New Attitude
New Attitude VOLUME 3
ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2013
Cobo Center Sees Strong Beginning of New Fiscal Year Fiscal year 2013 realized strong key gains for Cobo Center's performance metrics: • number of attendees - 1,202,229, up 6% over 2012 (industry forecast per Trade Show Executive, +3.6%) • number of exhibitors - 110,534, up 15% over 2012 (industry forecast +2.8%) • net square feet - 7.318.708, up 29% over 2012 (industry forecast 3.8%). Additionally, Cobo parking operations parked 420,000 cars in fiscal year 2013. Strong year-overyear revenue gains are anticipated in both parking and Cobo Center operating revenues as more elements of the facility’s $279 million capital improvement program come on line and additional conventions, trade shows and meetings are booked in the renovated space. With 22 major conventions and shows booked into Cobo Center so far in fiscal year 2014, the upcoming year should prove to be the strongest yet since the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) began overseeing the facility in 2009. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA, Automotive Service & Repair Week, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Academy of General Dentistry, ITS America World Congress, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Original Equipment Suppliers Association are among the 2014 shows that are new to Cobo Center. "Every Cobo Center employee contributes to our bottom line," said Thom Connors, regional vice president/general manager of SMG/Cobo Center. "Our "What's in Sight Must Be Right" customer service philosophy translates into efficient event services, production services, parking operations and all employees from each department contribute. This year every department is focusing on the "critical numbers" to meet the financial goals of the DRCFA and continue to improve our financial results."
Students Tour The New Cobo Center Eight students from the Student Event Planner Association of Macomb Community College were given a presentation on Cobo Center event services on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Cobo Event Services team, along with HR Director Scott Balutowicz and AGM Claude Monlinari presented the highlights of Cobo events and entertained a lively discussion afterward, based on the students questions. During a tour of the facility after the presentation, students were shown the construction areas, renovated areas, and the beginning of the move-in period for the 2014 North American International Auto Show, now underway.
New Attitude
December 2013
EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT DETROIT IS TRUE into a state-of-the-art meeting and convention facility is fully funded and on budget •
With over 4,500 nearby hotel rooms, more downtown hotel rooms are scheduled to come online in 2014 as a result of new hotel property development
•
Safety and security is stronger than ever in downtown Detroit with the inter-agency security network of Project Lighthouse and the private/public partnership of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
•
The construction of a new $140 million downtown light rail system will connect residents and visitors to restaurants, shopping, sporting venues, and cultural activities along a three-mile span
•
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a completely remodeled, state-of-the-art airport that handles 1,200 flights every day to and from 150 destinations on four continents
•
Downtown Detroit has a rich array of cultural attractions, professional sports teams, outdoor activities and one of the largest theater districts in the U.S. with over 13,000 seats in just a two-block radius
•
Cobo is a true two-nation destination, with the charms of Ontario, Canada just 10 minutes away by bridge or tunnel
•
In fact, many new meetings are committing to Cobo Center, and Detroit hotel occupancies are approaching record levels.
OK, it's true: Detroit filed for bankruptcy. It's true: Detroit has some serious financial challenges. But here's what else is true about Detroit... •
•
Cobo Center is a project under the oversight of a State of Michigan authority made up of representatives appointed by the Michigan Governor, Detroit City Mayor, Wayne County Executive, Oakland County Executive and Macomb County Executive The $279 million transformation of Cobo Center
What's In Sight Must Be Right Cobo Center's fiscal year 2013, 90 percent overall customer satisfaction reported on our e-autofeedback surveys is a direct result of the WISMBR effort of every Cobo employee. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Many thanks to everyone from Centerplate, engineering and production services, Derek Chandler, Becky Davenport, and our partners at TVS Communications for making the recent Cobo Advisory Committee meeting so fantastic. Our customers were certainly treated to our WISMBR policy first hand. Kudos to all. The DRCFA Art Committee has embarked on a long-term plan to beautify Cobo Center and make it a hub for the arts in Detroit as part of the transformation. Thanks especially to Maureen Devine, who was recently hired by the DRCFA to manage the artwork in Cobo Center. Cobo looks marvelous. WISMBR!
All these truths about Detroit aren't just brag. They're fact. So let people know, and be part of America's great comeback city. True, again.
ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2013
Cobo Center Sees Strong Beginning of New Fiscal Year Fiscal year 2013 realized strong key gains for Cobo Center's performance metrics: • number of attendees - 1,202,229, up 6% over 2012 (industry forecast per Trade Show Executive, +3.6%) • number of exhibitors - 110,534, up 15% over 2012 (industry forecast +2.8%) • net square feet - 7.318.708, up 29% over 2012 (industry forecast 3.8%). Additionally, Cobo parking operations parked 420,000 cars in fiscal year 2013. Strong year-overyear revenue gains are anticipated in both parking and Cobo Center operating revenues as more elements of the facility’s $279 million capital improvement program come on line and additional conventions, trade shows and meetings are booked in the renovated space. With 22 major conventions and shows booked into Cobo Center so far in fiscal year 2014, the upcoming year should prove to be the strongest yet since the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) began overseeing the facility in 2009. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA, Automotive Service & Repair Week, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Academy of General Dentistry, ITS America World Congress, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Original Equipment Suppliers Association are among the 2014 shows that are new to Cobo Center. "Every Cobo Center employee contributes to our bottom line," said Thom Connors, regional vice president/general manager of SMG/Cobo Center. "Our "What's in Sight Must Be Right" customer service philosophy translates into efficient event services, production services, parking operations and all employees from each department contribute. This year every department is focusing on the "critical numbers" to meet the financial goals of the DRCFA and continue to improve our financial results."
Students Tour The New Cobo Center Eight students from the Student Event Planner Association of Macomb Community College were given a presentation on Cobo Center event services on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Cobo Event Services team, along with HR Director Scott Balutowicz and AGM Claude Monlinari presented the highlights of Cobo events and entertained a lively discussion afterward, based on the students questions. During a tour of the facility after the presentation, students were shown the construction areas, renovated areas, and the beginning of the move-in period for the 2014 North American International Auto Show, now underway.
New Attitude
December 2013
EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT DETROIT IS TRUE into a state-of-the-art meeting and convention facility is fully funded and on budget •
With over 4,500 nearby hotel rooms, more downtown hotel rooms are scheduled to come online in 2014 as a result of new hotel property development
•
Safety and security is stronger than ever in downtown Detroit with the inter-agency security network of Project Lighthouse and the private/public partnership of the Downtown Detroit Partnership
•
The construction of a new $140 million downtown light rail system will connect residents and visitors to restaurants, shopping, sporting venues, and cultural activities along a three-mile span
•
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a completely remodeled, state-of-the-art airport that handles 1,200 flights every day to and from 150 destinations on four continents
•
Downtown Detroit has a rich array of cultural attractions, professional sports teams, outdoor activities and one of the largest theater districts in the U.S. with over 13,000 seats in just a two-block radius
•
Cobo is a true two-nation destination, with the charms of Ontario, Canada just 10 minutes away by bridge or tunnel
•
In fact, many new meetings are committing to Cobo Center, and Detroit hotel occupancies are approaching record levels.
OK, it's true: Detroit filed for bankruptcy. It's true: Detroit has some serious financial challenges. But here's what else is true about Detroit... •
•
Cobo Center is a project under the oversight of a State of Michigan authority made up of representatives appointed by the Michigan Governor, Detroit City Mayor, Wayne County Executive, Oakland County Executive and Macomb County Executive The $279 million transformation of Cobo Center
What's In Sight Must Be Right Cobo Center's fiscal year 2013, 90 percent overall customer satisfaction reported on our e-autofeedback surveys is a direct result of the WISMBR effort of every Cobo employee. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Many thanks to everyone from Centerplate, engineering and production services, Derek Chandler, Becky Davenport, and our partners at TVS Communications for making the recent Cobo Advisory Committee meeting so fantastic. Our customers were certainly treated to our WISMBR policy first hand. Kudos to all. The DRCFA Art Committee has embarked on a long-term plan to beautify Cobo Center and make it a hub for the arts in Detroit as part of the transformation. Thanks especially to Maureen Devine, who was recently hired by the DRCFA to manage the artwork in Cobo Center. Cobo looks marvelous. WISMBR!
All these truths about Detroit aren't just brag. They're fact. So let people know, and be part of America's great comeback city. True, again.
