SMG Europe Hires GM For Hull Venue

Dan Harris, who already manages The Baths Hall and The Plowright Theatre in the north of England, has been appointed general manager for SMG Europe’s new Hull Venue.  

– Hull Venue
Rendering

The 3,500-capacity Hull Venue is due to open in late summer 2018. The city of Hull hopes it will attract major touring concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, sporting events, corporate conferences, exhibitions, dinners, and trade events.

It can be reduced to a 2,500 all-seated capacity, as well as a 1,400-square-meter exhibition space plus 800 capacity conference auditorium with additional meeting rooms.

The city of Hull predicts that the project will deliver 30 full time jobs with 100 – 150 temporary jobs on event days.

Harris is joined by Paul Savage, who was recently appointed head of entertainment sales and marketing for the same three venues. SMG Europe announced that “further announcements regarding senior management appointments will be made over the coming months.”

The venue management company’s executive vice president John Sharkey said, “Dan has been instrumental in the success of our two Scunthorpe venues [The Baths Hall and The Plowright Theatre] and I’m delighted to announce we’re now expanding his role to cover our new project in Hull. This new organizational structure, led by Dan, allows us to better program content across all three venues as we continue to synergize our offering in the north.”

Harris added: “I’m looking forward to leading the team across all three venues as we keep the momentum alive. In addition to bringing the best in live entertainment and sporting events to all three venues, we’re also working closely with national conference and exhibition organizers to ensure both our new and existing venues offer a wide and varied program.”

SMG manages venues around the world ranging from 600-capacity clubs to 80,000-capacity stadiums, supported by a strong food and beverage business. Its UK venues include Manchester Arena, Leeds’ first direct arena, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena and the new Bristol Arena.