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Judging panel takes shape for TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2013

The International Judging Panel for TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2013 has been further strengthened, with the addition of four recent, high-profile appointments.

Paul Latham (Chief Operating Officer, International, Live Nation Entertainment), Sally Bolton (General Manager, Rugby League World Cup 2013), Robb Heineman (CEO, Sporting Club) and Alexander Atamanenko (CEO, Donbass Arena) have been appointing to the Panel, joining previous appointments Dr. Bernie J Mullin (Chairman and CEO, The Aspire Group), Daniel Gidney (Chief Executive, Lancashire County Cricket Club) and Panel Chair Ian Nuttall (CEO, TheStadiumBusiness / Xperiology).

Together, the panel will determine the winners of the TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2013; to be presented at The Point (Lancashire County Cricket Club) on 6 June 2013, as part of the programme for TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2013.

“Our 2013 judging panel really does represent the very best in the stadium business,” comments Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadiumBusiness Awards, and chair of the Judging Panel.

“We are delighted that Paul, Sally, Robb and Alexander have agreed to share their expertise for our 2013 prize-giving, and look forward to deliberating over the entries in the coming weeks and months.”

Nominations for the fourth annual edition of TheStadiumBusiness Awards are now open. For further information, please visit www.stadiumbusinessawards.com

 

About Paul Latham

Paul Latham joined Apollo Leisure on his 24th birthday on 24th September 1984, in the role of Assistant Theatre Manager at the Apollo Theatre Oxford. Through acquisition and growth, Apollo Leisure became the leading UK venue owner/ operators and Paul played a major role in the development of the same. When Apollo Leisure was sold in 1999 to SFX as a venue operator and marketer par excellence, Paul became the Vice President of Operations responsible for Sheffield Arena, Cardiff International Arena, The Point Dublin, Hammersmith and Manchester Apollo.

During his career Paul has event managed and operated three Eurovision Song Concerts, MTV Music Awards, three Royal Variety Performances, the World Premiere of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and Artist and Royal security at Live Aid.

Promoted to President of Live Nation’s UK operation in 2003 and most recently to International Chief Operating Officer in 2009, Paul is responsible for the most prolific and prosperous live entertainment company outside the US. He controls venues, festival and event promotions and creation, marketing partnerships, ticketing and security services. Live Nation Entertainment has over 20 venues in its portfolio across Europe.

About Sally Bolton

Sally Bolton is the General Manager of Rugby League World Cup 2013, leading the team delivering the Tournament as well as sitting on the Board of RLWC2013 Ltd.

Sally assumed this role having been an integral part of the Rugby Football League’s team that won the rights to stage the Tournament. Prior to this Sally was the RFL’s Director of Projects and Planning leading on strategic planning and major projects. This is Sally’s second stint working for the RFL, having been part of the RFL’s staff during the World Cup in 1995.

Before re-joining the RFL, Sally held a number of other roles in sports administration at club and Governing Body level including a period as Chief Executive of Wigan RLFC and Orrell RUFC. In addition, Sally has worked in the highly regarded sports consulting group at Deloitte and more recently ran her own sports consulting business just prior to re-joining the RFL as Events Director in 2007.

About Robb Heineman

Recognized as one of the most progressive, forward-thinking leaders in sports today, Robb Heineman is the CEO of Sporting Club, the parent organization of Sporting Kansas City, and one of the club’s five principal owners. Heineman also serves as Managing Partner of Sporting Innovations, a technology company focused on innovation in sports and entertainment. After taking over as the organization’s CEO in 2006, Heineman worked with several local municipalities around the Kansas City metropolitan area to get a soccer-specific stadium built for Sporting Kansas City.

In January of 2010 the Kansas Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the plan for the 18,467-seat LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, an 18-24 field youth soccer complex and new offices for Cerner Corporation. The project drew nationwide acclaim, and was ranked the 8th-largest economic development deal in North America for 2010 by corporate real estate magazine, Site Selection. Since then, Heineman has been instrumental in creating partnerships with worldwide leaders in a wide range of sectors. The spring of 2011 saw Sporting Club announce historical partnerships with the likes of LIVESTRONG, Cisco and Google, enabling LIVESTRONG Sporting Park to serve as a living lab for sports and entertainment technology.

Heineman has been at the forefront of the creation of Sporting Club’s groundbreaking membership model, a revolutionary concept that has changed the way fans interact with professional sports organizations in the US.

About Alexander Atamanenko

Alexander Atamanenko is CEO of Donbass Arena Ltd. A certified Stadium Director, and a graduate of the Academic Centre of Management, Business and Law at the International Academy of Sciences, Mr. Atamanenko has worked in a managerial capacity since 1997. From 2003, he fulfilled a number of major venue management projects, before being named Operations Director at Stadion Shakhtyor Ltd in February 2008; overseeing the construction of the new stadium.

After the opening of the Donbass Arena – with the spectacular “Grand Show” on 29th of August 2009 – Alexander became Chief Executive Officer of Donbass Arena Ltd. In 2011 Mr. Atamanenko was involved as programme manager of the celebration events dedicated to FC Shakhtar’s 75th Anniversary, including the celebration Ceremony held at Donbass Arena, on 14 May 2011. The Ceremony won the award for Best Celebratory Event at the Eventia Awards in London. In 2011 Mr. Atamanenko was distinguished with the ‘For Performance & Merit’ medal by President of Ukraine.

In 2010, Atamanenko served as head of the project team during preparation to EURO 2012, and also became a member of the ESSMA (European Stadium & Safety Management Association) Board of Advisors.