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

Nov. 18, 20112:14 p.m.

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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SMG hires Bothner and Bradley as Intrust Bank Arena consultants

May 12, 20106:00 a.m.

WICHITA — SMG has hired Bothner and Bradley as consultants at Intrust Bank Arena.

“We’re sort of shifting gears,” says Gary Desjardins, regional general manager for SMG, a private company that runs the arena under a contract with Sedgwick County.

“We’re in between GMs, so part of it is just a process of getting feedback from our different constituencies.”

General manager Chris Presson abruptly resigned two weeks ago, citing personal reasons.

Desjardins says he plans to have Bothner and Bradley collect information to share with a new general manager.

“With our clients, they get an opportunity to talk so far about their experience,” Desjardins says.

“For every aspect of what we do in managing the building . . . there’s always room for improvement,” he says. “There’s never a perfect event.”

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You don’t say

March 22, 20104:23 p.m.

“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

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Arenas, Concerts, Intrust Bank Arena, You don't say | Comments

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

Dec. 3, 20095:44 p.m.

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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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under Arenas, Concerts, Entertainment, Intrust Bank Arena | Comments

You don’t say

Nov. 3, 20095:36 p.m.

“We don’t control who tours when but we’re working on providing as many options as we can so we have something for everybody. Keep watching!”

— Intrust Bank Arena general manager Chris Presson’s e-mailed response to criticism that the arena is booking a lot of country acts that appeal only to a limited audience

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , Filed under Concerts, Intrust Bank Arena, You don't say | Comments

Brad Paisley to headline Intrust Bank Arena’s debut concert

Oct. 7, 20091:10 p.m.

bradWICHITA — Country singer Brad Paisley will be Intrust Bank Arena’s opening act on Jan. 9.

Paisley will perform with Justin Moore and Miranda Lambert.

“For us to have an A-list artist of that caliber is not the easiest thing to do,” says Chris Presson, arena manager.

“It’s all about who’s on tour, when they’re on tour, and that has a big portion to do with any time of the year that you’re booking an act,” he says. “We’re obviously not a large city, and (Paisley) probably could have gone many different places and made more money.”

Tickets go on sale Nov. 14. Prices haven’t been determined yet.

Although Presson is calling Paisley the debut act, he says there’s still a chance other acts could be named for Jan. 7 or 8.

“We’re just always looking to push the envelope,” he says.

That doesn’t mean he’s not satisfied with Paisley as the inaugural act.

“He’s won virtually every country music award imaginable,” Presson says. “We’re pumped about Brad, and I don’t know if we could have done much better.”

Want to express your thoughts on the opening concert? Check out our poll.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Arenas, Intrust Bank Arena | Comments

You don’t say

Aug. 6, 20091:44 p.m.

“We’re still working the phones.”

— Intrust Bank Arena manager Chris Presson on how there’s not been an opening act booked for January yet

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , Filed under Arenas, You don't say | Comments

You don’t say

April 16, 20095:14 p.m.

“I’ve also heard Paul McCartney, and that’s not true, either.”
— Intrust Bank Arena manager Chris Presson’s response to talk circulating that the Eagles will be the arena’s debut act in January

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