PHILADELPHIA, PA – SMG President and CEO Wes Westley announced today that the Charlotte County, Florida Board of County Commissioners, after a competitive bid process, selected SMG to manage their new special event and conference venue, which opened this past January.  The facility, located in the City of Punta Gorda, was re-built along with two lovely hotels – the five star Wyvern Hotel and modern chic Sheraton Four Points Hotel – and much of the downtown business district after the region was devastated by Hurricane Charley in 2004.
“All of us at SMG are extremely pleased with this decision,” stated Westley.  “SMG has had a long successful history throughout the state of Florida, and we are happy to expand our presence on the gulf coast.” 
“The gulf coast of Florida has been my family’s second home for many years.  Nothing gives me more pleasure than helping to manage and market this beautiful new facility.  My staff and I are honored by this selection,” commented SMG’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development, Gregg Caren.  “Like our new colleagues and neighbors in Charlotte County, our SMG family experienced the long-lasting effects of Charley in central Florida and, of course, Katrina, along the entire gulf coast.”
Caren added “We have already targeted some of our regional and national clients who are considering bringing events here, and look forward to working closely with the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau and the local hospitality community.”
"We are excited to begin our partnership with SMG," said Tricia Duffy, Chair of the Charlotte County Commission. "They bring a wealth of management experience and resources and will add a dimension of success to our facility."
SMG officially takes over management responsibility for the center on October 1.