Tag: September 2019

Sheeran’s a Record Breaker

Ed Sheeran passed the record set by U2’s “360” tour. (Getty Images) At $775.6 million, the ‘Divide’ tour concludes as highest grossing ever With the conclusion of Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” tour Aug. 26, the artist has officially set the record for highest-grossing tour, logging $775.6 million on 8.9 million tickets at 255 performances over two-and-a-half years. The previous record was held by U2. “What Ed Sheeran and his team have accomplished in surpassing U2’s records represents the height of achievement in the world of live performance,” said Ray Waddell, president of media and conferences at Oak View Group,  parent company of VenuesNow and Pollstar. “While U2’s ‘360’ tour and Ed Sheeran’s ‘Divide’ tour were different in many ways, what these two tours have in common are great songs performed well, smart, dedicated teams behind them, tireless work ethic, and, most importantly, passionate fans who connect deeply with what the artist… Continue Reading Sheeran’s a Record Breaker

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Opening Number: All-Stars

50 Number of honorees on VenuesNow’s inaugural list of industry All-Stars With the September issue, we present the debut of the VenuesNow All-Stars, a group of 50 extraordinary people and places changing the face of the venues business. It’s a franchise that we’re excited to introduce and one that we plan to build on in the years to come. To come up with our fabulous 50, being saluted at a reception Sept. 9 in New York City to kick off our third annual VenuesNow Conference, members of the editorial team researched candidates and vigorously debated their merits, as well as reached out to members of the industry for feedback. We assembled the list with the idea of representing the many sectors that make up the business: venue management, from clubs to stadiums and festivals; branding, sponsorship and sales; architecture and construction; concessions; technology; operations and security; and ticketing. We also… Continue Reading Opening Number: All-Stars

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Arrive’s Parking Playbook

Chase Field in Phoenix is one of the venues that has found success using e-parking service ParkWhiz. (Getty Images) Company adds teams, venues to ParkWhiz roster with plan that eliminates a pain point and increases profitability Josh Simon, director of ticket operations for the Arizona Diamondbacks, had been looking for a prepaid parking vendor for about three years. He was faced with a problem common in the industry — how to provide convenient, affordable parking for patrons of his venue, Chase Field. “We run three garages and a lot with under 5,000 parking spaces, and parking is tight in downtown Phoenix,” he said. “We were looking for a provider that was adaptable and could work within our structure here.” Simon reached out to Chicago-based Arrive to find out more about ParkWhiz, its e-parking service that allows users to book parking spaces before reaching their destinations. “We implemented ParkWhiz last year,… Continue Reading Arrive’s Parking Playbook

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Canada: More Than Hockey

Old Dominion plays Abbotsford Centre in British Columbia. (Dark Works) Canada shines on the concert stage — and then there’s that NBA championship The canadian live entertainment market is busy. Venue operators across the Great White North say fan demand remains strong and ticket prices are firm. Major North American performers from country to rap to rock’n’roll and specialty performers packed houses nationwide over the past year.  And while some prognosticators warn of an economic slowdown in Canada and the U.S., it hasn’t slowed down business at the gate and entertainment executives are preparing for yet another big year.  Multi-night stands, new sponsors, big name entertainers and a sports world “first” all put a stamp on the past 12 months. Speaking of firsts, Canada last October became one of the first industrialized nations to legalize cannabis for recreational use. However, many of the nation’s new cannabis laws have yet to… Continue Reading Canada: More Than Hockey

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Yormark: ‘Happy I Was Able to Play a Role’

Brett Yormark helped bring big-time sports and entertainment to Brooklyn. (Courtesy BSE Global) Outgoing BSE Global CEO reflects on Barclays Center’s meaning to Brooklyn Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global, parent company of Barclays Center and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, is leaving the organization this month. The timing coincides with Mikhail Prokhorov’s sale of the remaining 51 percent of the team, plus the arena that he owned, to Joseph Tsai, executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group Holding, a Chinese company specializing in retail technologies. Tsai paid a reported $1.35 billion for the balance of the team after paying Prokhorov $1 billion last year to purchase 49 percent. Separately, Tsai will pay about $1 billion for the arena, according to published reports. Yormark reflected on his 14-year tenure with the Nets, dating to their days as a New Jersey team. What’s your next move? I’m not going to announce it yet.… Continue Reading Yormark: ‘Happy I Was Able to Play a Role’

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Talking Points: Valerie Camillo

President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center (Courtesy Comcast Spectacor) It’s great to have mentors in the workplace, but she always listens to mom. I thought I’d grow up to be I wanted to be a movie star, but I thought I would end up being a lawyer. First job in the industry NBA team marketing and business operations in NYC. I led the team business analytics group. Favorite part of the job My job is to create memories for families, friends and loved ones that last a lifetime and help define their connection to their community. Least favorite part of the job Our platform is 24/7 so I’m never truly “off.” I’ll check my phone on a deserted island with no service because something important might have happened. Mentors My mom. She is still advising me and is almost always right. I am not sure how… Continue Reading Talking Points: Valerie Camillo

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Canada: Seeing Green

Canadians celebrated the legalalization of recreational marijuana use in October 2018. (Getty Images) Cannabis sponsorships, currency rates are two factors that could boost business in Canada The Canadian live entertainment market packed houses across the country over the past year. Venue operators say there are two pressing issues that could turn uncertainty into tailwinds further boosting the marketplace: the slow rollout of Canada’s cannabis regulations, products and advertising since legalization last October, and persistent pressures from a weak loonie (slang for the Canadian dollar) that is costing venues big bucks. CANNABIS INFUSION? Canada legalized cannabis last October but regulations regarding cannabis-infused products and marketing remain unresolved. Edibles and other cannabis products such as beverages won’t hit store shelves until mid-December at the earliest. Meanwhile, it’s illegal to smoke indoors at public venues, so facilities have extended their no smoking policies to include marijuana as well as tobacco and e-cigarettes. Several… Continue Reading Canada: Seeing Green

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Live! Roundup: Jennifer Lopez Scores With 25-City Trek

Jennifer Lopez performs on her “It’s My Party” tour. (Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez earns a Hot Tickets ranking for sold-out concerts at two arenas on her “It’s My Party” tour that played 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada this summer. Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena and Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., both hit the top 10 in the category of venues with capacities from 15,001 to 30,000, the Miami venue at No. 1 and Newark’s arena at No. 8. AmericanAirlines Arena hosted Lopez for a three-night engagement July 25-27 to close out the tour’s opening North American leg with 40,055 total tickets. The combined gross reached $5.4 million and is the second highest of the tour’s summertime trek. Only a two-show stint at New York City’s Madison Square Garden scored a larger box-office take, topping the Miami tally by just over $50,000. The Prudential Center’s July 19 performance drew 13,227 fans… Continue Reading Live! Roundup: Jennifer Lopez Scores With 25-City Trek

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Green Room: September 2019

NS2 marketing coordinator Jordyn Rothman and comedy talent buyer Lisa Roberts, and two oranges, welcome Chelsea Handler to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. (Courtesy NS2)   Nederlander Concerts presented The Avett Brothers with custom Vina Robles wine before the band played to a full house at the Vina Robles Amphitheater in California. With the band is Ken Scher, executive vice president of talent for Nederlander Concerts, winery owner Hans R. Michele and Paul Leatherman, the venue’s general manager. (Cindy Huang)   Prior to his show at Tampa’s Amalie Arena, Lionel Richie signed a Tampa Bay Lightning jersey for the Lightning Foundation. Pictured are Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment’s Joe Maury, Alyssa Mason, Richie, Samantha Diaz and AEG Presents’ John Valentino. (Scott Audette)

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Management: September 2019

Move of the Month The Madison Square Garden Co. named Michael Fallon vice president of arena operations at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Fallon is responsible for overseeing the venue’s operations and supervises the Forum’s box office, food and beverage, security, event production and building operations teams. Fallon has been with MSG for five years.   The London Legacy Development Corp. appointed Joanna Adams as its first chief commercial officer. Adams joins the firm from England Netball, where she was chief executive. The corporation promotes and delivers physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding area, including London Stadium. Eventbrite named Lanny Baker chief financial officer. The industry veteran joins the ticketing company from Yelp, where he held the same title. Before joining Yelp, Baker was CEO of ZipRealty and chief financial officer for Monster Worldwide. Baker spent the earlier part of his career… Continue Reading Management: September 2019

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The ’90s to Now

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

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