that, over the past 86 years, have helped to shape the industry, and ultimately, the communities we serve. IAVM members will vote on this nomination, and, if elected, Mr. Bolton will take office during the Annual Conference & Trade Show, VenueConnect, set for July 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona.
