How do you define excellence? Is it based on exemplary customer service, consistent innovation and progressive management?
No matter what measure is being utilized, the simple truth of the matter is that our good friends and partners at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion continue to be a “jewel” of the Granite State.
Earlier this week, the Academy of Country Music announced its nominations for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and for the third time in the past four years, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford finds itself on the list of the top five sites nominated as venue of the year.
An article in this morning’s Union Leader digs deeper into the Meadowbrook story.
“This is an amazing honor for us,” said RJ Harding, president of the Lakes Region concert spot. “We are hoping that the third time is the charm.”
To be nominated, a venue must have had at least six country performances during the year. Meadowbrook in 2009 hosted Sugarland, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Big and Rich, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Wayne, Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson and Chris Young.
The Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion is ranked in the top 50 ampitheaters in the world for attendance for the 2009 season, according to Pollstar, an industry expert in box office attendance.
“We are a mid-sized, privately-owned venue that is competing with 20,000 seat venues owned by national companies to get shows and sell tickets,” said Chris Lockwood, Meadowbrook’s director of marketing.
Harding credits not only industry officials who choose to book acts at Meadowbrook but its loyal following for its success.
“We have the best music fans here in New England,” Harding said. “We could not have done this without them.”
On behalf of all of us here at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, congratulations to the incredible management and staff of Meadowbrook and here’s hoping that the Academy honors our homegrown success story with the venue of the year award!
Meadowbrook has already announced the first few shows in its 2010 schedule – to learn more, visit www.meadowbrook.net or become their Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gilford-NH/Meadowbrook-US-Cellular-Pavilion/102791396298?ref=ts.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director