On Sept. 27, the Miami City Commission approved the selection of SMG to manage the James L. Knight Center effective Oct. 24. The unanimous decision to change management firms follows a request for proposals issued by the city earlier this year.
“As we transition this important downtown asset, we will immediately seek to improve service levels and key relationships with strategic partners including local hoteliers and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau,” said Gregg Caren, senior vice president for strategic business development, SMG. “By providing staff with additional resources we will help grow market share in both the meetings and entertainment sectors served by the Knight Center.”
The Knight Center includes the Miami Conference and Convention Center, 28,000 square foot Riverfront Hall, and a 4,600-seat proscenium theater that has hosted everyone from Ricky Martin to Lady Gaga. Directly connected to the 612-room Hyatt Regency Miami, the complex has been at the heart of Miami’s downtown since 1982.
“We are very pleased to see The Knight Center join the SMG network,” said Henry Torre, director of public facilities, the City of Miami. “SMG has an incredible legacy of more than 30 years of first-class management, commitment to its clients and employees, and highest quality service standards. We look forward to working with SMG and their team as they take Knight Center to the next level.”
SMG will take over operational responsibilities from Global Spectrum, who held the contract since 1997.
During the RFP process, a professional selection committee unanimously ranked SMG as the most qualified firm to manage the center.
“We are pleased to partner with SMG,” said Johnny Martinez, manager, the City of Miami. “The Knight Center provides world class meetings, conventions and concerts, and SMG is the leader in each of these sectors. This is a partnership that will benefit everyone in the Greater Miami area.”
