SMG in the News: Cobo rising: Reconstruction, end to corruption, new leaders form focus of ad campaign

Crain's Business has published an article featuring SMG's role in the transformation of the Cobo Center in Detroit, MI. Some highlights:

The new and improving Cobo Center is also part of the sell now, said Bob Baumgart, general manager of the Detroit office of Dallas-based Freeman, a global exhibit services company.

"Honestly, the facility improvements are helping the whole city, plus the PR going out (saying) things are improving," Baumgart said. "It's been a 100 percent turnaround as far as (Cobo) people working with Freeman."

...

"In the past, exhibiting at Cobo was difficult and costly. Our experience this year was completely the opposite," said Ropp. "Since SMG and Thom took over, customer service stepped up substantially.

Read the rest of article here.

Savannah Loves SAVOR

SAVOR, SMG's food and beverage division, won big at the recent Taste of Savannah event, which showcases Savannah's best chefs. Chef Debbie Reid's Shortrib Sliders and Stuffed Vidalia Onion Soup not only took the Best Entrée Award, but also the Guests’ Choice Award for the best food item overall! Congrats to the SAVOR Savannah team!

BOK Center's John Bolton Nominated For IEBA Venue Executive of the Year

John Bolton, General Manager of Tulsa, OK's BOK Center has been nominated for Venue Executive of the Year by International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA). The award will be presented during the closing ceremony of IEBA's annual conference in Nashville, which runs October 2 – 4 this year.

“This is a great honor for me to be nominated, especially by colleagues who understand the industry and recognize the efforts needed to be successful. I would like to thank the entire staff in Tulsa for their hard work and making BOK Center the great venue that it is,” said Bolton.

SMG in the News: BOK Center rakes it in

From Tusla World:

The BOK Center posted a profit of nearly $1.6 million in its third fiscal year, financial reports obtained by the Tulsa World show.

The $1,581,571 profit is on par with the $1.6 million earned in the second fiscal year and exceeds the $1.1 million in net income during the inaugural fiscal year when the building was not open for two months.

The venue had budgeted a $200,475 profit margin for the fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2010 to June 30.

"Going into last fiscal year, I felt like it was almost going to be impossible for us to come close to the number we did before," said BOK Center General Manager John Bolton, noting the continued sluggishness of the concert industry nationwide.

"We're ecstatic at what we achieved. Obviously, hosting the NCAA (men's basketball tournament) in March was a big boost for our year."

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American Bank Center Build a Home with Habitat for Humanity

About 50 volunteers from American Bank Center braved the Texas summer heat on Sunday and Monday to help build a home with Habitat for Humanity. Local news clip and photo gallery:




American Bank Center/Habitat for Humanity Gallery

SAVOR San Francisco at the Moscone Center Score in the SF Chefs 2011

Chef Jeff Hall and his team representing SAVOR San Francisco had a great time at this past week's SF Chefs 2011 tasting event. They served Five Spice & Tamarind Glazed Pork Belly and it was a huge success! SF Chefs 2011 is San Francisco's premier food and wine event, and celebrates the unique flavor and diversity of food in Northern California. The week-long event featured local products, competitions, and celebrity chefs.

Congratulations to Chef Jeff, Chef Papo, and Chef Brock on their dish!

 

Genesee Theatre to be Featured on TLC's Four Weddings

The fourth season of TLC's successful Four Wedding kicks off on August 5th, and the historic Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, IL is set to appear in an upcoming episode. The Theatre was the chosen wedding venue of bride and groom Kathryn and James, who live in Hoffman Estates, IL. The Genesee's interior corresponded with the bride's theatre theme with playbills used as centerpieces for each table.