Predators Executive David Kells Named Venue Executive Of The Year By ‘Pollstar’

David Kells. Photo: Courtesy of Scoop Marketing

The Predators and Bridgestone Arena Senior Executive Vice President David Kells has been named Venue Executive of the Year at the 33rd annual Pollstar Awards.

Kells has been with Bridgestone Arena and the Preds since 2005, and was recently promoted to Senior Executive Vice President in January of 2021.

“2021 will be remembered as the year that artists were able to once again connect with fans at live events around the world, and Pollstar is thrilled to be able to recognize the artists, venues, events and executives who were able to make that happen at the highest level, as determined by their peers,” says Ray Waddell, president of Media & Conferences for Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company. “This year’s Pollstar Awards is a celebration of live entertainment, and we salute the winners, nominees and all who participate in the greatest business there is.”

This is Kells fifth Venue Executive of the Year win since being named the Preds SVP in 2017.

“There is a reason why Bridgestone Arena is nominated as arena of the year virtually every year and why it is always one of the busiest venues in the world! That reason is this year’s Exec of the year, David Kells!! Congratulations and Thank You David!” said Nashville Predators CEO and President Sean Henry via Twitter.

This past year, Kells was named the President of the Board of the non-profit Leadership Music. He has been a member of the organization since 2014.

Steven Boero