October 12, 2009

Wes Westley, President and CEO of SMG, today announced the appointment of Thom Connors as the new General Manager of the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.

Scheduled to open late in 2010, the Irving Convention Center features a 50,000 sf column-free exhibit hall, a 20,000 sf grand ballroom, and 20 meeting rooms of approximately 1,000 square feet each.   Clad entirely in a natural copper, the building stands approximately 130’ high, or the equivalent of a 13-story building, with the grand ballroom on the top floor offering panoramic views of the area’s skylines.  The facility is registered for LEED certification, and incorporates a number of unique sustainability features, including the use of water from nearby Lake Carolyn for the building’s greywater needs. Designed by RMJM Hillier (Princeton, NJ), the project’s architecture has already won a Merit Award from the American Institute of Architecture – New Jersey.

“Thom has been part of the vision for this project from its first phases, nearly 10 years ago,” said Maura Gast, executive director of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “His selection as our General Manager further reinforces SMG’s commitment and belief in this new type of meeting environment.”

“As in our experience in Puerto Rico,” Connors remarked, “we again have a chance to bring to the market a project we had the privilege of working with in the conceptual and design stages. The ICC will be a prototype for future facilities in terms of scale, flexibility, design and internal service capability. It is an exciting addition to the competitive landscape and will be a unique product in the marketplace. The longer-term development goals of the City will provide ideal synergies to create a very marketable 'destination within the destination'."

Connors, a long-time industry veteran, joined SMG in 1982. Most recently, in Puerto Rico he was responsible for starting up SMG's Latin American division, which now includes facilities in Puerto Rico, Mexico and Chile, as well as catering and concessions operations in Puerto Rico. Prior to moving to Puerto Rico, Thom was Senior Vice President of SMG's Convention Center Division, following assignments as SE Regional Vice President and Director of Development of SMG Europe.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to provide the Irving Convention Center and the Irving CVB with such a knowledgeable and experienced General Manager,” said Bob McClintock, Senior Vice President, SMG Convention Centers. “We are certain that Thom will be an invaluable resource, a committed leader, and a welcome addition to the Irving community.”

SMG has a strong network of Texas facilities in place including Reliant Park, Houston; El Paso Convention Center and Theater complex; Corpus Christi arena and Convention center and the Beaumont fairgrounds at Ford Park.