PHILADELPHIA
The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) has officially signed a new contract with SMG, the nation’s leading convention center management firm, to manage and operate the world-class Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The management and operations contract with SMG is part of the Board’s continuing efforts to improve the customer experience at the Center; enable the Center to compete more effectively for major conventions and trade shows; and maintain the continued growth of the Philadelphia region’s hospitality industry.
Gregory J. Fox, Chairman of the PCCA Board of Directors, and Bob McClintock, COO and Senior Vice President for Convention Center also formally announced that Lorenz Hassenstein will serve as SMG’s General Manager for the facility and oversee the company’s management and operations staff of approximately 85 individuals at the Center. SMG will assume responsibility for management of the Center effective December 1.
“We are excited about our new partnership with SMG and are committed to enhancing the customer experience at the Center and increasing the number of conventions, trade shows and other events we host,” said Fox. “Our goal is to fulfill the promise of the Center as a major contributor to the success of the hospitality industry and economic driver for the Philadelphia region. We look forward to working with SMG to modernize our operations, control costs and increase revenues, and improve future bookings at the Center.”
The Board has identified four key focus areas to improve its ability to compete in the global convention and meeting industry: management operations, the existing labor supplier model, work rules, and billing transparency for our customers.
“SMG is honored to become a part of the bright future of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the team of professionals throughout the region that are part of the hospitality industry that plays such an integral role in the economic vitality of the Commonwealth,” said McClintock. “We look forward to bringing the benefit of our extensive network of expertise, industry best practices and our focus on the customer to the Convention Center team.”
SMG has more than 30 years of experience at more than 200 facilities and 72 convention centers. SMG currently manages significant centers in some of the nation’s largest cities, including Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, San Francisco and Salt Lake City as part of a portfolio that represents more than 14.5 million square feet. In addition, SMG has extensive experience working with organized labor in San Francisco, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Providence, and Detroit. Fox said SMG will work closely with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau to increase bookings at the Center by developing new business and bringing back past customers.
Lorenz Hassenstein, who will serve as General Manager of the facility for SMG, has over 20 years of industry experience as both a trade show producer and facility management executive. He brings a breadth of knowledge and best practices drawn nationally and internationally from trade show facilities and event producers around the country. Throughout his tenure, Lorenz has worked collaboratively with community leaders, convention and visitor authorities and the hospitality industry to drive customer satisfaction, impact financial performance, and foster economic growth.
