Billboard Magazine Names Big Sandy Arena One of 17 to Watch in 2013

The SMG managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena has landed at #14 on Billboard’sNew and Renovated Venues to Watchlist. Other national recognizable venues include the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA and USF Sun Dome in Tampa, FL.“After being recognized as a top #11th venue in the world for ticket sales in 2012 by Venues Today Magazine, we are thrilled to be the focus of another article now by the world famous Billboard Magazine”, says Brian Sipe, General Manager of the SMG Managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena.  “This shows that Huntington is not just a player, but a leader, on the world’s stage when it comes to arenas our size.”

 

As explained by Billboard Magazine, “The strength of the live music industry can be measured in many ways, from the year-end reports of talent buyers and sellers, to the keen interest in the proposed sale of AEG Live, to the rapid sellouts of one's favorite act at the local concert venue. To add to those indicators, Billboard offers another way to judge the bullish outlook for the live business: the millions of dollars being invested in the buildings to host events. For existing venues to remain financially solid and attract talent, they must stay up to par in fan amenities, production capabilities and methods to drive ancillary revenue with concessions, sponsorships and premium seating. For a marketplace to be competitive in drawing top-tier content, it must have a competitive venue-even if it has to build a new one. Clearly, plenty of markets and venues want to stay in the game at the highest level, as evidenced by Billboard's annual state-of-the-market look at new and renovated venues.”

According to General Manager Brian Sipe, the renovated SMG Managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena has amenities galore. "We have 24 rows of telescopic seating, which lets us have 7,500 for an end-stage concert," Sipe says. "It lets us host a wide variety of attractions giving north of 40,000 square feet of floor space with the seating retracted, or a full-set arena for a concert or family show. We also purchased new spotlights, new carpeting, big-screen TVs, furniture and even an electric fireplace in the dressing rooms. We have also replaced our HVAC system. This spring we will finish with a renovated outdoor plaza and double the amount of box-office windows from four to eight."

 

The City Council of Huntington approved the renovations of the SMG Managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena in 2011 after obtaining a low interest rate on the federal governments American Recovery Bond program.  The City did not have to raise taxes to pursue the renovations for the arena.  The final project will be complete before the end of the calendar year.  “The venue may be 35 years old, but with the renovations and through our staff that is constantly exceeding expectations, we are able to attract artists like Barry Manilow, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Staind/Godsmack, Eric Church and family shows like the Harlem Globetrotters and World Wrestling Entertainment.  Mayor Williams continues to state that Huntington is an exceptional city and one that not just competes on the regional stage, but with the rest of the world.  Being recognized by Billboard magazine shows that our city’s arena is not just showcased on the regional stage, but due to publications like Billboard Magazine, we are being recognized on the national stage.  And that’s the direction we will keep heading toward”, says Sipe.

Upcoming scheduled events for the SMG Managed Big Sandy Superstore Arena include the Harlem Globetrotters, the WSAZ Home & Garden Show, Willie Nelson and Larry the Cable Guy/Bill Engvall among others.  For a full list, please visit www.bigsandyarena.comor download the Iphone/Andriod App.  To read the complete article visit http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/1539372/built-for-show-17-new-and-renovated-venues-to-watch

Big Sandy Superstore Arena is the largest entertainment venue in the tri-state. The arena hosts concerts, family shows, trade shows, regional and state athletic competitions. The Arena Conference Center has over 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

About SMG

Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 14.4 million square feet of exhibition space and over 1.75 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 

For more information visit www.smgworld.com