SMG Tulsa General Manager, John Bolton, Named IAVM Board Chair

John Bolton, SMG General Manager of the BOK Center and Cox Business Center, begins his one-year-term as Board Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) this week at the VenueConnect conference in New Orleans.

“I am honored to serve as IAVM Chairman because I understand the important role this organization plays in our industry and to venue managers,” Bolton said. “Through IAVM, I have been given so many incredible opportunities to grow in my career and have developed lifelong friendships with colleagues.

“The opportunity to lead the organization allows me to give back to an industry I love, while helping others achieve their goals,” Bolton added.

“I am thrilled to have John Bolton leading our Association in the coming year. His twenty years of venue industry expertise, collaborative nature, steady calm demeanor, and ability to focus people together on a common goal, give me no doubt that John will deliver results for our organization. I am confident he will take IAVM to new and exciting levels of support and inspiration for our members; and I am also happy to share this journey with a fellow Oklahoman,” added IAVM President and CEO Vicki Hawarden.

Mercedes Benz Superdome Crowned Venue of the Year at 2013 Stadium Business Awards

The New Orleans venue beat off strong competition from across the globe to lift the coveted prize, including London’s Olympic and Wembley Stadiums plus New York’s latest venue, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The glittering event, held in Manchester UK this June, celebrated a spectrum of achievements from the global stadium industry. Nominees from around the world attended the gala dinner hosted at Emirates Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Accepting the award for the Mercedes Benz Superdome from OnGoal CEO Robb Heineman, Tracey Short, SMG Europe’s New Business Development Director, said: “On behalf of Doug Thornton and his stellar team in New Orleans, and the entire SMG family, I’m honoured to accept the award for Venue Of The Year 2013. The SMG-operated Mercedes Benz Superdome has proudly served the community of New Orleans for many years and we’re delighted their hard work and investment has been applauded by the industry.”

Opened in 1975, the stadium has hosted the biggest names from the world of live music and sport including The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali and a record seven Super Bowls.

Sue McCarthy, F&B Director for SMG Europe’s Manchester Arena, was nominated in the Unsung Hero Award category by SMG Europe POS provider Agilysis. The leading hospitality software developer also picked up the Industry Supplier Award and SMG’s WiFi partner, Extricom, also won in the Product Innovation category.

Ken Noakes Hired as GM of St. Catharines Spectator Facility

SMG Canada, the Canadian arm of SMG, the worldwide leader in public assembly facility management, is pleased to announce that Ken Noakes has been hired as General Manager of the new St. Catharines Spectator Facility in St. Catharines, Ontario. Noakes was recently the General Manager at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston, ON and has been in regional position with SMG Canada, supporting business development and consulting efforts in the region and throughout Canada.

“Ken is a valuable member of our team and has done a great job leading our efforts in Kingston and with other assignments throughout Canada,” said Harry Cann, Senior Regional Vice President of Operations at SMG. “He is a seasoned industry veteran and we look forward to Ken contributing to the success of the new venue in St. Catharines which we are all very excited about. The City will benefit substantially from Ken’s expertise and leadership.”

Noakes brings over 20 years of facility management experience to the job, with his most recent position being General Manager of the 5,000-seat K-Rock Centre in Kingston. He has served as General Manager of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C. and the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, and also held positions at the Corel Centre in Ottawa, and the SkyDome in Toronto.

Paula Abdul's IGNITE! Spark the Moment

Paula Abdul and SMG are excited to announce Paula Abdul's IGNITE Cheer & Dance Championship coming SMG-managed convention centers in 2014!

"Cheerleading as a sport keeps evolving into higher levels of technique, skill, and true athleticism. When you combine the cutting-edge stunts and gymnastics of cheerleading with the technique and elegant fluidity of dance, these athletes become the total package. I attribute my career success to the fusion of cheerleading and dance." -- Paula Abdul

On the Red Carpet at the Launch Party

For more information or to register visit www.paulaabdulignite.com. Don't miss the Cheer and Dance Championship at these SMG-managed facilities: Rhode Island Convention Center, North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, and Shreveport Convention Center.

Blue Cross Arena General Manager Honored

Jeff Calkins, SMG General Manager of the Blue Cross Arena will be honored as the 2013 Recipient of the Charles Wagner Award at the Rochester Press Radio Club’s 64th Annual Day of Champions Children’s Charity Dinner on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The award recognizes an individual in the Rochester community who has made major contributions to local sports. The Blue Cross Arena is the home to the Rochester Amerks (AHL), Knighthawks (NLL), Razorsharks (PBL), and Lancers (MISL). Calkins has been instrumental in bringing many annual sporting events to the arena, including St. Bonaventure Basketball, RIT Hockey, Section 5 High School tournament, the Atlantic Hockey Association Championship, and several NCAA events.

He is active in the community, serving on Rochester Downtown Services board, and countless charity fundraising efforts, including Camp Good Days & Special Times, the Rochester Rotary, and the Badge of Honor Foundation for Fallen Officers.

He and his wife, Liz Vega, reside in Pittsford, NY with their daughters, Claire and Margaret. His son, Ben, resides in Seattle and works for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers will be the featured speaker at the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s Day of Champions Dinner and receive the Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Tulsa Approves New Arena, Convention Center Management Agreement with SMG

The Tulsa Public Facilities Authority (TPFA) late yesterday unanimously approved a new 5-year contract with SMG to continue management of both the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center. SMG has managed both venues since 2006 including pre-opening and grand opening of the BOK Center.

“SMG could not be more excited to continue our partnership with the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority. The BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center are benchmarks in our organization and exemplify the standard of excellence SMG strives for in venue management,” said SMG President and CEO Wes Westley.

The BOK Center has been an industry standout since opening in 2008 receiving numerous industry awards including a nomination as Pollstar Magazine’s Best New Major Concert Venue (2008), multiple nominations for Pollstar’s Arena of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012), nominations for Academy of Country Music’s Venue of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012) and Pollstar’s Facility Executive of the Year awarded to General Manager John Bolton (2012).  In 2011, the International Association of Venue Managers named the BOK Center as the top arena in the world receiving the coveted Venue Excellence Award.

“SMG’s management of the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center has been truly remarkable.  Their leadership has provided the perfect example of a successful public-private partnership for Tulsa.  Did I mention Paul McCartney TWICE (in May, 2013)? I wholeheartedly support the work they have done and look forward to working with them for many years to come,” said Dewey Bartlett, Mayor of the City of Tulsa.

Since opening in 2008, the BOK Center has hosted the country’s top tours including the Eagles, George Strait, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Bon Jovi, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The venue has also hosted the nation’s top level sporting events including the 2011 NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Championship 2nd & 3rd Rounds, Bassmaster Classic, Conference USA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship and multiple Oklahoma City Thunder pre-season games.

“The venues in Tulsa have exceeded expectations on so many levels.  For Tulsa to consistently outperform larger markets in ticket sales is a credit to the tremendous enthusiasm and support Tulsans have for the BOK Center,” commented John Bolton, General Manager for SMG in Tulsa.

In the five years under SMG management, the Tulsa Convention Center has seen tremendous success and with year to year successive operating subsidy reductions.  With Vision 2025 funding, the state’s largest ballroom was added to the Convention Center space in 2010. SMG’s experience and input regarding the Convention Center’s original arena led to its major refurbishing and an up-to-date remodel of the arena suites; both being vital factors in booking such major events as Bassmaster and NCAA and also in the acquisition of two new tenant teams (the Oklahoma Defenders and the Tulsa Revolution).  SMG has also negotiated a naming rights deal for the Convention Center which will become effective in the very near future.

Joe Romano, SMG’s Senior Regional Vice President, added that Tulsa is one of the hottest markets in the United States.

“It has been a real honor for SMG to be a part of one of the most successful arena and convention center projects in the last decade.  Tulsa’s tremendous political leadership and SMG’s dominance in the industry has produced a stellar record of success that is the envy of many venues throughout the country,” Romano said.

The BOK Center is the home of the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA and the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.  The Tulsa Convention Center plays host to the Tulsa Project Theatre, Oklahoma Defenders (Arena Football), and the Tulsa Revolution (Indoor Soccer).

Reliant Stadium to Host Super Bowl LI

National Football League team owners have awarded Super Bowl LI to Houston following a highly competitive bidding process that brought together a multitude of local public agencies and private entities.

The biggest single game in American sports will be played at Reliant Stadium in February 2017 bringing a multitude of visitors, unprecedented global media attention and tremendous economic impact to Houston. NFL owners awarded both the 2016 and 2017 games at their Spring Meeting today in Boston. San Francisco will host Super Bowl L in 2016.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am for Houston in being selected as the site for the 2017 Super Bowl,” says Houston Texans owner Bob McNair. “This is a worldwide stage that will be constructed in Houston and the world will be watching. It’s an opportunity to showcase our wonderful city, the NFL and the Super Bowl all at the same time.”

The Houston Super Bowl Bid Committee, led by Chairman Ric Campo, submitted the final bid to each of the NFL team owners on May 8. The formal presentation was made earlier today by Campo and NRG Energy CEO, David Crane. Secretary James Baker, serving as Honorary Chair for the committee, delivered a compelling video message.

“Our bid is first class,” stated Baker. “Super Bowl LI in Houston will make the NFL very, very proud.”

“We’ve accomplished what we set out to do,” said Campo. “Thanks to the support and efforts of Mayor Parker, Judge Emmett and the entire Houston Bid Committee, we’re bringing another Super Bowl back to Houston. Our plans for the international celebration leading up to the game will create an unprecedented fan experience for Super Bowl LI.”

Details of the 10-day festival, to be called “Super Bowl El Centro”, and other plans will be revealed tomorrow in Houston during a press conference and Committee celebration.