Black Meetings & Tourism - Onondaga County Selects Private Management Firm SMG To Operate The Oncenter

Facilities Update
Onondaga County Selects Private Management Firm SMG To Operate The Oncenter
The Unanimous Decision Will Nationally Publicize the Oncenter and Syracuse, Bringing in Larger Events, Concerts, Tradeshows and Conventions to the City The Onondaga County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee recently approved the selection of SMG Worldwide — a private convention and entertainment venue management firm — to operate The Oncenter. The unanimous decision to privatize management of The Oncenter, through SMG, will nationally publicize The Oncenter and Syracuse, bringing in larger events, concerts, tradeshows and conventions to the City. “Our goal is to start connecting the facilities, the entertainment venues, and the convention center to our national network. By giving them the access to our database and our clients, we can help put Syracuse and Onondaga County in the forefront of the decision-makers who are going to rent this facility,” said Gregg Caren, SMG senior vice president for Strategic Business Development. The Oncenter, comprised of the War Memorial Arena, Civic Center Theaters and the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center has been home to numerous conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events for over 50 years. “We are very pleased to see The Oncenter merge with SMG. SMG has an incredible legacy of more than 30 years of private ownership and a commitment to its employees, high quality standards and exceptional service. I look forward to working with SMG and their team as they take The Oncenter to the next level,” said SMG General Manager Terri Toennies. SMG took over operational responsibilities from The Oncenter Management Corporation and the current management became employees of SMG. Onondaga County lawmakers recognize the need to put Syracuse and venues like The Oncenter on the map. "We are pleased to partner with SMG," said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. "The Oncenter provides world class venues to attract events and SMG is a leader in this industry. This is a partnership that will benefit everyone in our region." About The Oncenter For over 50 years, The Oncenter — located in the heart of Syracuse — has been home to numerous conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events. The Oncenter occupies over three city blocks and includes the War Memorial Arena, Civic Center Theaters and the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center. About SMG Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 14 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and over 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago, the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. For more information, visit www.smgworld.com.

Facilities Update

Onondaga County Selects Private Management Firm SMG To Operate The Oncenter

The Unanimous Decision Will Nationally Publicize the Oncenter and Syracuse, Bringing in Larger Events, Concerts, Tradeshows and Conventions to the City

The Onondaga County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee recently approved the selection of SMG Worldwide — a private convention and entertainment venue management firm — to operate The Oncenter. The unanimous decision to privatize management of The Oncenter, through SMG, will nationally publicize The Oncenter and Syracuse, bringing in larger events, concerts, tradeshows and conventions to the City.

“Our goal is to start connecting the facilities, the entertainment venues, and the convention center to our national network. By giving them the access to our database and our clients, we can help put Syracuse and Onondaga County in the forefront of the decision-makers who are going to rent this facility,” said Gregg Caren, SMG senior vice president for Strategic Business Development.

The Oncenter, comprised of the War Memorial Arena, Civic Center Theaters and the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center has been home to numerous conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events for over 50 years.

“We are very pleased to see The Oncenter merge with SMG. SMG has an incredible legacy of more than 30 years of private ownership and a commitment to its employees, high quality standards and exceptional service. I look forward to working with SMG and their team as they take The Oncenter to the next level,” said SMG General Manager Terri Toennies. SMG took over operational responsibilities from The Oncenter Management Corporation and the current management became employees of SMG.

Onondaga County lawmakers recognize the need to put Syracuse and venues like The Oncenter on the map. "We are pleased to partner with SMG," said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. "The Oncenter provides world class venues to attract events and SMG is a leader in this industry. This is a partnership that will benefit everyone in our region."

About The Oncenter
For over 50 years, The Oncenter — located in the heart of Syracuse — has been home to numerous conferences, conventions, trade shows, concerts, performances and events. The Oncenter occupies over three city blocks and includes the War Memorial Arena, Civic Center Theaters and the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center.

About SMG
Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 14 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and over 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago, the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. For more information, visit www.smgworld.com.