Rustic Educational Amphitheater Established in Honor of Paul McCartney’s Visit to Charlottesville

Charlottesville, VA (June 23, 2015) – In honor of Paul McCartney’s June 23^rd visit to Charlottesville, the Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department is establishing a Rustic Educational Amphitheater to support music education. In partnership with the National Blue Ridge Foundation’s “Kids in the Park” program, this project will also include a marker that permanently commemorates the date of Paul McCartney’s visit and its lasting impact upon the community.

The Amphitheater will be created in the Fall of 2015 within a local park, and the exact location will be determined in the coming weeks.

“Albemarle County is excited about this project which will have an important and lasting impact on music education in our community,” said County Executive Tom Foley. 

Following an incredible 2014 which saw Paul McCartney's universally acclaimed Out There tour play 32 shows in 30 cities throughout South, Central and North America, Paul will perform Tuesday evening at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA. 

The Out There tour, as always, features music from the most beloved catalog in popular music, spanning Paul's entire career--as a solo artist, member of Wings and of course as a Beatle. The set list also includes material from Paul's most recent studio album NEW, a global hit upon its release in 2013.

The McCartney live experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity; in just three hours some of the greatest moments from the last 50 years of music are relived; music which for many has shaped the very soundtrack of their lives. Paul and his band have performed in a staggeringly impressive range of venues and locations, including outside the Coliseum in Rome, in Moscow's Red Square, Buckingham Palace, at the White House, a free show in Mexico to over 400,000 people, played the last ever show at  San Francisco’s Candlestick Park where The Beatles played their final concert, and even broadcast live into Space! Featuring Paul's band of the last 10+ years--Paul "Wix" Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr (drums)--the show never disappoints.

The tour also uses state of the art technology and production to ensure the entire audience has the best possible experience. With massive screens, lasers, fireworks, unique video content and, of course, the best songs in the world, a Paul McCartney show is so much more than just an ordinary concert. Paul's shows attract a multi-generational audience from different backgrounds all brought together by his music.

2015 is already off to an incredible start for Paul. He has appeared on the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards with Rihanna and Kanye West performing their smash hit collaboration “FourFiveSeconds," treated New York City to an intimate Valentine’s Day concert the night before appearing on the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary special, and more recently inducted Ringo Starr into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With a sold out tour of Japan and South Korea currently underway and massive U.S., UK and Europe festival and arena engagements on the horizon, Out There 2015 is sure to be another amazing chapter for a living legend who continues to make history with his every move.

Director of Sales for Pennsylvania Convention Center / SMG honored by Black Meetings and Tourism magazine

PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 25, 2015) - Stephanie Mays Boyd, director of sales and marketing for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, an SMG-managed facility, will receive the Apex Award from BM&T (Black Meetings & Tourism), a trade publication for her outstanding industry contributions.

Presented annually, Apex Awards are granted to leaders who provide a positive influence within the travel industry and for the African-American market. Nominees must represent a national level of prominence in the industry and have a demonstrated track record of at least two years.

A veteran leader of the hospitality industry in Philadelphia, Mays Boyd heads the team at the Convention Center with a comprehensive sales and marketing plan that has exceeded budget goals of more than $6 million for the past five years.

“Stephanie is an outstanding representative of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and SMG,” said Bob McClintock, Senior Vice President / COO for SMG’s Convention Center Division. “I’ve known Stephanie for many years. She really drives sales for our building and contributes greatly to the success of the Convention Center.”

Black Meetings & Tourism was established in 1994 and offers an award-winning, bi-monthly trade publication focused on the $40 billion-plus African-American group and leisure travel, incentives and meetings mar­ket. An African-American owned publishing company, BM&T is dedicated to serving and supporting the multi-cultural travel segment as well as providing opportunities to all businesses, service providers, and affiliates that want to reach this market.

“Stephanie’s leadership is a critical contribution to the Convention Center as we attract new shows to Philadelphia such as the 106^th NAACP Annual Convention this year and the Democratic National Convention in 2016,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the Convention Center. “She is a true ambassador for our building and with our customers.”

BM&T will present the Apex Award during the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show on July 18 at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL.

“It is an honor to represent industry-leader SMG on our sales and marketing efforts for the Pennsylvania Convention Center,” Mays Boyd said. “(BM & T Publishers) Solomon and Gloria Herbert are great supporters of the multi-cultural market within the hospitality industry. Receiving this award from BM & T is especially nice and it is received with much respect and humility.”

U.S. BANK AND MINNESOTA VIKINGS INTRODUCE “U.S. BANK STADIUM,” ANNOUNCE “PLACES TO PLAY” PROGRAM

Minneapolis, MN (June 15, 2015) – With construction of Minnesota’s state-of-the-art, multi-use stadium more than halfway complete, the Minnesota Vikings can bank on a substantial home field advantage every time they take the field beginning in 2016.

Effective today, that stadium also has a name: U.S. Bank Stadium.

U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States, and the Minnesota Vikings today announced a 20-year partnership for the exclusive naming rights of the Vikings’ new stadium. The announcement highlights two prominent and storied Minnesota institutions coming together with a focus on strengthening the economic and social well-being of the state and surrounding communities. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

Described by architects as an authentic structure influenced by its Minnesota location, U.S. Bank Stadium exhibits a bold, progressive design and combines efficient functionality with stunning architecture. The stadium’s transparent ETFE roof, combined with the world’s largest pivoting glass doors and an entire glass wall that overlooks the downtown Minneapolis skyline, will give users an outdoor feel in a climate-controlled environment. As one of the most technologically-advanced stadiums in the country and boasting some of the NFL’s closest seats to the field, U.S. Bank Stadium will also provide an unprecedented game-day experience.

U.S. Bank Invests In Stadium Where Vikings Play

“The Minnesota Vikings are a treasure for all citizens of Minnesota and our surrounding states to embrace, enjoy and enthusiastically support,” said Richard Davis, chairman, president and CEO, U.S. Bank. “As Minnesota’s hometown bank, U.S. Bank has been investing in the financial futures of individuals, families, small businesses and large enterprises for more than 150 years. Today, it is our privilege to make this new investment in the Vikings and the entire state of Minnesota. We look forward to U.S. Bank Stadium being a place that will drive economic vitality in Minneapolis-St. Paul, as well as a place where friends and families will create lasting memories celebrating civic pride and the competitive accomplishments of the Minnesota Vikings.

“On behalf of the entire Minnesota Vikings organization, we would like to thank Richard and the 67,000 U.S. Bank employees for their belief in, and support of, the Vikings and this new stadium and for the commitment they make in the economic and social well-being of Minnesota and its citizens every day,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. “We are proud to partner with a storied and respected Minnesota institution to introduce both U.S. Bank Stadium and the Places to Play program, both of which will serve as assets for the entire Minnesota community.”

“Securing a prominent Minnesota company with a long history in the state as the naming rights partner for this stadium continues the effort of promoting and supporting Minnesota businesses and individuals with this project,” said Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm Helgen. “With its hundreds of events annually, U.S. Bank Stadium will be an asset to Minneapolis-St. Paul and the entire state.”

U.S. Bank and Vikings Invest In Places Where Minnesota Youth Play

Reinforcing both U.S. Bank’s and the Vikings commitment to youth and the community, the partners also announced a $1,000,000 investment into locations across the state where Minnesota children will play through the “Places to Play” program. The Places to Play program is a state-wide, grant-making initiative focused on investments in the community facilities that contribute to the quality of life including parks, playgrounds, trails and athletic facilities. For the next several years, U.S. Bank and the Vikings will make grants totaling $250,000 annually to improve and enhance public venues across the state of Minnesota. Communities can apply for the grants beginning in September 2015 and winners will be selected by the Places to Play advisory committee.

Davis added: “At U.S. Bank, we believe that we are only as strong and vibrant as the communities we serve and we are deeply committed to helping Minnesotans reach their full potential financially and in their quality of life. The recreational and play spaces across the 87 counties in Minnesota are simply one example of catalysts for turning potential into promise and promise into exceptional achievement. Joining forces with the Vikings as the naming partner for U.S. Bank Stadium gives us the platform and the responsibility to make great things happen for the youth of Minnesota. We are excited for the kickoff of the Places to Play initiative, as well as the kickoff of the Vikings 2016 season. Skol, Vikings!”

• U.S. Bank signs 20-year naming rights investment into new state-of-the-art, multi-use stadium that will serve as the Vikings home beginning in 2016
• U.S. Bank and Vikings also announce “Places to Play” program, a multi-year, $1,000,000, statewide investment into locations for Minnesota youth to play
• Program reinforces U.S. Bank’s and Vikings commitment to supporting an active lifestyle of our youth and communities in Minnesota

GARTH BROOKS BREAKS HIS LOUISIANA RECORD IN JUST 43 MINUTES

LOS ANGELES - June 5th, 2015 - Garth Brooks has broken his Louisiana ticket sales record in just 43 minutes. The previous record was from April 23 - 25, 1998, at Pete Maravich Center in Baton Rouge when he sold 42,110 tickets. Today he has sold 55,423 tickets for Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and tickets are still selling!

The shows will be:

Friday, July 10th, 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 11th, 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM 

Sunday, July 12th, 7:30 PM

Tickets are on sale now. There is an eight ticket limit per purchase. Tickets can only be purchased at  www.ticketmaster.com, ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or either Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448- 7849 or 1-800-745-3000. Please note that today there will be no ticket sales at the venue box office or Ticketmaster outlets.

Tickets will cost $66.73 plus a $2.00 facility fee and $6.25 service charge for a total of $74.98.

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About Garth Brooks

 On Tuesday, November 11th, Garth released MAN AGAINST MACHINE, his first new studio album in 13 years. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA, making Garth once again the #1-selling solo artist in US history.

You can follow him at:  https://twitter.com/garthbrooks  https://www.facebook.com/GarthBrooks  http://instagram.com/garthbrooks  https://vine.co/GarthBrooks

For more information please visit www.garthbrooks.com