Executive Director Scott Mullen says last year was the most successful ever - the civic center earned a profit of two million dollars.
"A pent up demand after COVID, the COVID shutdown, and the bands were all waiting to get back on the road and tour. And people wanted to see them. I think it was just some revenge spending coming out of COVID."
COVID also allowed time for some major projects, including renovating the suites, conference center, and dressing rooms, with plans to install a new
ribbon board in the arena and a new video wall in the lobby.
Mullen says he'll continue to book a variety of events and performers.
"I would say country shows right now and for the past several years have been our lifeblood. That's the most popular thing in our region and most of them have done very well. We got some of the biggest names in the industry to come here."
The Vibrant Arena now has 16 full-time employees, and 500 part-timers - as ushers, security, ticket sellers, and stagehands. Fourteen people, four full-time and 10 part-time, have worked at the arena since it opened 30 years ago. Mullen's a relative newcomer - at just 18 years.