AIKEN, SC (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) Global Spectrum, operators of the Colonial Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina (USC), has been named as operators of the new 3,500-seat, on-campus convocation center at USC Aiken, SC.
"Global Spectrum has an outstanding reputation in South Carolina and throughout the United States for providing a high-level of top-notch entertainment to their venues with a superior level of customer service and this is exactly what we want to bring to Aiken," said the University's Ginger Steel Huddock.
The 100,000-sq. ft. convocation center is currently under construction and preparing for an April 1 opening. At a cost of $20-million, the facility represents the university's close partnerships with the community. It includes state, county and city funds, as well as more than $400,000 from private donors. The Convocation Center, the largest facility of its kind in Aiken County, will be the home of USC Aiken's athletic programs, as well as numerous family events, concerts and special attractions.
"This is a terrific opportunity for Global Spectrum to further expand into South Carolina," said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. "By utilizing synergies of operating the Colonial Center, we have the opportunity to secure additional events for Aiken, as well as provide opportunities for some of their customers with exclusive ticket offers and other special advantages."
Global Spectrum named Jennifer Kelly, a 10-year industry veteran, as the facility's first general manager. Kelly, who relocates from the Colonial Center, will oversee Global Spectrum's involvement in pre-opening the facility, including working and consulting on the final stages of facility design and construction, preparing marketing programs, brochures and literature on the facility, preparing a pre-opening budget, recruiting, hiring and training a staff for the facility, supervising the procurement of furniture, fixtures and equipment, booking the facility, marketing the facility and securing subcontractors and analyzing all operational details. Global Spectrum will also establish and implement financial and accounting programs and procedures as well as prepare the facility for its opening.
Upon opening, Kelly will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility, including scheduling, booking, marketing, advertising, sales and sponsorship sales for the Convocation Center. "Jennifer is a very talented leader and a future mover and shaker in our industry," said Page. "We know that Jennifer will help us make the new Convocation Center a true marvel for the University, its students and faculty and the surrounding region."
Prior to her position as director of marketing at the Colonial Center (2002-2006), Kelly was marketing manager at the Global Spectrum-managed Wachovia Complex (Philadelphia) and regional marketing director for the Harlem Globetrotters (1999-2002). — Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
