Gerald T. McQueen Leaving Top Post at New York's Javits Center
November 16, 2011
After 16 years at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York, 14 of which were at the helm and two as inspector general, Gerald T. McQueen will be stepping down.
He will stay in his post as president and CEO until a successor is found, according to venue officials.
During his tenure at the Javits Center, McQueen helped transform it from a place plagued by corruption and racketeering to a venue with a stable work force, well-maintained building and capable management team.
“I regret leaving an institution that has been such a large part of my professional life, but secure in the knowledge that the reforms we have instituted during my time here have transformed the center into an institution that fulfills is mission with integrity, whose customers are well-served and whose employees enjoy a fair workplace and fulfilling work,” McQueen said.
He added, “I will always feel a part of this wonderful place.”
McQueen also oversaw a decade-long effort to have the center expanded, which was completed last year with the addition of Javits Center North, and a renovation to the main building is underway and set to be completed by the end of 2013.
In addition, he promoted diversity in the workforce and ensured that employees were treated with dignity and respect, according to Javits officials. He also enforced ethics requirements that held everyone, from the board of directors to the lowest paid worker, accountable.
“Jerry has had a great run at the Javits Convention Center,” said Javits Board Chairman Carl H. Loewenson, Jr.
He added, “He played a critical role in getting organized crime out of the center, and under Jerry’s leadership, the center has, for many years, been one of the few convention centers in the country that covers its expenses.”
The Javits Center hosted 18 events on the 2010 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list, with the New York International Gift Fair summer edition being the largest, with 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 50,000 attendees on a 534,000 net square foot showfloor.
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