Four convention centers across the U.S. are stepping up efforts to improve the event experience for meeting and exhibition guests and customers, including providing new staff and workforce training, renovation projects, expanding partnerships and enhancing facilities.
Union and management unite to open trade show training center in Philadelphia
To provide staff and labor partners with training and skills building in safety, technical skills development, customer service, and hospitality. Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in Philadelphia has opened an on-site training center with conference rooms to host instructor-led training programs and two computer labs for online training.
According to officials ASM GlobalPCC, which operates and manages the venue, has a new 1,000-square-foot training center that is the result of PCC’s Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust (HIAT) Fund, a partnership between the venue’s management and the four unions that provide the show floor workforce at the venue: International Laborers Union Local 332, International Alliance of Stage Employees Local 8 (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 and Ironworkers Union Local 4.
Known as “Safety, Skills, Smiles,” HIAT-funded training designed to enhance worker training opportunities in safety, technical skills development and customer service/hospitality includes:
- A safety program that offers participants the opportunity to earn general and specialized Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety certifications.
- Skills training in partnership with convention and meeting industry contractors, such as installation and demolition (I&D) and decorating companies, provides employees with the latest technical training to deliver the most efficient and economical build possible.
- The hospitality program focuses on providing workforce partners with customer service skills, including putting the customer first, a positive attitude and engagement, and a commitment to success.
According to ASM Global officials, the HIAT fund, which is jointly funded by the facility’s labor partners and PCC officials, is believed to be the only collaborative training effort of its kind in the U.S. The trade show’s labor union contributes to the fund for each hour its members work, and PCC management matches that amount.
“The HIAT Fund and this training initiative represent a long-term commitment to ensure that the workers at our facilities not only receive the latest safety and skills training, but also advanced training with a hospitality focus,” explained PCC Institutions President and CEO John J. McNicol. “This aligns with the overall culture of our facilities and staff, and represents an ongoing commitment to improving ourselves and the service we provide to our guests.”
In addition to providing a dedicated location for employee training, the new training center will also host in-house training programs for ASM Global staff through the ASM Global Academy and Experience, which offers training courses in guest services, diversity, equity and inclusion, food safety, inclusive culture, sustainability, operations, safety and security and leadership.
Baltimore Convention Center signs seven-year deal with Projection
of Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) renews and expands partnership with event technology service provider projection As part of the extended agreement, Projection will continue to operate as the facility’s preferred in-house audiovisual (AV) services provider and will introduce exclusive rigging services.
Leveraging more than 50 years of experience in the meetings and conventions industry, Projection provides in-person, hybrid and fully virtual event production design and services, including networking, presentation management, staging, sound and lighting services, capture, live streaming and overflow solutions.
“Projection has been with us for over 17 years and continues our unparalleled partnership,” said BCC Executive Director Mac Campbell. “They engage our clients with unparalleled customer service, regardless of the scope of work, which is a core tenet of our company in Baltimore. They take on even the smallest jobs while remaining masters of large-scale, complex productions. We’re truly excited to have them in our building for the next seven years.”
Georgia Southern’s Rainwater Conference Center gets a makeover
June 13th, Rainwater Conference Center The Valdosta, Georgia, company announced a nearly $1 million renovation that modernized more than 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Renovations include new furniture throughout the lobby and common areas, renovated restrooms, new carpeting in all hallways, meeting rooms and conference spaces, several sophisticated chandeliers and sconces, new interior paint throughout the venue, live plants and 25 new pieces of art created by local artist Daniel Hanifan.
Center officials said Rainwater made it a priority to use local businesses and contractors to complete the renovations.
“As the region’s largest event space, the renovation of Rainwater Conference Center was carefully planned and executed to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community and out-of-town planners,” said David DiSalvo, president and CEO of Rainwater Conference Center. Visit Valdosta“Modernizing the building was essential to creating a more sophisticated atmosphere and color scheme that will blend seamlessly into any event.”
Rainwaters offers a full menu of meeting and event services and packages Meeting Space Amenities include a versatile 11,000-square-foot Grand Hall, a 4,300-square-foot outdoor veranda with lake and fountain views, two technology-equipped meeting rooms that can seat up to 14 guests, four Garden Suites ranging from 559 square feet or 1,151 square feet with plenty of natural light, and two Gazebo Suites ranging from 1,000 to 2,200 square feet.
Grand River Center Engages Visitors with New Public Art Installation
Oak View Group (OVG), Operator Grand River Center A public art piece that will be on display for one year has been unveiled at the entrance to the Convention Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
Titled “SPACE+TIME=THE MOMENT,” the sculpture was created as a homage to Dubuque by local artist Dan Aldeman with the help of Jim Kelly and the support of Key City Creative Center. The nine-foot-tall piece features a four-inch-wide limestone disk that rotates 360 degrees to align with the sun each day. At the center is an etching of the riverbanks of the Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Mississippi rivers and a drill hole marking Dubuque’s location.
“Incorporating public art into the Grand River Center will reflect the character of the City of Dubuque and allow visitors from near and far to immerse themselves in its beauty,” said Bonnie Sperling, City of Dubuque’s Arts and Culture Manager, who partnered with OVG to make the project a reality in early February.
She added, “Incorporating public art into a venue transforms it from just an event space into a destination that inspires and connects through artistic expression.”
According to OVG officials, by incorporating public art into its venues, the company aims to bring inspiration, aesthetics and connection to the venues and the community.
“I firmly believe that public art has a vital place in any public gathering venue, especially a convention center,” said Ryan Boniface, general manager of Grand River Center. “We look forward to continued opportunities to partner with the City of Dubuque and local artists to enhance the experience for our guests and the community at the Center.”
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Grand River Center features more than 86,000 square feet of exhibition, meeting and conference space, including six meeting rooms and the glass-enclosed River Room, which features a balcony that juts out onto the river. Mississippi Riverwalk.
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