ONE WHITEHALL PLACE / SOUTHBANK CENTRE / THE O2, London: The business of hosting live entertainment is changing – venues are now reaching out beyond their localities and regular clients into new areas of branded experiences in ‘entertainment destinations’. London is at the heart of such trends with new and rejuvenated venues now utilising customer service and new technologies in their bid to be centre stage in ‘audience appeal’.
Traditional ticketing and subsidy finance is giving way to customer-centric marketing, coupled with a healthy dose of commercial pragmatism, New sales and marketing channels are allowing the best venues to reach into new markets and capitalise on their major asset – the venue and its environs.
Organised by Auditoria magazine, AES2007 combines over 20 expert speakers – leaders in the live entertainment sector – with a conference and site tour programme that will allow theatre, arts, arena and concert hall executives to explore the latest trends in venue finance, entertainment design and visitor experiences.
Taking the form of a journey from historical gathering places to the latest venue destinations in the world, AES2007 is a unique industry event.
AES07 programme includes exclusive 'access all areas' tours of:
(1) South Bank Centre and Royal Festival Hall (reopens in June 2007). Following a three-year, £111m (€150m) refurbishment and renovation programme, the revitalised South Bank Centre is now a destination in its own right. A new riverside plaza incorporates restaurants and shops, attracting millions of visitors annually while providing commercial rents to the owners of the largest arts complex in Europe.
(2) The O2. Utilising the structure of the former Millennium Dome, AEG Europe is investing over €1.0bn to create Europe’s pre-eminent ‘entertainment destination’. Alongside a 23,000-seat enclosed arena with 100 private suites, The O2 incorporates over 30 bars and restaurants, numerous shops, an 11-screen cineplex, a exhibition space and a 2,350-capacity live music venue The Indigo Club. The venue opens in June 2007 with a series of concert including Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Scissor Sisters, The Rolling Stones and guest sports events such as NHL hockey, NBA basketball.
The future of live entertainment? Join the debate!
Full event details at www.auditoriasummit.com
