Ruth Eckerd Hall Wins IEBA 2024 Theatre Of The Year

IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association), the leading not-for-profit trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals who buy, book and sell talent, announced that Ruth Eckerd Hall is the winner of the 2024 Theatre of the Year award.  Ruth Eckerd Hall was recognized as a finalist along with these prestigious venues: ACL Live in Austin, DPAC in Durham, Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, The Tennessee Theater in Knoxville and The Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. 

“On the eve of a once-in-a-century hurricane, we received word that we had won.  It was surreal”, said Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO, Susan M. Crockett.  “Its always an incredible honor to be recognized alongside venues of this caliber but to win at that moment was literally joy amidst the storm. We are grateful for the recognition, our team and the community we call home.”

Founded in 1970, by two talent buyers – Hubert Long and Harry “Hap” Pebbles, IEBA provides an unparalleled forum for professional development.  IEBA and its annual conference stand alone in in the entertainment business by showcasing a diverse and uniquely crafted lineup of live entertainment and by hosting discussions with the entertainment industry’s leading innovators and decision makers. From two founding members in 1970 to over 2,000 active members in 2024, IEBA’s focus remains the same:  strengthen relationships, foster industry growth and increase revenue for the live entertainment industry.

In 2002, 2008 and 2021, Ruth Eckerd Hall was nominated for Theatre of the Year, by industry trade publication Pollstar.  In 2020 and 2021, Ruth Eckerd Hall was nominated for Theatre of the Year by The Academy of Country Music.  In 2021, Ruth Eckerd Hall was the recipient of the All-Stars Award – Theater and Performing Arts Center by industry trade publication VenuesNow.

In 2023, Pollstar named Ruth Eckerd Hall the #1 venue in Tampa, the #4 venue in Florida, the #9 venue in the United States and #10 in the world of theatre venues with 2,500 seats or less.