Mike Walker is no stranger to the sports and entertainment industry. He joined The HEAT Group in April 2001 and is charged with the responsibility of bringing a variety of concerts, special events, sporting events and corporate and charity functions to the AmericanAirlines Arena. By successfully presenting, promoting and producing a variety of entertainment, Walker and his team have firmly established the AmericanAirlines Arena as the premier concert and special event venue in South Florida. Major concert artists including The Black Eye Peas, Phish, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Marc Anthony, Luis Miguel, Shakira, Tina Turner, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Mana and Alicia Keys to name a few have been part of the ever increasing concert schedule presented by the division. Other showcase events he has brought to the AmericanAirlines Arena over the last nine years have included the MTV Video Music Awards in 2004 and 2005, the 2003 Latin Grammy Awards, Univision’s award show, “Premio Lo Nuestro”, plus other broadcast sports specials for UFC, WWE and boxing events with HBO, Showtime and ESPN. This past March the arena played host to the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Finally, the division has developed a full schedule of touring family shows to include the Ringling Bros. Circus, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Sesame Street Live, Yo Gabba Gabba and the Wiggles.

Walker came to The HEAT Group from Delaware North, where he was in charge of business development for the hospitality and sports company. Prior to that, he spent seven years with Madison Square Garden, where as Senior Vice President and later a division President, he oversaw the marketing of all the Garden sports and entertainment events and the management and production of the Miss Universe Pageants worldwide. Before his stint at Madison Square Garden, he was part of the senior management team for Radio City Music Hall that was responsible for making the famed entertainment venue profitable and successful once again.

A graduate of Chapman University in Orange, CA, Walker and his wife, Christina, live in Coral Gables. They have two daughters, Tracee and Jennifer, a son Brett and one grandchild, Ashley.