(NEWARK, NJ) -- Prudential Center has announced the appointment of Tyler Bates as Vice President of Booking at Prudential Center, the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, NJ. Ranked in the Top 8 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States. The arena hosts over 2 million guests annually and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year.
In his new role, Bates will be responsible for concert, family show and live event booking of Prudential Center, identifying unique live event opportunities across all Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE) properties and expanding the HBSE entertainment portfolio. Bates will report to Sean Saadeh, Executive Vice President of Entertainment at Prudential Center.
“I am thrilled to welcome Tyler Bates to the best-in-class Entertainment team at Prudential Center, said Sean Saadeh, Executive Vice President of Entertainment at Prudential Center. “Tyler’s knowledge and connections within the live event ecosystem is an invaluable asset to the team. Along with his relationships in the business, Tyler brings a proactive and creative approach to booking that will elevate our programming opportunities and prepare HBSE for future entertainment expansion.”
Bates brings over 12 years of experience to his new role, having previously worked as Promoter, Arena Booker and theater General Manager. Bates most recently held the position of Director of Programming at Ambassador Theatre Group, as well as General Manager of Kings Theatre, an Ambassador Theatre Group Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, where he oversaw programming strategy and execution for Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston and supported initiatives for other North American ATG venues. Bates developed and executed the group’s programming strategy for venues across multiple genres including music, comedy, film, speaker series and dance as well as collaborated with the European programming team to expand global booking strategies.
Prior to working for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bates worked at Communion Presents in New York, NY as Executive Vice President and Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NJ as Senior Director of Booking. While at Barclay’s Center, Bates won the 2014 Venues Today “Next Gen” Reader’s Choice Award. Bates began his career with AEG Live.
“I look forward to joining the first-class Entertainment team at Prudential Center and the Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment family, said Tyler Bates. “New Jersey is one of the premier markets in the country and Prudential Center is an iconic venue that represents the best that the New York metropolitan-area has to offer. I am eager to be reunited with a former Colleague Sean Saadeh and continue to bolster Prudential Center’s position as one of the world’s top venues.”
Prudential Center is located at 25 Lafayette Street in Newark, New Jersey.
