Bahrain gets new 10,000-capacity amphitheatre
Bahrain’s first and only open-air, purpose-built live music venue opened last weekend with a sold-out concert by Saudi singer Rashed Almajid.
The Al Dana Amphitheatre (cap. 10,000) has been under construction since December 2018, with architects excavating more than 250,000m3 of rock and soil to build the venue 15m into the ground of the Sahkir desert.
Alongside the theatre, the venue also houses 22 F+B units to cater to attendees, eight corporate boxes, The Quarry Lounge which can cater to 800 guests, the Desert Garden which can cater to 400, and a Roof Garden for up to 200 guests.
The venue is located at the northeast corner of the Bahrain International Circuit (which hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix annually) and is just a 30-minute drive from ASM Global’s Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, set to open in 2022.
“The overarching objective is that visiting international artists can tour across multiple countries that include Bahrain”
“All these projects will be an organic extension of each other which will be mutually beneficial given that shared services and infrastructure can be utilised by all venues and any future projects,” says a spokesperson from the Al Dana Amphitheatre.
“The overarching objective is to collaborate and align with a number of venues in the region so that visiting international artists have the opportunity to tour across multiple countries that include Bahrain as part of their program.”
The amphitheatre is backed by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister who has a vision to evolve Bahrain into a world-class entertainment destination.
The team behind the amphitheatre hopes it will become a “globally recognised world-class venue” with its capabilities of hosting local, regional and international events such as concerts and theatre shows.
At the time of writing, the Al Dana Amphitheatre is yet to announce any follow-up events to Rashed Almajid’s concert.
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ASM appoints GM for Middle East’s largest convention centre
ASM Global has appointed Dr Debbie Kristiansen as general manager of the new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, which will be the largest venue of its kind in the Middle East.
Kristiansen, who has lived and worked in the Middle East for 16 years, joins ASM from Novo Cinemas where she worked as CEO for more than seven years.
The Middle East vet ranked in the Top 30 Most Inspirational Women in the Arab World 2019 and was named Middle East Female CEO of the Year 2018.
“Debbie has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and her leadership skills will bring many unique qualities to the role,” says ASM Global APAC & Gulf Region chairman and chief executive, Harvey Lister.
“Debbie has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and her leadership skills will bring many unique qualities to the role”
“Her appointment will help consolidate ASM Global’s reputation in the region as the world’s leading producer of event experiences and enhance Bahrain’s standing as an international meetings destination.”
Kristiansen added: “To have the opportunity of working both for ASM Global, and to return to the beautiful destination of Bahrain, is a dream come true. This will allow me the privilege to help mentor and build the talent and skill set of young Bahrainis for generations to come.
“I look forward to working closely with Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority to develop and grow the international MICE business, and to create a long-term legacy for Bahrain,” she concluded.
The Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre is scheduled to open in 2022.
ASM’s Middle East portfolio also includes the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai (cap. 17,000), the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre and the recently announced Jeddah Arena and the International Convention Centre Jeddah.
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ASM to operate largest convention centre in Middle East
ASM Global has been appointed as the managing operator of the largest exhibition and convention centre in the Middle East.
The Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre will offer 95,000 sqm of exhibition space over 10 halls, a 4,000-seat tiered auditorium and 95 meeting rooms.
Royal & VIP Majlis (parliament rooms), event organisers’ offices and a 250-seat capacity restaurant will complete a total site area of 309,000 sqm.
Upon completion in mid-2022, the venue will host a range of events including exhibitions and conventions, concerts, live events, weddings and seminars.
ASM will manage, operate and programme the new destination, after being successfully appointed by Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority (BTEA).
The international venue operator’s Middle East portfolio also includes the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai (cap. 17,000) and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.
“[This development] will further position Bahrain as a growing international destination helping to drive growth”
“We are delighted to have been appointed the operator of what will be a landmark development, which will further position Bahrain as a growing international destination helping to drive growth and create jobs as well as a legacy for the Kingdom,” says ASM Global Asia Pacific chairman and chief executive, Harvey Lister.
“We look forward to working with Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority in creating a brand-new exhibition and convention hub at the heart of the region.”
Iain Campbell, executive VP, ASM Global Gulf Region, added: “The appointment as managing operator is testament to ASM Global’s expertise, knowledge and experience in bringing venues to life across the world.
“Our aim for Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre is to create a venue with its own distinct identity that resonates with MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions] visitors as well as the leisure and tourism market that benefits the local economy and enhances the Kingdom’s status globally.”
Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority chief executive officer, Dr Nasser Qaedi, says: “The new centre will reinforce the Kingdom’s status regionally and internationally and Bahrain’s position in the MICE industry. We look forward to working with ASM Global to attract international exhibitions and conferences to be held in Bahrain.”
ASM Global’s venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centres, and performing arts venues.
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UTA sells minority stakes to investment firms
In what CEO Jeremy Zimmer calls a “transformative event” for the agency, United Talent Agency (UTA) has sold minority equity stakes in the company to Investcorp and Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments).
The Beverly Hills-based agency acquired UK music powerhouse the Agency Group (TAG) in August 2015, and over the past year has acquired interests in live speaking (Greater Talent Network), electronic music (Circle Talent Agency) and esports (Press X and Everyday Influencers). The new influx of capital will be used to “accelerate” UTA’s growth, according to a statement, “enhance UTA’s services and continue to invest in resources to support its clients and colleagues in a time of change and innovation in content creation and distribution”.
Terms were not disclosed, although UTA says its partners retain majority ownership and control of the company. PSP, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers, with assets of US$119 billion under management, and Bahrain-based Investcorp, which manages more than $22bn in assets globally, join existing investor Jeffrey Ubben as UTA’s ‘capital partners’.
“We were deliberate about finding the right investment partners who recognise UTA as a business that puts clients first”
Zimmer, who founded UTA in 1991 alongside Jim Berkus and Peter Benedek, says: “This is a transformative event for UTA. There has never been a greater moment of change and opportunity in our industry for artists, creators and companies like ours.
“We were deliberate about finding the right investment partners who recognise UTA as a business that puts clients first, exemplifies a collaborative and diverse culture and is focused long term on capitalising on the unique opportunities that disruption and transformation provide. We found that in Investcorp and PSP Investments.”
“The entertainment industry is experiencing tremendous evolution,” adds Simon Marc (pictured), head of private equity at PSP Investments. “As demand for high-quality content is greater than ever, UTA is uniquely positioned to benefit from the transformation in the sector. We are excited to partner with Jeremy Zimmer and UTA’s world-class management team and look forward to backing UTA in the next phase of its growth.”
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