BEVERLY — David Kennedy of Beverly has been hired to fill the new Wintrust Arena in the South Loop.
The 10,387-seat stadium at Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue is expected to open in the fall and will be home to DePaul University's men's and women's basketball teams. The Blue Demon men will play 17 games there next year, and the women's team will play 10 games.
Kennedy started his new job Monday with management firm SMG. He's charged with filling the arena when DePaul is away with events such as concerts, family shows, athletic competitions and more.
"There is always a need for mid-sized concert venues," Kennedy, 47, said Thursday from his office across the street from the new arena.
David Kennedy of Beverly had a sneak peek inside the new Wintrust Arena this week. Kennedy was hired by SMG to attract concerts, athletic competitions and other users to the South Loop venue. [DNAinfo/Supplied Photo]
Kennedy worked for the city for 22½ years before accepting the new gig. Since 2008, he's worked for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, coordinating such high profile happenings as the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chicago Cubs championship parade, Taste of Chicago and other major gatherings.
"I loved all of the teams I worked with at the city of Chicago — every single department," said Kennedy, who worked side-by-side with the police, streets and sanitation department, transportation officials and others when coordinating large events.
Kennedy had a hand in more than 2,000 programs annually with the city. In his new role, he aims to bring 63 events to the arena in its first year in an effort to break even, and he believes McCormick Place will help achieve that goal.
Indeed, SMG also coordinates trade shows for McCormick Place and the new arena is connected via sky bridges to the sprawling convention center as well as the new 1,206-room Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel.
Kennedy said he envisions major conventions using the $164 million arena as a venue to launch new products or have company or industry-wide gatherings. Other users will certainly include concerts, but Kennedy further envisions the arena hosting large commencement ceremonies, volleyball tournaments and more.
The new Wintrust Arena in the South Loop will be the home court for DePaul University basketball. The 10,387-seat stadium is expected to debut in the fall. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
“We are excited to welcome David Kennedy to the McCormick Place/SMG executive team. His vast experience planning and executing some of Chicago’s high-profile entertainment and sporting events will be an asset to our team as we enhance our footprint into the sporting and entertainment business,” David Causton, the general manager of McCormick Place, said in a written statement.
Kennedy hopes the new arena will mirror the United Center in being able to host a many events and transition quickly from one function to another. That said, he also believes the new arena will complement rather than compete with existing concert venues throughout the city.
"I would hope to run this place the same way" as the United Center, Kennedy said. "Turnover has to be key to keep us booked."
Kennedy was raised in Kankakee. He moved to Beverly in 2002 at the urging of his wife, Megan. She grew up in the area, and the pair have three children. The Kennedy family is active in St. Barnabas Parish.
"In true Beverly fashion, we bought my mother-in-law's house — with her in it," he said.
Living with his extended family on the Far Southwest Side, Kennedy said he's always impressed by the level of cooperation present in the neighborhood, including the seemingly endless number of fundraisers and charity events held for those in need.
"A sense of community is important, and I think Beverly definitely has that," he said.
He also believes the new arena will help build the community in the South Loop, as the attraction should help drive more restaurants and other businesses to the area. He believes this will not only benefit conventioneers but nearby residents as well.
"I think the goal is to add retail and add additional amenities to the area," he said.
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