Henry Cárdenas, Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN) President and Executive Director and one of the top Latin music promoters in the US has made a “multi-million dollar” investment in Colombia’s music business via the acquisition of Arena Bogotá.
Founded by Cárdenas in 2002, Chicago and Miami-based CMN represents artists such as Marc Anthony, Bad Bunny, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Chayanne, Becky G, Sech, and many others.
The venue is planned to open in the second half of 2020 according to a press release.
Cárdenas is also the Director of Cardenas Entertainment and Marketing Group (CEMG), which he founded in 2018 to bring the Arena Bogotá project to life.
Originally from Colombia, Cárdenas’ company began as a series of small events in the 70’s and has grown into a multi-million-dollar company with over 60 staff across its two offices.
Currently under construction, the 24,000-capacity arena occupies a 1 million square foot plot of land, and will be “three times greater than any other arena” in Latin America.
The venue will host between 130 and 140 shows during its first year, across family events, corporate, live music and sports.
The Cultural and Entertainment Center Arena Bogotá Calle 80 mega project is being developed by businessmen Guillermo Rincon and Jaime Sanabria.
Billboard reports that the deal was worth over $30 million.
“I am very proud to be able to become the entertainment ambassador in my native country, and to be able to welcome everyone to Arena Bogotá, which will be the home to all Colombians, businessmen and promoters, the artists / live music events, business conventions, and sports that our country deserves.”
Henry Cárdenas
Cardenas said: “I am very proud to be able to become the entertainment ambassador in my native country, and to be able to welcome everyone to Arena Bogotá, which will be the home to all Colombians, businessmen and promoters, the artists / live music events, business conventions, and sports that our country deserves.
“For the first year of operations we plan to perform between 130 and 140 shows, which means about three events per week, which will include family events, corporate, live music, sports (e.g. motocross, Olympic sports, indoor soccer, boxing, volleyball, tennis, basketball, etc.), eGaming, parades, and equine events, among others.”
Added Cárdenas: “It’s about time that Colombia had a building that was able to offer more and better shows. In the second half of 2020, we will have access to a dream venue to enjoy shows like Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, Becky G,Silvestre Dangond, Wisin & Yandel, Ricardo Arjona, Maná, and Romeo Santos, among others, with our family and friends.
“There are some similarities with Arena Mexico, but even so there is none that has the qualities and grandiosity of Arena Bogotá.
“As a way to compare the relative size, we can look to the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, which includes 17,000 seats, whereas Arena Bogotá will have 24,000.
“This great space gives us the flexibility to perform events / shows that we otherwise may not have been able to do. In short, the capacity of Arena Bogotá will be three times greater than any other arena that exists in Latin America.”
“I am especially grateful to Guillermo Rincon and Jaime Sanabria for having allowed me to be part of this arena project.”Music Business Worldwide
