Cobo Center has new marketing manager

Thom Connors, regional vice president and general manager of SMG, a venue management company, recently announced Mary Klida has joined the Cobo Center staff as its new marketing and communications manager. Klida comes to the Cobo Center from Smart City Networks where she served as marketing manager for the event center technology supplier.


During her tenure at Smart City, Klida implemented a branding campaign across multiple delivery platforms, oversaw all content creation and message strategy and wrote and published national and local technology news campaigns.

“Mary understands the event industry in terms of public relations and has experience working from the ground up to create a brand and industry presence,” said Connors. “New ownership under the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and new management under SMG, along with our current facility upgrades, make this an exciting time at the Cobo Center. Mary’s experience will be a great asset as we launch our marketing and public relations strategy,”

The 1-year-old Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority has developed a strategic plan to renovate and develop the Cobo Center as one of the nation’s leading meeting exhibition venues. Klida will be responsible for developing partnership opportunities and digital asset optimization, including social media marketing development, newsletter development and aggressive marketing campaigns.