Dave and Kenny Chesney
Since this is the first post to our new blog, I thought it would be nice to start with a little introduction.
Pictured here is my general manager, Dave Holscher. He is responsible for booking nearly every concert and show that comes to the Coliseum or PAC. He also is the guy in the building that gets to shake hands with the most of the celebrities. It’s a pretty sweet gig if you ask me. He’s a great guy and anyone that has had the privilege of working with him knows that. I’m not saying this hoping for a raise or promotion…and if you doubt me then allow me to share this with you: our employees NEVER leave. That’s right, from GM to receptionist to usher and ticket taker-most of my co-workers have been here since the doors opened over 15 years ago. It says a lot about SMG and Dave, but that whole promotion thing I mentioned…never going to happen or probably not in this decade anyway since no one above me has any intentions of leaving any time soon.
Anyway, back to Dave. I sat down with him awhile back to ask some questions for a video series I wanted to do. The video thing never happened, but I did save the questions/answers. Here goes…
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Milwaukee, WI
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: University of Wisconsin for my BBA & University of Oregon for my MBA
Q: What was your first job?
A: Ballboy-Milwaukee Bucks, NBA (I was in 8th grade)
Q: How long have your worked for SMG ( for those that don’t know, SMG is the company that manages the Coliseum, PAC and Convention Center for the City of North Charleston)?
A: Since they bought former company, Ogden, in 2000. I worked for Ogden from 1990-2000.
Q: How long have you been working at the North Charleston Convention Center Complex?
A: I came to this building in 1991 during the pre-opening and I’m still here.
Q: How many hours is your typical work week?
A: 45-50, but work is on my mind 24/7
Side note: this has proven itself to be true; Dave often comes up to one of us and starts his statement with, “I woke up in the middle of the night thinking that…”
Q: What is the best part about your job?
A: Meeting and working with so many different people, and knowing that every day is different
Q: Least favorite?
A: Working with promoters that don’t have a clue what they are doing
Q: What is your favorite event that has been here?
A: Eagles in 1995
Q: Any concert that you want to see here that hasn’t been through yet?
A: Rolling Stones
Another thing that is interesting to know about Dave is that he recently started a class at the College of Charleston. The class is called Venue & Event Management and is open to juniors/seniors during the fall semester. Dave teaches this class every Wednesday on the stage of the Performing Arts Center. The idea of the class began because Dave recognized the student’s desire to gain real world knowledge. I have been a part of the class and it is really more of a round table discussion. The lecture begins, but students become so interested in the subject that often times the 2 1/2 hour class is over before you know it. From what I have seen and heard, the students are learning a lot and becoming very involved.
Well, if you have any questions for Dave or about Dave post them here. Check back soon for another post.
