SMG Tops 14 Million Square Feet of Prime Space

The Jekyll Island Authority recently selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management of the new Jekyll Island Convention Center, set to open in the second quarter of 2012. This is the fourth consecutive win for SMG in the past twelve months.
Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage the McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the Montego Bay Convention Centre, overlooking the Caribbean in Jamaica. Late in 2010, the firm was selected unanimously to manage Detroit's Cobo Center, with major renovations helping to regain positioning of the historic venue.

“We are proud of the reputation we have built in this space, and always appreciate the municipal clients who recognize the value of our brand and our leadership team,” said Wes Westley, SMG president and chief executive officer. “SMG has the proven experience and systems to deliver on the promise of service excellence we have built over the past thirty-four years.”

The diversity of these four recent appointments is indicative of the company's portfolio of 68 convention venues, with a total of over 14-million square feet of prime exhibit space. With the additions of McCormick Place and Cobo Center, SMG now manages nine of the 40 largest venues in North America.

“For years we have noted the parallels of value of the SMG brand with those of the major hotel chains,” said Gregg Caren, senior vice president of strategic business development. “Like the Hyatt roots that launched SMG at the Superdome in 1977, we have built a very specialized hospitality focused business that understands the needs of our municipal owners, destination marketing partners and — most importantly — our national and local event planning clients that have come to trust us.”

SMG to Serve as Management Company of Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

SMG has recently added the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, located between Midland and Odessa, TX, to its extensive network of theaters. The Performing Arts Center includes an 1,800 seat Performance Hall and a 200 seat Recital Hall, with the main hall boasting state-of-the art sound, lighting and technical features.

“We are thrilled to be managing such a beautiful new theater. The citizens of the Permian Basin have contributed so much to make the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center possible, and we are excited to do our part to support the local arts community,” said Bob Papke, SMG vice president of entertainment — theaters.

SMG Management Contract Extended for Colorado Convention Center

Once again, the City and County of Denver, Division of Arts and Venues has awarded SMG a three year contract extension to manage the Colorado Convention Center and the Wells Fargo Theatre in Downtown Denver; January 1, 2012-December 31, 2014.

Since 1994, SMG has been the exclusive management firm for the Colorado Convention Center. SMG was a crucial partner during the $340 million dollar expansion of the Center, which positioned Denver and the Colorado Convention Center to be among the busiest and most successful event centers in North America.  2011 also marks the Wells Fargo Theatre’s best single year in overall attendance, number of events and was once again listed in Pollstar Magazine’s Top 100 Worldwide Theatre Venues.

John Adams, SMG’s Senior Regional Vice President for Convention Centers and General Manager of the Colorado Convention Center said, “My staff and I are honored to be chosen as the city’s preferred facility management team.”  Adams went on to say, “we take pride in delivering to our customers the highest standard of service, quality, and value.  It is our people who deliver the ‘Denver experience’.”

John Bolton: Venue Executive of the Year

Congrats to John Bolton, who has been named Venue Executive of the year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association! John is the General Manager of the SMG Tulsa/BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center and has served in this position since 2007.

Upon accepting the award he said, “This is certainly a tremendous personal honor that I share with all my SMG colleagues in Tulsa.”

Wes Westley, President of SMG also offered his congratulations: “John Bolton exemplifies the quality of General Manager we are fortunate to have at SMG. He has done a terrific job for us everywhere he has been, and we congratulate him on this award.”

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.