Author: Sydney Wade

West Virginia University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will partner with Legends Global to provide owner’s representative services on the Milan Puskar Stadium press box project, which is set to begin construction after the 2026 football season.

As the owner’s representative, Legends Global will work as an independent third-party representing WVU Athletics from pre-design through closeout. Legends Global will protect WVU’s interests in budgeting, construction schedules, quality and risk control while also serving as WVU’s liaison to contractors and architects.

“We are truly excited to partner with West Virginia University on the Milan Puskar Stadium project,” said Chris Nations, President of Owner’s Representation, Legends Global. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the University and WVU Athletics to help deliver a project that all Mountaineer fans, students and supporters will be proud of.”

The new press box tower secures the future of Milan Puskar Stadium and enhances one of the finest college football venues in the country. Additional premium space and seating are an investment into the long-term viability of not only WVU Athletics but the future of the facility.

“As our owner’s representative, Legends Global will bring significant experience in developing and managing collegiate stadium projects across the country,” West Virginia University Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Their experience will be extremely beneficial as we move forward on this truly transformational construction project that will significantly enhance the fan experience at Milan Puskar Stadium while generating positive opportunities for our football program and athletics department.”

Coca-Cola Music Hall, Puerto Rico’s leading theater for live concerts and corporate events, and Legends Global, premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, today announced the promotion of Arleene Pérez, MBA, to general manager. Arleene moves into the general manager role from her position as assistant general manager, where she has been instrumental in driving the venue’s success since its development in 2019.

With more than two decades of experience, Arleene boasts extensive expertise leading large-scale operations across the entertainment, events, and venue management industries. Earlier in her career, she spent over a decade with SMG World, where she held senior leadership positions at the Puerto Rico Coliseo and Puerto Rico Convention Center. As director of events, security & VIP services at the Puerto Rico Coliseo, she managed large-scale international events, concerts, and conventions, overseeing logistics, sponsorships, and guest experiences for audiences of up to 18,000 attendees. She was also part of the opening team for the Puerto Rico Convention Center, contributing to its rapid growth and positioning as a leading venue in the Caribbean.

Since joining Coca-Cola Music Hall, Pérez has been a driving force behind the venue’s operational foundation, helping transform it into one of Puerto Rico’s top destinations for world-class live entertainment. Under her leadership, the venue was ranked No. 21 worldwide in Billboard’s 2025 Year-End Top Grossing Venues report among venues with capacities between 2,501 and 5,000. 

“Arleene brings an impressive track record of driving revenue growth and delivering exceptional experiences at Coca-Cola Music Hall,” said Josh Kritzler, president of North American venues & content, Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Her strategic vision, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep understanding of the Puerto Rico entertainment market make her the ideal leader for this role. We are confident that under her leadership, Coca-Cola Music Hall will continue to raise the bar and deliver must-have moments for artists, partners, and fans.”

As General Manager, Pérez will oversee Coca-Cola Music Hall’s full business and operational performance, including P&L responsibility, strategic direction, revenue growth, and cross-functional leadership across all venue departments. She will continue working closely with venue partners to expand event opportunities, unlock new revenue streams, and deliver exceptional experiences for guests, artists, and clients.

“I am honored and grateful to step into this role and build on Coca-Cola Music Hall’s success,” said Pérez. “We have positioned ourselves as a mid-size venue that meets a real need in Puerto Rico’s live entertainment scene. Moving forward, my goal is to keep creating innovative, memorable experiences that celebrate our island’s culture and connect audiences with world-class performances. Historic events like Bad Bunny’s residency have been key in elevating Puerto Rico’s live entertainment industry, showcasing the talent of our teams, partners, and producers across the market. I’m excited to continue contributing to that growth by delivering moments that inspire and unite our community”.

Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, announced today that it achieved record-breaking merchandise sales for the fourth year in a row at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, held March 1-15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

In 2026, merchandise sales were 36% higher than the previous record achieved by Legends Global last year. This growth was supported by a 14% rise in average transactional value, a 25% increase in merchandise per cap and a 9% growth in capture rate, which all surpassed previous performance records set in 2025. In the four years since taking over merchandise operations for the BNP Paribas Open, Legends Global has more than tripled merchandise sales revenue increasing it by 227%. During this period, the company also raised merchandise per caps by $19, average transactional value by 59% and capture rate by 93%.

Central to this year’s success was a landmark partnership between Legends Global and lululemon, the new official apparel and footwear outfitter for the BNP Paribas Open. lululemon designed a custom, dedicated space for their brand within the Tennis Paradise Shop to expand its presence and provide fans with a curated merchandise line featuring high-performance and high-style tennis gear.

“The BNP Paribas Open offers an incredible opportunity for our team at lululemon to bring the passion we feel for our guests, and our love for tennis to one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. We take pride in designing styles that bring high performance on and off the court,” said Frank Ha, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, lululemon. “Legends Global was a natural partner in bringing this innovative, premium product directly to tennis players and fans. They are proven leaders in this space, and we look forward to building on this exciting momentum together in the coming years.”

“Alongside the BNP Paribas Open, we take immense pride in enhancing the retail experience year after year at one of the world’s premier tennis events,” said Michael Quirk, Chief Commercial Officer of Merchandise, Legends Global. “Collaborating with a global and creative partner like lululemon this year enabled us to create a shopping environment for fans that perfectly reflects a tournament defined by athletic excellence and continued innovation.”

As the official on-site merchandise provider for the BNP Paribas Open, Legends Global constructed an expansive retail shop spanning 27,000 square feet, featuring the largest collection of BNP Paribas Open and tennis merchandise in the tournament’s history. Over 1,500 items from more than 50 brands and vendors were available for fans of all ages. The improved shopping experience at the Tennis Paradise Shop was also highlighted by a live DJ and 18 terminals for enhanced customer service and faster checkout speeds.

Legends Global’s fully-integrated retail and merchandising platform spans eCommerce, in-venue retail, large-scale live events, brick-and-mortar operations, licensing, and custom merchandise.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center and Legends Global, premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, today announced the appointment of Dean Dennis, CVE, as general manager of the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC).

Dean succeeds John Page as the new general manager for the GCCC, who has stepped into a new position of regional vice president of venue operations for Legends Global.

Dean is an acknowledged convention industry leader and collaborator, boasting more than 30 years of experience leading convention centers and public assembly venues across North America. He comes to Columbus from Memphis, Tennessee, where he most recently served as president and general manager of the Renasant Convention Center and Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. During his tenure, he oversaw venue and fiscal operations throughout and following a comprehensive $230 million venue renovation.

Dennis’s extensive career includes senior leadership roles with Global Spectrum/Spectra, where he led venue expansion and renovation projects, strengthened sales and financial performance, and managed the opening of new convention centers and arenas. He also brings valuable Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) experience to the general manager position, having served in a senior leadership role with the Pueblo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Dean brings an impressive track record in venue management and a strong reputation in the convention center industry,” said Josh Kritzler, president of North American venues & content, Legends Global, which manages the venue. “His extensive experience and proven operational expertise will serve the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the community well. We look forward to his leadership as the venue continues to grow and deliver exceptional experiences for guests and clients.”

As general manager, Dennis will work closely with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and his GCCC team to enhance the facility’s profile, maximize event opportunities, and ensure an outstanding experience for guests, partners and clients. He will be responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the venue, including financial performance, staff development, client relations, and the continued growth of meetings, conventions, trade shows, and sporting events.

“Dean brings more than 30 years of experience in the convention center industry and is a highly respected leader. His strong background in both finance and sales, combined with experience guiding facilities through growth and change, makes him exceptionally well suited for this role,” said Ken Paul, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, which owns and operates the Greater Columbus Convention Center. “The GCCC is a vital public asset that drives the region’s visitor economy. Under Dean’s leadership, we will build on our strong foundation, expand our reach, and position Columbus to continue winning on the national stage.”

“I am honored to join the team at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Legends Global,” said Dennis. “Columbus is a vibrant, growing destination with a reputation for excellence in the hospitality industry. I look forward to working with our partners and the community to build upon this facility’s success and continue delivering world-class experiences for our guests.”