Washington State Convention Center names new president/CEO

The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) has named a new president and CEO. This individual, who is currently the executive director of the Oregon Convention Center (OCC).


Jeffrey A. Blosser, who was hired as the result of a national search, will succeed John E. Christison, who will retire after serving as president and chief executive officer of WSCC for over 21 years.

“The Convention Center has been exceptionally fortunate to have had the leadership of John Christison for the past two decades, and we are equally fortunate to have him succeeded by Jeff Blosser who promises to be another truly great president of the facility,” said Frank K. Finneran, chairman of the WSCC Board of Directors. “Jeff is knowledgeable, innovative and above all, committed to keeping WSCC a leader in the highly competitive meetings industry.”

Blosser has served as executive director at the OCC since 1989, where he has provided leadership and strategic direction for Oregon’s state’s largest convention facility. He has long been an advocate of “green” meetings and led the OCC efforts to become the first convention center to receive LEED-EB (existing building) certification in 2005.

“I’m honored and delighted to have been entrusted with the leadership of the Washington State Convention Center,” said Blosser. “I look forward to the opportunity to build on WSCC’s outstanding record of achievement and to working with the board and staff to advance their mission of bringing significant economic benefits to the state of Washington.”