VBC Milestone Moments

The VBC designed and purchased its second basketball court – delivered and installed just before the 2025 Rocket City Classic basketball game. The previous court had undergone multiple resurfacing procedures and had reached the end of its lifespan.

Expanded the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall’s backstage area from 4,300 square feet to more than 17,000 square feet. Adding six private dressing rooms, four chorus dressing rooms, two green room suites, private office space, crew resting areas, tasting room, dining room, expanded catering kitchen, and expanded loading docks.

With this project, the VBC renovated and modernized the 15,000 square foot South Hall pre-function lobby, East Hall venue and connecting corridors. The renovation included new wall coverings, flooring, expanded windows, lighting, and custom conference center built-ins with electrical outlets intentionally placed for easy visitor access. These two venues that fall within the “convention center” function of the VBC now have a cohesive look and feel.  

Visitors to the VBC will find navigating the expansive facility much easier after the installation large video display boards and standing kiosks in all public corridors.

The VBC showcased the latest enhancements to the VBC Propst Arena during Huntsville Havoc’s annual Meet the Team event on Monday, October 21, 2024 where Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and over 3,000 Havoc fans were in attendance.

The upgraded equipment includes two oversized digital videoboards positioned on both ends of the arena.  With a project cost of $2 million, the two Daktronics boards create a stunning visual upgrade with each board’s display size coming in at an impressive 22 feet tall by 75 feet wide and boasts over 4,217,760 pixels per screen, along with a high-resolution, 5.9 mm pixel pitch display.

With the ability to accept multiple forms of content, the dynamic display means patrons can watch instant replays, up-close game action, game stats, interactive updates and more in high definition.

Huntsville Havoc opened their 20th season in October 2023. The team has led the league in attendance for the past seven years and has secured three President’s Cup championships, with victories recorded in 2010 and consecutive wins in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Since the 2014-2015 season, they have maintained a consistent presence in the playoffs.

Upgraded audio system in Propst Arena.

Almost 36 years after its opening, the North Hall received its first renovation at the end of 2023. This project included upgraded wall coverings, flooring, a color-changing LED lighting system, upgraded audio system and more. Modified areas included the ballroom, lobby, corridors, restrooms, and meeting rooms. It was renamed Saturn Ballroom.

February 23-26, 2023, the VBC hosted Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc’s 91st Southeastern Regional Conference which brought around 5,000 AKA’s to every venue within the center.

The conference concluded with a Gala held in South Hall where 4,400 guests were served within 46 minutes – setting a new VBC record!

Installed new LED monitors in Propst Arena lobby.

Upgraded existing outdoor digital marquee with new software for enhanced visual clarity.

Installed digital monitors throughout all public corridors to enhance the customer experience.

The VBC showcased enhancements to the exterior of Propst Arena during the season’s first Concerts in the Park on Monday, June 6, 2022.

This was the first major maintenance project to the exterior walls and paint since the original installation in 1973. It included a complete refresh of the façade and the installation of a color-changing decorative Lumenpulse LED lighting system.

Propst Arena receives $4M backstage renovation

Renovations began in December 2020 and were completed in October 2021. This was the first major renovation to the arena backstage since it was originally built in 1975. The original space included one locker room, plus multiple small dressing rooms. With the addition and renovation, the backstage now includes six stunning dressing rooms, two private star lounges, four spacious locker rooms, a catering and media room, office space, commercial-grade laundry room, and more.

Includes new lighting elements, paint, replacing ceiling tiles, refurbishing entrance doors, updating flooring and signage.

Mark C. Smith Concert Hall receives $380k upgrade to Steel Rigging System.

Enhancements to the existing steel rigging system included adding new line sets over the stage, a new truss over the Orchestra Pit, new audio points so that audio systems can be hung rather than stacked on stage, and additional power for audio and truss hoists. The additions and enhancements allow the VBC to attract elaborate traveling shows to the Huntsville market who previously would not consider the venue as a viable option. This renovation project was made possible by the Mark C. Smith Family Foundation.

In response to the financial difficulties faced by the university as a result of COVID, UAH discontinued the men’s hockey program, as well as the tennis programs. The university restored the hockey program for the 2020-2021 season after funds were raised by the community; However, it was indefinitely discontinued in May 2021 due to lack of conference membership.

The Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Championships were held in Propst Arena on March 20, 2021 after relocating from Louisiana’s Smoothie King Center due to ongoing health restrictions.

Huntsville was chosen due to the combined efforts of the VBC, Huntsville Sports Commission and the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

On September 1, 2020, the VBC joined the national #RedAlertRESTART effort as venues across North America remained lit in red from 9pm-12am as a way to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry was on Red Alert, and to create congressional pressure to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814) to offer economic relief to the industry, which had been shuttered since March 2020, putting millions of people out of work.

While indoor events and live entertainment venues had to remain closed due to COVID restrictions, the VBC team created an outdoor summer concert venue called “3rd Rock” which was an outdoor stage built in the parking lot beside North Hall. After working for months with artists and promoters to find creative ways to bring touring shows back to Huntsville, this outdoor stage provided a fun and safe way to do just that.

Changing the landscape of the music scene in Huntsville, the VBC’s newest venue Mars Music Hall provides an open-floor plan, with a balcony overlooking an oversized stage. With a 1,200-person capacity – this intimate setting offers great acoustics for a variety of events ranging from concerts to comedy acts and everything in between. This addition was part of an ongoing expansion project approved by the Huntsville City Council in June 2017.

Rhythm, aptly named for the different types of musical performances hosted at the VBC on the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street, serves locally-sourced ingredients and provides fresh urban fare, craft beer, curated wines, and handmade cocktails. Guests can enjoy the rooftop bar overlooking Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville, the downstairs covered patio facing Clinton Avenue, or the spacious downstairs dining room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. This addition was part of an ongoing expansion project approved by the Huntsville City Council in June 2017.

VBC Partners with TVA and Huntsville Utilities for Air Quality Improvement Initiative.

In an ongoing effort to enhance the facility and increase safety for guests and staff, the VBC partnered with Tennessee Valley Authority and Huntsville Utilities to improve the air quality. The project included the replacement of existing air filters with higher efficiency HEPA MERV 13 rated filters, and the installation of UV-C germicidal lighting inside the HVAC systems. This technology has been used in a variety of applications, such as food, air and water purification systems and is ideal for restaurants and other public facilities in helping maintain a healthy environment.

The VBC partnered with KultureCity to make the facility and all programs and events hosted within to be sensory inclusive. This promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with a sensory issue who visit the VBC. The VBC is the first facility in Huntsville to partner with nationally-recognized KultureCity.

Lighting system inside Propst Arena is upgraded to Eaton’s Ephesus LED Lighting System.

The upgraded system features full-color tuning fixtures to enhance events with programmable color-changing capabilities. This $340 upgrade is estimated to have an annual energy savings of $45,132, along with a reduction of approximately $8,923 in annual arena lighting maintenance costs.

The VBC celebrated its 40th anniversary by hosting a Music Run and Open House on March 21, 2015. Over 2,500 people attended. The 5K included live music and entertainment throughout the route. The Open House included live music and other family-friendly activities throughout the facility. Mayor Tommy Battle proclaimed March 2015 as VBC month in honor of the 40th anniversary.

The AUSA Winter Symposium and Exposition was held in Huntsville for the first time February 19-21, 2014. Locating the symposium in Huntsville, with its close proximity to AMC headquarters, allowed AUSA to maximize military, civilian and industry attendance during this period of constrained budgets and limited resources.

Beginning in 1993, the Big Spring Jam was a three-day weekend music festival that featured acts from all genres of music including local bands, emerging talent, oldies, and the top artists of the day. Due to rising costs to produce the festival, paired with unpredictable weather conditions and lingering effects on the local economy from the recent recession, The Jam came to a close.

Thanks to a $3M donation from the Linda and Mark C. Smith Family Foundation, the concert hall underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2010. The renovation project included updating and expanding the lobby area to include a new staircase, concessions and bars, additional seating, VIP suites, and restrooms. The venue was renamed Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.

After a $5M donation from Bill Propst, renovations were completed in 2010 transforming the VBC’s Arena into a dynamic modern venue. The project changed the façade of the arena to a modern glass frontage overlooking Big Spring Park, expanded the lobby, added over 1,000 seats to concert setups, VIP suites, additional restrooms and was renamed – Propst Arena.

Following the Huntsville Channel Cats of the South East Hockey League, the Huntsville Havoc began play in the 2004–05 season as part of the Southern Professional Hockey League with the VBC as their home rink.

The first game in Nashville Predators’ history was at the Von Braun Center, in a Sept. 18, 1998 exhibition game against the Florida Panthers.

The Nashville Tennessean listed a number of “firsts” for the Predators during that game, including first fight.

Huntsville “did a nice job of filling the VBC that night.”  

In 1993, the city was bidding to host the American Bowling Congress which would require space for bowling lanes and exhibits for six months. To accommodate, the city approved construction of South Hall which opened in 1997 ahead of schedule and under budget. It included a large lobby, partitionable ballroom, and a parking garage. Its construction involved eliminating a portion of Williams Avenue and re-routing part of Monroe Street.

Center Says Goodbye to “Civic”

With the opening the South Hall, the Center could now accommodate large conventions and tradeshows, as well as draw other events of national significance.  To establish the center as a regional site for convention trade, the name was changed from Von Braun Civic Center to Von Braun Center.

Big Spring Jam was an annual music festival that took place in Huntsville, Alabama.

Beginning in 1993, the Jam was a three-day weekend event that featured acts from all genres of music including local bands, emerging talent, oldies, and the top artists of the day all performing on multiple temporary states setup around Big Spring International Park.

The ever-increasing popularity of the Center for banquets, conferences and receptions necessitated yet another expansion. The new North Hall was highlighted by oak trim and 18 chandeliers. It opened with the “Premier for the Arts Black Tie Gala” in 1987. The landscaping was done by VBCC staff, with the final touches completed only moments before guests arrived.

Initial design and architectural planning for VBCC expansion was approved by city council on March 13, 1980 – the eve of the center’s fifth anniversary.

The first phase of this project would expand the exhibit hall, enlarge the footprint for the art museum, while also adding additional office and storage space. The second phase would include building a new catering kitchen and renovating the old kitchen into meeting rooms.

The UAH Hockey Club officially kicked off in September 1979 at its home rink within the VBCC arena.

Season tickets for the club’s 10 home games cost $12 each, while single game tickets cost $3 for adults and $1 for students.

“It’s a sport coming in the South. It’s all over the southeast…a part of the growing South.”  -Joe W. Davis, Huntsville Mayor

The concert hall became a television studio during the 1978 Miss World-America Pageant with the evening gown preliminaries on Thursday, swimsuit contest Friday, final round on Saturday followed by an elaborate Coronation Ball in the exhibit hall. The entire city came together for a series of events the week leading up to the pageant which was broadcast in October.

The VBCC struck gold again with another superstar booking. The Jackson Five would perform in the arena on October 12, 1975.

“We’ve been after this group for several weeks and feel like we have another sellout performance in the Jackson Five. They certainly have the reputation and popularity!”  -Winford Turner, Huntsville After Dark

Between May 30 to June 1, 1975, Elvis performed five back-to-back sold-out shows in the new Von Braun Civic Center arena.

He returned to the arena on September 6, 1976 and performed another two back-to-back sold out shows!

On March 24, 1975, Johnny Cash held the first concert in Huntsville’s new Von Braun Civic Center arena and performed for 5,630 fans.

“He looked good, fit; the voice was strong and sounded like the records. He said he was glad to be back in Alabama.”  -Lee Roop, The Huntsville Times

On Thursday, March 20, 1975, Huntsville Little Theater opened the VBCC playhouse with the hit comedy by Neil Simon, “Barefoot in the Park.”

“The cast, the play, the entire production…were all upstaged last night by the theater itself.” -Alan Moore, The Huntsville Times

On Wednesday, March 19, 1975, Holiday On Ice opened the new VBCC arena performing for full houses through the 23rd, after Elvis Presley and The Colonel placed an ad in The Huntsville Times telling people “don’t miss this spectacular!”

On March 16, 1975, “Galileo Galilei” was performed in the concert hall. This “World Premiere” was commissioned by Huntsville Symphony Assocation and featured the Huntsville Community Chorus.

On March 14, 1975, the Von Braun Civic Center officially opened with the Beaux Arts Ball held in the exhibit hall and was sponsored by the Arts Council.

On March 9, 1975, VBCC staff readied the building for grand opening. Staff included 50 permanent, supplemented by 200 others when all facilities of the center were simultaneously in use.

On September 30, 1973, the arena began to take shape as construction on the $15M facility continued tracking for a completion date in spring of 1975.

On December 10, 1971, signage marked the site of the Von Braun Civic Center and listed the city council, VBCC Board of Control, and architects.

Earlier use of this site was for the State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville (now known as Alabama A&M University), Dennis Water Cress company, an oil company, Western Union offices, and Meadow Gold.

The Public Building Authority developed plans for a civic arts center in 1965 with the original concept including a large and small theatre along with an exhibition space and an art museum. Four years later, Huntsville City Council chartered the Civic Center Advisory Board (CCAB). Their mission was to advise the council on all aspects concerning the design, financing, construction and operation of a new facility to be called the Huntsville Civic Center. The first VBCC Board of Control would be selected and installed in 1970.