Four convention centers across the United States are enhancing their offerings with new staff and workforce training offerings, renovation projects, expanded partnerships and real estate improvements to enhance the event experience for meeting and trade show guests and customers.
Unions, Management Join Forces to Open Trade Show Training Center in Philadelphia
To provide its staff and social partners with training and skills development in security, technical skills development, customer service and reception, the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in Philadelphia has launched an on-site training center with a conference room to host instructor-led training programs and two computer labs for online training.
According to officials of ASM Globalwhich operates and manages the facility, the new 1,000-square-foot training center is an offshoot of the PCC’s Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust (HIAT) Fund, a partnership between the facility’s management and the four unions that provide labor at the showgrounds: Laborers’ International Local 332; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 8 (IATSE); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98; and Iron Workers Local 4.
Designed to enhance training opportunities for blue collar workers in safety, technical skills development and customer service/hospitality, known as “Safety, Skills and Smiles,” HIAT Fund training includes:
- Safety programs that provide participants with the opportunity to earn general and specialized safety certifications from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Professional training coordinated with convention and meeting industry contractors, such as installation and dismantling (I&D) and decoration companies, to provide the workforce with the most up-to-date technical training to deliver the most efficient and cost-effective constructions possible.
- The onboarding programs aim to provide union partners with customer service skills, including putting customers first, having a positive attitude and engagement, and being committed to success.
Jointly funded by the facility’s union partners and the PCC Authority, the HIAT Fund is believed to be the only joint training initiative of its kind in the United States, according to ASM Global officials. Trade show unions contribute to the fund for every hour worked by a union member, an amount that is then matched by PCC management.
“The HIAT Fund and this training initiative represent a long-term commitment to ensuring that the staff working at our property not only receive the latest safety and skills training, but also receive high-level hospitality-focused training,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the PCC Authority. “It fits with the overall culture of our property and staff and represents a continued commitment to improving ourselves and the services we provide to our guests.”
In addition to providing a dedicated venue for staff training, the new training center will also host internal training programs for ASM Global staff through the ASM Global Academy and Experience, which offers training courses on customer service, diversity, equity and inclusion, food safety, inclusive culture, sustainability, operations, safety and security, and leadership.
Baltimore Convention Center Signs 7-Year Agreement with Projection
THE Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) has renewed and expanded its partnership with an event technology services provider Projection through 2031. Under the extended agreement, Projection will continue to be the property’s preferred in-house audiovisual (AV) service provider while introducing proprietary rigging services.
Drawing on over 50 years of experience in the meetings and conventions industry, Projection offers design and production services for in-person, hybrid and fully virtual events, including networking, presentation management, staging, sound and lighting, capture, live streaming and overflow solutions.
“Projection has worked with us for over 17 years and continues their unparalleled partnership,” said Mac Campbell, Executive Director of BCC. “They engage with our clients, no matter the size of the job, with unmatched customer service that is a core part of who we are in Baltimore. No job is too small while they are masters of large-scale and complex productions. We truly couldn’t be happier to have them in our building for another seven years.”
Rainwater Conference Center in South Georgia Gets a Makeover
On June 13, the Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta, Georgia, unveiled nearly $1 million in renovations that refreshed more than 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space with a modern touch.
Renovations include new furniture throughout the lobby and common areas, renovated restrooms, new carpeting in all hallways, conference rooms and meeting spaces, several elegant chandeliers and wall sconces, new interior paint throughout the venue, live plants and 25 new pieces of art produced by local artist Daniel Hanifan.
Rainwater also prioritized using local businesses and contractors to complete the renovations, center officials said.
“As the region’s largest event space, the renovations to the Rainwater Conference Center were carefully planned and executed to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our community and out-of-town planners,” said David DiSalvo, president and CEO of Visit Valdosta“The modernization of the building was essential to create a more sophisticated atmosphere and color palette that fits perfectly into any event.”
Offering a full menu of services and packages for meetings and events, Rainwater’s meeting spaces and amenities include a 11,000-square-foot multi-purpose Grand Hall; a 4,300-square-foot outdoor veranda with lake and fountain views; two technology-equipped conference rooms that can each accommodate up to 14 guests; four naturally lit Garden Suites, measuring 559 square feet or 1,151 square feet; and two Gazebo Suites, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,200 square feet.
Grand River Center Inspires Visitors with New Public Artworks
Oak View Group (OVG), operators of Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, unveiled a public art piece at the entrance to the convention center that will be on display for a year.
Titled “SPACE+TIME=THE MOMENT,” the sculpture was created by local artist Dan Aldeman as a tribute to Dubuque, with help from Jim Kelly and collaboration from the Key City Creative Center. Measuring 9 feet tall, the piece features a 4-inch-wide limestone disk that rotates 360 degrees and aligns with the sun daily. At its center are etchings of the river boundaries of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and the Mississippi River, with a drilled hole marking the location of Dubuque.
“The integration of public art into the Grand River Center reflects the character of the city of Dubuque, drawing visitors from near and far to immerse themselves in its beauty,” said Bonnie Spurling, arts and cultural affairs manager for the City of Dubuque, who partnered with OVG in early February to bring the project to life.
She added: “By integrating public art into the venue, it becomes more than an event space; it transforms into a destination, inspiring and connecting through artistic expression.”
According to OVG officials, the company aims to bring inspiration, aesthetics and connection to place and community by incorporating public art into the venue.
“I strongly believe that public art has an important place in public gathering spaces, especially convention centers,” said Ryan Bonifas, executive director of the Grand River Center. “I look forward to future opportunities to partner with the City of Dubuque and local artists to enhance the experience for our guests and our community.”
Situated 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 River Room, an all-glass enclosure with a balcony overlooking the Walk along the Mississippi River.
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