submitted by the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA)
Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) today announced that it has hired longtime hospitality industry veteran Stephanie Mays-Boyd as its new Director of External Affairs. Mays-Boyd, who has more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality sector, most recently served as Director of Sales and Marketing with facility manager ASM Global, now Legends Global, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. As Director of Sales, Mays-Boyd was responsible for internal and short-term sales for the convention center and managed a sales team that was responsible for generating $7 million in annual revenue.
As Director of External Affairs for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, Mays-Boyd will serve as the chief liaison between the Center and its external stakeholders, including community organizations, civic leaders, elected officials, business partners, and philanthropic groups. In that capacity, Mays-Boyd will be responsible for advancing the Convention Center’s visibility, reputation, and impact across the region through strategic engagement, government and public affairs, and corporate social responsibility initiatives that align with the facility’s mission of driving economic impact for the Greater Philadelphia region.
“Stephanie is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in the hospitality industry who has been a core part of our team at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for nearly 30 years,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the PCCA. “She brings a strong passion, commitment, and deep wealth of knowledge to her work with the center and has played a key contributor to the ongoing success of our facility and the economic impact we bring to the region’s broader hospitality sector. We look forward to Stephanie bringing that same energy and dedication to her new role as our director of external affairs.”
Mays-Boyd joined the Pennsylvania Convention Center team in 1996 as an Event Coordinator. Her passion and commitment led her to assume roles with increasing responsibility and impact, first as a Sales and Service Coordinator then advancing to Convention and Tradeshow Sales Manager. She went on to assume the leadership position of Senior Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing and her most recent position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing, first with the PCCA and later with the center’s facility manager ASM Global. Prior to joining the convention center, Mays-Boyd began her career as a Convention Marketing Representative at the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1990.
“I am thrilled to be taking on this challenging and rewarding new role leading the external affairs efforts of the PCCA where I will oversee community and stakeholder engagement initiatives, develop strategic partnerships and sponsorship, and coordinate with elected officials on public policy issues impacting the center and the region’s hospitality sector,” said Mays-Boyd. “With my experience and knowledge, I believe this new role will enable me to have an even greater positive impact on the success of the facility, the hospitality industry, and the broader community.
Mays-Boyd holds leadership positions and is actively involved with a number of organizations and non-profits in the Philadelphia region. She currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the African American Museum of Philadelphia and is the immediate past chair of the Leadership Council of the United Negro College Fund (Philadelphia). She is a former member of the Board of Trustees at Lincoln University and Peirce College. Mays-Boyd also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for PHLDiversity and is the Founder of the Philadelphia Chapter of Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc. In addition, Mays-Boyd is a member of The Links, Incorporated (Philadelphia Chapter) and has the esteemed honor of serving as a member of the National Executive Council and the Foundation Board of Directors. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Mays-Boyd was recognized by the Philadelphia Tribune as Philadelphia’s Most Influential and as one of the Philadelphia region’s “Leaders.” She holds a BBA degree with a concentration in Marketing from Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her MBA degree from Lincoln University where she graduated magna cum laude.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city’s many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by Legends Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry.
For more information, visit www.paconvention.com
