When Andy Linton moved from Alabama to Oshkosh last September, he was on a clear mission: make profitable the beleaguered Oshkosh Arena that was in foreclosure.
With a year under his belt as executive director, Linton oversees operations for Iowa-based VenuWorks, the company contracted to manage the arena that was in receivership. “I took the job fully expecting that we were taking over this building that was in receivership to bring it back to life, to get it busy,” says Linton, a West Virginia native.
The executive chef-turned-arena director has spent his career following opportunities across the South, from Florida to Kentucky to Alabama. His background includes a stint as executive director of tourism and events in Kentucky, giving him unique insight into both venue operations and economic impact.
“A building like [the Oshkosh Arena] is very, very needed for quality of life,” Linton says. “If you don’t have something for people to do in your city, they’re not going to stay in your city. They’re not going to spend money in your city.”
Since it opened in 2017, the arena has hosted more than 200,000 guests at a variety of events, including Wisconsin Herd basketball games, but stalled when its previous owners filed for bankruptcy.
“The biggest challenge is just changing people’s perspective of the building,” says Linton, who wants to see the arena “in the black by year three” of VenuWorks’ five-year contract. “I’ve been trying to rebuild the trust not just with our hometown clientele, but also the major part is rebuilding relationships with promoters.”
Under Linton’s leadership, the arena has launched successful new programming including a Friday fish fry, murder mystery dinners and Oshkosh’s Funniest Comedian. The venue has also secured its first major concert since 2023 — Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band on Oct. 18 — with additional concerts in November and December.
“It’s like a train,” Linton says. “It was slow getting started, but we’re starting to move pretty fast.”
