New Director of Bancorpsouth Arena & Conference Center seclected
TUPELO — Doug Johnson has been named Executive Director of the Bancorpsouth Arena & Conference Center in Tupelo. He previously served as Vice President, Sports & Entertainment for the Wisconsin Center District in Milwaukee, WI.
“Doug brings more than 25 years of entertainment management experience, as well as the relationships needed to grow and enhance entertainment events at the Bancorpsouth Arena & Conference Center,” said Nat Grubbs, Tupelo Coliseum Commission Chairman. “We are excited to welcome Doug to Tupelo and are confident that his leadership will help take our first-class facilities to the next level.”
In his role as Vice President, Sports & Entertainment at the Wisconsin Center District, Johnson managed concerts, conferences, professional sports events, and shows at the Miller High Life Theater, UW Panther Arena, and Wisconsin Center. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Director, Area Booking & Entertainment for the BMO Harris Bradley
Center and directed the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest, in Milwaukee, WI.
“The Bancorpsouth Arena & Conference Center has hosted quality events for our citizens and visitors to Tupelo for 27 years,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton. “We look forward to working with Doug to create even more exciting events for everyone to enjoy.”
Opened in 1993, the Bancorpsouth Arena & Conference Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena and conference center located in the heart of Downtown Tupelo. A $15.2 million expansion will see completion in 2021, doubling the meeting space and renovating existing spaces at both the arena and conference center.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Bancorpsouth Arena and Conference Center team in Tupelo, MS. The building’s history as a strong, well-managed, regional event center, catering to many communities, is a fantastic opportunity,” said Doug Johnson. “I am looking to expand the horizons by creating and attracting more content, as we build on a solid foundation while strengthening the venue’s position in the marketplace.”