 |
| Don Cholito |
In September 2004 the
Puerto Rican entertainment industry suffered a positive transformation when the
biggest arena was completed and inaugurated: The Coliseum of Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot. It is located in the capital of the island; and it was named
after one of the greatest Puerto Rican comedians (Jose Miguel Agrelot) in honor
to his contribution to the island’s entertainment. One of his characters was the cherished "Don Cholito". Mixing
this name and the term "Coliseo" –Spanish for coliseum– the arena was
nicknamed 'Choliseo". Since it’s opening it has hosted concerts and a wide
range of different national and international events.
The Coliseum belongs to the Puerto Rico Convention
District Authority and is managed by the private company SMG. Thanks to the many
people who visits it for May 2011 Pollstar Magazine, an American magazine
specialized in the entertainment industry internationally, classified the
Coliseum in 8th place within the best 50 Arenas worldwide and in 2nd place in
the Western Hemisphere.
SMG has hired about 50 full-time employees, plus
other hundreds part-time. The Coliseum is considered as one of the best places –if
not the best– to hold events thanks to its areas of opportunity; it’s a
flexible arena for different events. It offers the space, materials, and
several resources necessary to celebrate special activities such as concerts; ice
rink events; different types of conventions; graduations; cocktails; extreme,
sport, and wrestling events; and fundraising events. This diversity enriches the
clients’ tastes by offering diverse entertainment options.
 |
| "Coliseo" of Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot |
For 1998 the island’s
government had the intention of bringing the 2004 Olympic Games to be
celebrated in Puerto Rico. This was the original plan for the “Choliseo”:
create a multiuse arena to host the event. Not being the games
carried out in Puerto Rico, the construction continued lasting 6 years. The venue can accommodate from 3,500 up to
18,500 spectators; it all depends on the type of event and the desired
assistance by its producer.
The “Choliseo” has hosted
more than 550 events and has received the visit of millions of people. Millions
are also the revenue received from ticket selling. Near subway public transportation
also helps providing scope between costumers and events. The venue also operates with the following departments: Events, Guest Services,
Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Box Office, Set Up, Engineering, Food and
Beverage, Security, Maintenance, and Ushers.
