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Curb Event Center Major Addition to Nashville Tourism Economy

curb.jpgNASHVILLE, September 8, 2003 – The Curb Event Center, part of a $52 million complex of three new buildings on the Belmont University campus, is already proving itself to be a major addition to Nashville's vital tourism and entertainment industry. "The Curb Event Center is a major new venue in Nashville for sports events, concerts and other entertainment events," says Curb Event Center manager Jeff Hunter.

"The Curb Event Center is a major new venue in Nashville for sports events, concerts and other entertainment events," says Curb Event Center manager Jeff Hunter. "Along with hosting university athletic events and serving as the home of Belmont Bruins athletics, the Curb Event Center has already landed a major collegiate basketball tournament, and will host the Amy Grant and Vince Gill Christmas show concert in late November. Beyond those events, the Curb Event Center is already attracting major interest from national entertainment bookers as a venue for touring shows, concerts and other entertainment events."

The Curb Event Center, a state-of-the-art mid-sized arena with a maximum seating capacity of 5,900, is a finalist in the competition to host one of three presidential debates in 2004. Funded by a $10 million donation from the Curb Family Foundation and well-known music executive Mike Curb, the Curb Event Center is the new home of the NCAA, Division I Belmont Bruin basketball teams and will host the Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournament – with the winner going to the NCAA playoffs – March 4-6, 2004.

Christopher "Butch" Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, toured the almost-completed complex a few days before its grand opening. "I'm more than impressed with the quality of that facility," Spyridon said. "It rivals any facility on any sized campus and it provides Nashville with a first-class mid-sized venue to help us attract a greater number of events and meetings."

The Curb Event Center will host the Amy Grant and Vince Gill Christmas Show Nov. 28-29, 2003

The Curb Event Center also includes the Curb Café, a restaurant and live entertainment venue opening Sept. 22, and the Vince Gill Room, a penthouse meeting room offering outdoor rooftop dining.

Designed to be a secure environment in the post-September 11 world, the Curb Event Center is equipped with video surveillance cameras, motion sensors, pressure-sensitive detectors, and entry/exit alarms, and has the ability to secure specific facility areas and control zone-to-zone access.

Posted by the Office of University Marketing & Communications, September 8, 2003

    Belmont University's fast-growing community of about 4,000 students comes from nearly every state and more than 25 countries. Belmont is committed to premier teaching with a focus on success in the real world. Our purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world's needs. With more than 50 areas of study, eight master's degrees and two doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.

    Office of Marketing and Communications
    615.460.6645 Greg Pillon
    615.460.6646 Bill Hobbs

    Belmont University
    1900 Belmont Boulevard
    Nashville, Tennessee 37212
    615.460.6000
    www.belmont.edu