Heartland Events Center names new executive director

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- With the Heartland Events Center now fully owned by the city of Grand Island, and under new management, the next step is appointing the leadership.

Kyler Tarwater comes to the HEC from the Topeka Performing Arts Center in Kansas as the new executive director.

“The people of Grand Island have made me feel at home from the outset, leaving me very optimistic about the opportunity for strong support and community partnerships,” Tarwater said.

The management group, VenuWorks, was looking for someone with experience booking events in the Midwest.

“We are honored to be entrusted with the management of such a pivotal community hub,” said VenuWorks President Steve Peters. “We're committed to enhancing its value to both the local and regional communities.”

The ideas are already brewing for Tarwater in what he's looking to bring to the Fonner Park campus.

"The more I come to Grand Island, the more I see there are some unusual niche markets they haven't gotten in to," said Tarwater. "The family shows; things like 'Paw Patrol' and 'Sesame Street Live'. Kids still love to watch those shows."

It's not just the families he's focused on, because the opportunities seem vast for what can happen in GI.

"This campus is so large and there are so many different things to do," Tarwater said. "To combo in certain packages and work with the casino and work with Fonner Park and the racetrack and couple that with a concert happening, to coincide with what's going on there."