30 years of memories: Cadence Bank Arena celebrates milestone

More than 1,000 events and 7 million visitors over the past three decades

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The area’s premiere multi-purpose arena has just celebrated a milestone.

As the final touches are being put on the ice at the Cadence Bank Arena.

Staffers are preparing for a busy season to wrap up the year, at the arena, and the adjoining conference center.

“We have events in here, certain days a month, over there there’s stuff going on every week basically,” said Shelby Ray, marketing director for the Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center.

The arena is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. It was called Tupelo Coliseum when the doors opened in October of 1993. The name changed later to the Bancorp South Arena, and recently, Cadence Bank Arena.

Through the years, the arena has attracted top music acts, large and small conferences, political rallies, and other events that have brought in the crowds providing an economic boost for the area.

“Both arena and conference center combined, over a thousand different events, probably close to seven million people, in and out, it’s been busy, popular and with all those people coming in and out a great economic impact for the city as well,” Ray said.

The expansion of the conference center several years ago added more meeting space and along with a VIP Lounge, has helped attract more events.  Ray says the arena is always looking to bring in new artists and events.

“Honestly, word of mouth. That’s a big factor in a lot of artists who want to come. Agents and promoters talk to each other. Our conference center staff, they get phone calls off the hook, emails. They are constantly looking at the calendar,” said Ray.

With its reputation of excellence when it comes to hosting small to large events, including weddings, concerts, and even a presidential rally, the Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center is looking forward to continued growth over the next 30 years.

Public ice skating begins on November 24 and runs through January 15.

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