WORCESTER—The DCU Center will soon be led by a familiar face, as Amy Peterson has been appointed general manager of the downtown arena and convention center, according to an announcement released Tuesday by the venue and its operator, Legends Global.
Peterson, who most recently served as chief of staff in the Worcester city manager’s office, steps into the role after more than two decades working at the intersection of venue management, marketing and public-sector coordination. Her appointment places a longtime city insider back at the helm of one of Worcester’s most visible economic and cultural anchors.
Before joining City Hall, Peterson spent nine years as the DCU Center’s director of marketing, overseeing event promotion, media strategy and client relations. Her career also includes time at Cumulus Media, where she worked in marketing, promotions and sponsorship activation.
City Manager Eric D. Batista said Peterson’s experience makes her well-suited to guide the venue as Worcester continues to grow. “The DCU Center is an important anchor institution in the live entertainment and hospitality industry, driving significant economic impact in downtown Worcester, and its leadership must acknowledge and amplify that,” Batista said in the release. He described the transition not as a replacement, but “a succession in growth.”
As general manager, Peterson oversees the DCU Center’s day-to-day operations, finances, staffing and booking strategy, while working with city officials and Legends Global to expand concerts, sporting events, conventions and family programming.
Dave Jolette, senior vice president for Legends Global, said Peterson brings a mix of operational knowledge and community focus to the role. “Her operational expertise, collaborative approach and passion for community engagement make her the ideal choice to lead the DCU Center into its next chapter,” Jolette said in a statement.
Peterson, a Worcester State College graduate and current member of the Worcester State University Board of Trustees, said returning to the DCU Center carries personal significance. “When I first joined the DCU Center as the director of marketing back in 2008, I could never have imagined that I would return years later as the general manager,” she said in the release.
Calling the venue “a gallery of memories,” Peterson said she looks forward to building on its legacy while attracting new audiences and clients.
The DCU Center has operated in downtown Worcester for more than 40 years and hosts concerts, sporting events, conventions, and large-scale public gatherings. Legends Global manages the facility on behalf of the city.
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