Pennsylvania Convention Authority renews ASM Global management contract

The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) board of directors has approved a five-year contract renewal for ASM Global as its venue-management company with the convention centre poised as the launch location for a series of innovations in ASM Global’s convention and conference portfolio — the largest in North America and worldwide. The new agreement will commence on 1 December, 2023, and run through until 30 November, 2028. The Pennsylvania Convention Center will be the first in line for a new ASM Global programme creating unique environments such as immersive LED moments, speed-action offerings to accelerate business strategies, elevated VIP lounges and quiet spaces for business connectivity. David A. Nasatir, chair of the board, PCCA, said:“For 10 years, ASM Global has been a valued collaborator and, because of their outstanding contributions, has elevated the Pennsylvania Convention Center to world-class status.” In 2013 the PCCA first made the decision to privatise management of the centre with an initial contract being awarded to SMG, which was subsequently rebranded to ASM Global following the 2019 merger of AEG Facilities and SMG. The merger created a venue management powerhouse that spans 14 countries and more than 350 arenas, stadiums, theatres and convention centres. Under the management of ASM Global, the PCC has implemented several industry-changing initiatives such as the 2014 execution of the Customer Satisfaction Agreement, a document that guides the relationship between the centre and the labour unions that work at the facility with the goal of providing a more productive, customer-centric and cost-effective worksite for guests, and the ASM Global Acts programme, under which the centre has executed a robust sustainability and social impact plan. Dan Hoffend, ASM Global executive vice president, convention centres, said, “We’re excited to begin the next chapter for the convention universe beginning with the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This includes sustainability features that create substantial movement toward carbon neutral; new Flex-space exhibit halls that can adapt to the needs of our diverse attendees; and LED walls that provide sponsorship, wayfinding and entertainment. “We’re bringing our proven best features from our stadiums and arenas directly to our convention centres to create a premium line of facilities like no other in the industry. Our attendees require entertainment as a part of their business paradigm. We are changing the industry by creating a unique environment for all of our guests.”