FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2010
Shreveport City Council unanimously approves SMG to continue to provide top-quality operational services at Convention Center.
Shreveport, Louisiana, March 3, 2010 -- SMG, the Worldwide Leader in Convention and Entertainment Management, is proud to announce that the Shreveport City Council has unanimously approved SMG for an extension of the contract for continued management of the Shreveport Convention Center. The vote occurred during their meeting on the evening of February 23rd. SMG will continue to provide top quality, industry-standard-setting day-to-day operational services for the region’s most prestigious Convention Center.
SMG President and CEO Wes Westley said of the renewal: “The faith shown by the Shreveport City Council in SMG's ability to continue to meet or exceed expectations in facility management and performance of this premiere venue is very gratifying. SMG's continued service to the people of Shreveport is a source of great pride for us.”
SMG Senior Vice President Doug Thornton added: "We are very pleased to be a part of the overall success of Shreveport's hospitality industry. The Convention Center has proven to be a real winner for the Community, which is a real tribute to our strong management team there and great partnership with the City."
The City Council and Mayor were both very complimentary of SMG’s achievements on behalf of Shreveport, and took time to single out SMG General Manager, Sam Voisin, for his ceaseless efforts in improving fiscal performance at the Center; in particular beating the annual budget by close to $300,000 this past year. Voisin shared credit with the facility’s staff: "We have a very committed team at the convention center whose hard work has been validated by a unanimous vote of confidence from the City Council."
Said Cedric B. Glover, Mayor City of Shreveport, LA: “It is without question that SMG has exceeded our expectations in effectively and efficiently managing our city’s largest capital project and major asset, the Shreveport Convention Center. Our relationship with SMG and their ongoing successes have produced untold economic impact for the City of Shreveport. As indicated with a unanimous city council vote, we look forward to a continued and productive relationship with the SMG team.”
SMG has provided full management services, as well as preopening services, for the Shreveport Convention Center since it opened in 2006.
About SMG
Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities worldwide, including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, convention, congress and exhibition cen¬ters, science centers and a variety of other venues. Across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million arena and theatre seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide.
For more information visit www.smgworld.com.
About SAVOR…
SAVOR, the food and beverage division of special event venue management leader SMG, (www.savorsmg.com) currently provides food and beverage services, as well as VIP and catering/special event services, to more than 100 facilities around the world. The company is also an industry leader in introducing green standards and programs to public facilities. SAVOR’s commitment to farm to table freshness and food quality typically features locally grown products for their venue clients whenever possible. SAVOR staff prides themselves on being on the cutting edge of the latest food and beverage trends in addition to searching out the most innovative food technologies available on the market.
Contact:
Public Relations Office
SMG
300 Conshohocken State Rd Ste 770
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
610.729.7900
www.smgworld.com
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