Congratulations to our 2013 Hall of Headlines Award Recipients! Venues Today will be highlighting their accomplishments in our upcoming December Year-End Issue.
Contact your account rep to reserve a congratulatory ad by Nov. 22nd!
NEWS
Bruce Ratner & Brett Yormark
Majority owner and developer of Barclays Center and executive chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies, and CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets, respectively
For revolutionizing the largest sports and entertainment market in the U.S. with the development and programming of Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The venue hosted more than 200 events and attracted more than two million people in its first year, having opened Sept. 28, 2012. Ratner and Yormark brought a major professional sports team to the borough for the first time since the Dodgers left in 1957. Barclays Center Facebook likes increased by 555 percent and Twitter followers increased by 308 percent since the opening of the venue.
BOOKINGS
John Bolton & Jeff Nickler
GM, and Asst. GM for SMG, respectively, at BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.
For creating the 5th Anniversary Concert Series.
To commemorate the venue’s fifth anniversary, Bolton and Nickler decided to create an anniversary concert series with five blockbuster acts. The celebration included six sold-out shows: two back-to-back Paul McCartney performances, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Buffett, the Eagles, and native Oklahoman Blake Shelton. The Eagles and Paul McCartney had also served as the venue’s opening act and first anniversary performance, respectively.
OPS & TECH
Steve Goodling and Charlie Bierne
Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO, and SMG/Long Beach Arena General Manager, respectively
For implementing a state-of-the-art curtaining system at Long Beach Arena that will increase functionality for meetings.
The new $10-million rigging system is North America's largest tension grid, and the only one in the world that raises and lowers. It will transform the arena bowl into the Pacific Ballroom – Long Beach Arena when required. The system will also allow venue management to rescale the Long Beach Arena and create added flexibility for promoters and event organizers. The setup will also include state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and can be scaled for events up to 5,000.
MARKETING
Peter Luukko & Kevin Lovitt
President/COO Comcast-Spectacor, and President of Pointstreak, respectively
For bringing Electronic 50/50 Raffles to Philadelphia.
On April 23, the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, playing the Boston Bruins at the Wells Fargo Center, raised $85,000 in a 50/50 raffle and gave half to Boston Strong. The law in Philadelphia did not allow 50/50 raffles worth over $500 when this idea was hatched. Pointstreak and the Flyers worked in concert to get the legislation changed and now it is legal for hockey and basketball in Pennsylvania. The raffles are a game changer, enhancing the fan experience at events.
CONCESSIONS
Tim Ryan
Anaheim Ducks Executive Vice President/COO and Honda Center CEO
For taking concessions in house and opening a new flagship dining concept.
The Grand Terrace is a 15,000-sq.-ft. members-only indoor/outdoor entertainment space run by new executive chef Joseph Doyle. Located on the San Manuel Premium Level of Honda Center, the location features more than 100 feet of bar space, upscale décor, unique menu options, and outdoor fire pits — season passes to the Grand Terrace sold out shortly after groundbreaking. The Grand Terrace is part of a major overhaul at the building that also includes the new Anaheim Ducks Team Store Powered by Reebok and a 250-seat restaurant by Wolfgang Puck.