Global Spectrum Europe (“GSE”), a top firm in managing public assembly facilities, had entered into an initial agreement with Société De Projet Salle Multifonction, S.A.S. (“SPSM”) to assist them in the development of the Lyon/Villeurbanne Arena. The project, which will include a new 12,000 to 15 000-seat, multi-purpose indoor arena, is scheduled to open in 2014.
It is expected that the Project will anchor a broader mixed-use development that will include a public plaza, team practice facilities, a public cultural and sports hall and links to nearby transit. The Project will be developed in partnership with the City of Villeurbanne, a suburb of Lyon, the second largest city in France, and in Rhône-Alpes, which is the sixth largest regional economic area in Europe.
GSE is a collaboration between United Kingdom’s NEC Group and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based Global Spectrum (www.global-spectrum.com). Global operates over 90 public assembly venues worldwide, including 35 indoor arenas, 12 outdoor stadiums, 26 convention centers and 7 performing arts centers. NEC operates four major venues in Birmingham (England) including the LG Arena, The National Indoor Arena, The National Exhibition Centre and The International Convention Center, as well as The Convention Center Dublin.
GSE will be providing SPSM consulting services with regard to design, event sales, marketing, event content and programming, as well as helping to procure support services such as ticketing and catering and commercial rights. After the signature, Gilles Moretton, owner of SPSM, declared: “We selected GSE because their proposal was both original, flexible and truly recognizing the partnership elements required for our arena project to succeed. They demonstrated a true commitment to work with us in helping to grow our business, as well as engaging with the local community on all levels (Villeurbanne, Grand Lyon and Region Rhône-Alpes). Their networks of industry professionals can be called upon from around the world in every discipline. This demonstrates the organization’s understanding of all countries and cultures, as well as investing in local teams and communities. We are excited at the prospect that this arena will set a new standard in France.”
Many of the world’s top musical acts perform in Global Spectrum-managed facilities, including the Rolling Stones, U2, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, and Aerosmith. In North American, Global Spectrum manages the spectacular University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, which is home of the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals; Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA, home of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball; and one of the US’s busiest arenas, the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, home of both the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League and the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. Additionally, many of the world’s top touring acts perform in Global Spectrum venues to record crowds, including the Harlem Globetrotters, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Sesame Street Live and World Wrestling Entertainment.
“This is very exciting opportunity for GSE to bring its high-level of experience in operating sports arenas and expand our business into Europe,” said Chief Operating Officer John Page. “We look forward to working very closely in the development of the Lyon/Villeurbanne Arena.”
SPSM is a subsidiary of GONES & SPORTS, who own ASVEL Basket Lyon-Villeurbanne, the professional basketball team. ASVEL is one of France’s most historically important professional sports organizations, having launched in 1948 and holding a record 17 league titles. Tony Parker, the star point guard for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, is a shareholder of G&S and is actively participating in the development of the project.
Anchored by the ASVEL, the arena will be designed to host a wide range of events, including the ice hockey, concerts, family shows and international sporting events. The arena is planned to have four levels, including two public concourses and a club level for business hospitality. GSE will handle all bookings for the facility and will leverage its relationships throughout the entertainment industry to bring top-notch entertainment to the area of Lyon.
“We expect to build a world-class arena in every sense of the word,” said G&S Chairman Gilles Moretton. “We will utilize the best technology, including high-definition video screens, state-of-the-art audio, digital signage, in-house broadcast facilities and paperless ticketing. The Project will create the opportunity for ASVEL to compete at the highest level of European basketball while, at the same time, Tony Parker’s Academy will serve to accelerate the development of best French young basketball players.”
Global Spectrum is the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 90 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast Spectacor which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company and Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions. In a partnership with Disson Skating, Comcast-Spectacor annually produces 10 nationally televised figure skating spectaculars on NBC.”
GSE and SPSM will jointly participate in the International Live Music Conference, which takes place in London from March 12 to March 13 to present the project to professionals in the live music industry.
