N e w A t t i t u d eD E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8V O L U M E 1 2 I S S U E 3

Cobo Center announces promotions and new hiresCongratulations to several SMG employees of Cobo Center who were recently promoted:

- Kendra Cook from Event Manager to Senior Event

Manager

- Lisa Hennessey from Event Manager to Senior Event

Manager

- Lily Begin from Intern to Event Manager

- Tamika Walker from Security Supervisor to Labor Services

Assistant Manager

Their consistent good work and constant improvement are truly appreciated.

Welcome aboard to Cobo Center's newest employee, Demetric Dobbins, Housekeeping Supervisor.

We are counting on all of you to provide the strength necessary to realize the Cobo Center mission:

delivering outstanding event experiences. The future is bright!

DRCFA extends SMG contract to operate Cobo Center through 2022During a Nov. 15th board meeting, the Detroit

Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA)

voted to exercise the first, three-year option

to renew the SMG contract to manage facility

operations of Cobo Center through 2022.

On Oct. 1, 2010, the DRCFA entered into a three-

year management agreement with SMG that

included three, three-year options to renew at

the discretion of the board. The contract was

first extended in 2013 and later in 2016. SMG is in the final year of the second three-year extension.

"Our partnership with SMG has been extremely beneficial to Cobo Center and the Metro Detroit

Region," said Larry Alexander, chairman of the DRCFA. "This is now a world class facility and we will

continue to improve in the future."

SMG was sited for significant achievements including a 335 percent increase in operating revenue

with a simultaneous operating expense increase of only 11 percent, greatly improved building main-

tenance and efficiency, retention of existing business, recapture of lost business and forging new

customer relations, and the substantial turn around of the reputation of Cobo Center in the event

industry.

Downtown Detroit residents and Cobo Center visitors have

enjoyed a year long series of digital art on the 4,8000 square-

foot marquee digital sign on the front of the facility facing

Washington Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.

“The Big Screen: Cobo Center Marquee Series” was part of

a new ambitious public art initiative launched by the Detroit

Regional Convention Facility Authority and the DRCFA Art

Foundation. The series was made possible by a grant from the

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight

Arts Challenge. Different artists every month had the opportu-

nity to have his or her work displayed.

“We’re thrilled by the array of art and creativity that the video

series is contributing to Detroit,’’ said Lisa Canada, vice chair

DRCFA and chair of the Cobo Art Committee. “Each month’s

featured artist has helped to broaden the way our visitors see

and engage with Cobo Center and the city.’’

Alivia Zivich is the curatorial consultant for the series. Zivich

has exhibited her work in Detroit, Los Angeles, Rotterdam,

Vienna, Tokyo, and London. Since 2012, Zivich has acted as

curatorial & production manager of DLECTRICITY™, Detroit’s art

and light festival. In 2013, Zivich co-founded What Pipeline,

an artist-run gallery in Southwest Detroit. Her recent exhibi-

tions include a solo show at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Detroit (MOCAD) and group shows at Carl Louie, Ontario, and

Mini Goethe Institute, NYC.

A closing reception in Cobo Center's City View Lounge was

held November 29 to honor the featured artists: Dennis

Summers; Cooper Holoweski; Marte Eknaes and Michael

Amstad; Akosua Adoma Owusu; Cassie McQuater; Susan

Goethel Campbell; Jessie Stead; Analisa Teachworth; Jeremy

Couillard; Christopher Corey Allen; Tylonn Sawyer; and

Anthony Marcellini. Congratulations to all for this successful

initiative.

DRCFA DIGITAL ART SERIES ENDS

What's In Sight Must Be Right

Thanks to the Green Committee members who have been out-

standing in supporting the event community donation program.

Carey Zeiter, Frank Chryczyk, Lisa Hennessy, Jackie Zeiter, Clare

Else, Jenna Grabowski, Kristin Shaw, and Spencer O’Neal have

found, sorted, contacted organizations, and most importantly

moved these materials to keep them out of the waste stream.

Again, thanks to all of you!

Kudos to the Production Services team that worked tirelessly

during the week of Nov. 4- 10, setting up, tearing down and

setting up room-sets again for the multiple events in the

building. This team went above and beyond to make sure the

customers' needs were met and what's in sight was right!

Great work!

N e w A t t i t u d e D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 8