How Kim Bedier keeps the Everett Events Center running

Published 11:12 pm Sunday, February 24, 2008

EVERETT — As general manager of Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center, Kim Bedier juggles keeping track of millions of dollars in ticket sales, making budget and leading a full-time staff of 30.

Her job is demanding, but includes brushes with the famous, and on occasion, infamous egos.

British rock star Rod Stewart, for example, asked that no one talk with him backstage. Motown diva Diana Ross one-upped his request by banning people from looking at her.

“I did,” Bedier said. “And I didn’t turn to stone.”

Bedier was hired to manage the downtown arena, conference center and ice skating rink in downtown Everett during construction five years ago. The $71.5 million events center recently celebrated its fourth birthday.

It’s the third downtown arena Bedier has opened during her career.

The other two were the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and Crystal Centre in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Each arena had a positive effect on their communities, she said.

Bedier, who was born to a military family in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and lived in seven of 10 Canadian provinces before moving to the United States, credits Everett leaders for building the Everett Events Center, which is widely viewed as a catalyst for downtown Everett’s renaissance.

Bedier works for Global Spectrum, an arena management company owned by Philadelphia-based Comcast.

“It’s really gratifying when people to come up to me and say this has done so much for Everett,” Bedier said.

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.