2012 Marks Another Stellar Year for SMG & SAVOR

SMG, the world leader in venue management, saw 2012 bring a number of facility top stops, industry recognition, and the start of what appears to be an even bigger and better 2013.

“Year-after-year the industry recognition received by our SMG people and facilities is very gratifying. We manage marquee facilities, provide marquee food services, and do it all with marquee people. It gives me great pleasure to see them receiving the recognition they so truly deserve,” said SMG President & CEO, Wes Westley

SMG managed facilities garnered numerous industry recognitions including 16 “top stops” in Venues Today, nominations for Arena of the Year for Coliseo de Puerto Rico and BOK Center (Tulsa, OK) from Pollstar Magazine plus Billboard Magazine recognition of 1st Mariner Arena in their Top 10 year end charts.

Venues recognized by Venues Today as “Year End Top Stops” include:

SMG stadiums

• Reliant Stadium (Houston)

• Soldier Field (Chicago)

SMG Arenas:

• Coliseo de Puerto Rico (Hato Rey)

• 1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore, MD)

• Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ)

• Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids, MI)

• Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, FL)

• Save Mart Center (Fresno, CA)

• INTRUST Bank Arena (Wichita, KS)

• Huntington Center (Toledo, OH)

• Mohegan Sun Arena (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

• K Rock Centre (Kingston, ON)

• Sovereign Center (Reading, PA)

SMG Theaters:

• Landmark Theatre (Richmond, VA)

• Sovereign Performing Arts Center (Reading, PA)

• Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (Odessa, TX)

Members of the SMG family were also recognized within the industry with “Hall of Headlines Awards“ in Venues Today:

• Sarah Haertl for creative marketing ideas at Intrust Bank Arena

• Chef Vincent Lai of SAVOR…McCormick Place Chicago for his culinary creations.



2013 will begin with a bang as SMG is proud to welcome two new venues set to open in 2013:

• Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska

• Leeds Arena in the United Kingdom

SMG Announces Hiring of Kelly Carr as General Manager for Syracuse’s Oncenter

SMG, the worldwide leader of public assembly facility management, announces the selection of Kelly Carr as the new general manager for The Oncenter in Syracuse, New York.

“The selection of SMG veteran Kelly Carr as general manager will continue the momentum first generated in July when SMG began managing this unique venue,” said Bob McClintock, SMG's senior vice president for convention center operations. “Kelly's personal expertise, combined with SMG's booking network, client base and other resources, will undoubtedly propel The Oncenter to greater prominence and success.”

SMG assumed managerial responsibility for the facility from The Oncenter Management Corporation on July 1 and retained the existing staff.

Hired by SMG in 2004, Carr was most recently the director of sales & marketing for the Albuquerque Convention Center, where his team exceeded sales expectations and he served as the liaison between the facility and the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau and Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

“Kelly Carr will be a great addition to The Oncenter team,” said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.  “We are confident that Kelly has the experience to hit the ground running and we welcome him to central New York.”

SMG Wins Operational Management Contract for Bahia Urbana

SMG Latin America has won the management and operation contract of Bahia Urbana from the Government of Puerto Rico. Old San Juan's Bahia Urbana is a key project designed to impact and enhance the quality of life of Puerto Ricans forever.

“Puerto Rico is much more than a fantastic destination, ideal for tourists looking for pristine beaches and the Caribbean flavors,” said Wes Wesley President of SMG. “These islands are fertile territory to create and sustain modern and eco-friendly attraction sites for its residents. We are honored to strengthen and diversify our relationship with Puerto Rico.”

“The opportunity to bring new things to the Puerto Rican family and tourists who visit us every day is a privilege and our responsibility. We are bringing attractions targeted to revitalize and enhance the urban life for people in and around our beautiful San Juan Bay, surrounded by green spaces that will create new entertainment experiences for the enjoyment of all our visitors,” said Jochi Dávila, SMG Latin America Business Development Vice President, who worked sales and spearheaded the efforts to win the management contract.

“This project is the transformation of fully damaged and abandoned industrial areas into new clean spaces designed to create a unique experience: the perfect urban mix of beach, city and future,” explained Dávila, who added that Bahia Urbana is scheduled to open to the public at the end of the year.

SMG in the News: McCormick Place Hosts 2012 Presidential Election Night Celebrations

From Venues Today:

McCormick Place and Savor hosted more than 15,000 ticketed guests, along with media and, of course, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their families and friends for election night celebrations on Nov. 6.
According to Connie Chambers, Savor general manager at McCormick Place, the building and staff had about three weeks' notice to prepare to host the event.
“It's definitely a compressed timeframe,” said Chambers, adding that normally they would have several months in advance to get ready. However, McCormick Place had hosted the NATO summit just six months prior, which familiarized the staff with working with and the expectations of the Secret Service. Chambers added that some of the Secret Service agents who worked the election night event were the same who worked the summit, which made things easier. “We're really trained … I hate to say [it's] easy because it really isn't,” said Chambers. “But, certainly we knew who we were going to go to and what their expectations were.”

Read more at VenuesToday

SMG Tulsa Honored as Great Company to Work For

SMG Tulsa, the management company for both the BOK Center and the Tulsa Convention Center, is recognized as one of “2012 Great Companies to Work For” in the December 2012 issue of Oklahoma Magazine. The annual list recognizes employers who were nominated and then voted on through a panel review.

“We are honored to be recognized as a ‘Great Company to Work For',” said SMG General Manager John Bolton. “We have an excellent team of employees who take great pride in working for SMG and representing the City of Tulsa. It's always nice to be recognized publicly for those efforts.”

SMG Tulsa was specifically highlighted for its charitable giving within the community. SMG Rocks is the charitable arm of SMG Tulsa and was specifically created to allow employees the opportunity to give back to the community as a part of their job. The committee meets regularly to determine which charities it will support and the best way to contribute. Contributions include donations to United Way, in kind donations of supplies, food drives and volunteering.

SMG & SAVOR Understand the Importance of Being Green

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, held November 25 - 30 at McCormick Place in Chicago, has several "green" initiatives in place to minimize the environmental impact of the world's largest radiology forum.

RSNA has joined with McCormick Place, Savor Catering Services and Chicago hotels and restaurants in implementing more than two dozen recycling and conservation efforts throughout the 2012 RSNA annual meeting.

"A green meeting means we're planning and practicing ways that will minimize the impact our meeting may have on the environment," said Janet Cooper, C.M.P., director of Convention Operations for RSNA.

Noting that interest in sustainable meeting practices has been growing over the last five years, Cooper cited the aim of the Green Meeting Industry Council.

"Our capacity as planners and suppliers to act in partnership to minimize waste, purchase responsibly and educate delegates has the potential to benefit the environment, our economic bottom line, ourselves and generations that will come after us," she said.

Green initiatives at McCormick Place at RSNA 2011 led to an environmental waste diversion rate of 64 percent, up 1 percent from 2010. RSNA diverted more than 244 tons of materials from the landfill. Conservation initiatives saved 3,803 trees, 85,015 gallons of oil, 917,719 kilowatts of electricity, 733 yards of landfill space and 1,566,073 gallons of water. In addition, the food service company, SAVOR, donated 2,100 pounds of food to a Chicago-area food bank.

DeVos Place Recognized As Most Sustainable

Altogether SMG-managed Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place were up for three separate Downtown Awards this year. The Downtown Awards is a program to recognize exceptional accomplishments in the ongoing investment in downtown Grand Rapids through seven different categories. Now, the Downtown Alliance has announced the winners and DeVos Place is among the list.

Having enacted a variety of tactics to make DeVos Place energy efficient and sustainable, downtown Grand Rapids' own convention center was awarded a Downtown Award in the category of Sustainability. DeVos Place is committed to increasing economic and environmental efficiency by minimizing the use of resources and reducing the amount of waste produced from meetings, banquets and trade shows. Within this past year, DeVos Place has also installed two electric car charging stations to continue their efforts.

“I'm sure I can speak for everyone at SMG Grand Rapids when I say we are humbled to be recognized for these very special awards. There are many great organizations and entities downtown who are doing spectacular things, so for The Downtown Awards, coming from community members who see what we do day in and day out, to recognize us for our green efforts is truly rewarding,” said Richard MacKeigan, SMG Regional General Manager for DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena.

A leader amongst venues, DeVos Place emphasizes reduce, reuse and recycle practices to become as energy efficient as possible. We have adopted the latest methodologies in sustainability into practice, such as a membrane style roof that is light in color to help reflect heat away from the building, thereby reducing energy costs. To help minimize power usage, the building also uses a computer controlled lighting and HVAC system. The system is designed to control lights, heating and cooling during peak event activities.

SMG-Managed Venues Receive Two Pollstar Awards Nominations

SMG-managed venues received two nominations for the 24th annual Pollstar Awards. The BOK Center (Tulsa, Okla.) was nominated for Arena of the Year, and the Coliseo de Puerto Rico (San Juan, PR) received an International Venue of the Year nomination.

“We are extremely proud to have two SMG-managed facilities nominated for Pollstar awards,” said SMG President and Chief Executive Officer Wes Westley. “The BOK Center and the Coliseo de Puerto Rico are both shining examples of the type of management SMG provides and are very deserving of the nominations.”

This is the fourth consecutive year the BOK Center has been nominated for a Pollstar award. The venue, which opened in the fall of 2008, was nominated for Best New Major Concert Venue in 2009 and Arena of the Year in 2010 and 2011. General Manager John Bolton won Facility Executive of the Year in 2011.

The BOK Center hosted many of the top industry tours in 2012 including Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL – Cirque du Soleil, George Strait, The Black Keys, Roger Waters “The Wall Live”, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks, Kiss and Motley Crue, Journey, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. Still on the schedule for 2012 are Carrie Underwood, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Eric Church and Cirque du Soleil Dralion.

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico won the International Large Venue of the Year award in 2005 and was nominated for the same award in 2006.

The Coliseo de Puerto Rico also hosted many of the top tours in 2012 including Luis Fonsi, Ricardo Arjona, Encuentro – Robi Draco Rosa, Juan Luis Guerra and Ruben Blades, Ednita Nazario, Lady Gaga, Il Volo and Pitbull with Michel Telo. Still on the calendar for 2012 are Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco, Creed and Jennifer Lopez with Wisin and Yandel.

The winners are determined by Pollstar subscribers and will be announced at the 24th Annual Pollstar Awards on February 7, 2013 in Los Angeles.

SMG Convention Centers Receive Nine ConventionSouth Reader’s Choice Awards

Nine SMG-managed convention centers have received 2012 annual Reader's Choice Awards from “ConventionSouth” magazine, the meeting planning industry's top trade publication in the Southeast.

“The staff at SMG Convention Centers are the best in the industry and always deliver a great experience for our guests. We're proud that their hard work has been recognized by the readers of ‘ConventionSouth' with this important award,” said SMG Senior Vice President Bob McClintock.

Award recipients were selected from sites nominated by professional meeting planners throughout the year for exemplary customer service and excellent amenities. More than 1,500 voters participated this year in the selection process. “The value in receiving this prestigious recognition is that it comes from the United States' top meeting professionals who book events held in the South,” said “ConventionSouth” Publisher J. Talty O'Connor.

The SMG Convention Centers will be featured as award recipients in the December 2012 Awards Issue of “ConventionSouth” magazine, which is distributed to more than 18,000 meeting professionals located across the county who book meetings. Celebrating 30 years as a leading meeting planning resource, “ConventionSouth” magazine is based in Gulf Shores, Ala.

SMG Convention Centers receiving the 2012 Reader's Choice Award from “ConventionSouth”:
• Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (Savannah, GA)
• Shreveport Convention Center (Shreveport, LA)
• Jackson Convention Complex (Jackson, MS)
• Wilmington Convention Center (Wilmington, NC)
• Cox Convention Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Tulsa Convention Center (Tulsa, OK)
• Knoxville Convention Center (Knoxville, TN)
• Ford Park Event Center (Beaumont, TX)
• Hampton Roads Convention Center (Hampton Roads, VA)

Christine Pileckas Name Named INTRUST Bank Arena's Director of Sales and Marketing

SMG announced today the promotion of Christine Pileckas to Director of Sales and Marketing for INTRUST Bank Arena. Pileckas previously served as Marketing Manager for the venue since 2010. “Christine has worked extremely hard during the past two years advertising and publicizing shows at INTRUST Bank Arena and has helped our facility to be a constant leader within the arena marketing field,” said General Manager, A.J. Boleski. “Her vision and drive has also enabled our venue to have a much stronger presence in all areas of social media. “We greatly appreciate Christine's passion for the industry and dedication to our facility and look forward to seeing her lead our Sales and Marketing Department to a new level of success in the future.”

As Marketing Manager, Pileckas was responsible for event marketing including negotiating advertising buys for shows, event public relations and the venue's social media. While at INTRUST Bank Arena, Pileckas has been nominated for the Venues Today Magazine Hall of Headlines Award in 2011 and 2012 and was responsible for the INTRUST Bank Arena's inclusion in the Venues Today Social Media Power 100 Chart.

“I am very excited to take the next step in my career with SMG at INTRUST Bank Arena,” said Pileckas. “Wichita is a great community for live entertainment and INTRUST Bank Arena is a top venue to work in. Furthering my career path at this facility is a great opportunity and I'm thrilled to get started in my new role.” As the Director of Sales and Marketing, Pileckas will oversee the arena's event marketing, sponsorship sales, premium seating, venue public relations and industry advertising.

Prior to INTRUST Bank Arena, Pileckas spent more than two years at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. as Marketing Manager. Pileckas is originally from Mechanicsburg, Pa. and graduated from West Chester University (West Chester, Pa.) with a bachelor's degree in marketing.

SMG Receives Two 2012 Hall of Headlines Awards

November 13, 2012 – SMG, the world leader in venue management, received two awards in the 2012 Venues Today Hall of Headlines, the annual awards given to people who are making headlines and events within the venue industry. SMG's Sarah Haertl and SAVOR chef Vincent Lai were voted best in their categories, marketing and concessions respectively. Haertl and Lai will be showcased and caricatured in The Venues Today Year-End Issue December 2012.

“We congratulate Sarah and Vincent on their 2012 Venues Today Hall of Headlines Awards and our proud of our 8 other SMG nominees,” said Wes Westley, President and CEO of SMG.

Sarah Haertl, Former Director of Sales/Marketing/SMG at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. won for a 4 part trade advertising campaign with each ad highlighting a specific customer service initiative offered to promoters, tours and artists from the building. Haertl has since moved to BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., but looking at numbers for 2012, Intrust Bank Arena ranked #47 and #51 in the first two Social Media Power rankings in Venues Today. Haertl created a campaign that was unique and eye-catching and highlighted specific qualities that set the venue apart from others in the industry and response from promoters and industry peers has been incredibly positive.

Vincent Lai, Chef for SMG's SAVOR... Chicago at McCormick Place for cooking for 19,000 for the NATO Summit held at McCormick Place in May. There were more than 7,500 individual delegates with an additional 5,000 foreign ministers in attendance and support staff. More than 2,000 members of the media were reporting back to their countries. With more than 2,000 journalists present and reporting on a job well done, their objective was to give their visitors a taste of Chicago and they made sure each visitor left the Windy City craving more.

INTRUST Bank Arena Breaks Attendance Record at Oklahoma City Thunder Game

October 26, 2012 (Wichita, Kan.) – The SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena set a new attendance record at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA preseason game Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The sold out game was the highest attended event in the Arena's history, reaching the maximum capacity of 15,004.

"We are humbled by the loyal support of our fans in Wichita – culminating with the record attendance at INTRUST Bank Arena,” said Brian Byrnes, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Oklahoma City Thunder. “Our players, coaches and staff appreciate the enthusiastic environment and look forward to returning again soon.”

“Playing a preseason game in Wichita was our opportunity to extend the Thunder fan experience throughout southern Kansas. The strong support is illustrated by the demand for tickets and merchandise as well as the commitment from our partners with Fox Sports Midwest, which will televise virtually the entire Thunder broadcast schedule this season."

The match-up between the Thunder and the Mavericks marked the last preseason game for Oklahoma City, who defeated Dallas 88-76. This was the first time INTRUST Bank Arena has hosted an NBA game since opening its doors in January 2010.

“The way the Wichita community supported and embraced this event was incredible, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the record attendance we achieved,” said AJ Boleski, SMG General Manager. “The Oklahoma City Thunder is a first-class organization. Their partnership with Fox Sports Midwest allowed us to showcase our facility to a regional audience and we truly look forward to a longstanding relationship between INTRUST Bank Arena and the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

Romney to Make a Campaign Stop at SMG-Managed Pensacola Bay Center

WHAT: Victory Rally w/ Mitt Romney & the GOP Team
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
WHEN: Saturday, October 27 at 11:15 am (Doors at 9:15 am)
PRICES: FREE
TICKETS: http://pensacolarally.eventbrite.com


For questions, contact us at: TeamFL@mittromney.com | (813) 644-2493
For Important Campaign Updates: Text (FL) to GOMITT (466488)

All attendees will go through airport-like security and should bring as
few personal items as possible. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids,
or signs will be allowed in the venue. Cameras are permitted.

SMG Garners 8 Nominations in the 2012 Venues Today Hall of Headlines

SMG has received 8 nominations in the 2012 Venues Today Hall of Headlines, the annual awards given to headline – making people and events within the venue industry. The SMG venues are represented in three categories: news, booking and concessions. Winners will be showcased and caricatured in The Venues Today Year-End Issue December 2012.

“We congratulate all the SMG nominees and are proud of their achievements across many disciplines of venue management including new business, event booking, event marketing and food service,” said Wes Westley, President and CEO of SMG.

Moscone Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced Moscone Center has received LEED Gold certification, the first convention center on the West Coast to attain the green building honor. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“Moscone Center is a vital hub for our convention and tourism economy, and we are very proud to have the first convention center on the West Coast to earn LEED Gold for an existing building,” said Mayor Lee. “This is now our City's largest municipally-owned green building. Receiving LEED Gold on the Moscone Center demonstrates once again that San Francisco is at the center of sustainability and innovation.”

SMG to Manage Miami Knight Center

On September 27, 2012, the Miami City Commission approved the selection of SMG to manage the James L. Knight Center effective October 24, 2012. The unanimous decision to change management firms follows a request for proposals issued by the city earlier this year.

“As we transition this important downtown asset, we will immediately seek to improve service levels, and key relationships with strategic partners including local hoteliers and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. By providing staff with additional resources we will help grow market share in both the meetings and entertainment sectors served by the Knight Center,” said Gregg Caren, SMG Senior Vice President for Strategic Business Development.

The Knight Center includes the Miami Conference and Conference Center, 28,000 square foot Riverfront Hall, and a 4,600-seat proscenium theater that has hosted everyone from Ricky Martin to Lady Gaga. Directly connected to the 612-room Hyatt Regency Miami, the complex has been at the heart of Miami's vibrant downtown since 1982.

“We are very pleased to see The Knight Center join the SMG network. SMG has an incredible legacy of more than 30 years of first-class management, commitment to its clients and employees, and highest quality service standards. We look forward to working with SMG and their team as they take Knight Center to the next level,” said Henry Torre, Director of Public Facilities for the City of Miami.

SMG will take over operational responsibilities from Global Spectrum, who held the contract since 1997.

During the RFP process, a professional selection committee unanimously ranked SMG as the most qualified firm to manage the center. “We are pleased to partner with SMG,” said Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez.” The Knight Center provides world class meetings, conventions and concerts and SMG is the leader in each of these sectors. This is a partnership that will benefit everyone in the Greater Miami area.”

INTRUST Bank Arena Ranks 33rd in the United States in Top Arena Venue

The SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena finished the third quarter of 2012 ranked 33rd in the United States and 67th in the world according to Pollstar's Top 200 Arena Venues. The rankings reflect tickets sold worldwide for shows played between 1/1/12 and 9/30/12.

“It's an honor to be ranked as a top arena not only in the United States, but in the world,” said General Manager AJ Boleski. “We have a strong lineup of upcoming events for the remainder of 2012 and look forward to continuing to bring world class entertainment to Wichita.”

Upcoming events include the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA preseason game (October 24), Carrie Underwood (October 27), Aerosmith (November 11), Batman Live (November 13-14), Trans-Siberian Orchestra (December 5), Eric Church (December 8) and a Wichita State men's basketball game (December 22).

Additional event and ticket information is available at www.intrustbankarena.com.

Michael Krouse Named President & CEO of the Ontario Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

SMG alongside the City of Ontario today announced that Michael Krouse has been named President and CEO of the Ontario Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, effective immediately.

In this capacity Krouse will oversee the day-to-day management of the facility as well as play a key role in business development, helping to attract new conventions, meetings and events to the premier Ontario facility. 

The City owned facility is professionally managed by SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development with a specialty in operations of municipal facilities throughout the US.

“With his more than two decades of experience Michael has a proven track record of success in the hospitality and convention center business,” said Bob McClintock, Senior Vice President Operations at SMG. “While working through a rigorous selection process, Michael's experience increasing yearly convention bookings in the City of Los Angeles made him the ideal choice for this position. I'm confident that the City of Ontario will benefit substantially from Michael's expertise.”

Most recently Krouse served as the Senior Vice President of Sales & Client Services for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB) making him responsible for managing the organization's meetings and convention sales and client services departments.  In that position he also had direct oversight of the Los Angeles Convention Center Citywide Convention Sales.  

 “The Ontario Convention Center and Visitors Bureau is a well-respected institution, and I am truly honored that SMG and the City of Ontario have entrusted me to build upon their success,” said Krouse.  “Having been directly involved with the nation's 16th largest convention center, I have become keenly aware of the success and reputation SMG has earned at so many of these venues.  I am proud to join their team in helping to grow Ontario's market share.”

DCU Center General Manager Receives State Award

DCU Center's General Manager, Sandra L. Dunn has been nominated and selected to receive the Larry D. Meehan Award, given by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

The Massachusetts Annual Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism is the premier annual gathering of the Commonwealth's tourism industry. Now in its 25th year, the conference will be held on Massachusetts Day, Thursday, Sept 20, at the BIG E in West Springfield.

Since 1997, Dunn has held the position of General Manager for the city-owned Arena and Convention Center in Worcester, MA. Dunn oversaw the construction and grand opening of the Convention Center in 1997 and has taken a leadership role in the current 17.5M expansion and renovation project of the 14,500 seat Arena. She has been an instrumental contributor to Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worcester region for more than 15 years, having served on several volunteer boards and participated in many community outreach programs. Currently, Dunn serves on the Worcester Municipal Research Bureau Board of Directors (Former Chair), Worcester Business Development Corporation Board of Directors, Worcester Sharks Booster Club (Member), Destination Worcester Executive Committee and Economic Development Coordinating Council Committee.

SMG's Rockefeller Receives Women of Distinction Award

SMG Tulsa's Janet Rockefeller was honored with the Women of Distinction Award Tuesday by the Tulsa Business Journal. The annual award honors accomplished female professionals in the local business community. Rockefeller is assistant general manager of the Tulsa Convention Center where she has worked for more than 15 years.

“I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Janet,” SMG General Manager of the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center John Bolton said. “Her passion and enthusiasm for the Tulsa Convention Center can be seen all throughout the building, especially in the new Tulsa Ballroom.”

Rockefeller serves on numerous boards throughout the community including the Metro Tulsa Hotel and Lodging Association. She's also a member of Rotary, the OneVoice Regional Tourism Task Force and a volunteer for Junior Achievement.

SMG and JAM Theatricals set to take the reins at the National Theatre in Washington, DC

The Trustees of the National Theatre Corporation (NTC), in Washington, D.C.,  are announcing  that they have entered into an arrangement with Chicago-based JAM Theatricals, Ltd. and Philadelphia area-based SMG that will expand the presentations at the historic National Theatre to include an annual Broadway series, concerts, leading classical artists and other attractions.  JAM and SMG are combining to provide booking, advertising, marketing and promotional services, venue management and operational support for the Theatre.

Located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the National Theatre opened in 1835 and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the nation.  Over the years, the Theatre has hosted a multitude of memorable events, including the pre-Broadway presentation of the musicals Showboat, Hello Dolly! and West Side Story.  Many of the world's greatest performers have graced the National Theatre stage including Robert Redford, George C. Scott, Will Rogers, Helen Hayes, James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, Sir Laurence Olivier, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Katherine and Audrey Hepburn and Sting.

Situated just three blocks from the White House, the Theatre has entertained U.S. Presidents  since Andrew Jackson.  Winston Churchill himself once spoke from the National Theatre stage.

“We are truly excited about the future prospects for the National Theatre with this new management team,” said Sterling Tucker, President of the NTC Board.  “Our discussions with JAM and SMG helped us envision the potential for increased and diverse programming at the National.”  NTC Executive Director Tom Lee added, “I am personally delighted over the prospect of bringing a broad variety of artists and attractions to the National Theatre stage.”

Steve Traxler, President of JAM Theatricals stated, “JAM Theatricals is happy to have an opportunity to work with NTC and SMG to present Broadway musicals and plays in the Nation's Capital, and we look forward to adding to the rich cultural history of this Theatre.”  Arny Granat, JAM's Chairman, added, “Washington is a great city and the National is a great venue.  We want to work with people in the community to encourage bringing more shows to this historic theatre.”

Bob Papke, SMG's Vice President of Theaters echoed the sentiment, saying, “SMG looks forward to working with NTC and Jam Theatricals to bring the very best performers and events to the residents of the Metro area.”

Rabobank Arena & Theater Wrap Up Highly-Successful August

The summer of 2012 ended with numerous sold out performances at Rabobank Arena and Theater in Bakersfield, CA, capping off a very busy summer at all SMG-managed venues.

Comedian Kevin Hart brought his latest show to Rabobank Theater on August 18. The sold out event was part of Hart’s current “Let Me Explain” tour throughout the United States, and generated positive reviews from fans who were fortunate to attend.

The month ended with a record-breaking engagement of Feld Entertainment’s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus “Dragons” August 29 – September 2. The engagement included several sold out performances and generated record-breaking numbers. Feld Entertainment will return to Rabobank Arena November 8-11 with Disney On Ice’s presents “100 Years of Magic.” Tickets for Disney On Ice are currently on sale.

Award-Winning EverBank Field Ready for Jaguars Season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 14, 2012  — EverBank Field is kicking off the 2012-2013 Jaguars season with an award-winning management team. SMG’s stadium and staff preparations for Friday’s pre-season home opener proved successful as fans were ushered in and out of the stadium with ease. As the operations team continues to ready for the onset of the Jaguars regular season, fans can rest assured they will be cheering on the team in one of the safest stadiums in the NFL.

As pictured above, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security (NCS4) presented EverBank Field with the NCS4 Facility of Merit Award on Aug. 1. The awards ceremony was held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Doug Thornton, SMG’s senior vice president of stadiums and arenas, accepted the award on behalf of EverBank Field.

Earlier this year, the National Football League nominated EverBank Field for the award, which recognizes facilities that demonstrate an innovative approach to enhancing safety and security and/or resolved a significant safety/security issue or incident during the 2011 season.

NCS4’s Director, Dr. Lou Marciani, presented the award to SMG. Marciani is known as one of the top security professionals in the nation and “Security” magazine named him as one of the most influential people in security in 2011.

“It is a great honor for the National Football League to recognize the significant safety and security achievements from the staff at EverBank Field,” said Marciani. “The League has recognized the staff for performing above and beyond normal operations in enhancing safety and security for their fans.”
The NFL nominated EverBank Field for the award because of the proactive approach its guest services team – led by facility manager SMG and supported by the Jaguars organization, Safe Management and Contemporary Security Corporation – took to implementing changes in screening protocols announced in 2011. These changes included moving from security pat downs to hand-held metal detector screenings.

“SMG and the entire guest services team quickly demonstrated their commitment to making the transition to metal detector screening a success,” said Jeff Miller, vice president and chief security officer for the NFL. “They have made, and continue to make, the safety of their fans a top priority while delivering a quality fan experience.”

The NFL and the NCS4 recognized SMG for implementing the League’s security recommendations and for innovative enhancements it made to ensure a smooth transition to the hand-held metal detectors at EverBank Field. This included: using express lanes for expedited screening; having screeners at entry lanes wear numbered high-visibility vests so that fans clearly know which screening location to approach; placing supermarket-style plastic bag dispensers at each gate for use by fans to hold metal objects while passing though security; and placing signage in entry areas to inform fans of the metal detector screening process.

The NFL also said that EverBank Field exceeded the League average for percentage of metal detector usage at all gates. Illustrating the effectiveness of these efforts, screeners discovered and confiscated 35 knives at the Jan. 1, 2012 game.

“The safety and security of our fans is our first concern,” said Bill Prescott, chief financial officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. “I commend and applaud the entire EverBank Field game-day team for this recognition. Everyone involved helped make EverBank Field one of the top facilities in the NFL for safety. The implementation of these new security measures has helped us all be prepared for a safe and secure 2012 season and an excellent game-day experience for all of our fans.”

“We know how important the team and the stadium are to the Jacksonville community. We’re here to support the team, to maintain the excellent condition of EverBank Field, and to make sure Jaguars fans feel safe and comfortable at every game,” said Larry Wilson, general manager for SMG Jacksonville.

SMG is now sharing its process for seamlessly transitioning from security pat downs to hand-held metal detector screenings with the operators at other NFL stadiums, Wilson added.

Dulcie Gilmore Wins League of Historic American Theatres Award

Dulcie Gilmore, Director of the Arie Crown Theater/SMG in Chicago, has been presented The League of Historic American Theatres' 2012 Outstanding Individual Contribution Award. 

James Boese, Vice President of Nederlander Producing Company of America, New York, NY, introduced Gilmore during an awards luncheon in San Diego, opening the League’s 36th Anniversary Conference, hosted by San Diego Theatres, Inc. Gilmore served on the League's board of directors for nine years, most recently as Immediate Past President from 2007‐2011 and President 2005‐2007. Boese praised Gilmore’s vision, dedication and perseverance in her role as League Board President as well as to her service to theatres in the Chicago area. Boese credits Gilmore with making Chicago a destination for Broadway Musicals. 

The League of Historic American Theatres, Inc., celebrates excellence in the preservation, restoration and sustainable operation of historic theatres throughout North America.

INTRUST Bank Arena Ranks 31st in the United States in Top Arena Venues

The SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena finished 31st in the United States and 62nd in the world in 2012 Mid Year Ticket Sales by Pollstar, a weekly trade magazine for the concert industry. The rankings reflect tickets sold worldwide for shows played between 1/1/12 and 6/30/12.

“We're thrilled to consistently rank among the top venues worldwide,” said General Manager AJ Boleski. “The community continues to support our events, and we look forward to announcing the remainder of our line-up for the second half of 2012.”

In the first half of 2012, INTRUST Bank Arena hosted ten of Pollstar's top 100 tours: Brad Paisley, WWE, George Strait, Winter Jam, Jeff Dunham, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Barry Manilow and Nickelback.

Upcoming events include Hillsong Live (September 23), WWE RAW (September 30), Oklahoma City Thunder NBA preseason game (October 24), Carrie Underwood (October 27) and Eric Church (December 8).

Additional event and ticket information is available at www.intrustbankarena.com.

Seven SMG Theaters Top Charts

Seven SMG-managed Venues listed in the Top 100 Theater Venues Worldwide Ticket Sales according to the Pollstar Midyear Report.

They are:
#19 Landmark Theatre, Richmond, VA
#20 Moran Theater, Jacksonville, FL
#45 Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA
#58 Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX
#69 Peoria Civic Center Theater, Peoria, IL
#73 DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, MI
#92 Terrace Theater, Long Beach, CA

Dan Spellens, SMG's Director of Theaters & Entertainment, commented on his approach to operating a top-notch theater in Long Beach, CA: 

In a marketplace inundated with owned-and-operated venues by Live Nation, AEG Live / Goldenvoice, and Nederlander concerts, we (in no particular order) ...

1. Make certain that we are in regular contact with our content providers / partners;
2. Constantly seek to develop new content providers / partners;
3. Ensure that we are up-to-date with all of the artists' representatives relative to their artists' availability;
4. Foster strong and lasting relationships with our content providers / partners, artist representatives, and artists;
5. Make our venues as comfortable financially as is feasible for our content providers / partners;
6. Participate in all booking-related conference calls and all other opportunities presented by SMG Corporate to move the business forward; and
7. Present a clean, polished, well-run, and user (all users) friendly facility for all (the City of Long Beach, our content providers / partners, our performing artists, and our patrons) under any and all circumstances.

Lincoln, NE City Council Approves SMG Contract for Management and Food & Beverage Services for the Pinnacle Bank Arena

The Lincoln City Council voted to approve the SMG Management and SAVOR Food & Beverage contracts  to manage, provide F&B services and operate the new Pinnacle Bank Arena that is currently under construction in the Haymarket area of downtown Lincoln. SMG presently manages the City-owned Pershing Center.

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said at a recent press conference, “This new agreement goes beyond just the operation of the new arena. We have tapped into the entertainment programming expertise of Tom Lorenz and SMG and have added some additional City venues in this contract for SMG to manage for us.”

Aside from the management of the Pinnacle Bank Arena, the City has asked SMG to manage the beautiful Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln’s premier Pioneers Park and operate / program a nearly 500,000 square foot festival space and parking area located northwest of the new arena.

SMG will be responsible for booking, operations, food & beverage service, promotion, maintenance, recycling / green initiatives, website development, ticketing, suite and premium seating renewals and some parking.

The Pinnacle Bank Arena will be the home to the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Big 10 Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. Concerts, family shows, civic events, tradeshows, conventions and extreme sports will fill the balance of the annual schedule.

Pinewood Bowl is a heavily wooded boutique outdoor theater located in the center of Pioneers Park. SMG and Mammoth Productions of Lawrence, Kansas are hosting the summer concerts that are currently scheduled including Crosby Stills and Nash, Train with Mat Kearney, BB King with Robert Cray, My Morning Jacket with Band of Horses and the Grand Opening concert - the Outlaw Roadshow featuring Counting Crows.

The 16,000-seat Pinnacle Bank Arena is being built at a cost of $179 million and it is scheduled to open in September 2013.

Big Sandy Superstore Arena Among Tops in the World

From the Herald-Dispatch:

HUNTINGTON -- Venues Today, an international trade magazine, recently ranked the SMG-managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena among the top venues in the world.

The magazine based its rankings on concert and event profits and determined that, from March 16 to April 15, 2012, the arena was the 11th top entertainment venue worldwide among venues with seating capacities between 5,001 and 10,000.

The ranking reflects the dedication and teamwork of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena staff, as well as the unwavering support that patrons show in supporting entertainment throughout the local community, said general manager Brian Sipe.

"This is truly a reflection of what this building is here to do," Sipe said. "Our goal is to bring people to downtown Huntington to see their favorite artists, sporting events, family shows, etc., and we could not do it without the support of our local community."

The arena ranked ahead of other internationally respected venues such as the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles (which ranked 12th) and the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut (which ranked 13th).

Other well-known venues that ranked ahead of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in gross profit were Orleans Arena in Las Vegas (second) and State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas (first).

Sipe said that he fully expects the arena's success to continue.

SMG in the News: McCormick Place Chef Tasked With Feeding 19,000

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

SMG/Anchorage Convention Centers Win Visit Anchorage “Seymour Award”

 SMG/Anchorage Convention Centers won the “Member Contribution to the Visitor Industry 2012 Award” at the 25th annual Seymour Awards Banquet at the Dena’ina Center on April 13, 2012. The Centers were recognized for providing top quality meeting and event services, emphasizing the highly successful Food & Beverage operations of Savor Alaska Catering.

 “We are thrilled with this Award,” said Anchorage Convention Centers Greg Spears. “We have excellent infrastructure to work with in both facilities, Dena’ina and Egan, but it’s our staff that truly shines. From Food & Beverage to Operations to Sales & Marketing, and with strong support from SMG of Alaska at the Sullivan and SMG/Savor Corporate, our people work as a team, never forgetting our goal of making the client happy, so they’ll come back. A special nod to Chef Peter Fontanez and his Culinary Team, consistently providing meals to rave reviews – like we all enjoyed here tonight. Thank you Visit Anchorage for this much appreciated recognition and honor.”

The Seymour Awards Banquet was held in Dena’ina’s top floor Tikahtnu Ballroom where the glass wall provided gorgeous Chugach Mountains views on a sunny evening with long Alaskan daylight. The menu included appetizers such as Creamy Risotto with Duck Confit, followed by a Land and Sea Duet Entrée combining Grilled Sirloin topped with Port Wine Demi-Glacé and Sautéed Alaskan Prawns, and Strawberries & Cream Parfait to top it all off. Participants raved about the banquet and the organizers immediately rebooked the space for next year, confirming SMG satisfied all needs – and then some.

So Much More to Savor at the 38th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

SAVOR will be providing food and beverage service for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach through 2015, Shaun Beard, Senior Vice President of SAVOR confirmed today. SAVOR has served as master concessionaire for the Grand Prix of Long Beach for 19 years, bringing together an array of festival favorites at attractive value pricing.

“The food at the Grand Prix is really an event within an event, and we're thrilled to continue providing it,” said Beard. “This year we have more than 190 points of sale, and we're always striving to deliver more locations for fewer dollars to the race fans.”

SAVOR has developed a diverse menu with a local flare for the three-day race. The Grand Prix of Long Beach features SAVOR's trademark Pit Stop stands complimented by locally sub-contracted vendors. SAVOR is partnering this year with So Cal's favorite food trucks to create a food truck village, including Don Chow, Grilled Cheese Truck, Slammin' Sliders, and Tornado Potato. Other local favorites include California Pizza Kitchen, Juicy's BBQ and Big Al's BBQ. With concessions located all along the 1.97-mile track, fans never miss any of the racing action.

At many outlets fans will also be able to enjoy beer from the Bottoms Up Souvenir Beer Cup, the coldest high-tech beer system SAVOR has ever delivered to the Grand Prix. It joins race-sponsored beverages including Fuzzy's Ultra-Premium Vodka, The Patron Spirits Company, Coca Cola, Tecate, and McManis Family Vineyards.

SAVOR also provides catering for the official Race Sponsor Reception and other sponsor parties, as well as beverage services for hospitality groups.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will fire through the streets of downtown Long Beach with weekend-long action. On Saturday, April 14, two fan favorites -- the sports cars of the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series and the 65th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race – will take center stage on the historic 1.97-mile, 11-turn seaside street circuit. On Sunday, four races will be on tap including the Izod Indy Cars Race, Firestone Indy Lights Race, the Team Drifting finals and Pirelli World Challenge Race.

K-Rock Centre Named 2012 Venue of the Year Under 8,000 Seats

For the third time in the last four years the K-Rock Centre has again been voted Venue of the Year under 8,000 seats at the 2012 Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards. “It’s a true accomplishment for everyone involved with the facility, and it recognizes what we in Kingston already knew, that the K-Rock Centre is the premiere venue of its size in the country,” said SMG Canada’s General Manager, Ken Noakes.

“Awards like this can never be realized without the endless hard work of our staff, as well as support from all of our partners throughout the city, and the Eastern Ontario region. Winning this award for a third time shows that the K-Rock Centre has made a name for itself in the music industry, and is a facility which is top of mind for industry professionals,” continued Noakes.

SMG Vice President Harry Cann added, “We are thrilled to receive this industry recognition for the third time in four years. This is a true team effort in Kingston. While our local staff and national support team have worked hard to achieve this success, these awards are a testament to the City’s foresight and delivery of an outstanding facility along with tremendous support from the business community and local citizens. The K-Rock Centre has certainly established itself as centerpiece asset for the City and the region.”

The K-Rock Centre was nominated for the award along with the Brandt Centre, Regina; CN Centre, Prince George; Credit Union Place, Summerside; Essar Centre, Sault Ste. Marie; GM Centre, Oshawa; Moncton Coliseum, Moncton; and Prospera Place, Kelowna.

The nominees and winners of the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards are chosen by combined votes of registered Canadian music industry professionals. For more information on the CMBIA please visit www.cmw.net/awards.

For further information on upcoming K-Rock Centre events be sure to visit us at www.k-rockcentre.com, or follow us on Twitter @KROCKCentre

INTRUST Bank Arena Hosts One Millionth Guest

The SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena hosted its one-millionth guest at Friday's sold out Jason Aldean concert. Tia Bruce of McPherson, Kan. was brought to tears when told she was the lucky guest. Bruce, who brought her nine-year-old niece Michelle Mann with her to the concert, bought the tickets as a birthday present for Mann's upcoming tenth birthday.

INTRUST Bank Arena General Manager AJ Boleski presented Bruce and Mann with a prize package including upgraded suite tickets for the concert, a meet and greet with Aldean, a commemorative ticket and other autographed merchandise from the show.

“It was overwhelming, but awesome. We had never met anyone famous.” Bruce said referring to the meet and greet with Aldean. “Michelle still hasn't washed her arm where Jason signed it. I couldn't have imagined anything like this.”

Since opening in January 2010 with a sold out Brad Paisley concert, INTRUST Bank Arena has hosted many of the nation's top tours including George Strait, Elton John and Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sugarland and more. In addition to concerts, the Arena has proven to be a great venue for college athletics hosting the NCAA 2011 Women's Basketball Championship first and second rounds, Wichita State University men's basketball in both 2010 and 2011and Kansas State University men's basketball in 2011.

This past week, INTRUST Bank Arena was named the Central Hockey League's best Arena for the third consecutive year. The Arena hosts the league-leading Wichita Thunder and is in preparation for the opening round of the CHL play-offs at the end of March.

“This community has been extremely supportive of INTRUST Bank Arena since opening,” said Boleski. “SMG is honored to manage this beautiful facility and looks forward to many great shows to come.”

The March 16th Aldean concert was the third highest attended concert in the Arena's history following George Straight with Reba and Elton John and Billy Joel, both held in 2010.

Upcoming events at the venue include Rodney Carrington, Miranda Lambert, Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers, Hank Williams, Jr. and Nickelback. SMG Wichita will also host the inaugural Wichita Ribfest May 17-19 at City Lot D.

SMG in the News: Fans fill Intrust Bank Arena to hear Jason Aldean

From the Wichita Eagle:

Country star Jason Aldean drew a sold-out crowd of young country fans to Intrust Bank Arena on Friday night, where he brought his “My Kinda Party” tour – a show that has been selling out arenas across the country.

The crowd of more than 14,000 included mostly women – many of them under 35. They danced, swayed, screamed and sang along as Aldean performed a string of country hits from “My Kinda Party,” the best-selling country album of 2011.

Read More

NCAA® 2012 Men’s Basketball Championship 2nd Round Games Shatter Attendance Records at CONSOL Energy Center

Thursday's 2nd Round NCAA® Men's Basketball Championship games at SMG managed CONSOL Energy Center set records for the top two crowds for any indoor sporting event in Pittsburgh history.  19,413 attended the evening session (Gonzaga vs. West Virginia & Ohio State vs. Loyola MD) and 18,927 for the afternoon session (Kansas State vs. Southern Mississippi & Syracuse vs. UNC Asheville).

The 19,413 also tops the record for any Pittsburgh indoor arena event, previously held by Elton John (19,285) at CONSOL Energy Center on March 23, 2011.

NCAA March Madness® continues at CONSOL Energy Center on Saturday, March 17 for 3rd round games between #1 Syracuse and #8 Kansas State at 12:15 p.m., followed by #2 Ohio State and #7 Gonzaga 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

SAVOR…Chicago at McCormick Place Introduces Chef Vincent Lai

SAVOR…Chicago, the foodservice leader chosen earlier this fall to run Chicago's McCormick Place food operations, proudly introduces Chef Vincent Lai as its Director of Culinary Services. Chef Lai comes to Chicago via the San Jose and Vancouver Convention Centers and the world-class kitchens of the Renaissance and Mandarin Oriental Hotels.

Chef Lai, a Vancouver native, has spent the past decade delighting visitors and exceeding their expectations and now his culinary talents are receiving praise at the nation's largest convention center. Chef Lai loves fresh, local ingredients and lets the calendar dictate the special seasonal dishes he creates. Acknowledging the challenge of catering for very large groups while maintaining creativity and excellent food quality, his response is that it's all about the ingredients. “My advice is always to get the ingredients right and then we'll figure out how to prepare and serve the menu to hundreds or thousands of people.”

His menus are consistent with the Asian influence of his cooking background and he excels at mixing ethnic cuisines. From box lunches for 16,000 to dinner for 4,000 or an intimate reception for 50, Chef Lai believes in keeping it real. “We use the freshest ingredients and taste everything. Our client tastings are done as true to the event as possible including appropriate holding time as it would for the actual event. It's important to me that a meeting planner has the same experience as their attendees will. SAVOR…Chicago is committed to excellence at every step of the experience and I am delighted to join this world class organization.”

Van Halen brings their tour to the SMG Managed Sovereign Center on March 26

READING, PA—FEBRUARY 13, 2012—Van Halen, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees and one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time, will perform live at the SMG managed Sovereign Center in Reading, PA, Monday, March 26, as part of their 2012 North American tour.

Known around the world for some of the most iconic live performances in music history, this marks the first appearance for this legendary rock band at the Sovereign Center. Kool & The Gang will join Van Halen to round out the great night of entertainment. “We are thankful Live Nation and SMG partnered to enable us to bring Van Halen to Reading. It is a great testament for the community considering we are the smallest venue on the Van Halen tour this spring”, stated SMG Regional GM, Zane Collings. “We have seen other larger than life acts sell out the Sovereign Center. SMG anticipates the community will do the same and make Van Halen a sell out!” Other rockers that have sold out the Sovereign Center include Elton John, The Eagles, Cher, Pearl Jam, Tim McGraw, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Barry Manilow, Def Leppard and more.

Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, February 17 at 10 a.m. at the VF Outlet Box Office at the Sovereign Center, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.

In addition, Van Halen released their new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, . by Interscope Records on Tuesday, February 7. The first single from the album, "Tattoo", and its accompanying video debuted simultaneously on Tuesday, January 10, with album pre-orders starting that day. A Different Kind Of Truth is Van Halen's first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the band’s classic multi-platinum album 1984.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1974, Van Halen changed the rock and roll landscape forever with the release of their self-titled, 1978 debut album displaying unparalleled stage presence, revolutionary musicianship, and extraordinary songwriting abilities. With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, the band's record of achievement is hard to top. Among a long list of awards, recognition and accolades, Van Halen joins an elite short list of two time Diamond Award honorees in the history of the music industry. Presented with two Diamond Award RIAA Certified Status' for their albums Van Halen and 1984, the band has produced a repertoire of hits that remain some of the strongest and most influential rock songs ever written that fans will admire for decades to come.

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales, marketing, event booking, and programming. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in house catering company, Savor, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com.

Save Mart Center Top-Ranked Collegiate Arena in 2011

The SMG-managed Save Mart Center at Fresno State was the top-ranked collegiate arena in the world in 2011, as reported by Pollstar Magazine.  Pollstar, the leading trade publication for the concert industry, ranks the Top 200 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales reported for entertainment events.  A total of 20 college and university arenas were included in the list.

Inclusive of all arenas, Save Mart Center ranked #48 in the United States and #87 in the world.

“To be included in the Pollstar rankings is a testament to Valley residents who support Save Mart Center through ticket sales, especially in these tough economic times.  We thank them, as this demonstrated support, combined with our regional and national relationships within the SMG network and touring entertainment industry, helps us continue to attract quality entertainment events and remain the premier entertainment venue in Central California,” said Steve Tadlock, Regional General Manager for SMG at the arena. “As we are also the proud home of the Fresno State Bulldogs basketball and volleyball programs, we are extremely pleased in how we compare to other collegiate arenas.”

As the recognized global industry leader in private management of public assembly facilities, SMG managed 36 venues listed in Pollstar's 2011 Top 200 Worldwide Arenas.

SMG in the News: Cobo Center more than doubled revenue

From Crain's Business Detroit:

Cobo ended the 2011 fiscal year Sept. 30 with $7.6 million, compared with $3.6 million in 2010. The level of state and federal subsidies also dropped from $20 million in 2010 to $12.5 million in 2011.
...
[Patrick Bero, CEO and CFO of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority] attributes the improved financial performance to the hiring of a professional management firm, West Conshohocken, Pa.-based SMG. The sales team has increased activity and negotiated more favorable vendor contracts.

Read More.

Latin Music's Top-Touring Band of 2011 Comes to Oracle Arena

Mana, announced today that, that they will be bringing the second leg of their eagerly-awaited "Drama y Luz Tour" to four additional venues in California, including a performance at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Friday, April 27th at 8:00 PM.

Kicking off the tour on April 3rd in Texas, the U.S Tour features performances at The Staples center, Madison Square Garden and at the Bay Area's own Oracle Arena in Oakland. Mana played two sold out shows at Oracle Arena back in September of 2007 and the venue is thrilled to have them return in 2012.

General Manager Ron Little states: "We are thrilled to continue to work with AEG Live to bring top international performers, such as Mana, to fans in the Bay Area." 

Tickets for Mana, "The World's Most Successful Latin American Rock Group", go on sale this Friday, February 10th at 10:00 AM. Ticket price are $140, $110, $99.50, $69.50 and $49.50 (additional service charges may apply) and will be available at the Oracle Arena Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at 800.745.3000. 

Mana's "El Verdadero Amor Perdona" Is Once Again The #1 Latin Song In The Country This Week. It Is The Third Consecutive #1 Single From Mana's Multi-Platinum Album "Drama y Luz" And Extended The Group's Own Record (8) For The Most #1 Singles By A Band on Billboard's "Hot Latin Songs" Chart. 

Having Already Won This Year's LATIN GRAMMY Award For "Best Rock Album" And Premios People En Espanol Awards For "Best Album Of The Year" And "Best Rock Group", Mana Currently Holds Another GRAMMY Nomination For "Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album" And FIVE PREMIO LO NUESTRO Nominations. 

Other top performers that have been announced to perform at Oracle Arena during the 2012 season include The Black Keys on May 4th, Van Halen, June 3rd and The Red Hot Chili Peppers on August 14th and 15th. 

The Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum Complex is jointly owned by the City of Oakland and Alameda County and managed by the Oakland Coliseum Joint Venture (OCJV), owned in majority by SMG. SMG is the world's leading company in the private development and management of public assembly facilities, including more than 200 properties in arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers and recreational facilities around the world.

Another Profitable year for Intrust Bank Arena

SMG brought another successful year to Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena in 2011, with the arena bringing in $385,000 net income. General manager A.J. Boleski was optimistic that the arena would continue to do well in 2012, with SMG booking some great acts, along with the popularity of college sporting events and Wichita Thunder hockey. “We have six concerts and comedians in the first quarter,” Boleski told KAKE news. “Brad Paisley nearly sold out, Jason Aldean is selling very well.”

SMG in the News: BOK Center general manager named worldwide executive of the year

From Tulsa World:

The BOK Center's John Bolton was honored Friday night as the 2012 Pollstar Facility Executive of the Year at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Bolton was chosen out of all venue managers in the world by the industry organization.

...

"I have so many colleagues and friends that do such an amazing job and that I respect so much," he told the Tulsa World. "I am honored beyond belief.

"The truth is that I could never have received such an award without the staff that I work with every day in Tulsa. They are the ones that truly deserve the recognition and accolades, not me."

Read more at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120205_350_A24_CUTLIN82673

SAVOR and Service Perfect Together

The Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council has announced the finalists for their 2011 Tourism Awards and three members of the outstanding SAVOR... Savannah team have been nominated!

• Jason Touchberry – Bartender SAVOR…Savannah
• Robert Hurst – Housekeeping Maintenance Tech
• Judy Johnson – Senior Accounting Manager

Jason and Robert are Service Star finalists: The Service Star Award is presented to a tourism and hospitality industry employee who consistently demonstrates exemplary job performance and goes above and beyond the call of duty as he/she services guests.

Judy is a Service Leader finalist: The Service Leader Award is presented to a managerial level employee who exhibits phenomenal service not only to guests but also to their colleagues through their exemplary leadership.

Congrats, Jason, Robert, and Judy!

BOK Center Receives Third Nomination for "Venue of the Year" from the Academy of Country Music

For the third year in a row, Tulsa’s BOK Center has been nominated by the Academy of Country Music for Venue of the Year. In order to be considered for this award, the venue must have bought or promoted at least 5 (five) country concerts during the prior calendar year of January 1 to December 31, 2011 and be in good standing with all agents. Managed by SMG, the BOK Center hosted these country concerts last year:
Jason Aldean
Sugarland
Kenny Chesney
Keith Urban
Alan Jackson
Taylor Swift
Dolly Parton
Reba
Zac Brown Band

Venue of the Year is an off-camera award presented at the annual “ACM Honors” event held in Nashville each fall. The award is considered a part of the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards and will be voted on by the professional membership of the Academy.

The BOK Center will be competing for the award against the following venues:
Bridgestone Arena ‐ Nashville, TN
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre ‐ Chicago, IL
Jiffy Lube Live ‐ Bristow, VA
Sprint Center ‐ Kansas City, MO

SMG-Tulsa Announces 2011 Employee of the Year

Devin Levine, Executive Chef for BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center has been named SMG-Tulsa’s Employee of the Year 2011. Levine has been with SMG-Tulsa since July 2010 and has been instrumental in the revision of menus in both buildings and established the off-site catering business for SAVOR…Tulsa, the food & beverage division of SMG. 

Chef Levine is a native Tulsan who began his career more than 40 years ago in the kitchen at Camelot Inn. As a self-taught local chef, Chef Levine was one of the first graduates of ACFEI (American Culinary Federation Educational Institute) in the Midwest, and became a Certified Executive Chef in 1990.

Tulsa Convention Center Assistant General Manager Janet Rockefeller praised Levine’s work, “When Chef Levine joined our team I knew the transformation of the Tulsa Convention Center was complete.  His contributions have elevated the convention center catering to a level beyond compare.”

The Employee of the Year was chosen from a pool of outstanding employees who had received individual recognition as Employee of the Month throughout 2011. A committee headed by the HR Manager and including representatives from both buildings and all departments chooses the staff member from anonymous nominations. Any full-time staff member can nominate or be chosen for these awards. Levine was chosen as Employee of the Month in December 2011 for his contributions to the busiest holiday season at the convention center and taking time to build gingerbread houses with children at Winterfest.