2001
OFFICIALLY OPENED
On January 2, 2001, the Swiftel Center opened its doors for the first time to the public. At that time, the facility was known as the Brookings Area Multiplex, Inc. (BAMI).
VENUWORKS MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
VenuWorks was awarded the official contract for operating the management responsibilities of the Swiftel Center. At the time, VenuWorks was known as Compass Facility Management.
2002
FIRST NATIONAL TOURING CONCERT
Friday, March 22, 2002 marked the first ever national touring concert at the Swiftel Center. Travis Tritt played to 1,584 fans.
2003
VENUE MOTTO
The official motto for the Swiftel Center was crafted and put into use: MIDWEST HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST.
NAMING RIGHTS
Swiftel Communications was awarded the official contract for the venue naming rights. The name of the facility was officially changed from Brookings Area Multiplex, Inc. to the Swiftel Center.
2006
TICKETING PARTNER
The Swiftel Center was approved and awarded the status of official Ticketmaster partner. All ticketed events are made available for purchase through Ticketmaster.
MOST EVENT DAYS IN ONE YEAR
In 2006, the Swiftel Center hosted the most event days in one calendar year: 460 event days.
An event day is categorized as a singular event happening in the facility. There can be multiple event days happening on one day (i.e within 24 hours). For example, if the Swiftel Center hosts a private banquet and a conference in the same day, that would be counted as two event days.
2008
IN-HOUSE FOOD & BEVERAGE
The Food & Beverage department was officially added as a complete in-house service with full catering and an Executive Chef.
2010
FIRST SOLD-OUT CONCERT
Friday, March 12, 2010 marked the first ever sold-out concert at the Swiftel Center. Jason Aldean brought his "Wide Open" tour to Brookings along with special guest Luke Bryan. There were 5,314 fans in attendance.
2011
ONE MILLIONTH GUEST
Saturday, September 24, 2011 marked the 1,000,000th guest through the Swiftel Center doors. Renae Mills of Brookings was presented with two free tickets to all events through the remainder of 2011 as well as a goodie bag valued at more than $2,000. The 1,000,000th guest celebration was awarded the same night as the Luke Bryan concert. Luke Bryan brought the CMT On Tour "Tailgates & Tanlines" tour to Brookings along with special guests Lee Brice and Josh Thompson.
10TH ANNIVERSARY
The Swiftel Center celebrated it's 10th anniversary. On February 4, the facility hosted a birthday bash in conjunction with a Hairball concert - a wild retro ride that became a "Party for the Community."
2013
FIRST HEADLINING TOUR - FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
The Swiftel Center hosted its first headlining tour. Florida Georgia Line launched their first, ever headlining tour - "Here's to the Good Times" - in 2013. They selected the Swiftel Center as the site of the first concert on tour. When the Thursday, October 3 concert went on-sale to the public, it sold-out in 2.5 minutes.
CHECK IT OUT
Watch this epic fan video from the first moments Florida Georgia Line took the stage.
2014
SECOND HEADLINING TOUR - JAKE OWEN
The Swiftel Center hosted another headlining tour. Jake Owen launched his first ever headlining tour - "Days of Gold" - in 2014. He selected the Swiftel Center as the site of the first concert on the tour. Jake Owen and his crew spent significant time setting up and rehearsing their concert at the Swiftel Center prior to the Thursday, March 20 concert.
CHECK IT OUT
Jake Owen created a video to document the beginning of his tour. Watch to see a majority of the footage filmed at the Swiftel Center.
2015
VENUE EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Swiftel Center was awarded the 2015 Venue Excellence Award by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). This is the highest award in the venue industry given by IAVM, which is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the management of public assembly venues.
The Venue Excellence Awards recognize excellence in the management and operation of public assembly venues including arenas, convention centers, performing arts centers and stadiums. The award winner is determined based on excellence in each of the following: operational excellence, team-building and professional development, safety and security, and service to the community. Out of all arenas worldwide, the Swiftel Center was acknowledged as the best of the best in the Arenas category.
2016
15TH ANNIVERSARY
The Swiftel Center celebrated it's 15th anniversary. On January 28, the facility hosted an Open House Celebration for the community.
2017
LARGEST CONCERT AUDIENCE
On Friday, December 1, 2017, the Swiftel Center hosted the largest concert audience: 5,619
Attendees packed the house at the Swiftel Center for the Thomas Rhett concert. Thomas Rhett brought his "Home Team" tour to Brookings along with special guests Old Dominion and Walker Hayes. This was a sold-out show.
2018
GEORGE S. MICKELSON GREAT SERVICE AWARD
The Swiftel Center was awarded the 2018 George S. Mickelson Great Service Award presented by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Dakota Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen at the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The George S. Mickelson Great Service Award honors businesses or organizations that have done an exemplary job of exceeding visitors’ expectations in customer service. It marks the culmination of a yearly hospitality program that involves hospitality training, customer comment cards, an employee recognition program, and an application for the Great Service Star designation.
RENOVATED SWIFTEL CENTER RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
On November 19, the Swiftel Center officially opened the renovated banquet and meeting rooms. The public was invited to an official ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Brookings Chamber Ambassadors.
2019
2021
SPECTRA AS NEW MANAGEMENT
Aug. 2021 - The Brookings City Council last week approved a contract between the city and Spectra Venue Management of Philadelphia to operate the Swiftel Center. The contract runs from Aug. 1 and runs to Dec. 31, 2026.
OAK VIEW GROUP ACQUISITION OF SPECTRA
Nov. 2021 - Oak View Group (OVG), a global venue development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries, today announced that it has completed the transaction to acquire Spectra, one of the industry's leading venue management and hospitality providers, to create one world-class, full-service live events company.
2022
ACTIVE HEATING AS NEW BOX OFFICE NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER
August 2023 - The Swiftel Center is proud to partner with Active Heating, Inc. as the new exclusive sponsor of the venue’s onsite box office. This partnership, which has been months in the making, will see Swiftel Center’s simplistic box office completely branded into a more recognizable and memorable space in the building with new signage, a fully wrapped box office facade, and various other standout assets.
2023
DACOTAH BANK AS NEW NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER
May 2023 - OVG360, operators of the Swiftel Center, announced a new 10-year multi-million-dollar partnership with Dacotah Bank, a state-chartered bank in all of South Dakota and North Dakota as well as counties in neighboring states, whereby Dacotah Bank will become the new naming rights partner of the Brookings 6,000-seat arena, effective immediately. The public can expect to see name transitions gradually from the Swiftel Center to its new Dacotah Bank Center naming rights across all platforms and media completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023.