COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 30, 2026--
Venu Holding Corporation (“VENU” or the “Company”) (NYSE AMERICAN: VENU), an owner, operator, and developer of premium live entertainment destinations, today announced that its Founder, Chairman and CEO J.W. Roth has been named CEO of the Year at the Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest 2026 Best in Business Awards. The community-voted awards recognize leaders and organizations moving the regional economy forward.
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"This one means a lot because it comes from the community we call home," said Roth. "Southern Colorado is where the VENU story was first written, and every venue we build carries that with it. This award says more about the people around me than it does about me: a team that never quits, partners who share the vision, and fans who keep showing up. Thank you to the Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest and to everyone who voted."
VENU ® properties also took home honors: Roth's Sea & Steak, the Company's fine dining restaurant, was named "Best Place to Make a Deal"; Phil Long Music Hall, VENU's indoor live entertainment venue in Colorado Springs, was named "Best Conference, Expo or Meeting Facility"; and Ford Amphitheater, VENU's 9,000-plus-seat premium outdoor amphitheater in Colorado Springs featuring its signature Luxe FireSuites ®, was named "Best Place for Entertainment."
About Venu Holding Corporation
Venu Holding Corporation ("VENU") (NYSE American: VENU) is a premier owner, developer, and operator of luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations. Founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur J.W. Roth, VENU ® has a portfolio of premium brands that includes Ford Amphitheater, Regent Bank Amphitheater, Sunset Amphitheaters, Phil Long Music Hall, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, Aikman Owners Clubs, and Roth’s Sea & Steak. With venues operating and in development across Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas and a nationwide expansion underway, VENU is setting a new standard for live entertainment.
VENU has been recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, Billboard, VenuesNow, and Variety for its innovative and disruptive approach to live entertainment. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as AEG Presents, NFL Hall of Famer and Founder of EIGHT Elite Light Beer, Troy Aikman, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Tixr, Niall Horan, and Dierks Bentley, VENU continues to shape the future of the entertainment landscape. For more information, visit VENU’s website, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Venu believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the company’s filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Venu expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Founder and CEO J.W. Roth named CEO of the Year at 2026 Southern Colorado Best in Business Awards
The ‘Bahrain Grand Prix In Malaysia’ is one of the stranger names for a race in Formula 1 history.
The Iran war, forest fires and thunderstorms are all talking points this week as F1 gears up for a Bahrain GP held 3,750 miles (6,000 kilometers) away from its nominal host nation.
The last time F1 raced at the Sepang circuit in 2017, 12 of the 22 drivers on this year's grid had yet to make their F1 debuts. Current standings leader Kimi Antonelli had just turned 11.
F1 was originally meant to race in Bahrain back in March but that race and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were called off as Iran struck both countries in its response to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
Losing two races in lucrative Middle East markets was a financial hit to F1 and its teams, and adding a replacement event in Malaysia was meant to offset that impact. Keeping the Bahrain GP name followed extensive talks involving the governments of both countries.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said the decision to move the race was a sign of his country’s “commitment to, and passion for (F1)."
Bahrain was already making its mark on the event Wednesday with Bahraini food and brands on offer, and 561 marshals and other race officials making the journey from Bahrain to Malaysia. As usual at the Bahrain GP, the top three drivers will celebrate on the podium with bottles of fragrant, non-alcoholic rosewater, not Champagne.
The race slots in between the Azerbaijan GP and next week's race in nearby Singapore.
Bahrain is reviving an old F1 tradition by joining Switzerland, San Marino and Luxembourg as countries which were the official hosts of F1 races actually taking place elsewhere.
In those earlier cases from the 1980s and 1990s, F1 wanted a country like France, Italy or Germany to get a second race but had to work around a rule limiting each country to one event.
With security concerns persisting ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix in November and the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December, F1 has considered a fallback option in Europe, with Italy’s Imola circuit as the favorite. F1 could potentially keep the branding of a Middle East race for that, too.
When it rains at Sepang it pours.
During the Malaysian Grand Prix's previous run from 1999-2017, the track became notorious for sudden downpours which made for thrilling races and some unexpected results.
Rain and even thunderstorms are possible this weekend, setting up what would be the first wet race since a major regulation change for 2026. The closest F1 has come to it since then was the Dutch Grand Prix where rain arrived just as drivers finished the sprint race.
Even if it stays dry, visibility may not be great for drivers and fans because air pollution has been making for a hazy view. F1 says it's monitoring the issue and isn't concerned.
“There is absolutely no risk to the event and the conditions where the event is taking place are not at any level of concern,” F1 said on Wednesday.
Malaysia’s haze crisis is being driven largely by forest and peat fires in neighboring Indonesia, made worse by the dry weather.
Authorities are monitoring air quality and hotspots, with the government conducting cloud seeding when conditions permit to alleviate the situation. High pollution levels can cause breathing problems, and eye or throat irritation especially for vulnerable people.
See AP’s full auto racing coverage here
FILE -McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car through the rain during the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang, Malaysia, March 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
A worker sets up trackside signage during preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Workers set up trackside signage during preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Heavy equipment is driven along the main straight during preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Workers use a scissor lift to install a banner over the track ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
