Florence Civic Center Wins ConventionSouth’s Annual Readers’ Choice Award

For Immediate Release

Florence, SC (November 3rd, 2014) - Winning yet another award this year for venue excellence, Florence Civic Center has been awarded as one of only two convention centers in the entire state of South Carolina to win the ConventionSouth Magazine’s 2014 Annual Reader’s Award.

“Winning Convention South’s Readers Choice Award is very rewarding for the entire SMG Florence staff,” said Kendall Wall, General Manager of the Florence Civic Center. “Our team has worked very hard to educate planners about what Florence has to offer. The growth of the hospitality district surrounding the venue has enabled Florence to become a key player in the market.  Planners love having the SMG Advantage, the amenities of over 1000 hotel rooms, numerous restaurants, a regional shopping center and the perfect location at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 20 for easy travel access.”

ConventionSouth has been distributing this award since 2001 and provides the opportunity for readers to vote on which venues in the South present the highest level of service and quality facilities. The recognition comes from the country’s top meeting professionals who host events in the region and they have determined that the Florence Civic Center has demonstrated the necessary level of professionalism and service to meet their high standards.

“This is a well-deserved award for the Florence Civic Center,” said SMG’s Executive Vice President, Convention and Exhibition Centers, Gregg Caren. “The management and staff all work hard to provide the best possible experience for both exhibitors and attendees and the results make the venue a central hub for activity in the Florence area.”

The Annual Reader’s Award is the third award the Florence Civic Center has received this year, with the venue previously winning Facilities Media Group of New York’s 2014 Prime Site Award as well as ConventionSouth’s 101 Largest Expo Halls.

SMG TULSA GENERAL MANAGER RECEIVES BOOMTOWN AWARD

(Tulsa, OK) November 3, 2014 - SMG Tulsa General Manager Jeff Nickler received the 2014 Boomtown Award for the category of "The People People." Presented by Tulsa Young Professionals (TYPros), the award is given to recognize business leaders who are champions of Tulsa working to promote quality of life, retention of top talent and recruitment of the next generation of business and civic leaders.

"This is a great honor and one that Jeff definitely deserves. He's played a pivotal role in the success of the BOK Center since it opened, and now is leading the venue in all its continued accomplishments," said John Bolton, SMG Vice President of Entertainment. "His ability to attract the top touring acts to BOK Center contributes significantly to Tulsa's vibrant music scene and overall quality of life."

Nickler was promoted to SMG General Manager in February 2014. Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant General Manager of BOK Center, Director of Booking and Special Events Manager. He is an active member of TYPros.

"Thank you TYPros for this award. It's an honor to be recognized by an organization that brings so much to Tulsa," Nickler said. "I'm luck to work with such an amazing team of employees at SMG. Without them, awards such as this and the overall success of both BOK Center and Cox Business Center would not be possible."

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS: FROZEN BREAKS RECORDS FOR FAMILY SHOWS

NOVEMBER 3rd, 2014 – Think back to that time… the lights were low, the Arena was full, and there was a brief pause in between songs from your favorite artist. You hear the first chords and immediately you see the flicker of lighters and the harmonious sounds as everyone in the building joins in to sing every lyric of the song. Fast forward to 2014 and you see camera phones, Ipads, and cameras flashing. The first notes begin to play. Instead of your voice it is your child’s voice singing strong and loud to the Disney mega-hit Frozen.

From Wednesday, Oct. 29^th through Sunday Nov. 2^nd Disney on Ice Presents: Frozen enthralled sold out crowds; the magic of Disney as powerful as ever. Royal Farms Arena staff witnessed the delight of children from all over the mid-Atlantic as they sang every song and squealed with delight as their favorite story was re-told on ice.

Frozen has surpassed all family shows in the history of the Arena, “…it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. This particular Disney was our bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, tied game where the batter hit it out of the ball park; nothing short of amazing… Feld Entertainment has a long and storied history at the Arena. They have been with us since we were the Civic Center. We are thrilled that we were part of this historic event, a part of their history…” Frank Remesch, General Manager, Royal Farms Arena.

Years from now, long after the faces have faded on their souvenir cups and the plush toys purchased are nowhere to be found, when the children that were here for Disney on Ice Presents: Frozen are talking about their experiences at live events to their children, we have no doubt that among the many concerts and sporting events they will attend in their lifetime, this show will rank in the top; it will be a part of the soundtrack of their lives.

Bahía Urbana surpassing 100 events in 2014

Originally published in Caribbean Business Magazine.

(Puerta de Tierra, San Juan, Puerto Rico) October 27th, 2014 - Bahía Urbana’s General Manager Linnette Isona is touting the San Juan Bay venue’s successful 2014 with more than 100 events between box office and free events for the community, and an estimated 250,000 attendees.

An additional 12 events are on the agenda for November and December.

The “Christmas Illumination Fantasy,” a family event with live music, fireworks and artisans, and “Guavate en la Bahía” will both be held on November 30.

Other scheduled events are this week’s “Flash Back Halloween Party” on October 30 with 1980s and 1990s music, and “Navitown,”an amusement park with machines, games and bounce houses from December 24 to January 2015.

“This is a unique venue in the San Juan Bay area, a privileged location that welcomes visitors and tourists throughout the week,” Isona said. “But we are also blessed with the support of our people. Puerto Ricans Rican have turned Bahia Urbana into a successful space where they can enjoy variety of events that run the gamut from concerts, movie nights and sports parties to culinary festivals, salsa dancing nights and jazz sunsets.”

Isona commented that the outdoors space they provide and the round-shaped “Festival Lawn” are attractive sites for producers, promoters and the different audiences they appeal to “because they know that besides a breathtaking spot and five-star service we pride ourselves on our surveillance and security protocols.”

Among the new attractions at Bahía Urbana, a children’s carousel that operates on weekends as well as colorful candy popcorn and cotton candy machines. This area can be rented out for birthdays and private parties.

Café Ocho, the onsite signature tapas bar, is now open on Fridays from 5p.m., Saturdays from 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m.

As a tribute to traditional Puerto Rican Christmas cuisine: “Guavate en la Bahía,” a culinary festival from November 30 will offer the best roasted suckling pig, pork cracklings, rice with pigeon peas, blood sausages, fritters and other Holiday delicacies.

Isona, who also announced the launch of an advertising campaign appealing to different audiences on social networks, said that every space of Bahía Urbana is available for corporate groups, private parties, birthdays and even romantic proposals. The latter, which have gained popularity recently, are designed with the client and a local events company to fulfill the fantasies of demanding and adventurous couples who want to build Bayside memories that romantics dream about.

“We are here to serve our customers, always,” she said.

Artexis easyFairs and SMG sign strategic alliance

Artexis-SMG joint venture will manage European event venues

(Brussels and Philadelphia) October 20, 2014 - Eric Everard, CEO of Artexis easyFairs and Wes Westley, SMG President & CEO today announced that they have finalised a strategic alliance and established a joint venture company, Artexis-SMG, which will be based in Brussels and will offer highly specialised venue management services in Europe and beyond.

Eric Everard commented, “SMG is the world’s leading company in venue management, with a portfolio of 74 exhibition and convention centres. It sets the ‘gold standard’ in public facility management and I am delighted that we will be working together. Here in Europe, there is strong demand from public and private owners of congress, convention and exhibition centres for specialist expertise to maximise revenue streams and to help them host top quality events. Our new joint venture, Artexis-SMG, is better placed than anyone to meet this demand.”

Wes Westley added, “I have been very impressed by the professionalism of Artexis operations at its eight venues in Belgium and Sweden. We share similar values and a belief in the energising effect that venues can have on local economies. With his extensive experience of managing multi-format venues and as one of Europe’s recognised industry entrepreneurs, Håkan Gershagen is the ideal choice as Artexis-SMG’s Vice President, Business Development.”

The new joint venture will function independently from Artexis easyFairs’ activities as an event organiser. It will adopt SMG’s proven formula for professional venue management and apply them in the European context. “The combination of locally based Artexis-SMG personnel, with their deep knowledge of European markets, and SMG processes and best practices, will deliver exceptional added value to our customers,” said Everard.

“For convention planners, the SMG name carries the brand promise of a well-run facility and unparalleled expertise in all phases of convention planning. Through web links, email news blasts, bulk advertising buys in trade publications and participation in major convention planner trade shows, SMG offers its clients in North America exposure that may be prohibitively expensive to buy on their own. We also utilise the full range of electronic capabilities, including a proprietary online events calendar and booking system, which enables SMG onsite sales directors to share leads and co-sell properties. Property owners benefit from the full force of SMG working to send business their way, and events planners gain the ability to check SMG venues and available dates 24/7,” said Gregg Caren, executive vice president of SMG’s convention centre division. “We are hugely excited at the prospect of our joint venture offering a similar added value proposition in Europe.”

The joint venture’s immediate geographical scope extends across all of Europe (not just the EU) with the exception of Belgium and Sweden where Artexis already plays a leading role in venue management. Artexis-SMG will focus on exhibition and conference centres, the agreement not addressing other SMG core businesses such as theatres and sports stadia where the SMG name is already well-known in Europe.

Pensacola Bay Center Ranks as One of the Country's Top Venues

(Pensacola, FL) October 17, 2014 – The Pensacola Bay Center is giving a standing ovation to all of its fans!

With their help, the Pensacola Bay Center, managed by SMG, is ranked 64^th in the United States and 121^st in the world in Pollstar Magazine’s 2014 Third Quarter Top 200 Arena Rankings. Rankings are based on tickets sold for shows played between 1/1/14 and 9/30/14.

So far this year, Pensacola Bay Center has hosted seven of Pollstar's top 100 tours including Disney on Ice, World Wrestling Entertainment, The Harlem Globetrotters, Cirque du Soleil – Varekai, Elton John, Miranda Lambert and Jeff Dunham. Of those top tours, Elton John and His Band and Miranda Lambert’s Platinum Across America Tour were both sold out! Screaming, happy fans filled the arena with their outstanding energy. 

“We really had some great shows come into the Pensacola Bay area so far this year and that certainly helped us rank where we do. And because of that we  want to say thank you,” said SMG General Manager Cyndee Pennington.  “Thank you to the artists and promoters who are bringing terrific shows to our venue, and thank you to the ticket buyers in Pensacola who help make these events a success.”

Pollstar is a weekly trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry.

SMG to Extend Contract with Coliseo de Puerto Rico

For Immediate Release

HATO REY, PUERTO RICO (October 10th, 2014) - SMG, the leader in venue management, recently renewed its management con

tract for Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot for an additional five years.  SMG has been the management company for the venue before its opening in September, 2004.  The contract renewal with the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority (PRCDA), the local government agency in charge of overseeing the Coliseo operations, was finalized before the celebration of the Coliseo’s 10th Anniversary.

“Over the last ten years, SMG has been providing stellar service and entertainment to Hato Rey,” said SMG President and CEO, Wes Westley. “This extension allows us to continue bringing top-tier events to Coliseo de Puerto Rico while making attendance for patrons an enjoyable and comfortable experience.”

SMG, the Government of Puerto Rico and the Coliseo definitely have something to celebrate – over the last ten years of operation, the Coliseo has hosted 887 events, 5.6 million visitors and tickets sales have grossed over $254 million.

“The success of the venue is a showcase of what we can accomplish if there’s a synergy between good partners, which the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has been the last 10 years plus”, said Jochi Dávila, Regional VP Business Development from SMG Latin America and SMG’s ongoing employee in Puerto Rico since 2002.  “The renewal of the management contract gives us another reason to celebrate during the tenth anniversary.”

The Coliseo hosted an exciting celebration event, themed “Party Like a Rock Star”. Coliseo sponsors, local promoters, vendors, VIP Clients and partners enjoyed a night full of entertainment.  From paparazzi, props for invitees, live music with the performance of Jochi Davila, Wesley Cullen, venue General Manager, flying from the ceiling and the first time performance in Puerto Rico of international comedian Gabriel Iglesias AKA Fluffy, the guests enjoyed an unforgettable night to kick off the next decade. Victor Suarez, Executive Director of the PRCDA, was also part of the event and thanked SMG and the local team employees for the success of the venue.

“The opening of the Coliseo forever changed live entertainment in Puerto Rico. A greater variety of events are possible and the level of comfort and service have been taken to a whole new level,”  said Wesley Cullen, General Manager of the Coliseo.  “SMG has become a key ally for promoters to grow their businesses. We have great relationships locally to create success for everyone involved with the facility. We are very happy with the renewal and ongoing partnership we have with the PRCDA.”