The City of Roanoke has named Global Spectrum as the new operator and manager of the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, VA, and named Chris Connolly, a 10-year company veteran, as the new general manager. Global Spectrum will begin operation on January 2, 2009.
Connolly, who is relocating to Roanoke from London, Ontario, where he served as assistant general manager at the Global Spectrum-managed John Labatt Centre since 2005, will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Roanoke Civic Center. Those responsibilities include booking and scheduling events, overseeing the daily financials for the facility and supervising the operations of the 10,000-seat multi-purpose coliseum, performing arts theatre, exhibition space and a special events center.
In addition to the Roanoke Civic Center, Global Spectrum currently operates three other facilities in Virginia, including the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach; the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond; and the Ted F. Constant Convocation Center on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk.
“Global Spectrum has an outstanding reputation for managing similar venues and properties such as the Roanoke Civic Center,” said City of Roanoke Assistant City Manager Jim Grigsby in a statement. “We are excited to have them managing our arena here in Roanoke and we look forward to a great relationship with them.”
“Roanoke is a terrific market with a lot of potential,” added Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “With the synergies we can create with our three other Virginia-based facilities, and our industry resources and contacts, we see tremendous potential for the Roanoke Civic Center.”
