Intrust Bank Arena assistant general manager takes GM job in Bakersfield, Calif.

WICHITA — Intrust Bank Arena assistant general manager Scott Neal – the longest-serving employee at the arena – is leaving to become general manager of Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center in Bakersfield, Calif.

“It’s kind of the natural process within our company,” says A.J. Boleski, Intrust Bank Arena general manager.

Both arenas are SMG properties.

According to the Bakersfield Californian, the last Rabobank Arena general manager left in September amid a decline in bookings.

Intrust Bank Arena has had its own issues, including being $219,417 in the red through September.

Boleski says that has nothing to do with Neal’s departure.

“He’s done a phenomenal job.”

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You don’t say

“Our line-up rivals anyone in the country and this proves that point.”

Intrust Bank Arena general manager Chris Presson’s e-mailed response about Billboard naming the Elton John-Billy Joel concert the No. 1 grossing concert in North America (with $1,706,428 in sales) for the week ending March 16

Tweet of the week

“Must have heard how good they are : -)”

— A Twitter post by Jon Rolph (@jonrolph) of Carlos O’Kelly’s on how Billy Joel requested one of the restaurant’s burritos during a break in his concert at Intrust Bank Arena Wednesday night

Billy Joel and Elton John likely to be Intrust Bank Arena’s premier concert for 2010

joel2

WICHITA — There’s a 2 p.m. Monday press conference scheduled to announce a major rock act coming to Intrust Bank Arena.

There’s no confirmation, but it looks likely that Billy Joel and Elton John are bringing their Face 2 Face tour here.

They’re performing in Denver on Feb. 22 at the Pepsi Center. Then, they’re performing at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City on Feb. 25 and at the Sprint Center in Kansas City on Feb. 27.

An employee with Live Nation, which represents Joel and John, confirms that there will be an announcement coming from the company.

The employee won’t give other details except to say, “It’s going to be a big show.”

Arena spokeswoman Beth King says she’s not at liberty to talk details.

“The press conference is being hosted by a promoter and not the arena,” she says.

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