Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
B M & T ••• September/October2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12 N E W S M A K E R S NEW MCCORMICK PLACE OPERATOR ANNOUNCES GENERAL MANAGER Oak View Group Taps Hospitality Industry Veteran Samuel R. Thomas, Jr. As Top Executive At Mccormick Oak View Group, the newly named manager of McCormick Place, recently named veteran convention center and hospitality execu- tive Samuel R. Thomas, Jr. as Senior Vice President & General Manager of the McCormick Place campus. Thomas, who will relocate to Chicago from Washington, D.C. where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Events DC, will begin his new role the first week of September. OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, divisions of global sports and entertainment company Oak View Group, were recently awarded the contracts for private management and food & beverage services, respec- tively, on the McCormick Place campus by a unanimous vote of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Board. The McCormick Place campus is just one of several recent wins for OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, as the company was also recently awarded the contract for venue management and food & beverage serv- ices for the 19,000-seat BOK Center and the Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa, Okla. With over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Thomas will not only serve as the general manager for management, but also oversee all operations and services for the McCormick Place Convention Center, the largest convention center in North America, the 10,000 seat Wintrust Arena and the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater. "We will have one of the best operators in the industry managing one of the most iconic convention centers in the world," said Greg O'Dell, president of venue management, OVG360. "With Samuel's extensive experience in leading both venue management and food & beverage operations for several first-tier convention centers throughout his career, there is no one better to execute our vision to optimize McCormick Place and help the MPEA and its stakeholders solidify Chicago as an ulti- mate destination for meeting planners and conventions. We are so thrilled to welcome Samuel to our team." Ken Gaber, president of OVG Hospitality added: "Samuel is an industry veteran who will not only provide valuable leadership to our day-to-day operations but will also create a people-focused culture that will inspire innovation and creative expression. Samuel is a welcome addition to our team." At Events DC, Thomas managed daily operations for Washington, D.C.'s convention and sports authority inclusive of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the Entertainment & Sports Arena, RFK Stadium & surrounding Festival Grounds, the DC Armory and sev- eral community assets. His responsibilities included oversight of all aspects of facility operations, event management, sales and marketing, public safety, labor relations, organizational development and other venue competencies. Under Thomas' leadership, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center developed into one of the most-well regarded venues in the coun- try and was recognized with several national and international awards during his tenure. In 2022, Successful Meetings Magazine honored the con- vention center with the prestigious Stella Award as "Best Convention Center" in the country, and Exhibitor Magazine recognized the venue as one of the top 30 Centers of Excellence the last three years. O'Dell and Thomas worked together at Events DC before O'Dell left the company to join OVG360 in April 2022. Thomas said, "This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I'm excited to join the first-class team at McCormick Place. We will partner with MPEA to continue to deliver a high level of customer service to our clients and guests while finding innovative ways to elevate each event experience. This is a people business, so I am elated to reunite with Greg in addition to working with my new team members. I can't wait to get started." Prior to joining Events DC, Thomas held multiple sales and conven- tion management positions with Marriott Corporation. In addition, he served as Regional Vice President and General Manager at Centerplate/NBSE for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as well as serving in several executive leadership roles with the Ernest N.