About Us Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority With an organization-wide vision of Southern hospitality and world-class customer service, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) seeks to ensure that the visitors and events that come to the area have a positive experience. Our responsibilities include destination marketing through Visit Charlotte and management of Charlotte’s public assembly facilities which include the Charlotte Convention Center, Time Warner Cable Arena, Cricket Arena, and Ovens Auditorium, and will include the NASCAR Hall of Fame, currently under construction. Guided by three main mission objectives, the CRVA markets by bringing visitors and events to the Charlotte region, manages by making the visitors’ experience positive and the events successful, and maximizes by marketing and managing in a way that continues to bring visitors and events back to the region. The 13-member board of directors gives leadership and guidance to Chief Executive Officer Tim Newman. Management staff of the CRVA reports directly to the board which in turn is accountable to the City of Charlotte and the Mayor's office. The CRVA benefits from a Visitors Advisory Committee, a 30+ member volunteer committee comprised of leaders from the hospitality industry in the region. This committee gives input to the board of directors on a variety of issues pertinent to this growing industry. The CRVA manages city-owned assets whose value exceeds $500 million, employs over 170 fulltime employees and a variety of temporary positions and has an annual operating budget that exceeds $30 million. On an annual basis, the CRVA facilities host over 600 events attended by approximately 2 million residents and visitors. Visit Charlotte - www.visitcharlotte.com Visit Charlotte, formerly known as the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau, operates as the sales and marketing component of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). Time Warner Cable Arena - www.timewarnercablearena.com This fabulous arena opened on Friday, October 21, 2005 as home of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and ECHL's Charlotte Checkers. The Arena hosts a spectrum of events from professional and amateur sporting competitions to national and international draws in the family and entertainment arena, such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John and U2. This technological state-of-the-art, beautifully-decorated facility is a $265 million project in the heart of the center city. In addition to creating a high level of excitement and fan support, the arena is expected to attract a host of center city restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Cricket Arena - www.cricketarenacharlotte.com Cricket Arena, located on East Independence Boulevard, was Charlotte's original coliseum. The landmark dome opened in 1955 and served as the city's major sports and entertainment facility until the new Charlotte Coliseum was built in 1988. After extensive refurbishing and retrofitting, the venue reopened in 1993 as Independence Arena. It was renamed Cricket Arena in 2001. The renovation restored the arena's classic ambiance. Visitors to Cricket Arena now experience the true feeling of a 1950s-style building. Vibrant neon colors and checkerboard tile floors are featured throughout the facility along with numerous brightly lit, spacious concession areas. Cricket Arena hosts world-class figure skating, rodeo and bull riding competitions, concerts, family shows and many more diverse entertainment events for all ages. Ovens Auditorium - www.ovensauditorium.com Ovens Auditorium, located adjacent to Cricket Arena on East Independence Boulevard, opened along with the original Coliseum in 1955. For nearly half a century, world-greats have graced the stage of Ovens Auditorium. With a seating capacity of approximately 2,460, Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events, attended by 9.4 million people. Ovens Auditorium has hosted top events and performances from the Billy Graham Crusade to Bob Hope and Bruce Springsteen. Broadway Shows, symphony concerts, opera, dance recitals and nationally known speakers have also found a home at Ovens, along with countless thousands of graduates who have walked across its stage to receive their diplomas. A recent five million dollar renovation at Ovens Auditorium provided upgrades to the auditorium, lobby exterior and grounds. These upgrades enable Ovens Auditorium to effectively serve the City of Charlotte with great entertainment events for many years to come. Still surrounded by its trademark fountains and rose gardens, Ovens Auditorium is truly among the finest of Charlotte's landmarks. Charlotte Convention Center - www.charlotteconventionctr.com The Charlotte Convention Center opened in 1995 as the perfect venue for conventions, trade shows, banquets and theater-style conferences, attracting more than half a million visitors each year. From its gracefully arched entrances to the glass concourses beyond, the Center was designed to be elegant and inviting. And the soon to be... NASCAR Hall of Fame - www.nascarhalloffame.com If you really need one more reason to come to Charlotte, well here it is: the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR has chosen the Queen City of Charlotte to be the site for this once-in-a-lifetime attraction for the State of North Carolina and the entire country. With the estimated completion date being in the first quarter of 2010, this state of the art facility will honor the NASCAR icons and create an enduring tribute to the drivers, crew members, team owners and others that have impacted the sport in the past, present and yet to come. The Hall will include exhibit space, a Great Hall, a Hall of Honor, interactive entertainment restaurants, retail outlets, and a state-of-the-art media center for the industry. The CRVA is responsible for the operation and management of the new facility. Cricket Arena Our Staff CEO - Chief Executive Officer Tim Newman (704) 339-6038 COO - Chief Operating Officer Michael E. Crum (704) 688-8522 Building Manager Eric Scott (704) 335-3122 Operations Manager Lamont “Yogi” Holman (704)335-3222 Director of Finance Larry Williams (704) 688-8523 Human Resources Representative Renee Colson (704) 339-6118 Senior Director of Marketing & Special Events Ereka "Reka" Crawford (704) 335-3106 Concessions Director Steve Godleski (704) 335-3117 Box Office Manager John Sietmann (704) 335-3248