Black Meetings & Tourism - SMG To Manage Miami Knight Center

Facilities Update
SMG To Manage Miami Knight Center
The Miami City Commission recently approved the selection of SMG to manage the James L. Knight Center effective. The unanimous decision to change management firms follows a request for proposals issued by the city earlier in 2012. “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 & Visitors Bureau. By providing staff with additional resources we will help grow market share in both the meetings and entertainment sectors served by the Knight Center,” said Gregg Caren, SMG senior vice president for Strategic Business Development. The Knight Center includes the Miami Conference and Conference Center, 28,000-sq. ft. 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 vibrant downtown since 1982. “We are very pleased to see The Knight Center join the SMG network. 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,” said Henry Torre, Director of Public Facilities for the City of Miami. SMG took 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 Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez.” 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.” About The James L. Knight Center The James L. Knight International Center is a world-class multipurpose entertainment, meeting, and convention complex located in the heart of downtown Miami’s business, commercial, and financial district. Owned by the City of Miami, the complex is situated overlooking the Miami River at Brickell Avenue, just seven miles from Miami International Airport and two miles from the Port of Miami. 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 14.4 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and over 1.75 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, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. For more information visit www.smgworld.com

Facilities Update

SMG To Manage Miami Knight Center

The Miami City Commission recently approved the selection of SMG to manage the James L. Knight Center effective. The unanimous decision to change management firms follows a request for proposals issued by the city earlier in 2012.

“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 & Visitors Bureau. By providing staff with additional resources we will help grow market share in both the meetings and entertainment sectors served by the Knight Center,” said Gregg Caren, SMG senior vice president for Strategic Business Development.

The Knight Center includes the Miami Conference and Conference Center, 28,000-sq. ft. 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 vibrant downtown since 1982.

“We are very pleased to see The Knight Center join the SMG network. 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,” said Henry Torre, Director of Public Facilities for the City of Miami. SMG took 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 Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez.” 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.”

About The James L. Knight Center
The James L. Knight International Center is a world-class multipurpose entertainment, meeting, and convention complex located in the heart of downtown Miami’s business, commercial, and financial district. Owned by the City of Miami, the complex is situated overlooking the Miami River at Brickell Avenue, just seven miles from Miami International Airport and two miles from the Port of Miami.

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 14.4 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and over 1.75 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, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. For more information visit www.smgworld.com