Wachovia Center Nominated for Arena of the Year
November 30, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
The Wachovia Center, the 21,000-seat home to the Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers and Wings, has been nominated as Facility of the Year by Pollstar Magazine, the concert industry's leading publication. Additionally, Comcast-Spectacor Senior Vice President John Page, who also serves as Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer, has been nominated as Facility Executive of the Year for his role as General Manager at both the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum.
"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized by the musicians, artists, promoters and booking agents as one of the leading arenas amongst all of the facilities theses individuals visit each year," said Comcast-Spectacor Ventures President Peter Luukko. "Our staff works very hard to ensure our guests have the best possible experience when they play at either of our two Philadelphia facilities.
"John is a terrific leader who has worked tirelessly to bring the world's best musicians and acts to our fans in Philadelphia," added Luukko. "We're proud of all of John's accomplishments and his recognition is a true testament to John and his staff and all of the work they put into entertaining fans throughout Philadelphia."
Nominations are based on the ballots of various industry professionals such as arena managers, tour managers, promoters, etc. Their decisions are based on the number of concerts, concert grosses, percentage of sellouts, attendance, venue design, acoustics, etc. This year the Wachovia Center hosted Prince (three shows), Van Halen (twice), Madonna (twice), Metallica (twice), Phil Collins (twice), Usher (twice), Bette Midler (twice), Barenaked Ladies, Rod Stewart, Hilary Duff, Sarah McLachlan, Jay-Z and P. Diddy and others.
The Wachovia Center, which has been nominated seven of the last eight years since opening in l996, is up against Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario; Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA; Madison Square Garden in New York, NY; Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; and Toyota Center in Houston, TX.
Page, who was has been nominated three consecutive years for Facility Executive of the Year, is up against Brad Mayne of American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX; Ed Rubenstein of Bi-Lo center in Greenville, SC; Eric Bresler of American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL; Michael Marison of Alltel Arena in Little Rock, AK; and Tim Bechert of Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH.
Additionally, the Everett Events Center in Everett, WA, which is managed by Global Spectrum, the subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor that manages public assembly facilities throughout the United States and Canada, was nominated as Best New Concert Venue. The facility opened in the fall of 2003.
Pollstar will announce the winners as part of their 16th Concert Industry Awards at the Wiltern LG in Los Angeles, CA, on Friday, February 4, 2005.
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