ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown's PPL Center arena, which in September observed 10 years since opening, announced just the second general manager in its history.
Brian Krajewski, who a release described as a live entertainment industry veteran, has replaced Gunnar Fox, who had been the venue's general manager since it opened.
Fox has taken a job booking acts in regional venues for live entertainment giant Live Nation.
“We are excited for the many new opportunities ahead with Brian leading the outstanding team here at PPL Center in Allentown."Jim and Rob Brooks, co-owners of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and PPL Center, in a release
Krajewski previously was assistant general manager for the 19,000-seat multi-purpose BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, run by Oak View Group.
Krajewski will lead the day-to-day operations for the 10,000-seat PPL Center, home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.
He will oversee booking, scheduling, marketing, advertising "and the venue’s commitment to community activation across the Lehigh Valley," the release said.
“We are excited for the many new opportunities ahead with Brian leading the outstanding team here at PPL Center in Allentown," Jim and Rob Brooks, co-owners of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and PPL Center, said in the release.
“We’re particularly proud of the relationship we have with Oak View Group and have admired the outstanding work they do with us at PPL Center.”
Big shows, world and local attention
Prior to his role in Tulsa, Krajewski held several key positions with Oak View Group, including general manager at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, and The Railyard in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He also was director of marketing at Tsongas Center and Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, New York.
A 2010 graduate of Western New England University, he began his career as an intern with the Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Fox had led the $177 million PPL Center since before it opened Sept. 12, 2014, with a concert by The Eagles as perhaps the main piece in a hoped revitalization of Allentown's downtown.
By the time it observed its 10th anniversary under Fox, the arena has offered more than 1,365 events and brought more than 4.58 million visitors to downtown Allentown for events.
Fox grew up in South Philadelphia and interned with the Phantoms there, and worked at Rio Rancher Event Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, before joining PPL Center.
in a September interview, Fox said special memories included Penn State playing Michigan in the second round of the NCAA ice hockey playoffs in 2023.
Also, events such as the AHL All-Star Classic, the NCAA regionals, the USA and Canadian women's national hockey teams and the ESPN high school basketball showcase all have been nationally televised.
That gets Allentown and the Lehigh Valley recognition across the world, Fox said.
But it's also smaller events that touch closer to home that have helped PPL Center find success, Fox said. That includes high school graduations, Allentown School District convocations and canine training for Allentown police department.
'Results driven manager'
Greg O’Dell, president of venue management for Oak View Group, said of Krajewski, “Brian is a highly accomplished, results-driven manager.
"We look forward to continued success at PPL Center.”Greg O’Dell, president of venue management for Oak View Group
“We’re proud of the contributions Brian has made and continues to make at Oak View Group, and we’re confident he will be a tremendous asset to our partners at PPL Center.
"Brian has an exceptional track record of building strong relationships within the communities he's worked in, which has positively impacted his staff, the venues, and events.
"We look forward to continued success at PPL Center.”
