In 2013, Abbotsford Entertainment Centre was recognized by Venues Today as the highest grossing building in the Pacific Northwest for venues with a capacity of between 5,001 and 10,000. The venue’s general manager and Generation Next winner, Jason Blumenfeld, played a big part in this success.
In his two years in Abbotsford, the 32-year-old has helped make the arena a regular touring stop for big name acts, including KISS, Maroon 5, Eric Church and John Fogerty.
“Those shows would not have happened without Jason’s innovative, creative mind and his great work ethic,” said Jim Cressman, president of Invictus Entertainment Group, which has brought Motley Crue, Carrie Underwood and John Mellencamp to the building,
Blumenfeld hit the ground running after graduating in 2003 from Long Island’s Hofstra University in New York with a degree in film studies and production and minor in psychology, and interning for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Because the Eagles’ stadium was in the same complex as the Wells Fargo Center, Spectrum and Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies, he was able to segue the internship into a part-time job with Global Spectrum as event operator for the inaugural season of Citizens Bank Park.
“In November 2004, I was offered an event management position at Wells Fargo Complex, where I learned more about the business and all of the resources available to us,” Blumenfeld said. “I was involved with putting on events, which included operations, finance, box office and marketing.”
In 2007, Global Spectrum sent Blumenfeld to Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine, home of Quebec’s Major Junior Hockey team the Lewiston MAINEiacs.
“There, I was essentially thrown into the fire, so I had to utilize everything I learned first-hand in Philly to run the building,” Blumenfeld said. “I made sure to connect with other general managers within the company to serve as resources.”
A year-and-a-half later, Global Spectrum sent Blumenfeld to Upstate New York, where he served in the same capacity at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Two-and-a-half years later, he landed in his current post at Abbotsford, where he has been for the last two years.
“Jason is a terrific example of growing up within our company,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page, noting that Blumenfeld learned the facility management business through Global Spectrum’s How Ya Growin? leadership institute.
Blumenfeld also is known for going above and beyond to get the job done. When serving as event manager in Philly during the NCAA Tournament, he worked 36 hours straight to load in for the event, which took place immediately after a Philadelphia 76ers game.
Although he is now overseeing a larger venue and staff, Blumenfeld appreciates that he can delegate more so he can concentrate on operating the venue and cultivating relationships with agents and promoters.
“Jason started with us as an intern and within less than five years is running several of our facilities,” said Page. “He is always looking for opportunities to increase revenues through creativity. He is infectious with his enthusiasm. He truly knows how to rally a team and get the job done.”
Like in all his past posts, Blumenfeld puts a big emphasis on becoming involved in the community in which he works.
“It has been difficult to leave the towns I’ve worked in, because I’ve become attached to them,” Blumenfeld said. “Fortunately, I know the relationships I’ve established in each city will last forever.”
Even as he has raised Abbotsford’s profile with big name acts, he realizes that the small town is not a major market. Consequently, Blumenfeld makes sure each show is right for the community. In his current role, he also has been successful in managing the expectations of promoters as well as the community.
“Jason has a great feel for the business, even at his young age. He excels at building positive relationships with his tenant teams as well as outside shows to insure they have a positive experience at his facility,” said Mike Scanlon, general manager of PPL Park in Philadelphia and regional vice president for Global Spectrum.
Blumenfeld said he is fortunate to be backed by a great staff that supports and trusts each other, but also is focused on growing and learning. He credits his organizational skills and focus on the patrons’ experience as the keys to his success.
“Not everything is black and white in this business,” he said. “It’s important to make sure we’re doing right by our customers, because our guests come first.”
His career goal includes staying on his current path, while also providing those around him with the opportunity to be successful.
“It’s important to take risks, but not unnecessary ones, and think outside the box. The only way to get better is to make mistakes and learn from them,” Blumenfeld said. “I’ve found that the harder I work, the more opportunities come my way.”