Paul Bowles has been appointed as general manager of the 7,500-seat Mountain Health Arena and Convention Center in Huntington, West Virginia which is operated by ASM Global.
Bowles was previously general manager of the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, Kentucky, where he drove the expansion of national acts and substantially increased annual revenue by 50 per cent.
He has also served recently as the executive director of tourism for the City of Pikeville.
Mountain Health Arena and Convention Center, which overlooks the Ohio River in downtown Huntington.
The multipurpose arena hosts numerous concerts, family shows, trade shows and athletic competitions year-round.
In addition, the convention center has more than 15,000 square feet of flexible space for meeting, wedding and training sessions.
Doug Thornton, ASM Global’s executive vice president of stadiums, arenas and theaters, says: “Between his decades of experience and proven track record in the arena and convention space, we are confident that Paul is the perfect candidate to manage this venue.
[W]e are confident that Paul is the perfect candidate to manage this venue.
In this new role, Paul will be able to work closely with our partners, sponsors and the city to create new opportunities and continue the growth of the arena, bringing significant value to the area.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the experienced team at Mountain Health Arena and to collaborate with our clients and municipal partners, as they are critical in helping us surpass our goals — not only at the venue level, but throughout the region,” says Bowles. “The arena and convention center has been a mainstay of this community for more than 45 years, and I look forward to being able to contribute to its continued success in the future.”
Huntington Mayor, Steve Williams, adds: "During the past several years, the City of Huntington has partnered with ASM Global to make significant investments and advancements for Mountain Health Arena.
These include a lucrative naming-rights agreement and upgrades to the conference center, the inside of the arena, and a full renovation of the outdoor plaza so that it can become a viable space for the community.
I am looking forward to working with Paul and observing how his 30-plus years in the arena industry will elevate Mountain Health Arena's operations and entertainment offerings even further."
