The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), formed by the merger of the Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority and Visit Charlotte, the convention and visitors bureau, manages Charlotte's public-owned event facilities, attracting approximately 2.8 million people annually for major sports events, top-notch entertainment and momentous conventions and trade shows. These facilities include the Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte Convention Center, Cricket Arena and Ovens Auditorium.

Tim Newman, president of Charlotte Center City Partners for the past three years, took the helm of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) on November 29, 2004. "This organization has tremendous opportunities ahead in marketing Charlotte to the rest of the world", said Newman. "There is an energetic, professional and skilled staff ready to take this newly-merged organization to a new level, and I am thrilled to be able to lead them in this endeavor." The CRVA became official on July 1, 2004 as a result of a merger between the Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority and Visit Charlotte, the convention and visitors bureau. Created to combine the facilities management of Charlotte's publicly owned meeting facilities with the sales and marketing component, the new CRVA is responsible for all of these activities as well as full accountability for their success.

Mike Crum had been serving as interim CEO and will continue with CRVA as Chief Operating Officer.

The Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte Convention Center, Cricket Arena and Ovens Auditorium have contributed immeasurably to the growth of the Charlotte region. These outstanding event facilities will continue to shine as jewels in Charlotte's crown as they meet the city's entertainment, cultural and convention needs for decades to come.

Visit Charlotte - www.visitcharlotte.com
Visit Charlotte, formerly known as the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau, operates as the sales and marketing component of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). In July of 2004, Visit Charlotte merged with the Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority, creating the CRVA.

Cricket Arena - www.cricketarenacharlotte.com
Cricket Arena, located on East Independence Boulevard, was Charlotte's original coliseum. The landmark dome opened in 1955 and served as the city's major sports and entertainment facility until the new Charlotte Coliseum was built in 1988. After extensive refurbishing and retrofitting, the venue reopened in 1993 as Independence Arena. It was renamed Cricket Arena in 2001. The renovation restored the arena's classic ambiance. Visitors to Cricket Arena now experience the true feeling of a 1950s-style building. Vibrant neon colors and checkerboard tile floors are featured throughout the facility along with numerous brightly lit, spacious concession areas. Cricket Arena is home to the ECHL Charlotte Checkers hockey team. Cricket Arena also hosts world-class figure skating, rodeo and bull riding competitions, concerts, family shows and many more diverse entertainment events for all ages.

Ovens Auditorium - www.ovensauditorium.com
Ovens Auditorium, located adjacent to Cricket Arena on East Independence Boulevard, opened along with the original Coliseum in 1955. For nearly half a century, world-greats have graced the stage of Ovens Auditorium. With a seating capacity of approximately 2,460, Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events, attended by 9.4 million people. Ovens Auditorium has hosted top events and performances from the Billy Graham Crusade to Bob Hope and Bruce Springsteen. Broadway Shows, symphony concerts, opera, dance recitals and nationally known speakers have also found a home at Ovens, along with countless thousands of graduates who have walked across its stage to receive their diplomas. A recent five million dollar renovation at Ovens Auditorium provided upgrades to the auditorium, lobby exterior and grounds. These upgrades enable Ovens Auditorium to effectively serve the City of Charlotte with great entertainment events for many years to come. Still surrounded by its trademark fountains and rose gardens, Ovens Auditorium is truly among the finest of Charlotte's landmarks.

Charlotte Coliseum

Contact Us:
Cricket Arena
2700 E. Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 372-3600
info@cricketarenacharlotte.com