SMG Oklahoma City Marketing Staff Awarded for Local Promotions

The SMG staff in Oklahoma City has again been awarded for their promotion of the Batman Live! shows at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

SMG received the 2013 Award of Excellence in the Integrated Marketing/Public Relations Campaign category from the Oklahoma City Chapter of the American Marketing Association at their annual Marketini ceremony. The award recognized the staff’s efforts in promoting Batman Live!, a live-action stage show that came to the arena in October 2012.

“We are pleased to see the creativity of our marketing team again recognized,” said Gary Desjardins, SMG regional general manager. “SMG always strives to provide top-notch marketing expertise to all of the great events that come to Oklahoma City.”

SMG’s winning entry included a live chalk art display from local artist Bobby Marsee, a Batmobile display at Science Museum Oklahoma and a series of promotional items. The award marked the second time SMG Oklahoma City has been recognized for promoting Batman Live!. The staff also received a Silver ADDY award from the Oklahoma City Ad Club.

BOK Center Ranked 14th in the US by Pollstar Magazine

The SMG-managed BOK Center finished the first quarter of 2013 ranked 14th in the United States and 32nd in the world by Pollstar Magazine in its quarterly Top 50 Arena Venues rankings. The rankings are determined by tickets sold worldwide for concerts from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013.

“This year has already been a tremendous success for the BOK Center and we have an exciting line up of concerts still to announce as part of our 5th Anniversary Series,” said SMG General Manager John Bolton. “These rankings recognize the support of the Tulsa community ensuring future tours will play at the BOK Center.”

The BOK Center hosted 6 of the top 100 tours in the first quarter of 2013 including: Winter Jam, Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Muse, The Who and Kid Rock.

The venue recently announced a Paul McCartney concert on May 29, the first of the 5th Anniversary Concert Series. Other concerts on the BOK Center's upcoming schedule include: Miranda Lambert (April 13), Fleetwood Mac (May 1), REO Speedwagon, Styx & Ted Nugent (May 8) and Jason Aldean (May 10). For a complete listing of BOK Center events, visit the venue's website at www.bokcenter.com.

OKC Renews Arena, Convention Center Management Agreement with SMG

The Oklahoma City Council today unanimously approved the renewal of the city's agreement with SMG to continue managing Cox Convention Center and Chesapeake Energy Arena. SMG, the worldwide leader in entertainment and convention venue management, has been operating the facilities since 1999.

“The confidence shown in SMG by the Oklahoma City Council is a testament to the partnership we have built over the past 14 years,” said Gary Desjardins, Regional General Manager of Chesapeake Energy Arena and Cox Convention Center. “It's a reflection on the quality of the performance the SMG staff provides. SMG will continue to build upon our relationship with the City of Oklahoma City and remain dedicated to providing first-class management to Oklahoma City residents and the patrons of these facilities.”

Nassau Coliseum Ranks 5th in the US in Top Arenas

The SMG-managed Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum finished the first quarter of 2013 ranked 5th in the United States and 14th in the world in Pollstar Magazine's Top 50 Arena Venues ranking. The rankings are based on worldwide tickets sales through the end of the first quarter 2013.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment and the continued success of the Nassau Coliseum. The community continues to support the great events we bring to Long Island,” said Jerry Goldman, SMG General Manager of Nassau Coliseum. “It's an honor to rank so high in such a competitive marketplace such as New York.”

With 132,049 tickets sold, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum finished higher than other area venues including the Barclay's Center (Brooklyn, NY) and Madison Square Garden (New York, NY).

First quarter events at the venue included sold out performances by Luke Bryan, The Who, Ricardo Arjona, P!NK and other family events!

Upcoming events through the end of the year include: Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, WWE Smack Down, New Kids on The Block, The X Factor Auditions, 40 Years of Bollywood, 2013 Vans Warped Tour and more!

To see a full event listing or to purchase tickets to any Nassau Coliseum event, visit the website at www.nassaucoliseum.com.

Kelly Ortiz Honored by Tulsa Business and Legal News

SMG SAVOR… Director of Food and Beverage Kelly Ortiz was recently honored by Tulsa Business and Legal News in the 2013 class of The Tulsa 40. The local award recognizes company executives, entrepreneurs, educations, representatives, energy leaders and innovators who have achieved significant accomplishments before the age of 40.

Ortiz was nominated for her efforts overseeing food and beverage operations for SAVOR… Tulsa, including concessions sales, suite catering and backstage catering for both the BOK Center and the Tulsa Convention Center. She was also recognized for her involvement with SMG Rocks, an employee-driven charitable giving initiative that donates time and resources to local non-profit groups.

“I am flattered to be recognized along with 39 other remarkable individuals in the Tulsa business community,” Ortiz said. “At the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center, I am able to surround myself with some of the best in the business. Awards such as this really recognize a team effort to strive for excellence in everything we do.”