Hertz Arena’s bookings are increasing as it expects to have at least 23 concerts in 2022-2023 season, thanks in part to a partnership with OVG360, a full-service venue management and event programming company.
The 7,200-seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Estero and OVG360, a division of the Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, entered a long-term partnership in September 2021 to increase bookings. The events calendar has big names scheduled including country music stars Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, and Brooks & Dunn, rock band Greta Van Fleet and Latin artists Ricardo Arjona and Daddy Yankee. Most recently on April 11, Pitbull announced he will be bringing his “Can’t Stop Us Now” tour, which also will feature rappers Iggy Azalea and Sean Paul, to Hertz Arena on Oct. 15.
Before COVID-19 shut the arena down, its 2019-2020 season hosted 12 concerts, in 2020-2021 it dropped to seven concerts and in its 2021-2022 season it will host 22 concerts. So far, for 2022-2023, the Hoffmann Family of Companies-owned arena has confirmed 15 concerts and has eight more with verbal commitments. “Only one of the 15 confirmed concerts are after Christmas, so we believe that this coming year will set a record in the number of concerts at Hertz Arena,” said Randy Klinck, Hertz Arena assistant general manager.
General Manager Scott Bryant said an aggressive approach and partnership with OVG360 helped the 24-year-old venue enhance its visibility in the live-touring space.
Klinck believes there are many reasons their bookings continue to increase, one being that Southwest Floridians quickly buy tickets once they go on sale, stating some of the fastest sellouts artists have on their entire tours are for shows at Hertz Arena.
The arena also has built relationships with national promoters, agents and managers, which have allowed the venue to be considered for the routing of large acts. OVG360, which has more than 200 client-partners at venues around the world, works behind the scenes to show the value of bringing a show to Southwest Florida versus another city, Klinck said.
“Lastly, (David and Jerri) Hoffmann have proven that they are committed to doing whatever is necessary to bring these acts to Southwest Florida, including upgrades to the arena that allow an artist to have a much more enjoyable day in Southwest Florida,” Klinck said.
After purchasing the arena in 2019, the Hoffmanns oversaw extensive renovations, including 24 luxury suites, a sports pub, a season ticket holders lounge, multiple concessions, catering options, meeting space, a pro shop and two adjacent recreational rinks.
Concerts by Bob Dylan and Elton John in early 1999 were the first big-name acts to perform at what initially was Everblades Arena when it opened in 1998. The venue became TECO Arena, then Germain Arena, before being renamed Hertz Arena in 2018.
