Three Comcast-Spectacor Entities Hired for New Spaladium in Split, Croatia

Global Spectrum Europe, the partnership recently established by Global Spectrum of Philadelphia, PA, and the British firm NEC Group Birmingham, today was awarded the management contract for the Spaladium, a new, 12,000-seat multi-entertainment and sports arena under construction in Split, Croatia. The Spaladium, which is scheduled to open on December 27, 2008, also features eight luxury suites, 500 club box seats, an additional practice facility and two club lounges.

Global Spectrum is a subsidiary of internationally recognized sports and entertainment leader Comcast-Spectacor. In addition to the awarding of the management contract, two additional Comcast-Spectacor entities were awarded contracts for the Spaladium. Ovations Food Services will handle all food and beverage services, including suite catering, restaurant operations and concession stands. Front Row Marketing Services, a specialist in developing contractually obligated revenue streams, will sell naming rights, luxury suites, premium seating, and advertising.

Global Spectrum Europe, in association with the NEC Group, will manage the Spaladium for Sportski Grad TPN, a consortium consisting of two construction companies – Konstructor and Dalekovod – and IGH, the civic engineering group. Sportski Grad has a contract with the local government for 30 years to manage and develop the property which will also include an office complex and parking garage as part of phase one of development.

The City of Split had been limited to the type of events it could potentially host until the arrival of the Spaladium. Global Spectrum Europe will manage the facility and schedule concerts, sporting events, family shows, exhibitions and other special attractions.

“This is a great opportunity for Comcast-Spectacor,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. “We’re bringing three of our entities into Europe and establishing a presence for our company. We look to expand on this opportunity and create new and exciting endeavours for Comcast-Spectacor abroad.”

“We are very excited to land our first venue with the NEC Group Birmingham,” said an elated Mich Sauers, Comcast-Spectacor Senior Vice President and Global Spectrum Europe President. “Once the Spaladium opens, it will immediately become an important and popular attraction in the City of Split attracting thousands to the region and establishing an economic impact in and around the facility.”

“The cultural fit of our organizations is great,” said Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of the NEC Group. “The early

win of the Spaladium underlines both our credentials and importantly our joint capability.

“The Spaladium will be an agenda setting venue for the region of Split and indeed Croatia, our existing customers are very keen to discuss opportunities together with the existing live events market in the region. This is yet another groundbreaking project and opportunity for customers of the NEC group.”

“It's great to announce our first venue contract working with Global Spectrum so early in our collaboration,” said Phil Mead, Director of Arenas and Associated Businesses for the NEC Group. “This iconic venue in the beautiful City of Split will present an attractive new proposition to the live concert and events industry and we look forward to putting this new venue firmly on the European touring circuit.”

The 2009 World Men’s Handball Championships will compete at the Spaladium from January 16 through February 1, 2009.

Global Spectrum Europe will provide innovative management, marketing, operations and event booking services for the Spaladium, as the company does internationally for public assembly facilities, including arenas, civic and convention centres stadiums, university convocation centres trade and exposition centres, community ice rinks and theatres.

Spaladium Centar is situated on the northwestern side of the Split Peninsula. Split is the second largest Croatian city and is also an industrial, university and economic centre of the Split-Dalmatian region. Split is also one of the best-known tourist destinations in Croatia and the largest city on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. A population of 1-milllion inhabitants from a wider regional area will support events at the Spaladium. As such, Split is right to expect the fulfilment of Spaladium Centar’s vision of becoming the regional centre of professional and amateur sports, culture, family socialising, entertainment and rehabilitation.

Monday, November 03, 2008