VAN ANDEL ARENA & DEVOS PLACE NOMINATED FOR DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE ‘DOWNTOWN AWARDS’

Grand Rapids, MI. – Managed by SMG, Downtown Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place are nominated in three of the seven total categories for Downtown Awards from the Downtown Alliance. The Downtown Awards is a program to recognize exceptional accomplishments in the ongoing investment in downtown Grand Rapids. The public is encouraged to vote for winners beginning on Tuesday, July 24 through September 1. The final decision on the first place winner will be a combination of the public vote and the Awards Committee vote.

Van Andel Arena is nominated in the new construction category. A 3,500 square foot addition was added to the northwest corner of the arena to alleviate a bottleneck on the second floor concourse. Additionally, a snowmelt system was added to the sidewalk in front of the arena to make the Van Andel Arena experience even better in our cold, winter months.

While the arena as a whole is being recognized, another component of the venue is also nominated for a Downtown Award. Inside the arena’s north end lies one of downtown’s best kept secrets, the Fifth Third Bank Vault. Park once, dine in and see the show with little fuss or concerns about getting there on time with reservations at the arena’s own in-house restaurant, managed by Savor…Grand Rapids. In addition to the convenience, the restaurant offers outstanding food. Van Andel Arena Executive Chef Chris Simpson has been awarded the 'Chef of the Year' award by the American Culinary Federation's Grand Rapids Chapter, and Chef Andrew Eggert was awarded as 'Chef Professional of the Year' for his work at Van Andel Arena and in the community.

Nominated for an award in the sustainability category, DeVos Place is committed to the effort of caring for the environment by developing methods to reduce, reuse and recycle in everyday routines. Green/Sustainable meetings are about increasing economic and environmental efficiency by minimizing the use of resources and reducing the amount of waste produced from meetings, banquets and trade shows. This commitment is acted on in many different ways, whether it is through the use of energy efficiency programs, installing electric car charging, adding bike racks, re-lamping the venues with low wattage bulbs, composting food waste or recycling paper, glass and metal scraps throughout the building.

Through this program we hope to focus attention on the growth and investment that continues in the downtown, even through rough financial times.  We will recognize individual businesses for the work they are doing, and doing well, and inspire additional renovation and high quality design. Last, we want to encourage people to visit downtown Grand Rapids, and cast their vote for the project of their choice.

Van Andel Arena is managed by SMG. Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities worldwide, including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, convention, congress and exhibition centers, science centers and a variety of other venues. Across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.2 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million arena and theatre seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide. SMG has managed Van Andel Arena since 1996 and DeVos Place since 1994.  For additional company information, visit smgworld.com.

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