ASM Global—the world’s leading
producer of entertainment experiences, venue management, and event
strategy—has named industry veteran Kelvin D. Moore as regional vice
president and general manager of McCormick Place Convention Center,
North America’s largest convention center is located in Chicago,
Illinois.
Moore’s appointment coincides with ASM Global’s ambition to define
the future of convention centers through innovative strategies. These
include technology enhancements, experiential activations and
integrations that unite business and leisure experiences. As general
manager, Moore’s focus will be on providing strategic leadership that
goes beyond day-to-day operational management—an area in which he has
excelled—to creating new programs and partnerships that differentiate
Chicago as the destination of choice for the next generation of visitors.
“Implementing innovative ideas; leaning into the reality of hybrid
events, and working with the MPEA, Choose Chicago, and McCormick Place
teams to fully optimize the overall guest experience is high on our
list of priorities,” Moore explained. “Event organizers have
evolving needs and have the ability to leverage the resources of ASM
Global while working with our customers and strategic partners to help
usher in this new era is beyond exciting. There is no better place to
lead that effort than McCormick Place.”
Moore, a 30-year facility-operations veteran, has held leadership
positions at convention centers, stadiums, and multipurpose facilities
throughout the United States, most recently as regional vice president
and general manager for ASM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Prior
to his time in Philadelphia, Moore was in Chicago as regional general
manager for the Festival Hall Complex at Navy Pier. His operational
successes, fiscal stewardship, and production expertise will all be
critical factors in his new role.
“Kelvin is an industry veteran and visionary leader with the
institutional knowledge necessary to lead one of the most important
convention centers in the world,” said Dan Hoffend, executive vice
president of convention centers for ASM Global. “His track record of
enhancing operational efficiency at various convention centers across
the country is second to none. He has big shoes to fill, but we are
confident he will pave the way for what we expect to be a new and
exciting era for McCormick Place.”
Moore succeeds David Causton who has served in the role of general
manager since 2004. During his tenure, Causton oversaw strong revenue
growth as well as the convention center campus expansion including
planning and construction of the McCormick Place West Building, which
greatly expanded the convention center’s capabilities; and the
construction of the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kelvin Moore to the McCormick Square
campus,” said Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and
Exposition Authority (MPEA), owner of McCormick Place. “McCormick
Place has rebounded from COVID, welcoming more than 2 million guests
with an economic impact of more than $1.8 billion in the past 18 months.
Our calendar ahead is robust, and it will be great to have Kelvin at the
helm. As a CEO committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the
events industry, and as MPEA’s African American CEO, I am also thrilled
that Kelvin will be the first African American general manager of
McCormick Place.”
“I’m excited to return to Chicago and reconnect with the business,
tourism and labor sectors who are critical partners in surpassing
pre-pandemic event volume and attendance levels,” said Moore.
“Working with MPEA, we have a great opportunity to think and act for
the future. The time is now.”
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment
experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and
management—delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge
technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The
company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio
of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums,
convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. Follow us
on Facebook [1], Instagram [2] Twitter [3], and LinkedIn [4]..
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About Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA): The
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority owns McCormick Place, the
largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America, the Wintrust
Arena as well as the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and the Marriot
Marquis Chicago. Together, the North, South, and West Buildings and
Lakeside Center offers 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space.
