Pennsylvania Convention Center Appoints Award-Winning Events Industry Veteran Mary Ann Torres as Director of Business Analysis
Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Convention Center today announced that it has hired award-winning events industry veteran Mary Ann Torres as its new Director of Business Analysis.
Director of Business Analysis
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Torres, who has more than 20 years of experience as an industry leader, previously served as Director of Event Services at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in which she led the event services department and was the lead event manager for pivotal citywide events including the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
As the Director of Business Analysis, Torres will be responsible for leading relationship management, cost analysis, and client retention initiatives, while collaborating closely with customers and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) sales team to ensure that the Pennsylvania Convention Center consistently continues to deliver an excellent service experience. Additionally, Torres will continue to serve in her current role as Regional Director of Event Services with venue manager Legends Global and will remain as the lead event manager for PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, RISKWORLD® 2026, and the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Village.
“Mary Ann is a core part of our team at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and has established herself to be a leading figure in the events industry,” said John J. McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA). “Her extensive expertise, passion, and commitment to the customer experience have made her a key contributor to the success of the Center, and a favorite among our clients.”
“Throughout her career, Mary Ann has developed a reputation for being a well-versed subject matter expert in the event services field,” said Tony Hodgins, regional general manager with Legends Global. “With this position, we saw an opportunity to leverage Mary Ann’s vast skillset to strengthen the overall client experience at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. We are excited to see the immeasurable contributions Mary Ann will make in her new role.”
Torres first joined the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2008 as an event manager with the PCCA, a position she held for four years. She then worked as a senior event Manager with the Washington Convention and Sports Authority, now Events DC, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In 2014, Torres returned to the Pennsylvania Convention Center under venue management company SMG, later ASM Global, and now Legends Global, as a senior event manager, and advanced in several senior leadership roles. Prior to joining the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Torres began her career as a show manager for ‘Atlantique City’ the largest indoor antiques and collectibles show and as an event manager with the Atlantic City Convention Center.
“I am thrilled to be able to use my expertise to support the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s sales efforts under the new Alliance model, while also supporting the best interests of our customers,” said Mary Ann Torres, director of business analysis. “I have always been passionate about taking a consultative approach to working with customers to ensure their experience is nothing less than exceptional, and I am grateful that in my new role, this can continue to be my primary focus.”
Torres, who is a proud United States Army veteran, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Pierce College in 2015 and her Certified Meeting Manager (CMM) designation in 2020. She is an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and has received several awards and honors for her work including the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA), formerly ACOM, 2011 Convention Services Manager of the Year; a Resolution Proclamation presented by the Philadelphia City Council in honor of being named the Convention Services Manager of the Year; the 2013 Manager of the Year, presented by Walter E. Washington Convention Center for service excellence; and the 2018 Gift of Kindness Award, presented by SMG, now Legends Global, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, for her commitment to promoting and demonstrating kindness in both her professional and personal life.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city's many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by Legends Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry.
For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.
Media Contacts:
Jude-Anne Phillip
P: 215-418-4857
Pete Peterson
P: 215-990-8928
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