SMG, the operator of the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, recently appointed Jennifer Strum as marketing manager at the 600,000-square-foot multipurpose facility.
“As we celebrate the Convention Center’s most successful year in its 27 year history, we recognized the need to tell the story of our venue, emphasize our reputation of superior service, and take our marketing initiatives to the next level,” says General Manager Mark Gatley. “We wanted to bring in an experienced marketing manager who could grow our brand, provide increased value and services to clients, and elevate our marketing partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Conventions and Visitors Bureau to further showcase Fort Lauderdale as a premier meeting destination.”
In her new role, Strum will oversee the Convention Center’s branding and communications strategies as well as the creation and launch of the venue’s modernized website. She will also provide marketing support to the venue’s CVB partners and assist event planners with increasing sales and attendance through strategic digital communications, sponsorship activations and creative social engagement.
With more than 25 years of experience in sports and entertainment marketing, Strum joins the Convention Center from the HEAT Group at the AmericanAirlines Arena, where she served as senior director of business development and arena promotions for 17 years. She previously served as director of catering sales and marketing for Levy Restaurants at the former Pro Player Stadium, now known as the Hard Rock Stadium. She also served as director of catering sales and marketing at Raintree Gold Resort and Country Club and catering sales manager at Pier 66 Hotel & Marina. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and resides in Plantation.
“I am thrilled to join the SMG team and work with such a talented group of professionals,” Strum says. “With my background working for several of South Florida’s leading sports, entertainment and event venues, I look forward to bringing championship-level marketing practices to grow event business and promote my hometown of Fort Lauderdale.”
Celebrating its 40th anniversary and founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to 233 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more info, visit www.smgworld.com or www.ftlauderdalecc.com.
