Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Legends Global have announced that Michelle Thomas has joined the venue as assistant general manager.
Thomas brings Cleveland hospitality experience
Thomas brings more than 20 years of hospitality leadership experience to the role. Her career has been based in the Cleveland market.
Most recently, Thomas served as director of hotel operations at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland. Earlier, she advanced through several hotel operations roles at the property. Those roles included front office agent, rooms executive manager, and director of hotel operations.
Her experience includes guest services, financial stewardship, team development, and large-scale operational planning. She has also led teams across rooms, food and beverage, and front-of-house operations.
In addition, Thomas has managed complex budgets and helped guide multimillion-dollar renovations. As a Marriott task force expert, she assisted with luxury property openings. Those properties included the St. Regis Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton Portland.
In 2024, Thomas joined the Western Region Rooms Advisory Council Board for Luxury.
New role supports venue operations
In her new role, Thomas will support operations at Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. She will also work with venue leaders on event execution and planning.
The venue hosts conventions, tradeshows, meetings, and major events. Each year, those events bring hundreds of thousands of guests to downtown Cleveland.
“Michelle is deeply rooted in Cleveland’s hospitality community, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland team,” says Mike Campo, general manager of Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Her record of operational excellence, her ability to develop high-performing teams, and her commitment to this city make her exactly the right leader to help us raise the bar for every client, guest, and partner we are proud to serve.”
“I am honored to join the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Legends Global team,” says Thomas. “This venue is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s convention and events landscape, with tremendous opportunity ahead. Through collaborative, people-centered leadership, I look forward to working alongside our talented team to deliver best-in-class experiences for every client, guest, and partner while deepening the Center’s connection to the greater Cleveland community.”
The appointment reflects the venue’s continued focus on building its leadership team. It also supports the center’s work with conventions, corporate events, and large-scale gatherings in Northeast Ohio.
About Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland hosts conventions, tradeshows, meetings, and special events. The center completed a $50 million renovation in 2024. Today, it offers two ballrooms, including a 32,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, 50 meeting rooms, and exhibit halls. Legends Global manages the venue, which serves as a hub for business, commerce, and community engagement in Northeast Ohio. For more info, visit www.clevelandconventions.com.
About Legends Global
Legends Global partners with live events, venues, and brands. The company provides feasibility and consulting, owner’s representation, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content and booking services. It supports more than 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. For more info, visit www.LegendsGlobal.com.
Press release submitted by Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
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