Florece + the Machine was part of the lineup at Portland’s Moda Center. (Courtesy Portland Trail Blazers)
Rose Quarter (Moda Center, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Theater of the Clouds), Portland
Amanda Mann, vice president and general manager
How did you do in 2018?
We had a phenomenal year and appreciate the recognition. That said between the two venues on the Rose Quarter campus, we had 50-plus shows in our last fiscal year, a record high.
Big shows
Florence + the Machine, Logic, Luke Bryant.
Changes
We built out a new Rip City Clothing Co. stand. We brought on a new local concession partner, Tamale Boy, as well as expanded the presence of Cha Cha Cha and Ruby Jewel. We created new concepts Bap and Noodle, The Speck, Whole Sum and Low Bar. We activated seat service on the club level. We installed portable vehicle intrusion barriers and planters. We're currently working through bids on new access control software and camera systems and additional cameras.
Joining were Richard Fedesco assistant general manager; Aaron Shapiro, director of guest experience; Calvin Brennan, guest experience manager; Dan Nielsen, director of security; and Cody Tassin, security and safety manager. In addition to these new hires, we promoted Alli Stangel to senior manager of event services; Justin Pierson to event manager; and Tyrone Stillwell and Colin Chiles to ESS supervisors.
We established a part-time ambassador program and it's helped increase part-time retention by 10 percent.
Spokane Arena and First Interstate Center for the Arts, Spokane, Wash.
Stephanie Curran, CEO of Spokane Public Facilities District
How did you do in 2018?
We're going to end up strong.
Big shows
We just had Metallica in the arena, and we broke every record for attendance and per caps. Productions "Waitress" and "Finding Neverland" were big in the PAC.
Changes
We renovated our First Interstate Center for the Arts performing arts center. We added new seating and made it more ADA-friendly. We added a quick-fire pizza concept, an Asian stand and a specialty grilled cheese stand. On the way is a new sport complex with a 200-meter, six-lane track.
What went right
The new food concepts have worked great and people now come here to eat instead of eating before they arrive. The renovations have brought a tremendous amount of economic impact to the community.
What went wrong
The raise in the minimum wage in Washington has impacted us and there is a labor shortage. Construction costs are higher — for instance, Amazon just built a fulfillment center here and they bought up all the concrete in the area and the price of what concrete was left was higher.
McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater, Troutdale, Ore.
Jimi Brion, director of entertainment and venue programming
How did you do in 2018?
We shot up the chart this year mainly because we put on a lot more shows in 2018 —
27 more. Bands playing two nights helped.
Big shows
Avett Brothers; Ween; the Decemberists; Portugal. The Man.
Changes
We spruced up our ADA area.
Roseland Theater, Portland
Dave Leiken, owner and president
How did you do in 2018?
We have done better year-over-year for the past 10 years, and this year was no exception. We sold over 175,000 tickets and did 190 shows.
Big shows
Snarky Puppy, Miguel, Stone Temple Pilots, Flatbush Zombies, Social Distortion, Garbage.
Changes
New sound system and upgraded lighting.
Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Wash.
Kim Bedier, director for Tacoma Venues & Events
How did you do in 2018?
Considering we were closed almost four months this year for renovations, the venue is doing great. We're up in revenues about 8 percent. We were ranked No. 28 worldwide and No. 12 in the U.S. in the midyear Pollstar rankings.
Big shows
Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert, Jeff Dunham, Bass Academy, Chris Young, Maroon 5 and Shania Twain. This year’s Tacoma Guitar Festival, an annual self-promoted event in April, was the biggest ever. The 2019 version is selling out even faster. Post-reopening, Drake sold 20,000 tickets, Joe Walsh’s VetAid raised more than $1.2 million, and Eddie Vedder dropped by to record “Bathroom Jams” with Mike Campbell and Crowded House’s Neil Finn in our new artist quarters.
Changes
We spent $31 million to renovate the seating, concessions, artist quarters, restrooms and loading docks.
Aramark took over this fall as concession operator and all the stands have been overhauled with a new look, branding, digital menu boards and point-of-sale system.
A new website was launched to coincide with the reopening.
What went right
Renovations are ongoing and going great. The new seats have been well received, the new restrooms are spacious, the artist quarters have been busy and per caps are up.
What went wrong
Justin Timberlake took ill and had to postpone his two November shows to February.
Abbotsford Centre, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Andrew Nash, general manager
How did you do in 2018?
There was strength in our market. We were up in 2018 in gross, up 30,000 people — mostly because we did more shows.
Big shows
Joe Rogan sold the most tickets ever for a show here this year. Eight performances of Cirque Du Soleil broke their old record for a multiday run. The Thank You Canada Tour featuring the Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton was huge. Shows by John Mellencamp, Santana, WWE and Jeff Dunham all outperformed.
Changes
We rebranded the concession areas and bought new seat covers. We also created two new positions, guest experiences coordinator and operations/F&B manager.
What went right
Our partnerships and relationships, and our diverse event calendar.
What went wrong
There was an extreme labor shortage this year in the area. When the Thank You Canada Tour came to rehearse, their load-in was the same day as Beyoncé and Journey at competing venues. We had to wait for a load-in crew to get cut from B.C. Place in Vancouver and come up here. We wound up six hours off schedule.