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The City of Roanoke, Virginia today named Global Spectrum as the new operator and manager of the Roanoke Civic Center, effective January 2, 2009. The Philadelphia-based firm immediately named Chris Connolly, a 10-year company veteran, as the new General Manger of the versatile venue.

"Global Spectrum has an outstanding reputation for managing similar venues and properties such as the Roanoke Civic Center," said Jim Grigsby, Assistant City Manager, City of Roanoke. "We are excited to have them managing our arena here in Roanoke and we look forward to a great relationship with them."

 Connolly will lead Global Spectrum's day-to-day operations of the Roanoke Civic Center, including booking and scheduling events, overseeing the daily financials for the facility, and supervising the operations of the multi-purpose complex, which includes: a 10,500-seat Coliseum, 2,151-seat Performing Arts Theatre, 14,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, and a new 46,000-square-foot Special Events Center.

Connolly most recently served as Assistant General Manager at the Global Spectrum-managed John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, Canda He joined Global Spectrum as a Marketing and Hospitality Coordinator at Global Spectrum's flagship arena, the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in l997. "Chris is an incredibly talented public assembly facility manager," said John Page, Chief Operating Office, Global Spectrum. "His ability to lead his staff and create new opportunities for his customers is his strong point.

In addition to the Roanoke Civic Center, Global Spectrum currently operates three other facilities in Virginia—the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond and the Ted F. Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk. "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."