Contact: Tanya Bowley – 407.849.2590

ORLANDO CENTROPLEX DIRECTOR NOMINATED
AS FACILITY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - [January 17, 2006] - Pollstar Magazine, one of the country’s top entertainment industry publications, recently announced the nomination of Orlando Centroplex Director Allen Johnson as 2005 Facility Executive of the Year. In the arena management field, this award is akin to a Grammy in the music industry. This nomination comes as part of the entertainment magazine’s 17th Annual Concert Industry Awards Ceremony, meant to recognize and honor the best and brightest in international arts and entertainment communities. Award nominees were selected based on voting done by a group of agents, managers, promoters and music professionals representing a cross section of the international concert industry.

Johnson shares the nomination with a group of distinguished facility executives from venues recognized as some of the country’s leading facilities. Also nominated are John Page (Wachovia Center, PA), Laurie Jacoby (Radio City/ Madison Gardens, NY), Marty Bechtold (Charlotte Bobcats Arena, NC), Mike Evans (SMG, PA), Ralph Marchetta (America West Arena, AZ) Steve Kirsner (HP Pavilion, CA).

Johnson has been with the Orlando Centroplex since November 2004. His extensive background in venue management gained while working as the Director of the Lakeland Center for almost two decades is an asset to the Centroplex. Now entering his second year at the helm of the City venues incorporated in the Orlando Centroplex (TD Waterhouse Centre, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Tinker Field, and the Lake Eola Amphitheatre), Johnson looks forward to another successful year of bringing the best in sports and live entertainment to the Central Florida region.

“When notified about the nomination I was both honored and humbled to be considered for this prestigious award from the readers of Pollstar Magazine, the entertainment industry’s leading publication,” said Johnson. “This recognition belongs to our team at the Orlando Centroplex and to the City of Orlando. It is a testament to our mission of outstanding service to the promoters, agents, managers, artists, touring crews and to the most important entities, the patrons, who without them, there would not be a need for our services.”

This year’s Pollstar Awards Ceremony will be held at the Mandalay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and will feature other awards such as, ‘Best New Touring Artist’ and ‘Major Tour of the Year,’ among others.

###