Big Sandy Superstore Arena manager named Venues Today Generation Next Winner

And the award goes to…! Venues Today Magazine announced their selection of the 2013 Generation Next Award Winners and Brian Sipe, the General Manager of the SMG Managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena, has been named Venues Today Generation Next Reader's Choice Award Winner.    The annual award honors young professionals world-wide under the age of 35who make a difference in sports, music, conventions, family shows, fairs and festivals.

“I'm honored to be voted by my peers as a recipient of this award.  I thank my co-workers, family, friends, mentors, teachers and my Lord above for my life – I would not be in this position nor be as blessed as I am without their encouragement and support”, says Sipe.  Brian Sipe has been the General Manager since September of 2010 and in that time has been responsible for bringing a number of iconic acts to the venue including Reba McEntire, the Gaither Homecoming, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Barry Manilow, Staind/Godsmack, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert and many others.  Not only does he oversee 150 full- and part-time employees, but he has led his facility to an 11th place international ranking for ticket sales in March/April, 2012 and expects 2013 and 2014 to be historic years for the venue as well.

A Taste of Glynn: “Bring it on!” says the Jekyll Island Convention Center

Shawn Prescott is not a man who is easily intimidated. Since he is the Executive Chef at the dazzling new Jekyll Island Convention Center, that outlook would go with the territory. On any given night, Shawn and his staff might be feeding a thousand guests at a dinner function. Or they may be serving a small group of 10-12 people in one of the smaller meeting rooms. Regardless of the numbers, the goal is the same: fantastic food, attentive service, top quality.

In fact, the food is the focus with Shawn. “We don't serve your typical convention food here,” he noted. “We are in competition with top resorts for the business, so we have to be great. Every time.”

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Kingston’s K-Rock Centre to be Renamed Rogers K-Rock Centre

Rogers Communications and SMG Canada announced that K-Rock Centre, Kingston's premier venue for sports and entertainment, will be renamed Rogers K-Rock Centre. Following a positive vote from Kingston City Council, this new agreement marks an amendment to the 10-year partnership between Rogers Radio station K-Rock 105.7 and SMG Canada, management company of the K-Rock Centre, signed in 2008 and grants K-Rock 105.7 the naming rights for the arena through 2018.

As part of the rebranding, Rogers will work closely with K-Rock Centre to change all external and internal signage at the arena to reflect the new name. Detailed plans for the official unveiling of the new name will be announced in the coming months.

“Kingston is an important market to Rogers and K-Rock 105.7, and we're looking forward to working even more closely alongside the City of Kingston and SMG Canada through this venue,” said Danny Kingsbury, General Manager, Kingston and Atlantic Canada, Rogers Radio. “Enhancing our long-standing partnership with SMG Canada and the City of Kingston reaffirms our commitment to investing in this facility so it can continue to host world-class sports and entertainment events for the community.”

K-Rock Centre Celebrates Busiest Month in Venue History

In what will undoubtedly be deemed ‘a month to remember', the K-Rock Centre has concluded its busiest stretch of events in the venues five year history. All the while celebrating its five year anniversary and officially renaming the street it resides on!

“It's been a truly non-stop month and a real testament to the passion and dedication of our staff that all of our events were executed flawlessly,” said SMG Canada's newly appointed General Manager of the K-Rock Centre Lynn Carlotto. “I'm proud of my team and everything that we've been able to accomplish, and look forward to building on it in the months and years ahead.”

The month of February has seen no less than 24 events occur at the venue over a 28 day stretch including six hockey games, three concerts, one cheerleading event, and fourteen days of curling load-in and competition.

The total attendance for the month of February alone sat at 95,445 which is well over double the venues previous high. By comparison January 2012, which featured an eight show run of Cirque du Soleil Dralion, had a total attendance of 40,035.

Attendance Grew 4.5% at 54th Colorado Garden & Home Show

The 54th Colorado Garden & Home Show, presented by Bellco, wrapped up its nine-day show with a total attendance of 53,406, resulting in nearly a 4.5 percent increase from 2012. More than 2,400 additional attendees admired the 14 gardens and spoke with exhibitors this year.

Additional Show Highlights:

• Food Donation - Show attendees contributed 8,504 pounds of nonperishable food to local area food banks.
• Annual Flower Sale - The Arvada Rotary sold 1,099 potted flowers during the annual flower sale on Feb. 13 for $2 per pot and ultimately raised $2,198,to support their scholarship fund.
• Westminster Legacy Foundation Booth - In addition to the Colorado Garden Show's $50,000 grant, Colorado Garden & Home Show donated a booth to the Westminster Legacy Foundation for attendees to learn more about the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park. Community donations were accepted and the Foundation raised $6,622 to support the development of this park.
• Playhouse for Charity - Attendees voted to award the Denver Rescue Mission a 6'x8' custom-built playhouse. The runners-up, Denver CASA and Star Center, each received a $250 donation from the Colorado Garden Show.