A former Prince George city employee that ignited the community with world-class entertainment has found a new stage to conquer.
Glen Mikkelsen has accepted a position with the City of Cranbook's Recreation and Culture department, announced as its new General Manager of Venues and Events.
He was cut from his tenured position as CN Centre General Manager last summer as a result of financial implications when COVID-19 forced the closure of entertainment venues.
CKPG News first reported on July 30, 2020, that several positions had been eliminated because of the pandemic, including Mikkelsen's.
He was first hired in 2001 before taking the helm of the venue in 2014.
“I look forward to contributing to the community of Cranbrook," he said in a news release this morning (March 25), set to add more than 30 years of experience to the southeast B.C. community.
"Once the pandemic concludes, we expect people will be keen to again congregate and celebrate, and I am excited to be part of the team to help make that happen."
Mikkelsen brought several shows to the northern capital, ranging from Cirque du Soleil and several broadways to concerts by award-winning musicians and various sporting events, like the 2020 World Women's Curling Championships.
That was unfortunately cancelled a day after the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
If social media has proven anything, Mikkelsen was beloved in the Prince George community thanks to his signature whimsical style of announcing local events, donning comical hats, shiny suits, colourful bowties and patterned pants from time to time.
He was also a finalist for Business Person of the Year in 2019 at the Prince George Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
Mikkelsen's new role will likely relate of the same duties he had at the CN Centre, especially with Cranbrook's recently-upgraded Western Financial Place that'll serve as the home of its new junior 'A' hockey team.
“I also am thrilled to be working with the Cranbrook Bucks, as well as sports and entertainment organizations, to help make their events a tremendous success,” he adds.
Mikkelsen's resume is both extensive and impressive as a Certified Venue Executive with the International Association of Venue Managers.
He was inducted into the Event and Arena Marketing Conference’s Hall of Fame in 2019, the first and only Canadian its 40-year history.
