MACON, Ga. — If you caught a show at the Macon City Auditorium or Coliseum in November, the Centreplex says you helped make it a "banner month."
They say three sold-out shows and about 46,000 visitors brought in $3 million to Macon's economy. All of that for a single month of the year.
Centreplex General Manager David Aiello says the numbers weren't quite record-breaking, but he says they're hoping to get there next year after the Macon Amphitheater opens.
"We had people from all over the state with GHSA cheerleading. We had Christmas Made in the South, which is a huge event for us," he said.
Aiello says his 150 staff members worked hard the entire month to make sure things ran smoothly.
"It was a lot of hard work going from a trade show with no ice on the floor to putting the ice back in for Disney on Ice to all the sold-out shows at the auditorium," Aiello said.
November featured headliners like John Mulaney and Pierce the Veil at the auditorium.
"People actually, they lined up around the block," Aiello said of the Pierce the Veil concert.
In all, Aiello says, November meant $3 million for Macon's economy and another $160,000 in sales taxes for Macon-Bibb County. He credits the success with their efforts to network with promoters.
"Now we can go to them and say, 'Hey, here's all the different varieties of acts that we've had, and here's some examples of how they've sold, so keep sending stuff to us. Because it's working," Aiello said.
Now, with a new venue on the way, Aiello says they plan to expand their efforts, meaning more big shows for Central Georgians to catch.
"You may have, you know, one show with three big artists. Where the venues we currently have, one of those supporting artists might be the only one playing in the colisuem or the auditorium," Aiello said.
He says the amphitheater will open in March, just in time for the first show.
Right now, the first concert on the books is Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top March 24, and Jason Aldean will play in October.
Aiello says they have several other acts booked, and will add even more in the coming months.
If you want to work at the amphitheater, they're already accepting applications. You can apply here, or at the Centreplex on Coliseum Drive.