The year 2015 saw many great moments for the SMG-managed Saenger Theatre including celebrating her 90th birthday in April, the revealing of the restored Great Saenger Pipe Organ, and record-breaking audiences for the Saenger Classic Movie Series. The culmination of great moments is ranking No. 119 for the year 2015 in the world for all theatre venues by the industry publication, “Pollstar.” The Pollstar ranking is based upon attendance numbers for ticketed events only. In addition “Venues Today” ranked the Saenger Theatre No. 16 in the United States for the year 2015 for venues with 2,000 or fewer seating capacity. The No. 16 ranking is based on gross box office revenues.
Much of the success can be attributed to 24 touring shows including concerts with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Michael McDonald, Kevin James, Celtic Woman, Brit Floyd, Boz Scaggs, a sold out Broadway season, and the local arts groups who call the Saenger Theatre home. “The touring industry is cyclical,” said Doug Lee, General Manager of the Saenger Theatre, he continued “but the promoters are learning that Pensacola and the Saenger Theatre is a good place to make money. Our relationships established with promoters through the SMG Theatres Division has proven to be very beneficial for the Saenger.”
According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator by the Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org), the Saenger Theatre and her audiences have a total local economic impact of $3,561,455 with 109.4 full-time equivalent jobs for the community. Mayor Ashton Hayward said of the rankings and economic impact “We are incredibly fortunate to have the Saenger Theatre where people can go enjoy the arts. It is such a vital part to the economic growth and culture of Downtown Pensacola. We are extremely proud of the Saenger and SMG for continuing to raise the bar.”
For more information about all of the exciting shows coming to the Saenger Theater and to register to receive event pre-sale notifications and discounts you can visit our website at www.pensacolasaenger.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saengertheatre.
Sources:
Pollstar Ranking: pages 31 and 33 – http://issuu.com/pollstar/docs/2015-year-end-1-2?e=0/32708984
Economic Impact: http://www.americansforthearts.org
About Saenger Theatre: The Saenger Theatre is the premier entertainment venue located in downtown Pensacola. The Theatre is home to the Broadway in Pensacola and hosts a variety of events including symphony, opera, ballet, touring concerts, family shows and community events. The Saenger Theatre is owned by the City of Pensacola and professionally managed by SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development.
About SMG: Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 240 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston's NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more information, visit www.smgworld.com.