Senior executive Kelvin D. Moore will move from Chicago’s Navy Pier to Philadelphia in July

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SMG, the world’s leader in public facilities management, has selected a new top executive to lead the helm of its operations at the 2 million-square-foot Pennsylvania Convention Center.  SMG, which is based in West Conshohocken, Pa., has overseen the day-to-day management and operations of the Convention Center since December 2013.

SMG conducted a comprehensive nationwide search before ultimately selecting Kelvin D. Moore, CMP, to serve as the new General Manager at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Moore most recently served as regional general manager for the SMG-managed Festival Hall at Navy Pier in Chicago.  As part of its search, SMG solicited input from valued stakeholders at the facility, including regional hospitality leaders, trade union partners, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority leadership.   

“Kelvin brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on industry experience and we are thrilled to have him on board and overseeing SMG’s operations of our facility,” said Gregory J. Fox, Esq., Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.  “The Center’s Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that we are constantly working to improve how we operate so that we deliver the best customer experience. Kelvin will help to further that goal.”

SMG began management operations for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority in late 2013. In its almost five-year tenure, SMG has added hospitality industry expertise to PCC’s existing staff, streamlined services, ushered in more customer-friendly work rules, and installed new sustainability goals. PCC/SMG’s partnership also has led to a more cooperative work force, dramatically improving guest experiences while lowering customer costs.

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center is one of our signature facilities and we are pleased that one of SMG’s leading executives has agreed to oversee the day-to-day management of the building and our staff,” said Bob McClintock, Senior Vice President – Convention Centers for SMG. “Kelvin has demonstrated exceptional leadership at SMG’s key facilities and understands the importance of delivering optimal customer experiences.”

McClintock said that Moore played a critical role in SMG’s turn around performance at two other SMG managed facilities.  A 27-year industry veteran, Moore began his career in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas where he worked for Busch Entertainment Corp. Prior to his assignment at the Festival Hall Complex of Chicago’s Navy Pier, Kelvin served as SMG’s general manager at the Lynwood (WA) Convention Center and the Jackson (MS) Convention Complex. 

“Philadelphia is a great city and I understand the important role the Pennsylvania Convention Center has on the region’s economy and jobs within the hospital industry,” Moore said. “I look forward to engaging the Center’s hospitality partners across the Philadelphia region and working to attract new customers to the Convention Center and the City of Philadelphia.”

In addition to spurring the construction of new hotels and injecting new attendee spending that supports the operations of Center City restaurants and businesses, the Center also places a strong focus on community involvement and engagement.  Moore’s selection is consistent with that focus as he has been actively involved and volunteered his time in other cities with non-profits, chambers of commerce, Big Brothers - Big Sisters, arts councils, and hospitality and restaurant associations.

“Our new general manager has racked up a string of professional successes that focus on bringing good returns for customers,” said John J. McNichol, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “We look forward to introducing Kelvin to our customers, including some he has worked with in the past and others who will get to know him as a resource when they select Philadelphia for their next event.”