Print

Global Spectrum To Begin Operations At Xl Center And Rentschler Field

By Andy Hart

July 18, 2013

Global Spectrum, the new management company of the XL Center, the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers) and Rentschler Field, all in Hartford, has officially begun operations as of Monday, July 1, according to the Capitol Region Development Authority ’s Executive Director, Mike Freimuth.

The Philadelphia-based company has named Christopher Lawrence as General Manager of all three entities. Lawrence has relocated to Hartford from the Global Spectrum-managed Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY. In his leadership role, he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the two facilities and the hockey team in the areas of booking, finance, events, box office, marketing, client relations, corporate sales and operations.

“We look forward to Global Spectrum assuming management of the XL Center and Rentschler Field and the plans they have for both facilities. During the last couple of months, while working towards the transition, Chris has been in Hartford developing a new marketing and sales program for the AHL team, pursuing major concerts and events and re-staffing the XL Center and Rentschler Field,” said Freimuth. “His enthusiasm is bringing a fresh outlook to the venues.”

Under his leadership at the Glens Falls Civic Center, he expanded booking relationships within the facility and confirmed multiple first-time events for the facility. He was responsible for retaining the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, along with the local marketing committee, overseeing multiple capital improvement projects and maintaining a strong relationship with the City of Glens Falls.

“Chris has done a tremendous job for Global Spectrum in Glens Falls, increasing the profile of the venue, booking new events and generating positive revenue for our client,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “His experience will be a significant asset to the Hartford facilities and the area’s residents in bringing in successful events to XL Center and Rentschler Field.”

Prior to his move to Glens Falls, Lawrence served as an Event Manager for almost two years at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia where he oversaw multiple concerts, family shows, and the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers run to the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. While at Michigan State University he was captain of the hockey team.

The Team

Global Spectrum has assembled an experienced group of professionals to support Lawrence in his management responsibilities:

Adam Goldberg has been named the Director of Business Development for the Hartford Wolf Pack. He will be responsible for overseeing all marketing initiatives including advertising, public/media relations, community relations, social media, game presentation and grassroots efforts.

Previously, Goldberg was the Director of Marketing for the Global-Spectrum-managed Memphis Redbirds, of the Triple-A, Pacific Coast League (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate). After graduating from Arizona State University with a BS in Marketing, he began his career with Comcast-Spectacor with the Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers AHL affiliate) as the Marketing Manager in July 2006.

Ilkka Kortesluoma has been named the Director of Sales for the Wolf Pack. He will be responsible for overseeing season ticket, partial, flex and group tickets sales for the AHL hockey team.

Previously, Kortesluoma was an Account Executive for the Philadelphia Flyers. A native of Finland, he began his career with Comcast-Spectacor with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2008 after graduating from Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Erin Bilton has been named the Director of Marketing for the XL Center and Rentschler Field. She will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day advertising initiatives including media buying, promotions, public relations, social media, and grassroots efforts for both facilities and their events.

Previously, Bilton was the Director of Marketing at the Sears Centre Arena, in Hoffman Estates, IL, near Chicago. She began her career with Comcast-Spectacor in 2006 after graduating from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She held roles in ticket sales for the Philadelphia 76ers and with the group sales department before becoming a Marketing Manager for all facility events at the Wells Fargo Complex.

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the XL Center, Rentschler Field, and the Hartford Wolf Pack, as well as more than 115 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 20-million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies. Com­cast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks.