Richard Karamatic, formerly with the City of San Antonio, has been named the new General Manager for Allen Event Center. Karamatic will begin management of the center on March 26.
Karamatic brings over thirty years of experience to his new position at Allen Event Center. For the past seven years, he has served as Assistant Director for the City of San Antonio’s Convention, Sports and Entertainment Facilities Department, which is responsible for the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Alamodome, Lila Cockrell Theater and Illusions Theater. The Alamodome has been host to NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Final Fours as well as college football’s Valero Alamo Bowl and the Big 12 Football Championship.
Prior to San Antonio, Karamatic was Director for the McAllen Convention Center and Auditorium in McAllen, Texas, helping coordinate and design a new state of the art convention and performing arts center.
Karamatic spent a large portion of his career in and around the Dallas area in positions such as Director for the Waxahachie Convention Center, Director of Event Services for the Infomart Dallas, and as an Event Manager at Fair Park. His familiarity with the metroplex event industry as well as his experience with various types of major event and entertainment venues will be key in helping position Allen Event Center as a desirable destination for both booking agents and tourists in this region.
“While there is a great deal of entertainment competition in the Metroplex,” commented Tim Dentler, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Allen, “Richard has shown us that he has the skills and connections to not only capture new business opportunities for Allen Event Center but also extend our destination’s reach throughout the North Texas region.”
In his career, Karamatic has implemented major sporting events such as FIFA World Cup Soccer, numerous Cotton Bowl games and Red River Shootout Classics, as well as CHL hockey, NRA rodeos, and boxing. He has also been involved with countless concerts, traveling tours such as Disney on Ice and Sesame Street, the Ringling Brothers and Shrine’s Circuses, and other public shows and conventions.
Having received his Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation Administration from Northwestern State University in Louisiana, Karamatic is also a graduate of the IAAM, Oglebay Facility Managers Program and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). He has served as President of the Texas Association for Convention Operation Managers as well as receiving their “Outstanding Member of the Year” Award.
“I have been involved in hosting classic events in entertainment, sports and major conventions in concert halls, convention centers, stadiums, and arenas all over Texas,” said Karamatic. “Allen Event Center is one of the top-notch multipurpose venues in the state and I am looking forward to working with staff, Parks and Recreation Director, the City Manager, and Allen City Council in taking it to that next level of entertainment quality and value Allen residents can boast about.”