Vector Arena up with World’s Best

Media Release – February 5, 2008

Vector Arena up with World’s Best

Auckland’s Vector Arena is up against the best in the world at a glittering awards ceremony in Los Angeles this week.

The concert industry’s flagship awards, the CIC Pollstar Awards, take place on Thursday evening (PST) at LA’s Nokia Theatre.

Vector Arena, shortlisted for the International Arena of the Year, will be up against competition including London’s O2 Arena and the iconic Wembley Arena, which scooped this award last time around.

“This nomination is a huge boost for everyone at the Arena, and is recognition for all the hard work last year,” says Guy Ngata, Vector Arena’s General Manager, who will be in LA for the awards.

“Being up against such iconic venues as Wembley Arena and London’s O2 Arena, demonstrates just how far we’ve come in such a short time.”

Vector Arena is the only venue in the southern hemisphere to be nominated in the 19th Pollstar Awards, which honour touring artists and those who keep the show on the road.

Award nominees are selected by a group of concert industry professionals, and voted on by subscribers to Pollstar magazine, the world’s largest resource of international concert tour information.

In addition to International Arena of the Year, categories include Best New Touring Artist, Most Creative Tour Package and Theatre of the Year.

Justin Timberlake, who wowed the crowds at Vector Arena last year, is nominated in three categories – Major Tour of the Year, Most Creative Stage Production and Most Creative Tour Package (in association with Pink).

Another Vector Arena visitor, Gwen Stefani, is nominated for Most Creative Stage Production.

The six venues Vector Arena is in competition with are: Arena Monterrey (Monterrey, Mexico); Color Line Arena (Hamburg, Germany); Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, UK); O2 Arena (London, UK); Odyssey Arena (Belfast, UK); Wembley Arena (London, UK).

Vector Arena, New Zealand’s largest multi-purpose indoor entertainment and sports complex, hosted its first show in March.

“Thanks must go to those who had the original vision and ambition to build a world-class venue here, including Auckland City Council, Jacobsen Venue Management and to our naming rights sponsor Vector Ltd for their continued support,” says Mr Ngata, adding that the support from the land owner, local Maori Iwi, Ngāti Whatuā o Orakei has also been crucial to the success of the venue.

For more information on the Pollstar Awards, visit www.pollstarpro.com/awards

ENDS

© Scoop Media