Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/187632
•pg_3-12__BMT_pg3-58 9/25/13 1:26 AM Page 8 IN THE NEWS PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER BOARD SELECTS SMG TO OPERATE AND MANAGE CONVENTION CENTER Private Management is One of Four Strategic Initiatives Designed to Increase Competitiveness of Convention Center and Attract More Shows and Events to Philadelphia Region The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) recently approved the selection of SMG to privately manage and operate the Pennsylvania Convention Center as part of a coordinated effort to improve the customer experience and reduce costs at the Center with the goal of attracting additional conventions, meetings, and trade shows to the Philadelphia region. SMG will assume responsibility for managing the operations of the Pennsylvania Convention Center within the next three to four months. By bringing in a private management firm with extensive experience managing and operating convention centers across the country, the Authority is looking to SMG to implement industry best practices, achieve operational cost savings, and enhance the Center's ability to compete with other major facilities in the increasingly competitive trade show and convention industry. "The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority looks forward to working with SMG to enhance the experience of our customers and increase the number of events we host on an annual basis, which will have a significant impact on the Philadelphia region's economy," said Gregory J. Fox, chairman of the PCCA Board of Directors. "The meetings and convention industry has become much more competitive in recent years which is why we are undertaking a number of strategic initiatives designed to improve our ability to compete with other venues on a national and international level." SMG is a recognized leader in the facility and convention center management industry, with more than 30 years of experience at more than 200 facilities and 70 convention centers. SMG currently manages significant centers in some of the nation's largest cities, including Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, San Francisco and Salt Lake City as part of a portfolio that represents more than 14.5 million sq. ft. In addition, SMG has extensive experience working with organized labor in Pittsburgh, Providence, Chicago and Detroit. Fox said SMG will work closely with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau to increase bookings at the Center by developing new business and bringing back past customers. Fox said the decision to bring in a firm to privately manage and operate the Pennsylvania Convention Center is the first step in a targeted effort to modernize operations, reduce costs, and improve future bookings at the Center. The four strategic initiatives identified by Fox include: Hiring of a reputable firm to privately manage and operate the Center, a firm that can use its experience in other cities to implement industry best practices, reduce operational costs, and utilize its relationships with customers at other venues to help increase future bookings at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This initiative was achieved with the selection of SMG. 8 B M & T ••• September/October 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com