University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt & ASM Global Announce Management Partnership; Relaunch of PetersenEventsCenter.com
11/23/2020 8:53:00 AM | General
PITTSBURGH – Pitt Athletics in coordination with ASM Global, the worldwide leader in venue management and services, are excited to announce a multi-year agreement that will establish the Petersen Events Center as one of the premier college athletics and event venues in the country.
"In December of 2019 the Petersen Events Center moved under the direction of the Department of Athletics," said University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "This allowed us to holistically review the overall agreement and determine areas for improvement. You will see a number of new initiatives and capital projects over the next 12 to 18 months that our partners at ASM Global will help us implement. We are excited about the shared vision we have for the future of the Petersen Events Center."
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the University of Pittsburgh to operate the Petersen Events Center. The facility plays such a vital role for Pitt student-athletes and others in the neighboring communities it serves," said Doug Thornton, ASM Global Executive Vice President. "The Pete also has a great history of hosting a diverse schedule of events and has proven to be an intimidating home court for the Pitt Panthers. We look forward to building on that tradition of success with the University.'
As part of the agreement, ASM Global has restructured its staffing model and announced the hiring of Petersen Events Center General Manager Taylor Traversari as well as an initial commitment of $3 million for capital projects to upgrade and enhance the on-site venue experience at the Petersen Events Center.
Traversari comes back to Pittsburgh after spending 17 years in North Carolina working in various capacities at Live Nation Walnut Creek Amphitheater (2003-06), Red Hat Amphitheater (2009-18), Raleigh Convention Center (2016-18) and Koka Booth Amphitheatre / ASM Global (2018-20). He began his professional career with Live Nation – DiCesare Engler Concerts (1996-2003) out of Pittsburgh and at Bryce Jordan Center (2000-03).
In his most recent position as General Manager at Koka Booth Amphitheatre / ASM Global, Traversari managed booking, contracting and event day operations for 125 events, while also serving as the venue marketing director and managing finance, sponsorship, production, box office and operations staff. He also spent 12 years as a festival director for the city of Raleigh, helping draw over two million spectators to the city for the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, July 4th Fireworks Festival, Raleigh Wide Open Festival and Ray Price Harley-Davidson Bike Fest.
In addition, Pitt Athletics and ASM Global have launched a drastically improved PetersenEventsCenter.com. The fully enhanced website, designed by carbonhouse, is now a one-stop source for information on every event at the Petersen Events Center. The complete overhaul of the website has produced an ideal platform for the Petersen Events Center, highlighting upcoming events, COVID-19 protocols and procedures, and the most up-to-date information on tickets, parking, seating maps and entrances.
Petersen Events Center
The Petersen Events Center, a multi-purpose arena housing athletics offices as well as academic and training space on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood, is named for philanthropists John Petersen and his wife Gertrude, who donated $10 million for its construction. The Petersen Events Center, winner of the 2003 Innovative Architecture & Design Honor Award from Recreation Management magazine, hosted its first event in April of 2002 with the first basketball games played in November of 2002. With 430,000 total square feet, The Pete seats 12,508 for basketball and 9,000 for end stage concerts. The arena features 16,000 square feet of lobby space with 90-foot high ceilings and 42,000 square feet of glass with a barely visible coating that allows sunlight through while controlling heat loss and gain. The arena also features 18 luxury suites, including five courtside luxury suites (the only college arena with courtside suites) and a 193-seat Champions Club.
Bolstered by the $12.5 million addition of Pitt Studios in 2018 and extensive renovations in 2019, The Pete features; LED lighting throughout the entire building, a new state-of-the-art center hung video board, two end zone replay/stats boards, free public WiFi and a dedicated media WiFi network, a new media suite with press row seating and a media room, enhanced and expanded premium seating areas, new in venue dining options at the PEC Food Court, and updated environmental branding throughout the interior of the venue.
Back of the house upgrades in 2019 included; men's and women's basketball locker room and lounge renovations, an enhancement of the teaching space with the creation of a theatre-style video room, expansion of the basketball office space with a new grand entrance as well as conference rooms for men's and women's basketball, redesign of areas around the locker rooms to create a more dynamic pathway to and from the main court.
ASM Global
ASM Global is the world's leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company's elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world's most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
ASM Global's diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company's depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem-solving. Each day, the company's 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
carbonhouse
carbonhouse exemplifies the leadership and expertise in all facets of the live entertainment experience and web based marketing. carbonhouse is not just a web based company that specializes in building websites for the sports, hospitality and entertainment industry, they have lived it! The carbonhouse team has extensive marketing experience working with arenas, professional sports teams and concert promoters throughout the country. With a proven process, proper planning and a deep understanding of the industry, carbonhouse delivers effective communications tools and measurable business results.
"In December of 2019 the Petersen Events Center moved under the direction of the Department of Athletics," said University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "This allowed us to holistically review the overall agreement and determine areas for improvement. You will see a number of new initiatives and capital projects over the next 12 to 18 months that our partners at ASM Global will help us implement. We are excited about the shared vision we have for the future of the Petersen Events Center."
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the University of Pittsburgh to operate the Petersen Events Center. The facility plays such a vital role for Pitt student-athletes and others in the neighboring communities it serves," said Doug Thornton, ASM Global Executive Vice President. "The Pete also has a great history of hosting a diverse schedule of events and has proven to be an intimidating home court for the Pitt Panthers. We look forward to building on that tradition of success with the University.'
As part of the agreement, ASM Global has restructured its staffing model and announced the hiring of Petersen Events Center General Manager Taylor Traversari as well as an initial commitment of $3 million for capital projects to upgrade and enhance the on-site venue experience at the Petersen Events Center.
Traversari comes back to Pittsburgh after spending 17 years in North Carolina working in various capacities at Live Nation Walnut Creek Amphitheater (2003-06), Red Hat Amphitheater (2009-18), Raleigh Convention Center (2016-18) and Koka Booth Amphitheatre / ASM Global (2018-20). He began his professional career with Live Nation – DiCesare Engler Concerts (1996-2003) out of Pittsburgh and at Bryce Jordan Center (2000-03).
In his most recent position as General Manager at Koka Booth Amphitheatre / ASM Global, Traversari managed booking, contracting and event day operations for 125 events, while also serving as the venue marketing director and managing finance, sponsorship, production, box office and operations staff. He also spent 12 years as a festival director for the city of Raleigh, helping draw over two million spectators to the city for the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, July 4th Fireworks Festival, Raleigh Wide Open Festival and Ray Price Harley-Davidson Bike Fest.
In addition, Pitt Athletics and ASM Global have launched a drastically improved PetersenEventsCenter.com. The fully enhanced website, designed by carbonhouse, is now a one-stop source for information on every event at the Petersen Events Center. The complete overhaul of the website has produced an ideal platform for the Petersen Events Center, highlighting upcoming events, COVID-19 protocols and procedures, and the most up-to-date information on tickets, parking, seating maps and entrances.
Petersen Events Center
The Petersen Events Center, a multi-purpose arena housing athletics offices as well as academic and training space on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood, is named for philanthropists John Petersen and his wife Gertrude, who donated $10 million for its construction. The Petersen Events Center, winner of the 2003 Innovative Architecture & Design Honor Award from Recreation Management magazine, hosted its first event in April of 2002 with the first basketball games played in November of 2002. With 430,000 total square feet, The Pete seats 12,508 for basketball and 9,000 for end stage concerts. The arena features 16,000 square feet of lobby space with 90-foot high ceilings and 42,000 square feet of glass with a barely visible coating that allows sunlight through while controlling heat loss and gain. The arena also features 18 luxury suites, including five courtside luxury suites (the only college arena with courtside suites) and a 193-seat Champions Club.
Bolstered by the $12.5 million addition of Pitt Studios in 2018 and extensive renovations in 2019, The Pete features; LED lighting throughout the entire building, a new state-of-the-art center hung video board, two end zone replay/stats boards, free public WiFi and a dedicated media WiFi network, a new media suite with press row seating and a media room, enhanced and expanded premium seating areas, new in venue dining options at the PEC Food Court, and updated environmental branding throughout the interior of the venue.
Back of the house upgrades in 2019 included; men's and women's basketball locker room and lounge renovations, an enhancement of the teaching space with the creation of a theatre-style video room, expansion of the basketball office space with a new grand entrance as well as conference rooms for men's and women's basketball, redesign of areas around the locker rooms to create a more dynamic pathway to and from the main court.
ASM Global
ASM Global is the world's leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company's elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world's most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences.
ASM Global's diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company's depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem-solving. Each day, the company's 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
carbonhouse
carbonhouse exemplifies the leadership and expertise in all facets of the live entertainment experience and web based marketing. carbonhouse is not just a web based company that specializes in building websites for the sports, hospitality and entertainment industry, they have lived it! The carbonhouse team has extensive marketing experience working with arenas, professional sports teams and concert promoters throughout the country. With a proven process, proper planning and a deep understanding of the industry, carbonhouse delivers effective communications tools and measurable business results.
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