Thank you to those who nominated and voted for these influential leaders. Venues Today is honoring these young professionals who make a difference in sports, music, conventions, family shows and festivals. Our annual Generation Next Awards honoring leaders 35 or younger will be profiled in the June issue of the magazine.
Congratulations to our 2015 VT Generation Next Award Recipients!
Rebecca Bolton
General Manager
Global Spectrum - Las Cruces (N.M.) Convention Center
Age 34
For building relationships and producing events at the Las Cruces Convention Center that led to an extension of Global Spectrum’s contract soon after her arrival. The city has now agreed to extend the contract another two years based on all of her accomplishments. Becky finished 2014 with the highest grossing revenue since the building opened. She established two self-produced consumer shows as well as the first “Women of the Year Awards” in Las Cruces. Becky graduated from the International Association of Venue Managers’ Venue Management School.
David Farrar
General Manager
SMG – Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center, Reading, Pa.
Age 32
For creating a huge success for both the arena and theater with shows from Elton John to Mythbusters. He also nabbed Reading’s first MMA event in 2014. He is very involved in the local community, finding local businesses to help promote/market upcoming shows to create a buzz within the community when a new event comes to town. David is an outstanding leader who defines integrity and motivation to not only get the job done, but get it done right the first time.
Gunnar Fox
General Manager
Global Spectrum - PPL Center, Allentown, Pa.
Age 31
For spearheading the 2014 grand opening of the new PPL Center, a 10,000-seat multipurpose venue managed by Global Spectrum. Gunnar has successfully booked major performing artists including The Eagles, Tom Petty, Judas Priest, Nickelback and Neil Diamond, as well as world-class family shows and sporting events including Harlem Globetrotters, Professional Bull Riders, WWE and multiple Feld Entertainment shows, to name a few. Gunnar began his facility management career as Event Manager at the Global Spectrum-managed Wells Fargo Center in 2006. He was promoted to general manager at the EnCana Events Center in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, in 2008 and general manager at the 7,500-seat Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., in 2009, before moving to Allentown in March 2014.
Russell Gordon
Sr. Director, Events and Venue Operations (Social Butterfly Award)
Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE
Age 34
For overseeing all of Nokia Theatre’s security, guest services and operations for all events and working closely with the production teams that bring their prestigious awards show to the venue. Russ is exactly what we expect in all young leaders; enthusiasm, motivation and drive. He is that person who needs to make every event successful by not being satisfied with the status quo, but striving to make improvements at every moment to make that experience something special for guests, clients, artists and employees. His talents in event logistics and planning, including overall crowd management and flow, have been put to great use during the record-breaking 10 major award shows Nokia Theatre L.A. Live hosted in 2014. Russ was a critical part of the success of these events and managing over 50,000 guests from excited fans to A-list superstars with millions of eyeballs tuning in from around the world.
Casey Sparks
Assistant General Manager
SMG - BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.
Age 35
For helping to coordinate all details and leading her team through a successful Garth Brooks residency of seven sold-out shows. Brooks’ visit to his hometown of Tulsa generated enormous national media attention and his performances set a venue record for the most tickets sold by a single artist with over 130,000 total tickets sold. The highlight of his two-week residency was a Saturday night of back-to-back performances. The two shows in one night welcomed over 36,000 fans through the doors.
