Delaware North, the owner of the Bruins and TD Garden, has used The Hub on Causeway, its $1 billion retail and entertainment district tied to the arena, to help keep fans of the Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox engaged during the pandemic. Continue Reading Delaware North Feeds Boston Fans’ Passion
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TOUCH AND GO: Amazon technology is part of the post-COVID upgrades planned for Staples Center. (Courtesy Staples Center) Big league arenas remake their systems, processes for post-COVID audiences Big league arena managers are taking the first steps toward adding layers of protection to their venues by going cashless, upgrading ventilation systems and eliminating “touch points” that can allow chances for contamination. As part of the process, multiple NBA and NHL venues are pursuing accreditation for health and safety standards. Some are forming health and hygiene divisions and appointing officers to supervise higher levels of sanitation. NBA arena managers participate in regular calls with league officials to discuss best practices and which virus technology services make the most sense for them, considering they’re getting pitched by a parade of vendors, said Erin Schnieders, the NBA’s senior vice president and head of arena development and standards. Sixty to 70 people participate in… Continue Reading Arenas: Inside Job
Continue Reading Arenas: Inside Job
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Metallica christened Chase Center last September in San Francisco. This year, the pandemic has blown up the typical process for arenas booking sports and live entertainment. (Don Muret / Staff) Uncertainty over 2020-21 NBA and NHL seasons makes it tough to fill calendars The pandemic has thrown a wrench into the booking process for big league arenas as they reschedule special events and book new dates without knowing the specifics of the NBA and NHL calendars for 2020-21. Typically, those venues have pro basketball and hockey schedules in hand by now as they start to fill open dates with concerts and family shows. That’s not the case this year as the COVID-19 crisis rages on across North America. Five months into the pandemic, everything remains up in the air for booking sports and entertainment. The NBA, NHL and WNBA all resumed their 2019-20 seasons last week in a bubble format,… Continue Reading For arenas, all events on ‘hold’ during pandemic
Continue Reading For arenas, all events on ‘hold’ during pandemic
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Ben Bosse Vice President of Event Services and Technical Operations Bridgestone Arena / Nashville...
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BIG BAND MUSIC: Chicago’s Mucca Pazza instrumental music and performance ensemble performs at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall. (Chronicle Cinema) States’ venues fill seats for diverse entertainment THE CIRCUIT A quick two-state tour of some of the region’s top-performing venues FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn. Jeff Olson, booking director How did you do last year? FedEx Forum had a great year in 2019! We had one of our best years for concerts with many headlining acts. Big shows Justin Timberlake, Jan. 12; Panic! at the Disco, Feb. 6; Kiss, Feb. 23; Twenty One Pilots, June 26; Chris Stapleton, Oct. 5; Bob Seger , Oct. 12; Elton John, Oct. 30; and Ariana Grande, Dec. 7. Changes FedEx Forum is completing a new roof project to the venue. We also have renovated several of our restaurants and club areas. What went right The University of Memphis men’s basketball team had a great… Continue Reading Kentucky and Tennessee: Sizzling in the South
Continue Reading Kentucky and Tennessee: Sizzling in the South
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The Phoenix Suns have called Talking Stick Resort Arena home since 1992. (Getty Images) Big renovation plans bringing major league arenas into the iPhone era Arena construction is booming in the big leagues. Most projects are tied to extensive renovations of 1990s-era venues in need of updating aging infrastructure, a refresh of public spaces with improved concourse flow, food halls and digital technology, and new spins on premium seats. NBA and NHL arenas in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Nashville, Phoenix, Raleigh, Indianapolis and Boston are all in the midst of transforming the fan experience and some, like Talking Stick Resort Arena, are spending major dollars to replace mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. They’re all making adjustments to meet the needs of a younger fan base by creating more social spaces that don’t necessarily focus on the game but provide large group areas, in some cases standing room platforms, to hang out, eat and drink and stay connected to their… Continue Reading The ’90s to Now
Continue Reading The ’90s to Now
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The Atlanta Braves have a jersey coaster at SunTrust Park. (Courtesy Silver Crystal Sports) Installation helps move merchandise, literally and figuratively, at venues When Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena wanted to try something different with its team jersey operation, it turned to Silver Crystal Sports, the company that put team jersey roller coasters in Atlanta’s new baseball stadium, SunTrust Park, and other facilities. “I’ve seen them around and was really impressed with the concept,” said Dave Urso, Bridgestone’s senior vice president of operations. “We had just come off a Stanley Cup (Finals) year, where we had a new jersey with a switch from Reebok to Adidas, which meant a lot of sales of jerseys.” Urso and the team wanted a way to keep the momentum going. “This way of presenting the jerseys makes the jerseys highly visible to the fans — and highly desirable,” he said. “This takes the whole operation out… Continue Reading Roller Coaster Puts Jersey Sales on Incline
Continue Reading Roller Coaster Puts Jersey Sales on Incline
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