Pictured above: a recent successful Dodgebrawl 2018 event which took place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS, as a result of the SMG Event Innovation Team.
West Conshohocken, Penn.-based SMG highlighted the success of its Event Innovation Team at the company’s annual management meeting held recently in Philadelphia. Since its inception one year ago, 126 internally produced special events have taken place at SMG-managed facilities in the U.S., exceeding expectations. These self-created and locally produced events occur under the SMG Promotions banner and include team members from SMG venues across the SMG footprint of stadiums, convention centers, arenas and theaters.
“Not only does SMG book top concerts, but they have always focused on creating community events that enrich our city,” says Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. “Over the years, these community events have become annual traditions for many of our local residents and I’m proud to have SMG as a partner who embraces the city’s goal of downtown revitalization and economic growth.”
Event Innovation concepts across the SMG facility map include events such as, the Grand Rapids “Wine, Beer and Food Festival,” Tulsa’s “DodgeBrawl,” and “Winterfest,” Soldier Field’s (Chicago) “10 mile” run, El Paso’s “Ice Cream Festival,” Ontario’s (Calif.)” Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion” car show and concert, and many more.
“Congratulations to all our venues and their remarkable achievement of producing 126 special events in one year,” John Bolton, SMG vice president says. “And thanks to our Event Innovation Team leaders, Matt Blasey, Bryan Crowe, Tom Lorenz, Jeff Nickler, Zane Collings, Luca Sera and Brian Smith for their contributions to this successful program.”
“The SMG team in Greater Ontario, Calif., has made a true and measurable economic impact to our region and community by creating signature special events,” says Scott Ochoa, city manager, city of Ontario, Calif. “The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion Classic Car Show drew more than 250,000 attendees last year, with more than a $16 million gain to our local economy. In addition, Def Fest (held prior to the Def Leppard concert) and Party on the Pavement (prior to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert) at Citizens Business Bank Arena were successes, with 10,000 guests enjoying the added entertainment experience.”
The Event Innovation Team was created during the 2017 SMG management meeting when the company officials held a competition among all SMG facilities to identify the best self-produced special event concepts. A total of 37 entries were judged and the top 15 were then packaged for development and “curated” to the field operators by the Event Innovation Team during monthly webinars.
“These curated yet customizable events are now available to all our facilities as part of our unique SMG resource library,” says Doug Thornton, SMG executive vice president. “The Event Innovation Team was born from our desire to generate more home-grown activity in our facilities and the group has done an outstanding job in just a short time. Congratulations to John Bolton and the entire Event Innovation team for their leadership in spearheading this effort.”
The SMG Event Innovation Team has plans to roll out ten additional event concepts between now and year end.
Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to 243 public assembly facilities, including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 19 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 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 and Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more info, visit www.smgworld.com.
