dec-2017

30 31 B B&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, is one of the pre- eminent sports and entertainment venues in the country,with more than two million visitors enter- ing its doors each year.The largest arena in Florida, and the second largest in the southeastern United States, BB&T Center is the home arena of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League, and plays host, as well, to more than 200 events annually, including concert head- liners like Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, P!nk, Pearl Jam, Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi, and Maroon 5.The Center also presents family shows like Disney On Ice, Cirque du Soleil, and other events, such as Orange Bowl Basketball Classic,Marvel Universe Live, and Monster Jam. Its commu- nity events include college and high school commence- ment ceremonies, corporate functions, charity events, youth hockey games,motivational seminars, and more. The publicly-funded, $167million Center opened in 1998.“It was built to house the Florida Panthers,” says Tom Embrey,Vice President for Event Operations & Security. “Prior to that, the Panthers played at the Miami Arena in BB&T CENTER BB&T center HOME OF THE FLORIDA PANTHERS AT A GLANCE BB&T CENTER WHAT: Home of the Florida Panthers WHERE: Sunrise, Florida WEBSITE: www.thebbtcenter.com