DALLAS (CelebrityAccess) Fair Park First and Spectra, which assumed management of Fair Park in Dallas Jan. 1, have named hospitality and venue management industry veteran Peter Sullivan as the new General Manager of the 277-acre property.
Sullivan most recently managed Singapore Sports Hub, a large multi-venue sports and entertainment complex in Southeast Asia that includes the 55,000-seat National Stadium, 10,000-seat Singapore Indoor Stadium, and a number of recreational, cultural, and multipurpose venues.
He was previously a regional VP with Spectra and managed University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., home to the Arizona Cardinals and the annual Fiesta Bowl. His specific duties included venue booking, strategic planning, project development, and financial oversight. He played an important role in assisting with the development of RFP responses and presentations for events including the 2017 NCAA Final Four, the 2016 College Football Playoff Championship game, and Copa America Centenario 2016.
Sullivan also oversaw and managed the privatization of the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Complex, including: Alltel Stadium (currently TIAA Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars), the Jacksonville Coliseum, the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts (home to broadway/symphony), Wolfson Park (Jacksonville Suns), and the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Additionally, he served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) in Lansing, Mich., where he was responsible for the oversight and operations of Lansing Center (a 220,000-square foot convention center), Oldsmobile Park (home to the Lansing Lugnuts/Single A affiliate), the Lansing City Market (a historical indoor/outdoor market), and a seven-day music festival (the Common Ground Music Festival).
Spectra will run day-to-day operations of Fair Park year-round.
“I’m excited by the potential of Fair Park,” Sullivan said. “The city has done a great job hosting a large variety of events and activities, drawing millions of people annually to Fair Park. My team and I are looking forward to building on the past successes by working with Spectra’s vast network of agents, promoters and touring attractions to position Fair Park as a world-class destination. Our first priority, however, is a smooth management transition and stabilization of operations.”
In October 2018, Dallas City Council unanimously approved local nonprofit Fair Park First to assume management of the cultural, educational and sports facilities just east of downtown Dallas.
“We know Peter will help put the ‘park’ back in Fair Park,” Darren James, Fair Park First’s board president, said. “His laser-focus on bringing in new and interesting entertainment, festivals, and community events will underscore the vitality of our neighborhood and the city.”
The City of Dallas will provide oversight across the tenure of the agreement through Fair Park First. Mr. Sullivan will report directly to Darren James and The City of Dallas Parks Department.
“The depth and breadth of Peter’s experience and professional network is going to drive an increase in events and engagement from within the community, the City of Dallas, and the state of Texas,” Bobby Abtahi, Dallas Park and Recreation Board President, said. “With Peter at the helm, we’re confident Fair Park will become one of the most buzzed-about destinations—both in the neighborhood and nationally—featuring year-round attractions and happenings.”
