in its email database and significant following on all social platforms. The venue works closely with radio partners in the community to create targeted campaigns. The marketing staff works with the sports tenants in the building as well as outside partners such as the Canadian Automobile Association to create targeted emails and offers to diverse audiences. LOCAL AREA: The Niagara region has a population of 443,888 and represents the sixth largest CMA provincially, and 12th nationally.
Geoff Tanizawa General Manager Sakamoto Agency
Sakamoto Agency represents a roster of Canadian country artists and offers a variety of event services, such as talent procurement, onsite production and marketing. A 25-year industry veteran, Geoff Tanizawa has mainly worked in Western Canada, and only in the past few years has spread out past Manitoba. His first show at the Meridian Centre was in March 2016. What artists have you recently booked at the Meridian Centre? Johnny Reid in 2016 and Old Dominion in 2017. And we are bringing Johnny Reid back in 2018. Do you consider St. Catharines one of the primary routing stops in Ontario? It all depends on the genre of the music and how well it
FACILITIES & EVENT MANAGEMENT 2017-2018 BOOKING GUIDE
Meridian Centre Director of Marketing Kay Meilleur and Elton John at his sold-out show on Nov. 15, 2017 MARKET/DEMOGRAPHICS: The average age is 44. The area is home to both Brock University and Niagara College.
will sell. Unfortunately, with so many other arenas within a couple of hours’ drive (for example, Toronto, Hamilton and London), you are drawing from the same population base, so you need to be careful not to over extend and cannibalize your own ticket sales. Does the local market especially favor certain types of live events or musical genres? We have found country does well, but any great live concert will bring out the fans. Can you highlight any physical features of the Meridian Centre that you believe set it apart? Every building has its plus and minuses. Unfortunately, there is not one feature that makes it stand apart from other venues that are the same age and capacity. But the one thing that I really enjoy about the venue is their team. Please relate an example of how that team has gone the extra mile for you. One thing they have done for me is instead of typical artist dressing room signs, they make these big posters (either of the artist’s album or distinct artwork) that they put up on the artist’s dressing room door. I have never seen this done at any other facility. 29