(CelebrityAccess Media Wire) — Frank Poe, one of the industry’s most respected executives, is returning as director of the Dallas Convention Center, a position he previously held from 1991-97. For the past seven years, Poe has been CEO and executive director of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL. He begins his new position the week of December 13.
“The City of Dallas and hospitality community believe that an assessment coupled with recommendations for developing an organization that provides for a focus on the convention/tradeshow business is needed to provide a more effective platform in addressing the current and future requirements for the convention industry,” said Poe. “There was a desire of the hospitality community in Dallas that recognized that a paradigm shift was needed for Dallas to restructure its approach for selling, marketing and servicing the convention/group business.”
While at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Poe restructured the venue’s contracting process and combined the sales and marketing groups of the convention center and the Sheraton Birmingham headquarters hotel. He also oversaw a number of other significant changes, all designed to help garner more business for a secondary location facility.
In his return to Dallas, Poe hopes that the Dallas Convention Center and the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau staffs will be combined. A convention center hotel is also part of the mix.
“This is an opportunity to be a part of a program and team that will develop a major convention hotel at the convention center coupled with improved meeting space, ballrooms and access to the current exhibition areas,” said Poe. “There will also be both developed and improved pedestrian access to Reunion Arena, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the city’s entertainment and restaurant areas.” — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
