-Long-time SMG Employee Ideal Choice-

SALT LAKE CITY, April 2012—SMG, manager of Salt Lake’s Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center and South Towne Exposition Center, recently announced the appointment of Daniel Hayes to the position of General Manager of both its Salt Lake facilities. A 12-year employee of SMG, Hayes most recently held the position of Facility Director/Assistant GM, ideally suiting him to fill the position recently vacated by long-term Salt Palace GM Allyson Jackson, who is now overseeing SMG’s Jekyll Island Convention Center in Georgia.

“The success of our convention center has been impressive, and will undoubtedly continue to be so with the appointment of Dan Hayes as GM,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. “His selection by SMG has allowed for a seamless transition benefiting all parties involved, not the least of which are our incoming meetings and conventions."

In addition to his most recent responsibilities as Facility Director/Assistant GM, Hayes has also held the positions of Executive Director of Convention Sales for SMG Corporate, Director of Sales & Marketing, Director of Event Management and Sales Manager during his 12-year tenure with SMG. This breadth of experience will undoubtedly serve him well in his new role.

“I’m excited for this new opportunity, and I look forward to taking our Salt Lake facilities to the next level, with the focus on hospitality,” commented Hayes. “We cannot forget the business we’re in is just that: hospitality. Yes, we manage facilities, but our industry is that of welcoming individuals and ensuring their experience here is a positive one.”

"As the destination marketing organization responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake, we're thrilled with Dan's selection as GM," commented Scott Beck, president & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. "In addition to his enthusiasm for both his job and the Salt Lake community, Dan will bring a hospitality focus to the Salt Palace and South Towne Expo Center, both vital components to our community's overall success."

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Visit Salt Lake’s mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com.

SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development, was founded in 1977 with the management of its first facility, the Louisiana Superdome. SMG soon grew to manage convention centers, exhibition halls and trade centers, arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, theaters and specific-use venues such as equestrian centers. SMG's clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and its unparalleled expertise, leadership and creative problem-solving. Its successful growth has been built on the many partnerships, relationships and resources it has developed with clients — both municipal and private. This unique combination of resources, relationships and expertise has allowed SMG to define and refine the industry throughout its history. SMG's ownership and team of dedicated corporate support personnel make it unrivalled in the field of private facility management.

- www.VisitSaltLake.com -

Shawn Stinson, Director of Communications
801-534-4913 / sstinson@visitsaltlake.com