UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Thanks to the hard work, creativity and dedication of its staff, Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center has received several national honors over the past few months.
Recent accolades include:
- The Jordan Center made Pollstar’s top 200 arena venues list for 2016 midyear worldwide ticket sales, coming in at No. 99 worldwide. Pollstar is the official trade publication for the concert tour industry, providing information for agents, promoters and managers who produce concerts throughout the world. “While we came in third in the state — behind Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — we were ahead of some notable big-city venues,” said Al Karosas, general manager of the Bryce Jordan Center. Venues in larger cities coming in behind the Jordan Center include San Antonio, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Columbus, Orlando, Charlotte, Detroit and Cleveland.
- Stadia Magazine, a worldwide publication focusing on security and operations, featured an article about new lighting at the center and how the lighting project supports Penn State’s green initiatives. The article featured comments from Rick James, the Bryce Jordan Center’s director of facilities and operations.
- Amplified Magazine, which focuses on tours, promoters, marketing and booking, named Bryce Jordan Center marketing specialist Kate Clarke an Arena Week All-Star.
- Karosas was mentioned in I Am Venue Management (IAVM) magazine, in an interview with Doug Booher, director of the Indiana University Auditorium and first vice chair of the IAVM board of directors. When asked to name one up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry, he acknowledged Karosas, saying that “he’s never afraid to try something new to make his venue better.”
- The Jordan Center was named a 2016 Prime Site Facilities and Destinations award winner by the Facilities Media Group, joining such prestigious facilities as the HP Pavilion in San Jose and American Airlines Center in Dallas. Criteria for being named a prime site facility include staging, audience amenities, the physical facility, security and staff.
“Every day at the BJC we do the best we can for Penn State,” Karosas said, “and each one of these recognitions from industry is quite an honor.”
"These honors and accolades are a great reflection on everyone who works at the BJC,” said David Gray, Penn State senior vice president for Finance and Business. “Assuring that the BJC continues to be a first-rank regional and community resource in a highly competitive business is no easy feat, and it’s gratifying to know that our BJC team is receiving national recognition for the work they do. Penn State is very proud of their accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition.”
As the largest arena between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the Bryce Jordan Center is celebrating its 20th year of operation. Upcoming events scheduled for the second half of 2016 include KISS, Rascal Flatts, Disturbed, Impractical Jokers, Kanye West, Theresa Caputo, WWE, Jeff Dunham and Brand New.