From the Fredericksburg Nationals:
The City of Fredericksburg is gaining a national voice in the live event space as Oak View Group Facilities, a leader in providing live content and operating entertainment and sports facilities, will begin operating and managing the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center and booking entertainment at the soon-to-open new ballpark in Fredericksburg. Oak View Group will begin operating the Expo & Conference Center on February 10.
Oak View Group was retained by the Silber Family, the owners of the new Fredericksburg Nationals (FredNats) baseball team. The new team will hold its opening day game on April 23 in their state-of-the-art ballpark adjacent to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The Silber Family reached an agreement with Silver Companies, the owner of the facility, to lease the facility to better coordinate and expand events in this complex.
Oak View Group Facilities has a very successful history in delivering new event content and programming opportunities for its many clients; including Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, and the CHI Health Center in Omaha, NE.
With regard to Oak View Group’s abilities, FredNats Chairman Art Silber stated “They are the perfect partner to come in and expand offerings at the convention center, and help us attract fans to the entire complex – whether for a baseball game, a concert, a consumer expo event, weddings, and so many other corporate and community events. Their national reputation and resources married with their desire to expand opportunities for the entire Fredericksburg community is very exciting.”
The Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center features 80,000 square feet of exhibit hall space that can accommodate 380-10’x10’ trade show booths, or can be transformed into the perfect space for up to 3,400 patrons for a concert or live attraction. The Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium is also designed to host corporate events in its Club and suite areas, and to hold concerts with a 5,000-seat plus capacity. Oak View Group and the Silber Family are coordinating plans for a concert series in the ballpark with performances beginning in May.
“Oak View Group becomes an advocate for Fredericksburg,” said Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody. “With an on-going presence in all three of the entertainment meccas – LA, NY and Nashville – Oak View Group provides us with a significant new brand reach that we wouldn’t have otherwise. None of this is accidental; City Council had a vision and is executing to advance economic development by leveraging exciting partnerships. Oak View Group regularly conducts meetings with agents, managers, and promoters and thus will ensure tours and attractions route through Fredericksburg and make our region a priority play for a venue of our size.”
“We look forward to working with the Silber Family in bringing events and attractions to Fredericksburg,” said Peter Luukko, Chairman, Oak View Group Facilities. “The Expo & Conference Center and new ballpark are prime locations to bring new and exciting opportunities for residents throughout the region, and bring new visitors to Fredericksburg.”
Oak View Group and the Silber Family will work closely with Ballantine Management Group on events at the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center. BMG will continue to operate many events and shows at the facility. All of the current senior staff at the facility will continue in their roles and work with the current clients to ensure the highest level of service.
“It’s hard to believe that we are entering our 15th season in Fredericksburg,” said Tom Ballantine, CEO, Ballantine Companies. “We co-founded the Expo Center as the anchor of a visionary tourism campus. Although plans changed due to market demands, we managed to host and produce more than 2,000 events. We are grateful for the support of the local and regional community and are excited to see the new synergistic opportunities the baseball park and the Fredericksburg Nationals will bring to the city of Fredericksburg. We will continue to support the Expo Center with our owned and operated events and look forward to assisting with a smooth transition.”
