City News

The NEC Group arenas team are celebrating the best year of business for live entertainment events on record. The arenas resounding success has resulted in The NIA being nominated for the best venue award by the International Live Music Conference (ILMC).

It has been a year of outstanding achievements for the arenas; both The NIA and The NEC Arena have collectively held around 160 events and welcomed nearly 1.5 million visitors through its doors. Over the last 12 months the arenas have appointed a new director and both arenas have broken records for concert attendance figures. The NIA’s indoor athletics track has had a half a million pound make over ready for the European Indoor Athletics. The venues have also showcased the most diverse programme of entertainment and events in the company’s history to include everything from sporting events, equestrian shows, music and comedy events exhibitions and conferences.

This year is the start of a new era for The NEC Group arenas team as Linda Bull, managing director arenas, prepares for her early retirement in June after 20 years with The NEC Group. Phil Mead, previously deputy director of events at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), has been appointed to take over the position and will bring more than 20 years of experience in the events industry to the team.

This year both The NIA and NEC Arena have broken numerous concert attendance records, The NIA has seen shows like Little Britain that attract around 80,000 visitors over 18 shows – the highest attendance for a comedy tour, The Kaiser Chiefs welcomed crowds of 13,100, the sensational Scissor Sister pulled an impressive 13,200 and Snow Patrol stole the show attracting 13,500 visitors in November 2006. Singer – songwriter Jack Johnson attracted 12,376 concert-goers to The NEC Arena in March 2006, breaking the venues previous record. 
The NIA hosts events to include British National Trampoline Championships 2006, Disney on Ice, CBeebies Live and Classical Spectacular. The NEC Arena showcases the prestigious dog show Crufts, Horse of the Year Show, Apassionata and Jasper Carrott,s ‘Christmas Rock with Laughter show to name but a few.

Linda Bull, said: “This year we have witnessed amazing teamwork from the arenas team, I am proud to be a part of such a dedicated and hard working team. I will be leaving the company in the next couple of months to take my early retirement but I will continue to be involved in the arenas industry as the Managing Director of the European Arenas Association (EAA). I feel honoured to be leaving on such a high note in the company’s history and I am thrilled that Phil Mead will be taking over my position, he has excellent experience in the event industry and I am confident that he will continue to drive forward the arenas success.”