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 SMG has now secured the future management of both meetings and entertainment/sports in Worcester, Massachusetts. SMG has extended its contract to manage the DCU Center Convention Center through August 31, 2012. SMG was already contracted to manage the Arena portion of the DCU Center through June 30, 2012. SMG has been the management for the two DCU Center venues since both opened—the DCU Center Arena in September 1982 and the DCU Center Convention Center in September 1997.

"SMG and the City of Worcester have enjoyed a long and very successful partnership," said Wes Westley, President & CEO of SMG. "We consider the DCU Center to be one of our flagship facilities."

The Civic Center Commission, a five member board which oversees SMG’s management contract with the DCU Center, voted unanimously for the contract renewal. "The DCU Center is one of the City’s premier assets thanks to SMG’s oversight," said Michael V. O’Brien, Worcester City Manager. "This extension maintains the same incentive-based structure which has existed since the Convention Center opened in 1997. While it updates the fees consistent with consumer price indexes, it keeps in place a successful management team that has proven themselves time and time again."

In its first 10 years, the DCU Center Convention Center has welcomed more than 2 million visitors and hosted more than 2,500 events, which include a wide range of business, trade, and community shows, such as the State Conventions of both the Democratic and Republican parties, The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, MassHOPE Christian Homeschool Convention, Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo, New England Business Expo, Worcester Fall and Spring Home Shows , and the Central Massachusetts Flower Show.

"Worcester has been transformed into a wonderful convention and trade show destination," declared Sandy Dunn, General Manager of the DCU Center. "We’ve seen the opening of new hotels, a 1,000 car parking garage, increased commuter rail, and, this year, the funding of ‘Destination Worcester’ – the City’s primary sales force for meeting, convention and sporting events. The City is committed to growing this marketplace."

Located in the heart of Downtown Worcester, the DCU Center Convention Center features more than 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, 11 meeting rooms, and a 12,144-square-foot ballroom. An additional headquarters hotel for the facility, the Hilton Garden Inn, opened in October 2006 doubling the number of rooms previously available in the facility’s other headquarters hotel, the Crowne Plaza.

The multi-purpose DCU Center also includes the 14,802-seat DCU Center Arena, which has hosted such artists as Neil Diamond, Billy Joel,  Bruce Springsteen, and Hilary Duff as well as Sesame Street Live, Disney On Ice,  Harlem Globetrotters and The Wiggles. In addition, the facility is home to the Worcester Sharks, the American Hockey League franchise, and the New England Surge of the Continental Indoor Football League.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of the growth of this city and will do all in our power to contribute to the ongoing success of the facility," added Westley.