(CelebrityAccess News Service) —
The Fox Cities Performing Art Center in Appelton, WI, has named Susan Stockton as its new president. She officially comes on board September 15.
"We feel that Susan will be a great leader to take what we are doing here to the next level of excellence," said Dr. John Toussaint, chairman of the search and screen committee. "Her accomplished leadership skills and dedication to the arts will make her a great addition to our community."
Stockton noted, "The enthusiasm and support the community has shown for this new facility created a dream. In reading articles about the building's construction, I was amazed by the community spirit and energy and knew we would be blessed to be living and working in a place capable of achieving such greatness."
Most recently, Stockton served as director of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State in College Park, PA. There, she was responsible for all aspects of the center that included 2,500 and 900-seat theaters.–edited by Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Global Spectrum to Run Rio Grande Valley Events Center
(CelebrityAccess News Service) — Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm, has been selected to operate the new Rio Grande Valley Events Center. Scheduled to open in Hidalgo, TX, on November 1 as the home of a new Central Hockey League franchise (the Killerbees), a showplace for concerts, family shows, ice shows, trade shows and special events (i.e. cultural border fests) for residents of the Rio Grande Valley.
Global Spectrum, as part of its on-going strategic alliance with International Coliseums Company and Global Entertainment Marketing Systems of Scottsdale, AZ, has been selected for the pre-opening and full management of the Rio Grande Valley Events Center, according to Global Spectrum president Michel Sauers.
Upon being awarded the management contract for the facility, Global Spectrum named Paul Davis as the arena's first general manager. Davis, who joins Global Spectrum from a similar position with the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV, will handle all of the booking and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the new 6,800-seat multi-purpose facility.
The $20-million multi-purpose complex, which is currently under construction, will feature a 6,800-seat arena that will configure up to nearly 5,500-seats for ice hockey and a center stage concert capacity of 6,800-seats. Global Spectrum is now actively booking and scheduling events for this facility.
"We are extremely excited to be have been chosen by the City of Hidalgo to provide first-class management services and a full spectrum of events for this outstanding, state-of-the-art facility," said Sauers. "We look forward to working closely with the City of Hidalgo and providing the residents of the entire region with the finest facility of its type anywhere."
"Our relationship with Global Spectrum is the best way for ICC to become involved in the facility management business especially in the area of pre-opening design and construction services, as well as the pre-sale of commercial rights," said ICC and Global Entertainment president Rick Kozuback. "Our goal is to find a home for CHL franchises as the league continues to grow and ensure the best on-going management of these homes through our partner, Global Spectrum."
"We are pleased with our selection of ICC and Global Spectrum to manage the Rio Grande Valley Events Center and look forward to a long, prosperous relationship," said Joe Vera, City Manager for Hidalgo.
Under Davis' direction, Global Spectrum, one of the world's top public assembly management companies, will be involved with all pre-opening phases of managing the facility, including working and consulting on facility design, preparing marketing programs, brochures and literature on the facility, preparing a pre-opening budget, recruiting, hiring all staff for the facility, assisting in the procurement of furniture, fixtures and equipment, booking the facility, marketing the facility and securing and finalizing operations of subcontractors. Global Spectrum will also establish and implement financial and accounting programs and procedures, as well as prepare the facility for its opening.
Prior to joining Global Spectrum, Davis was business manager for the Mandalay Bay Events Center since its opening in January of l999. Prior to Mandalay Bay Events Center, Davis spent three years with the MGM Grand Theme Park where he oversaw finance, guest services and ticketing. He also spent two years working in merchandising at the Grand Garden Arena. This will be Davis' third grand opening project.
Upon opening, Global Spectrum will handle the day-to-day management of the facility, including booking, scheduling, marketing, maintenance, contracted services, staffing and other operations.
Owned by the City of Hidalgo, the new Center features 25 suites and 500 club seats. The property will also include 2,000 surface parking spaces on site, as well as a 2,000-square-foot lounge with access from outside of the arena, as well as 1,000-square foot bar and 300-square-foot pro shop.–edited by Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
