EcoWorks Designates Cobo Center a Sustainable Communities Champion

The entire Cobo Center Green Committee

DETROIT Oct 8, 2014 - Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center, is pleased to announce that Cobo Center is the proud recipient of the EcoWorks Sustainable Communities Champion award.

During the annual EcoWorks breakfast Sept 19, Cobo Center, along with three other agencies leading the Detroit area in sustainability practices, was designated a champion for aligning with the EcoWorks mission of large scale innovative education, training, consulting, social business and advocacy in the sustainable use of energy natural resources.

Right to left: Thom Connors, SMG Regional Vice President and GM; Mary Klida, marketing and communications manager and Green Committee Co-Chair Cobo Center; Cedric Turnabore, senior manager production services and Green Committee chair Cobo Center, Claude Molinari, AGM Cobo Center.

At the event, a spokesman for EcoWorks explained, “Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) has helped to set an example for what we can accomplish when we unite as a region. The renovation of Cobo Center helps secure its position as a symbol of Detroit, but that alone wouldn’t garner an award. In addition to the regional cooperation and the great greening work that they did, they have shared the story with clients, conference attendees and our region. The Cobo Center hosts ‘temporary communities’ if you will, leaders from many fields come to the center for a brief time of learning. And now each of those communities experiences what green renovation can do.” The Cobo Center Green Committee was formed in 2011 to develop green event support and achieve green certifications for the center. Cobo became the largest Green Venues Michigan facility in 2012.

Now in the final phase of a $279 million renovation, building features like a living green roof, Kone EcoMod energy saving escalators and elevators, dock enclosures, induction lighting that uses 40% energy in all exhibit halls, and new energy saving HVAC units are already in place.

“We are very proud of this recognition from EcoWorks and the Detroit area sustainability network. However, Cobo Center is not content to rest on what has been accomplished. Our Green Committee is moving very quickly to rapidly increase our waste diversion rate, implement a kitchen waste composting program and apply for other green certifications that will establish Cobo as an industry leader,” said Connors.

SMG to Begin Managing Tucson Convention Center

West Conshohocken, PA (October 7th, 2014) - SMG, the worldwide leader of public assembly facility management, is proud to announce it will begin managing the Tucson Convention Center, Tucson Arena, Tucson Music Hall and Tucson Leo Rich Theater on October 1, 2014. The firm was selected after a recent “request for proposal” process conducted by the City of Tucson.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome the Tucson Convention Center to our family of SMG-managed properties and are confident the facility will thrive under our leadership, combined with SMG’s booking network, client base and other resources and generate a greater economic impact and higher activity level for the City of Tucson,” said Gregg Caren, SMG executive vice president for convention and exhibition centers.

“We are pleased to welcome SMG as the new facility management company, and we look forward to enhanced business activity in our facilities as well as a renewed focus on customer service for our guests,” said Greg Jackson, contract administrator for the City of Tucson.

Construction has already begun on $8.8 million in renovations to the Tucson Arena. The focus of the upgrades will significantly improve the patron’s event experience and will include new seats, updated concession stands, a new sound cluster and video board. The renovations are being funded by Rio Nuevo and the City of Tucson.

A grand opening event is slated for January 3, 2015.

The Tucson Convention Center (TCC), southern Arizona’s largest multi-purpose facility, is located in downtown Tucson and occupies twenty-eight acres. The TCC opened in 1971 with a total of 205,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. The complex also incorporates  the 511 seat Tucson Leo Rich Theater, the 2289 seat Tucson Music Hall and the  8920 seat Tucson Arena.

SMG Connects at IEBA

West Conshohocken, PA (October 7th, 2014) - SMG, the worldwide leader of public facility management, connected with hundreds of other entertainment buyers at the International Association of Entertainment Buyers Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee, September 27-30.  SMG sponsored the inaugural Promoter’s Alley event during the conference connecting SMG venues with event promoters throughout the USA and Canada.  “Our SMG-managed venues partner with event promoters every day to bring the

biggest acts and attractions to our arenas, theatres, and stadiums, and our sponsorship of this inaugural event signifies our support of this very important part of our business,” said Jim McCue, SMG Senior Vice President of Entertainment.

In addition, SMG also sponsored a private luncheon connecting more than 50 agents and promoters with SMG’s venue General Managers and Booking Executives.  “There is an ease of doing business with SMG in our family of venues, and continuing to make connections with our key partners is critical to our future success,” said John Bolton, SMG Vice President of Entertainment and a member of the IEBA Board of Directors.

Also speaking at the entertainment buyers convention was Jeff Nickler, General Manager of the SMG managed BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma (nominated for IEBA Venue of the Year).  “It was a pleasure to speak on the importance of customer service we place in our SMG venues throughout our nationwide network,” said Jeff. 

Pinnacle Bank Arena’s Tom Lorenz Receives Roger T. Larson Community Builder Award

For Immediate Release

LINCOLN, NE (October 1, 2014) - Tom Lorenz, General Manager of the Pinnacle Bank Arena was awarded the Roger T. Larson Community Builder Award during the Celebrate Business Awards event on Tuesday, September 30th. This award is given to individuals who have utilized their leadership and public service in order to help shape the community. Working in the industry since 1976, Tom Lorenz joined SMG in 2000 and has since been a part of the opening teams for the Laredo Energy Arena and the BOK Center. A graduate of the IAVM Public Assembly Facility Management School in Olgebay, WV, Tom serves on the Parking Advisory Council and is a board member and trainer for the Responsible Hospitality Council.

“Tom Lorenz’s dedication and commitment to Lincoln has been a huge factor in the success of the Pinnacle Bank Arena and we congratulate him on this significant recognition,” says SMG Senior Vice President of Stadiums and Arenas, Joe Romano.

SMG Announces New Executive Vice President, European Operations

West Conshohocken, PA (September 26, 2014) - SMG President & CEO, Wes Westley, today announced that John Sharkey will become Executive Vice President, European Operations, effective 6th October 2014. He will assume responsibility for SMG’s existing business operations in Europe as well as spearheading the business development ambitions for the Group in Europe and Asia.

John was Group CEO at Scottish Exhibition Centre Ltd, Scotland’s largest conference, concerts, exhibition and events centre until April 2014 and led the team responsible for the development, funding, construction and opening of the SSE Hydro Arena, the world’s 3rd most successful entertainment venue.

Since then John has operated as a consultant and advisor to the conference, exhibition and entertainment industry and related infrastructure projects across the UK, continental Europe and the US. He has also advised some of the world’s largest private equity businesses to find value in this sector.

Commenting on his appointment Westley said: “I am delighted to welcome John to the team. He brings with him valuable experience and success across our core strengths as a business and an excellent understanding of the European marketplace. We look forward to realising the opportunities which lie ahead for the European business as part of a strong and successful worldwide brand”.

Sharkey said: “I have been privileged during my career with great opportunities and EVP European Operations carries on that succession. I am joining a business which has been on a growth curve through strong and weak economic cycles as a result of great strength and depth. I am especially delighted to be joining the European business at what can only be described as a very exciting time with the growth ambitions for the business”.

Reporting to John will be Arena General Managers, James Allen – Manchester UK, Ben Williams – Leeds UK, and Paul Tappenden – Newcastle UK, Adrian Doyle – Belfast UK, as well as Colin Revel, Vice President Special Projects UK, Michael Brill, Senior Vice President New Business Development – Europe Continent, and Tracey Short, Vice President, International Business Development Asia.

Cobo Center Bookings Reach a Twenty Year High

DETROIT September 15, 2014 -- Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center, announced today several new multi-year event contracts have contributed to the most successful year at Cobo Center in memorable history. The multi-year contract trend began in 2011 with the North American International Auto Show signing a 5-year contract. NACE/CARS and SME’s BigM agreed to return to Cobo next year, and the Society of Automotive Engineers just signed a new five-year agreement for their World Congress. The Shell-Eco Marathon energy efficient vehicle competition begins a three-year run in Detroit and Cobo Center starting in 2015.

Larry Alexander, chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), governing body of Cobo, and president of the Detroit Metro Convention Visitors Bureau commented, “Each new season at Cobo Center has realized a significant rise in bookings. Couple that with sound fiscal management and strict energy conservation measures, and you have the formula for our current success.”

The last three trade shows this year in Cobo Center all exceeded anticipated attendance. SME’s new manufacturing show, The Big M, attained stronger attendance by 25%. NACE/CARS, held last year in Las Vegas, saw a 70% jump in sh

ow attendance. And the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress previously held in Tokyo jumped 50% in projected number of attendees.

Gerry Conover, managing director from ITS America said, “We exceeded our attendance goal by 50% -- 9,100 rather than 6,000 . . . We could not have done it without the Cobo Center and Centerplate staffs. You all went above and beyond to help us deliver what is being called “the best ITS World Congress” in the 21-year history of the event. And that’s up against Paris, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Vienna and a boatload of “name” international cities. We told ‘em all along that Detroit was the best place to have a World Congress and you helped prove us right.”

“The key for our success in Detroit was the support of the automakers, universities, civic leaders and regional members,” said Tom Kern, executive vice president, ITS.

Cobo realized a 65% increase in the number of summer events, this with 26 shows in 2013 from June through August, and 65 shows in 2014 during the same period. Operations also realized year over year revenue gains in Internet sales: 55%; food and beverage commission: 56%; rent: 14% and parking: 38%. The overall total revenue increase was 34% this year over last.

“The transformation of Cobo Center is palpable, and the new high tech event spaces are bringing excitement to the shows,” said Connors. “Add to that the fact that Detroit has once again become a strong destination due to regional member populations for engineering, manufacturing, automotive and medical shows, and you create an environment for shows in these sectors to flourish.”

Mandated by the state of Michigan to eliminate its state convention center subsidy by 2023, Cobo Center has already reduced the subsidy from 2009 of $20 million to less than $7 million in 2014.

About Cobo Center: With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 19th largest convention center in the country. Visit online at www.cobocenter.com.

PEORIA CIVIC CENTER RECOGNIZED THREE TIMES BY VENUES TODAY

September 5th 2014 (Peoria, IL.) - VENUES TODAY Magazine has released the top ticket sellers and concert venues for June and July. The SMG managed Peoria Civic Center was recognized three times in the August edition of the magazine: once for an individual show, once for the Arena and once for the Theater. 

The Jackson Browne Concert on July 8th was ranked 8th in the world and 6th in the nation based on total gross income compared to similar sized venues June 16 to July 15th 2014. This concert was brought to the Peoria Civic Center Theater by Madison House Presents and Jay Goldberg.

The Arena was ranked 14th in the world and 8th in the nation based on total gross income compared to similar sized venues from June 16th to July 15th 2014. The Peoria Civic Center arena had Earth, Wind and Fire in the arena during that time period.

Theater was ranked 5th in nation based on total gross income compared to similar sized venues from June 16th to July 15th 2014. The Peoria Civic Center Theater had two concerts from June 16th – July 15th, Ray Lamontagne and Jackson Browne. 

“It is great for Peoria to frequently be highlighted on these top lists,” said Jim Wetherington, SMG general manger of the Peoria Civic Center. “We continue to use these rankings to help bring acts to Peoria. Being on these charts shows promoters that Peoria is a big contender in the concert industry. We really appreciate all of the hard work our staff puts in to make these shows successful, and thank the community for supporting them by buying tickets!” 

The Peoria Civic Center is featured on the list along with other SMG managed buildings such as the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI., the Intrust Bank Center in Wichita, KS., the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL., the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL., and the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH.