The City of North Charleston in South Carolina has reached a long-term agreement with SMG for the destination’s main event, entertainment and meeting facilities. The contract, reached in September, means that SMG will continue to provide day-to-day operational services to the North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center—the venues make up the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, considered the largest, multi-purpose, multi-venue complex under one roof in the Southeast.
"The City of North Charleston is fortunate to have such world class facilities as the North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center," said Keith Summey, Mayor of the City of North Charleston. "Our partnership with SMG has been critical in their continued success."
The Charleston Area Convention Center Complex has been a major event and meeting destination since the 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum opened in 1993. The Coliseum, home ice to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, has hosted thousands of events, including performances by Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Mary J. Blige and Kenny Chesney.
The more-intimate, 2,300 seat North Charleston Performing Arts Center, is a proscenium theater attached to the Charleston Area Convention Center and the North Charleston Coliseum. The PAC opened in 1999 with a famous concert by Harry Connick, Jr. The theater hosts an annual Broadway series, community events and concerts. Performers who have appeared on this stage include James Taylor, Crosby Stills & Nash, and the late George Carlin. The Convention Center, which also opened in 1999, features more than 135,000 feet of exhibit space, 25,000 feet of ballroom space, 20 meeting rooms and spacious pre- function and registration areas. Covered walkways connect the venues to the 250 room Embassy Suites.
SMG took over management of the complex in 2001, with a contract that runs through 2011, the new contract extends to 2021. ‘We are proud of the relationship we have built with the city of North Charleston and look forward to strengthening that relationship and building on our success during the next ten years," said Wes Westley, President and CEO of SMG. |