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AMWAY CENTER CELEBRATES FIVE LEGENDARY YEARS OF EVENTS, SERVICE AND AWARDS
ORLANDO, FLORIDA [September 30, 2015] – In honor of its fifth anniversary celebration on October 1, the Amway Center recognizes the numerous events, patrons, partners and promoters that have contributed to its success in making it Central Florida’s premier sports and entertainment destination. Since opening its doors on October 1, 2010, the arena has welcomed 6,657,572 guests to a total of 1,079 events. During that span, the state-of-the-art venue has hosted 55 sold-out shows by many of the biggest names in music including Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and Eagles while garnering more than 20 awards including the SportsBusiness Journal’s “Sports Facility of the Year” and the StadiumBusiness Awards’ “Customer Experience Award.”
The Amway Center is the proud home to three teams; the NBA’s Orlando Magic, ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and the AFL’s Orlando Predators and has hosted several high-profile sporting events including NBA All-Star Weekend, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships, ECHL All-Star Classic, World Championship Boxing and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s bold vision set forth an unprecedented public/private partnership and on July 26, 2007, the Amway Center was approved as one part of the largest public building venture in Central Florida’s history. His leadership and collaboration led to the creation of a world-class sports and entertainment venue that continues to be praised as one of the finest facilities in North America.
"Year after year, our world-class Amway Center continues to draw high-profile events and top-tier artists for all ages, providing our residents and millions of visitors with the best in sports and entertainment offerings,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The Amway Center, along with our other Downtown Venues, continues to not only strengthen Orlando’s economic vitality, but boosts our entire Central Florida region and serves as a source of pride for our City, exceeding all expectations as to what a community venue can and should be."
Over the last five years the arena has received awards and recognition in multiple categories including:
International Economic Development Council: Excellence in Economic Development Award Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED): Gold certification in New Construction American Institute of Architects (AIA): Design Honor Award SportsBusiness Journal: Sports Facility of the Year StadiumBusiness Awards: Customer Experience Award National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security: Facility Merit Award ESPN Magazine Ultimate Standings: Best Stadium Experience in the NBA
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“The many accolades Amway Center has received confirm we’re achieving all we set out to do with the arena and they bolster our efforts to provide truly legendary experiences for our patrons,” said Orlando Venues Executive Director Allen Johnson. “Seeing fans go home happy night after night is our most gratifying accomplishment.”
Since opening, the arena has hosted 219 Orlando Magic games, 114 Orlando Solar Bears games, 37 Orlando Predator games and 21 non-team sporting events.
“We are so proud of the success of our beautiful downtown gem, the Amway Center,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Our vision was to create a gathering place for our residents and the 62 million visitors to Orlando each year. We knew Amway Center would provide a tremendous return for the Central Florida community and it certainly has delivered. Recognized with awards internationally, the Amway Center has proven to be one of the best arenas in the world.”
“In just a short period of time, the Orlando Solar Bears have already enjoyed a number of memorable moments at the Amway Center, starting with the Solar Bears coming Out of Hibernation in October of 2012,” said Orlando Solar Bears President & CEO Jason Siegel. “It’s a privilege to welcome our fans to a world-class facility and by far one of the best facilities in all of hockey.”
In a serendipitous occurrence, two-time Grammy and five-time Latin Grammy winner Marc Anthony will play his fifth concert at Amway Center on October 1 and receive the distinction of most performances by a single artist. Anthony’s four previous concerts combined for a gross total approaching $3 million and 32,203 tickets sold.
Some highlights and venue records from five action-packed years include:
Highest grossing single show: Billy Joel on December 31, 2014 ($1,704,019) Highest grossing multi-show: Paul McCartney on May 18-19, 2013 ($3,798,540) Highest attendance: Jason Aldean on January 22, 2012 (16,014) Highest merchandise sales: One Direction on June 30, 2012 ($294,892) Highest concession sales: Billy Joel on December 31, 2014 ($337,873) Highest concession per cap sales: Super Freestyle Explosion on September 12, 2014 ($26.09) Highest grossing comedy show: Kevin Hart on April 24, 2015 Highest grossing family show: Disney on Ice presents Frozen September 4-7, 2014 Total concession gross sales: $100,402,442 Total merchandise gross sales: $7,441,154
“On behalf of everyone with Feld Entertainment, I want to congratulate the Amway Center on celebrating five wonderful years of featuring the very best in live events,” said Feld Entertainment Chairman & CEO Kenneth Feld. “As the largest producer of live family entertainment in the country, we are proud to bring so many of our shows to the Amway Center for the enjoyment of Orlando families, sometimes premiering those shows for the first time anywhere. We look forward to many more years of partnering with Amway Center and its outstanding professional staff." Feld Entertainment has brought several of its productions to the arena including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Nuclear Cowboyz and Marvel Universe Live!
The Amway Center has hosted a total of 122 concerts since opening which has drawn a total of 1,246,879 fans. Concert promoters have come to rely on the arena’s numerous high-end amenities, innovative technology and award-winning service team to make touring artists feel at home while creating profitable engagements.
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"Happy Anniversary. The Amway Center is a must-play. It's one of the country's premier buildings; if you're a star that's where you play. Happy fifth," said Louis Messina, president & CEO of Messina Touring Group. Among Messina’s key artists are Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and Ed Sheeran.
"Love Orlando, love Amway Center. Everything is easy. From on sale till the curtain falls, it's easy in Orlando. And profitable," said Brad Wavra, SVP Live Nation North America Touring.
"The Amway Center is a beautiful, state-of-the-art building that serves Central Florida admirably,” said Neil Jacobsen, president of Live Nation Florida - Music. ‘It is always a first-class experience for the fan, artist and Live Nation."
The success Amway Center has experienced over the last five years would not be possible without the commitment and support of key partners including Levy Restaurants, Owens Facility Services, Andy Frain Services and Lanier Parking Solutions.
In the weeks and months ahead, the Amway Center will welcome the start of the Orlando Magic's 27th season (October 28) and host Zac Brown Band (November 14), Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2 shows - December 12), the UFC (December 19), WWE Royal Rumble (January 24) and the 2016 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship (March 10-13).
ABOUT AMWAY CENTER The Orlando Magic served as the developer of the Amway Center, which hosts major national events, concerts and family shows. Opened in the fall of 2010, the facility is owned and operated by the City of Orlando on behalf of the Central Florida community. The Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando. The building’s exterior features a modern blend of glass and metal materials, along with ever-changing graphics via a monumental wall along one facade. A 180-foot tall tower serves as a beacon amid the downtown skyline. The 875,000 square foot, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified building features a sustainable, environmentally- friendly design and unmatched technology, including 1,100 digital monitors, the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building. Amway Center was recently honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal's 2012 Sports Facility of the Year. For more information about the Amway Center, visit www.amwaycenter.com.
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