From Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center
Oak View Group (OVG), managers of Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center on behalf of the Berks County Convention Center Authority, is proud to announce that General Manager David Farrar has been recognized in the 2026 Lehigh Valley Business LVB 300, an annual publication honoring the region’s most influential business leaders.
Published by Lehigh Valley Business, the LVB 300 recognizes executives, innovators and community leaders who are shaping the economic future of the Greater Lehigh Valley across 26 industries. The annual publication highlights leaders whose vision, innovation and commitment continue to drive growth throughout the region’s most vital industries.
Farrar joined Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center in 2014 and has served as General Manager for the past 12 years. In 2019, he also assumed leadership of the Reading Royals Hockey Club, further expanding his role within the organization.
Operating under Oak View Group on behalf of the Berks County Convention Center Authority, Farrar oversees entertainment bookings, financial management and operations across the 8,500-seat Santander Arena and the 1,774-seat Santander Performing Arts Center. Throughout his career, he has helped build the venues’ Latin entertainment profile by cultivating strong promoter relationships, bringing Marc Anthony to Reading for the first time in 2014 and later booking internationally acclaimed artists including Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, and Romeo Santos.
With venues across Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley competing for the same touring acts, Farrar has remained focused on strategically differentiating Reading’s entertainment market.
“A key focus has been strategically positioning our venues by focusing on the market strengths of Reading and the surrounding areas,” said Farrar.
Reflecting on the recognition, Farrar credited the people who have helped make the venues successful.
“Being recognized alongside so many respected leaders throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley is truly an honor,” said Farrar. “While I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition, it would not be possible without the dedication of our entire staff, the support of Oak View Group and the Berks County Convention Center Authority, and the many promoters, partners, and community members we work with every day. Live entertainment is a team effort, and this recognition reflects the passion and commitment of everyone who helps make Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center successful. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and we remain committed to bringing world-class entertainment and unforgettable experiences to Reading for years to come.”
“We’re incredibly proud of David and the entire Santander Arena team for creating memorable experiences for fans throughout the Reading region,” said Greg O’Dell, President, Venue Management, Oak View Group. “David has built a strong partnership with the Berks County Convention Center Authority, and his leadership, commitment to excellence, and ability to inspire his team have been instrumental to the venue’s continued success. On behalf of everyone at Oak View Group, congratulations to David, his team, and all of this year’s outstanding leaders recognized on the Lehigh Valley Business LVB 300 list.”
The recognition comes during the venues’ 25th anniversary season, celebrating a legacy of bringing nationally recognized concerts, Broadway productions, family entertainment, sporting events and community events to downtown Reading. Since reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center have combined to host more than 75 sold-out events, reflecting the continued strength of the live entertainment industry and the community’s support for the venues.
For more information about upcoming events at Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center, visit santander-arena.com.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents.
Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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