Raised in an active sports family, Michael Day, now the general manager of the Baton Rouge River Center, developed a keen interest in large public gathering facilities and events at a young age.
As Business Report details in its new Executive Spotlight feature on Day, early successes landed him a position as a DJ on a cruise ship, which ultimately opened the door to numerous cruise director and entertainment executive positions throughout his career. After a successful 18-year stint that included starting up Oceania Cruises from scratch in 2003 and acquiring Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the company was sold in 2014 for $3.03 billion.
As vice president of entertainment for Prestige Cruise Holdings, he was offered a severance package that allowed him to take a break from the frantic business of running the entertainment and events for eight cruise ships around the world.
Following the sale of Prestige Cruise Holdings, Day decided his next career focus would be in entertainment and facility management. After some investigation, Day discovered SMG and met with the regional general manager and senior vice presidents in New Orleans, which sealed his decision.
“I wanted to join this great and growing company,” Day says.
Now running a large facility like the River Center with more than 300 events a year, he is no stranger to managing moving parts.
“The unexpected is a regular occurrence here,” he says.
While the Miss USA pageant is at the top of his list of big events in 2015, Day says much more will come for the River Center.
“We can’t discuss details yet, but the [Capital Improvement plan] will focus on improving the guest experience at the Performing Arts Theater, the ballroom and the arena,” Day says.
Read the full Executive Spotlight Q&A with Day. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
What is a great piece of advice you’ve personally received?
“Walter Painter, a three-time Grammy winner, was one of my producers and became a great mentor and friend. He once told me that ‘if it’s predictable, it’s boring.’ I often reflect on that in producing shows or events, but also in business interactions. Along those same lines is the saying that my father repeatedly told me, ‘If it’s easy, anyone could do it.’”
