Evansville's Premier Hub for Sports, Entertainment & Events
Located at 1 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the heart of Evansville, Indiana, the Ford Center is the region's premier multipurpose arena. Opened in November 2011, this state-of-the-art facility has quickly become a central hub for sports, entertainment, and community events. As a prominent stop for major artists' arena tours, it offers an unparalleled experience for attendees and event organizers alike.
With an 11,000-seat capacity, the venue accommodates a wide range of events including concerts, sporting events, conventions, and expos. It offers 290,000 square feet of space, featuring over 20,000 square feet of adaptable space on the arena floor. Proudly serving as the home of the NCAA Division I University of Evansville Aces Men’s and Women’s basketball teams and the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts, the arena is equipped with the latest technology and modern amenities to enhance the event experience.
Leading By Example/ Awards Achieved
Prime Site Award Winner (2012-2016)
Pollstar’s New Venue Finalist in 2012
Nominee IAVM Venue of Excellence 2013
Nominee Academy of Country Music’s Best Mid-Size Facility for 2016 & 2022
USBGC LEED Certified (Silver)
Metrics
Seats
sq ft flexible space
Event days per year
Annual Visitors
Services
Pre-Opening
Operations
Accounting & Financial Services
Event Booking & Sales
Event Management and Operation
Food & Beverage Operations
Venue Branding & Marketing
Sponsorship
Human Resources
Environmental Stewardship
Emergency Preparedness
Venue Safety & Security
Community Engagement
$20,000 raised annually for local non-profits -Evansville Thunderbolts
Hospital & Local School Visits - Evansville Thunderbolts
VenuWorks Staff volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
VenuWorks staff volunteer for local Mickeys Kingdom
VenuWorks staff fundraised over $200,000 for new historic marquee on the Victory Theatre
Evansville Thunderbolts SPHL Home Dates
University of Evansville Aces Men’s Basketball Home Games
University of Evansville Aces Women’s Basketball Home Games
Evansville Chamber Dinners
Annual Deaconess of the Year Fundraiser
Public Consumer Shows
Conventions & Trade Shows
Live Music Shows
Bull Rider Rodeo
Executive Director
Scott Schoenike
Scott Schoenike is a recognized leader in developing strategies to achieve community and business goals in entertainment facilities. He combines executive awareness, team-building, and financial foresight, delivering strong ROI and operational improvements. As Executive Director at the Ford Center, Scott built a team that consistently delivered results. Aligning community expectations with business goals led to the successful and under-budget opening of the Ford Center in 2011. Under his leadership, the Ford Center has won and been nominated for multiple prestigious awards. His newest project involves combining the Ford Center’s professional hockey team with building management. As President of the Evansville Thunderbolts and Executive Director of the Ford Center, he prioritizes objectives and reallocates resources to ensure success for both organizations.
Scott's career spans over 35 years, including key roles with VenuWorks and ARAMARK. He has managed multiple venues, developed in-house revenue streams, and led major recovery and expansion projects in Cedar Rapids. His adaptability and creativity have earned him a reputation for excellence in special events, including three Super Bowls, an NBA All-Star Game, two Air Shows, and seven NBA/NHL arena openings. Outside of work, Scott is dedicated to his family and enjoys playing hockey and mountain climbing.
Contact Scott Schoenike and the Ford Center Team!
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