Oak View Group Facilities will play a major role at the upcoming Fredericksburg ballpark, as the firm has been chosen to book entertainment at the Fredericksburg Nationals (High A; Carolina League) home. In addition, it will begin operating and managing the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center.
Oak View Group will begin operating the Expo & Conference Center on February 10.
Oak View Group was retained by the Silber Family, the owners of the FredNats. The team will hold its Opening Day game on April 23 in its state-of-the-art ballpark adjacent to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The Silber Family reached an agreement with Silver Companies, the owner of the facility, to lease the facility to better coordinate and expand events in this complex.
Oak View Group Facilities has a very successful history in delivering new event content and programming opportunities for its many clients, including Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, and the CHI Health Center in Omaha, NE.
“They are the perfect partner to come in and expand offerings at the convention center, and help us attract fans to the entire complex – whether for a baseball game, a concert, a consumer expo event, weddings, and so many other corporate and community events. Their national reputation and resources married with their desire to expand opportunities for the entire Fredericksburg community is very exciting,” said FredNats Chairman Art Silber.
The Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center features 80,000 square feet of exhibit hall space that can accommodate 380-10’x10’ trade show booths, or can be transformed into the perfect space for up to 3,400 patrons for a concert or live attraction. The ballpark is also designed to host corporate events in its Club and suite areas, and to hold concerts with a 5,000-seat plus capacity. Oak View Group and the Silber Family are coordinating plans for a concert series in the ballpark with performances beginning in May.
“Oak View Group becomes an advocate for Fredericksburg,” said Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody. “With an on-going presence in all three of the entertainment meccas – LA, NY and Nashville – Oak View Group provides us with a significant new brand reach that we wouldn’t have otherwise. None of this is accidental; City Council had a vision and is executing to advance economic development by leveraging exciting partnerships. Oak View Group regularly conducts meetings with agents, managers, and promoters and thus will ensure tours and attractions route through Fredericksburg and make our region a priority play for a venue of our size.”
“We look forward to working with the Silber Family in bringing events and attractions to Fredericksburg,” said Peter Luukko, Chairman, Oak View Group Facilities. “The Expo & Conference Center and new ballpark are prime locations to bring new and exciting opportunities for residents throughout the region, and bring new visitors to Fredericksburg.”
Oak View Group and the Silber Family will work closely with Ballantine Management Group on events at the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center. BMG will continue to operate many events and shows at the facility. All of the current senior staff at the facility will continue in their roles and work with the current clients to ensure the highest level of service.
“It’s hard to believe that we are entering our 15th season in Fredericksburg,” said Tom Ballantine, CEO, Ballantine Companies. “We co-founded the Expo Center as the anchor of a visionary tourism campus. Although plans changed due to market demands, we managed to host and produce more than 2,000 events. We are grateful for the support of the local and regional community and are excited to see the new synergistic opportunities the baseball park and the Fredericksburg Nationals will bring to the city of Fredericksburg. We will continue to support the Expo Center with our owned and operated events and look forward to assisting with a smooth transition.”
RELATED STORIES: FredNats: New Fredericksburg Ballpark Construction on Track; 2020 MLB-MiLB Ballpark Opening Dates; New Fredericksburg Ballpark to Feature Synthetic Turf; Fredericksburg Nationals Unveil Jerseys, Alternate Logo; Fredericksburg Nationals Strike Partnership with PSC; New for 2020: Fredericksburg Nationals; Prep Work Continues on New Fredericksburg Ballpark; Fredericksburg Baseball Makes Personnel Moves; Fredericksburg Ballpark Site Work to Start Next Month; Fredericksburg Ballpark Gets Final Approvals; New Fredericksburg Ballpark Breaks Ground; Fredericksburg Ballpark Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for February 24; P-Nats Surpass 1,000 Season Ticket Reservations in Fredericksburg; New Fredericksburg Ballpark Deal Approved; Fredericksburg Ballpark Review Period Extended; Fredericksburg Ballpark Plan Looks to Clear Hurdles; Public Meeting Held for Proposed Fredericksburg Ballpark; P-Nats Continue Fredericksburg Ballpark Discussions; Prince William County to Explore Replacement for P-Nats; Fredericksburg Approves Letter of Intent with P-Nats; P-Nats Announce First Fredericksburg Ballpark Founding Partnership; Prince William County Officials Unsurprised by P-Nats’ Fredericksburg Plans; Fredericksburg Eager for Ballpark Discussions; Flying Squirrels Monitoring Situation; P-Nats Pursue New Fredericksburg Ballpark