Tuesday, April 26, 2011

SMG Named Private Manager of McCormick Place Complex in Chicago, Illinois

The Metropolitan Pier and Exhibition Authority (MPEA) has selected SMG, the global leader in convention, arena and stadium management, as private manager of its McCormick Place Complex. The complex includes 9 million square feet in six buildings and is the nation's largest convention center.

"We are proud to have been selected and look forward to working with the Authority to forward their reform agenda," explained Wes Westley, SMG president and chief executive officer. "SMG has both the experience and success to enhance Chicago's draw as a world-class convention destination."

SMG was chosen following a highly competitive bid process for its focus on cost reductions and customer experience enhancements. The company reiterated its large market experience, industry relationships, CVB partnerships and labor relations expertise as hallmarks of its approach to McCormick Place.

Also announced today was the re-appointment of David Causton as General Manager of the facility. "David is an industry leader who has successfully led the most recent efforts to enhance the customer experience at McCormick Place. We are thrilled to have him as part of the SMG team and know that the continuity he will provide will ensure a seamless transition to private management," noted Westley.

SMG is responsible for the management and marketing of more than 220 public assembly facilities worldwide. The company has built a specialized Convention Center Division, including 67 convention and exhibition centers. SMG's seasoned executive team works actively with municipalities, convention bureaus and hospitality partners in offering first class service and fully integrated management and marketing systems. At 2.6 million square feet of prime exhibit space, McCormick Place is the nation's largest convention facility.

"Chicago is one of the nation's most attractive trade show markets because of its size, space, location and the recent reforms put in place," said Gregg Caren, senior vice president of strategic business development. "Having the expertise to manage the facility is critical but understanding how to enhance the customer experience through relationships and industry partnerships is where SMG differentiates itself."

About SMG
Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.2 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston's Reliant Park and the Louisiana Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide. For more information visit http://www.smgworld.com/.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

East Meets West Gospel Showcase (CANCELED)

*** The event is canceled. Purchased tickets may be refunded at the point of purchase.

Friday, May 13th

7:30 PM- 9:30 PM: Showcase & Competition ($15 & $30, + $2 the day-of-show)
10 PM- midnight: After Glow Party ($10)

Saturday, May 14th
10 AM- 12 PM: Southern Gospel Jazz Brunch with special guest, Shekinah Glory ($20)
12:30 PM- 3 PM: Showcase & Competition ($15 & $30, + $2 the day-of-show)
6 PM- 9 PM: Grand Jazz of West Michigan ($10)

-VIP Weekend Package ($75)

East Meets West Gospel Showcase and Competition
Special performances and Celebrity Judges include:


  • Shekinah Glory from the first ever two-time Gold Recording Gospel Choir.

  • Twinkie Clark of the Legendary Clark Sisters

  • Neechy from The Word Network TV Show, Neechy is Rockin Featured in Sister to Sister Magazine

  • Ryan Rutley, President of the Psalms Group Recording Label- Detroit Michigan with distribution through Universal Records.

  • Laurelle from JQ 99.3

  • Affinity`and The Issac

East Meets West Southern Gospel Jazz Brunch
Begin the last day of the Inaugural East Meets West Gospel Showcase and Competition with a brunch to sing for! Featuring a Special Performance by Shekinah Glory Ministries, the fun only begins here!

Grand Jazz of West Michigan
A true Jazz-lover's concert event! Six local jazz artists from West Michigan will showcase their awesome talent at 'Grand Jazz of West Michigan'. The three-hour event will allow us to showcase the Jazz culture, music and other musical organizations from our city to all West Michigan music lovers. Jazz up your night with a little music and dancing while supporting local artists! This is an event you don't want to miss...

East Meets West After Glow Party

Finish a great first night of Michigan's finest Gospel at the official East Meets West After Glow Party inside Van Andel Arena's Fifth Third Bank Vault. Put the cherry on top of your night while listening to a live Jazz set and hang out with many of the evenings' attendees.

*Dates, times, & prices subject to change.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present BARNUM 200

Ladies and Gentlemen…Children Of All Ages… The Greatest Show On Earth just got Greater with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents BARNUM 200. Featuring 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids, BARNUM 200 is a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it!

This monumental, once in a lifetime event celebrates The Biggest Birthday Bash in Circus History that can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth, Barnum’s living legacy!
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson invites the audience to leap aboard the Ringling Bros. Express and go on a family FUNtastic adventure to meet exotic characters and witness thrilling performances that attempt to answer “What special wonders create The Greatest Show On Earth?”

Step right up and see the Flying Caceres attempt to complete the elusive quadruple somersault on the flying trapeze; a feat that hasn’t been mastered in over three decades. Watch the Puyang Troupe from China dazzle with a stunning display of dexterity as they bounce, flip, and twirl to new heights on a two tiered trampoline. Be amazed as you witness the impossible contortions of the body benders who fit three humans in a cube the size of a milk crate. Enjoy the wondrous ability of the Mighty Metal, the strongest man in the world as he lifts over 1,200 pounds. And savor the stupendous skills of the hand balancers featuring Duo Fusion, a married pair of performers with a twist; the wife does the heavy lifting.

The thrills continue as you cast your eyes above at the Sky High Ice Gliders who take the high wire to new extremes and in new directions, from horizontal to nearly vertical, combining intricate acrobatic skills and extreme agility as they execute flips, perform splits, and even walk while balancing their partners on their head. Rev up the energy as the Torres Family blast around inside a 16-foot diameter steel globe with seven motorcycles at speeds up to 65-miles an hour with only inches to spare between them in The Spherical Miracle.

In addition to treasured Asian elephants, the most of any circus in North America, BARNUM 200 features a dazzling array of exotic animals you cannot see together anywhere else including horses, ponies, llamas, Pygmy and Nubian goats, tigers and even a rare Watusi.
So get your ticket today and hop on board the Ringling Bros. Express at BARNUM 200 for an un-miss-able, colossal, historic extravaganza.

Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM

Ticket Pricing:

Circus Celebrity: $68
Front Row: $41
VIP: $30
$25
$20
$15
Opening Night Special: $12 for all seating excluding the top 3 ticket prices.

Scouts save for the Friday at 7:00 PM Performance!
Contact groupsales@smggr.com or call 616-742-6185 for additional details.
Discount expires: Sept. 8, 2011.

Groups of 10 or more save $4 per ticket on the Friday at 7:00 PM performance as well as the Saturday at 11 AM & 7:00 PM performances for the $30, $25, $20, & $15 tickets!
Contact groupsales@smggr.com or call 616-742-6185.
Discount expires: Sept. 8, 2011.


Tickets go on sale April 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Tickets may be purchased at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, all ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Iconic Mötley Crüe back on the Road Headlining Summer Tour

Legendary glam-rock band Mötley Crüe is headlining their summer tour with support from fellow legendary bands Poison and special guests New York Dolls—all of whom will be celebrating particular anniversaries. The tour sets stage in Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, August 3 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 15th at 10 AM and will be available through ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000. Ticket prices are $35, $55, and $99.50.

Rising to international fame in the early eighties, Mötley Crüe struck a chord with fans worldwide almost immediately. Orchestrating a mixture of heavy metal and glam rock stylings of the time, the iconic band has produced several best-selling albums with sales reaching 80 million worldwide.

Starting with their debut album, 1981’s “Too Fast For Love,” Mötley Crüe produced a string of hit albums throughout the eighties including “Shout at the Devil” (1983), “Theater of Pain” (1985), “Girls, Girls, Girls (1987) and “Dr. Feelgood” (1989). Known for their backstage antics and outrageous clothing, hair, and make-up, Mötley Crüe’s fantastic following has transcended time due in part because of their love of the road—performing in over 30 different tours across the globe. Now, they come back to Grand Rapids to help celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Fellow eighties metal band Poison joins the tour on the heels of their 25th Anniversary release, “Double Dose of Poison: Ultimate Hits.” The two-CD collection will feature 35 of the multi-platinum band’s top hits. But perhaps it is special guest, New York Dolls, who is the most seasoned band on the tour. Forming in 1971, the New York Dolls offered a prelude of what would be the punk-rock era’s Ramones and Blondie with the visual appeal that glam rock bands like Mötley Crüe and Poison would later emulate. With hits going back to 1973, the New York Dolls will be performing in promotion of their latest release, 2011’s “Dancing Backward In High Heels.”