Columbia in the World of Entertainment

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “We always want them leaving with a good taste in their mouth and then want to come back,” says Lexie Boone, Colonial Life Arena General Manager. Boone says when it comes to getting star power into Colonial Life Arena, it comes down to you. “We’re not a top 50, top 75 market,” says Boone. Because of that, he says ticket sales play a pivotal role. “As long as we’re selling tickets, they’re going to keep coming back,” says Boone. And judging by the upcoming line-up, the formula is working. Over the next few months alone big names like Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift will take the stage. “The biggest thing that’s out in front of everyone, is the shows you bring in,” says Boone. But what could be one of the biggest shows to hit Columbia this spring will not take place at Colonial Life Arena. Instead, country music star Kenny Chesney wants a do-over at Williams Brice. “He said I want to come back again, I want to go to the stadium and I want to make it bigger and better,” says Boone. The shows aren’t just a bonus for the arena, Boone says since opening in 2002 the arena has generated $3.3 million dollars in sales tax plus over $100,000 in business license tax and other taxes. All of which, Boone says, will go directly back to the City of Columbia. So it’s a win, win. But, there’s a challenge. “You have to balance oversaturating your market with too many shows or too many of the same kind of genre while still competing,” says Boone. And Colonial Life Arena is competing strong, ‘Pollstar Magazine’ recently ranked Colonial Life Arena the 88th busiest arena in the world. While ‘Venues Today’ ranked it 5th in gross ticket sales for college campuses, the top two were in entertainment mecca, Las Vegas. For more information on Colonial Life Arena and the upcoming shows, visit www.coloniallifearena.com