SMG Scores Pennsylvania Convention Center Management Contract
June 4, 2013
In April, the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia issued RFPs for the management and operation of the venue, and West Conshohocken, Penn.-based SMG prevailed as the winner of the lucrative five-year contract.
The venue’s board first voted 13-2 to privatize the center and 12-3 to give the contract to SMG.
"To be given this vote of confidence in our own backyard is a real thrill,” said Gregg Caren, SMG’s senior vice president strategic business development.
He added, “We love this city and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. So many of their clients (and prospective clients) are our customers already – working with us in many other markets. We look forward to working with the Authority, staff and PHLCVB on a smooth transition with an eye on future success."
Besides SMG, venue management firm Global Spectrum also had submitted a bid to run the center, according to Caren.
SMG’s responsibilities will include the comprehensive management and operation of the center, including maintenance of the land, building, furniture, fixtures and equipment; local sales and marketing of the Center, as well as coordinating with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; management of various product and service providers; coordination of Center utilization, scheduling, negotiating and licensing of events and other responsibilities, according to venue officials.
“SMG brings considerable industry expertise and an understanding of our client base to the table," said Jack Ferguson, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau's president and CEO.
He added, "Their bench strength lies in their experience operating convention facilities. In addition, they will bring other business resources that can support a positive customer experience."
The Pennsylvania Convention Center, which added 239,000 square feet of exhibit space in 2011, is just the latest in a string of contract wins for SMG in the past few years, with two major ones being Chicago’s McCormick Place and Detroit’s Cobo Center.
Others include Miami’s James L. Knight Center, South Dakota-based Sioux Falls Convention Center, Jamaica’s Montego Bay Convention Centre and Syracuse, N.Y.-based Oncenter, comprised of the War Memorial Arena, Civic Center Theaters and the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center.
“These wins are always important to expand our network of facilities,” Caren previously told TSNN.
He added, “The more we can expand our distribution network, the better it is for our venues and our clients.”
The Pennsylvania Convention Center hosted three shows on the 2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list.
"Together, (this new contract) will allow us to tap into new business for Philadelphia and bring back others who had not planned to return," Ferguson said.
He added, "We certainly look forward to working with SMG and providing the highest level of customer service to our clients.”
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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