Chris Connolly, general manager of the Iowa Events Center, is the 2019 Spectra Venue General Manager of the Year, Spectra announced Thursday. The Iowa Events Center was able to add WNBA and NHL preseason games to the 2018 lineup, which included 338 events throughout the center, Spectra said in a statement. “At the Iowa Events Center we are lucky to have Chris Connolly as an inspirational leader. He is an example of what it takes to succeed in the event industry, and we especially appreciate his involvement in our community,” said Tom Hockensmith, Polk County Board of Supervisors chair. The Iowa Events Center is owned by Polk County and managed by Spectra Venue Management.