With a showering of confetti, horns and a special greeting from Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, the ShoWare Center welcomed a special guest.
Eric Hannon became the two-millionth ShoWare guest last Friday night.
The 38-year-old West Hill resident, who works at CDK Digital Marketing in Seattle, knew that the ShoWare Center was nearing its two-million mark but didn’t expect it would be him.
He and his wife arrived later than usual for the Seattle Thunderbirds game and thought that the landmark guest had already arrived.
“I saw that it was coming and I was like, ‘No way,'” Hannon said.
For winning, Hannon was recognized on the big screen and participated in the ceremonial “puck drop” to start the game.
As the two-millionth guest, Hannon receives two tickets to every event, including all Thunderbirds home hockey games, for a full calendar year; a $100 Savor gift certificate to be used on concessions when they attend events; private behind-the-scenes tour of the ShoWare Center; an upgrade to a free suite for an upcoming event; a seven-night resort stay at a dream destination, courtesy of Travel Seattle, and other prizes.
The two-million mark is an important note in the ShoWare’s records as the center struggles to prove its relevance and cost effectiveness to the city. The center has hemorrhaged money over the last several years, but city officials have been insistent the center is a solid long-term investment that attracts ancillary money through tourism and local business traffic.
Michael Hardy from Mill Creek was welcomed as the one-millionth ShoWare Center guest in November 2011.
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