SMG hires Thomas Albrecht as Director of Sales at Cobo Center

Mar 31, 2011

Detroit, MI – Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center, announced that Thomas Albrecht has joined the Cobo Center staff as the new director of sales.

Albrecht brings 25 years of sales experience in convention center, hotel and public assembly facilities with such organizations as the Detroit Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB), the Dearborn Ritz-Carlton, Shanty Creek Resorts, and most recently ConferenceDirect in New York City, a conference and meeting management firm.

“Tom has all of the experience and qualifications we were looking for in the director of sales position, and worked in sales with the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau during the last Cobo expansion, so he understands the challenges we now face,” said Connors.

As director of sales for Cobo Center, Albrecht will be responsible for maximizing the rental space and promoting the use of the Cobo Center. Additionally, he and the sales team will represent Cobo Center to clients and customers, conduct facility tours, provide information regarding facility services, prepare proposals and event contracts, and assist clients in finalizing booking arrangements.

Working with the recently formed Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) which this month unveiled its phased plan to renovate and expand the Cobo Center to one of the nation’s leading meeting exhibition venues, Albrecht provides leadership and coaching to the sales team. He works closely with the DMCVB and area hospitality partners including hotels.

About Cobo Center: With 700,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 19th largest convention center in the country.

About SMG: Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet of exhibition space. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming.

Visit www.smgworld.com for more information. 

Contact: Mary Klida, Cobo Center Detroit
313-877-8701
mklida@cobocenter.com