BOOKINGS, UPGRADES SURGE IN 2017

With a Bruce Springsteen concert that grossed $1,396,956, Qudos Bank Arena, located in Sydney Olympic Park, 2017 is off to a better start than the previous year.
“The bookings for 2017 show a marked improvement in regards to content that is already looking better than the previous two years,” said Steve Hevern, the arena’s general manager.
Bruce Springsteen was also a juggernaut for Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC), taking in $5,225,508 for two shows, the highest for the venue so far this year.
“The cycle seems to have turned for the better for 2017, with a very healthy level of bookings, particularly in the second half of 2017 and in the first four months of 2018,” said Tim Worton, who oversees Qudos Bank Arena, BEC, Perth Arena and Newcastle Entertainment Centre for AEG Ogden. “Accordingly, we are projecting strong revenue growth in the 2017/18 financial year over the past couple of years, and that seems set to be repeated in 2018/19. So the outlook is very positive, and we’re excited about the content that we expect to host over the next 18 to 24 months.”
Upgrades also are underway in Australia’s major facilities this year.
In 2017, the BEC’s outdoor Courtyard Catering operation will undergo a major refurbishment with new permanent outlets to replace the current temporary structures. These four permanent outlets will be multipurpose and can operate simultaneously or as standalone units. 
“The new outlets will provide patrons with better facilities and a greater catering offering,” said Worton. “These also will feature new permanent seating areas, which will assist in labor set-up costs.”
  Also this year, Perth Arena plans to commission the final two of four gantry winches in the main rigging zone.
“This greatly improves the speed, efficiency and safety of hauling motor chains to the roof,” said Michael Scott, general manager. “In addition, it will reduce the number of riggers required and overall costs to the production team.”