Hull’s largest indoor entertainment venue has a new name.
The Bonus Arena becomes Connexin Live today after a five year partnership was agreed between operator ASM Global and the city-based broadband and smart places company.
The 3,500 capacity venue has welcomed global music giants including Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, The Stereophonics and Bryan Adams in a Covid-interupted first five years, having first opened in 2018. Sean Paul, a week today, followed by Noel Gallagher at the end of the month, will be among the first to perform as the rebrand is revealed.
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Sam Ryder, the venue’s general manager, said: “We are delighted to form this new partnership with a hugely successful and ambitious company in Connexin. The venue has proved to be an incredible success over the last five years, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to Hull and East Yorkshire to see iconic, world class artists. I am looking forward to working alongside Connexin over the next few years and making many more memories at Connexin Live.”
The chosen name was first given to events held by the firm at the venue, which went on to form part of Tech Week Humber. The switch from a fellow Hull business has been celebrated by those involved in the deal, including co-founders, Furqan Alamgir, Alex Yeung and their brand ambassador, Olympian Luke Campbell MBE.
Mr Alamgir, chief executive of the firm, said: “Through our products, services and partnerships, we are proud to connect people to the things they love. While high profile sponsorships such as this one will help us grow our brand awareness, they also enable us to share our success with the community, without whom our growth would never have been possible.
Hinting at potential exclusive treats for customers - with the 25,000 milestone passed earlier this year, he added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Connexin Live and ASM for their hard work making this partnership possible.”
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Connexin has moved to new headquarters in the city this year, having made a run of acquisitions to accelerate growth following major backing being secured.
Extending a warm welcome to Connexin, Chris Bray, ASM Global’s European president said: “We have an incredible portfolio of venues here in the 海角视频, located in thriving parts of the country. Both Connexin and the venue have a real shared resonance with Hull, and passion for the city, making this new naming rights partnership a fantastic fit. We have bold and exciting plans for Connexin Live so it’s our pleasure to have the Connexin team joining us on this journey, innovating and elevating the live entertainment experience for all.”
It comes just over two years after Hull's KCom stadium became the MKM Stadium in another naming deal that saw the rights remain in the city. Sewell Group Craven Park was a new addition ahead of the diversified construction firm's head Dr Paul Sewell emerging as chair of Hull KR.