The Jekyll Island Authority recently selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management of the new Jekyll Island Convention Center, set to open in the second quarter of 2012. This is the fourth consecutive win for SMG in the past 12 months.
Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage the McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the Montego Bay Convention Centre, overlooking the Caribbean in Jamaica. Late in 2010, the firm was selected unanimously to manage Detroit’s Cobo Center, with major renovations helping to regain positioning of the historic venue.
“We are proud of the reputation we have built in this space, and always appreciate the municipal clients who recognize the value of our brand and our leadership team,” said Wes Westley, SMG president and chief executive officer. “SMG has the proven experience and systems to deliver on the promise of service excellence we have built over the past 34 years.”
The diversity of these four recent appointments is indicative of the company’s portfolio of 68 convention venues, with a total of over 14 million square feet of prime exhibit space. With the additions of McCormick Place and Cobo Center, SMG now manages nine of the 40 largest venues in North America.
“For years we have noted the parallels of value of the SMG brand with those of the major hotel chains,” said Gregg Caren, senior vice president of strategic business development. “Like the Hyatt roots that launched SMG at the Superdome in 1977, we have built a very specialized hospitality focused business that understands the needs of our municipal owners, destination marketing partners and — most importantly — our national and local event planning clients that have come to trust us.”
SMG is responsible for the management and marketing of more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums and performing arts venues in nine countries. The company has built a specialized Convention Center Division, including 68 convention and exhibition centers. SMG’s seasoned executive team works actively with municipalities, convention bureaus and hospitality partners in offering first-class service and fully integrated management and marketing systems. The company holds preferred partner agreements with major event planning organizations.
