SMG Names Chris Semrau GM Of Chesapeake Energy Arena, Cox Convention Center

Chris Semrau
 – Chris Semrau
SMG
SMG has announced Chris Semrau as general manager of the Chesapeake Energy Arena and Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City following the news that the venue management company would continue operating both venues.
“We are very excited to have Chris join our SMG team in Oklahoma City,” said Doug Thornton, SMG’s Executive Vice President of Stadiums and Arenas.  “He is an accomplished arena manager who has deep experience and relationships in our industry. He will be a great addition to our operation there.”
Semrau was most recently the assistant GM of the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he relocated to in 2014 to open the new facility and oversaw all arena business operations relating to booking, marketing, sales, event services, media relations and premium seating. That is also an SMG building. 
“We are very fortunate that we are able to add someone of Chris’ caliber to our team in Oklahoma City,” said Leonard Bonacci, SMG’s Regional Vice President. “Chris has the knowledge and expertise needed to continue delivering on our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences that our guests in Oklahoma City have come to know and expect.”
Today it was also announced the Oklahoma City Council had unanimously approved a five-year management agreement renewal for Chesapeake Energy Arena and Cox Convention Center, which includes an option to extend the contract at the end of the term.
The 19,711-capacity Chesapeake Energy Arena, home to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, is a very active concert venue, with recent boxoffice reports submitted to Pollstar including James Taylor May 25, which sold 7,131 tickets (configured for 7,500) and grossed $650,455, Miranda Lambert March 9, which sold out at 10,988 and grossed $679,634, and Lady Gaga in December, which sold out 14,072 and grossed more than $1.5 million.
Cox Convention Center has upcoming dates with Paw Patrol Live in August as well as Wizard World Comic Con in October.
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