The Facility Also Added New Branded Concessions To Enhance The Fan Experience
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2007) – The 2007 calendar year was unlike any other for Honda Center and Anaheim Arena Management, LLC (AAM), the management company for the facility. Honda Center became host to California’s first Stanley Cup Champions and has been nominated as a finalist for Pollstar Magazine’s Arena of the Year Award.
“2007 was an unforgettable year both for our facility and the fans here in Orange County,” said Tim Ryan, president and CEO of Honda Center. “Our year was filled with outstanding entertainment and unparalleled athletic achievement, with 2008 already promising to build on the excitement.”
For the eighth time since 1994, Honda Center has been nominated for Arena of the Year by the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. AAM looks to bring the coveted award to Anaheim for the first time when the winner is announced on February 7, in Los Angeles. Also in the running are Air Canada Centre (Toronto, ONT), Madison Square Garden (New York, NY), Staples Center (Los Angeles, CA), HP Pavilion (San Jose, CA), Sommet Center (Nashville, TN), Verizon Center (Washington, DC) and Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul, MN). Nominees and winners are compiled through a ballot system among industry professionals. Prior Pollstar awards for Honda Center include New Venue of the Year (1993) and Facility Executive of the Year (2001, Tim Ryan).
With an average of 1.6 million guests annually, the venue also added new branded concession stands in 2007 to its already delicious standards. Ruby’s Diner and Wienerschnitzel each opened two locations in the building, while local favorites Popcornopolis and Heritage Farms now serve their products at select stands throughout the venue. These popular options joined already established Honda Center favorites that include Rubios, Carl’s Jr. and First Class Pizza.
The facility hosted a total of 30 top-name concerts in 2007. Artists included The Police, Christina Aguilera, Eric Clapton and Van Halen. In the past 12 months Honda Center has hosted 9 of Billboard Magazine’s Top 25 Tours and will welcome two others, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, in early 2008 (Source: Billboard Magazine, Dec.22, 2007. Figures, reported to Billboard Magazine for events between November 15, 2006 and November 13, 2007, exclude professional sports teams.).
The year also featured many sports highlights for the arena. Honda Center became the first California venue to host a National Hockey League champion, when the Anaheim Ducks hoisted the Stanley Cup on home ice, June 6. The venue was also home to UFC 76: Knockout, where Keith Jardine upset former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Honda Center continued to serve as home to great basketball as well with UCLA beating Davidson and San Diego State falling to St, Mary’s in the 2007 John R. Wooden Classic. In addition, Professional Bull Riders, as well as Champions and Stars on Ice also performed with outstanding athleticism.
Family friendly shows were more popular than ever in 2007. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus made a 22-show stop at Honda Center, while Disney on Ice presented Monsters Inc., and rounded out the year with Princess Wishes.
2008 is already shaping up to be another exciting year for the venue, with shows such as Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Chris Brown & Bow Wow, Blue Man Group, Smucker’s Stars On Ice, Professional Bull Riders, Harlem Globetrotters, WWE Monday Night Raw, Pepe Aguilar, Avril Lavigne and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games in March already on the schedule. The John R. Wooden Classic also returns, with UCLA already committed to the line up. For updated information on Honda Center and upcoming events, visit HondaCenter.com or call 714-704-2400.
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