$29 - vicksburg convention center · 2019-01-31 · client avb media type ad trim / flat width x...
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4 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
4611 Mortensen Road Suite 111, Ames, IA 50014 www.VenuWorks.com Ph: 515-232-5151 Fax: 515-663-2022
June 12, 2017 Good Day: It is a privilege and a pleasure to serve the City of Vicksburg in the management of the Vicksburg Convention Center. The Convention Center’s ongoing success is the result of the many dynamic community partnerships that exist to support the hospitality industry in Vicksburg. That support begins with Mayor George Flagg, and the Board of Aldermen. The dedicated partnership of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, under the leadership of Bill Seratt, is key to bringing conference and special event planners to the Center, through their ongoing Visit Vicksburg campaign and website. Our partners in the Vicksburg gaming and hospitality industry provide the fun, the food, the history and the excitement to create an experience for visitors that twinkles with the unique charm and grace of Vicksburg. There is no other place in the world like Vicksburg. Along with Executive Director, Annette Kirklin, and the dedicated VCC staff, we are proud to be part of the Vicksburg community. We are here to serve you. Steven L. Peters, VenuWorks President
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 5
Center’s Staff
ANNETTE KIRKLIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Annette has been Executive Director of the Vicksburg Convention Center (professionally managed by VenuWorks) since December 2013. She previously worked at the Vicksburg Convention Center as the Special Projects Coordinator from 2000-2006. She also served as the Executive Director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation (2008-2013). Her repertoire of experience includes 18 years of marketing, graphic design, show and convention management, event planning, communications and public relations.
Annette is a member of the Rotary Club of Vicksburg, where she is past president (2015-2016); a member of the International
Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and graduate of the IAVM Venue Management School 2-year program; serves as a Warren County Mississippi Development Authority chosen ambassador; past chairman of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau Board of Directors and now serves as an ex-offico member of the board and served on the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as ex-officio.
In 2009, Annette was named Woman of the Year by the Vicksburg Post Readers Poll. She is also a 2003 graduate of the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Vicksburg program.
Annette is married to Mike Kirklin, who is employed with the Coastal Hydraulics Lab at ERDC. They have two sons, Dustin and Blake, and are members of Christ Episcopal Church.
ELYCE CURRY SALES MANAGER
Elyce Curry has been with the Vicksburg Convention Center since June 2016 with more than 11 years experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. She previously worked at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, where she served as the Membership Recruitment and Services Coordinator. She was the Sales Manager at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn & Suites, where she earned her Director of Sales Certification from Hilton Hotels.
Curry is a member of several local organizations, such as the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg, where she serves in a board position, Vicksburg Young Professional Group and is an active member at Bovina Baptist Church. She has two children and is married to Aaron Curry, her husband of five years.
ERIN POWELL SOUTHARD EVENTS MANAGER
Erin Southard is the Events Manager for the Vicksburg Convention Center, managed by VenuWorks. She has held many positions within the organization since 2003. Prior to joining the team at the Convention Center, Erin was the Marketing Representative for Harrah’s Casino Hotel.
She is a southern belle that bleeds black and gold for her beloved alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a BA in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in English. She also attended Hinds Community College where she received an A.A. in Speech and Public Address.
Erin is a member of the International Association of Venue Managers and is a graduate of their Venue Management School at Oglebay, West Virginia. She also works with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Walk for a Cure in hopes to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and a member of Hawkins United Methodist Church, where she chairs the Children’s Programming team.
She lives in Vicksburg with her husband Ritch, daughter Emily, 5, son Richie, 4, and a four-legged baby, Happi.
DONNA GRAY BUSINESS MANAGER
Donna Gray has served as the Business Manager at the Vicksburg Convention Center since 2008. She is a graduate of the International Association of Venue Management School (IAVM) and has a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Mississippi College. She currently serves as the state representative to Region V with IAVM.
Donna is an active member of the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, where she volunteers as an ambassador. Donna and her family are members of Crossway Church, where she serves the Crossway Kids Ministry. She has two children and has been married to Dusty Gray for 20 years.
SUE BAGBY SALES COORDINATOR
Sue Bagby has worked for the Vicksburg Convention Center since 2006. She was previously employed by the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce and United Way of West Central Mississippi.
Sue is currently serving as a Board Member for the Warren County Children’s Shelter and is a member of the July 4th Committee. Sue is married to Claude Bagby Jr. and they have one child and two grandchildren.
TIM CLARK TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Timothy Clark is the Technical Director for the Vicksburg Convention Center, managed by VenuWorks. He has been with the Convention Center since 1998.
Prior to joining the VCC team he worked at Magnolia Mobile Homes. He is a Vicksburg native where he graduated from Vicksburg High School.
Tim has four children, Sherry, 22, who will be entering the Air Force this summer; TyRhonda, 16, a sophomore at Vicksburg High School, Timothy Jr. and TyNeicia, both 14, who attend Byram Middle School.
When Tim isn’t working at the VCC you can find him playing a few rounds of pool with friends and family.
6 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
MANAGEMENTJan GriffeyGeneral Manager601-636-4545 Ext. [email protected]
Tim ReevesEditor601-636-4545 Ext. [email protected]
Angela RossAdvertising Director601-636-4545 Ext. [email protected]
Linda MartinBusiness Office Manager601-636-4545 Ext. [email protected]
Roderick BellProduction Manager601-636-4545 Ext. [email protected]
NEWSROOM4Ernest Bowker, [email protected] Cowart Frazier, [email protected] O’Connor, [email protected] Surratt, [email protected] Wells, [email protected] Owens, Clerk/[email protected]
BUSINESS OFFICE4Shandale Goodman, Accounts [email protected]
ADVERTISING4Sheila Mantz, [email protected] Presley-Brown, [email protected] Purdom, [email protected]
CREATIVE SERVICES4David [email protected] [email protected]
CIRCULATION SERVICE4Stacy Hartley, [email protected] Russell, [email protected]
This publication is produced by Vicksburg Newsmeida, LLC with the cooperation and support of the Vicksburg Convention Center.
This magazine was created — just like other amazing ventures in Vicksburg — as a true partnership between the two groups to help commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Vicksburg Convention Center and help promote the center to groups and organizations throughout the country.
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 7
Staff of The Post
MISSION & IMPACT
Opened in 1997, the Vicksburg Convention Center (VCC) is a convention, trade show and multi-purpose facility owned by the City of Vicksburg and operated by VenuWorks. VenuWorks and the Vicksburg Convention Center enjoy the collaboration and expertise of one of the nation’s top public facility management companies.
VenuWorks core management philosophy is centered on events, the lifeblood of a successful public assembly facility, and that philosophy is central to our mission statement:
The VCC’s primary objective is to promote and facilitate events and activities that generate substantial economic benefits to the City of Vicksburg and Warren County. The VCC’s Mission Statement:
The Positioning Statement is “Going beyond your expectations!”The facility features 50,000 square feet of flexible exhibit and meeting space
and is located in the heart of downtown historic Vicksburg. The VCC offers first-rate amenities, top notch customer service and is dedicated to going beyond our customers’ expectations.
The VCC has proven to be an asset to the City of Vicksburg, enhancing Vicksburg’s image as a convention destination and providing an economic stimulus to the area businesses.
We estimate by September 2017, since VenuWorks has been in management and operation of the VCC, the VCC will have hosted approximately 4,002 event usage/days and 830,263 attendees. In 20 years, the many events at the VCC translates to an estimated $38,618,685 in direct spending and $65,651,765 economic impact.
It is the mission of VenuWorks and its subsidiaries to maximize the presentation
of successful events in client facilities for the cultural, recreational, educational, and
economic benefit of the communities we serve.
The Vicksburg Convention Center is committed to delivering the highest levels of customer
service and strives to go beyond the expectations of our guests and provide an experience
unsurpassed in the industry. We will provide a versatile, first class venue, reflecting the
pride and charm of the City of Vicksburg while providing economic growth to the community.
8 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
4,002EVENT DAYS SINCE VENUWORKS ASSUMED MANAGEMENT IN 1999
830,263IN OVERALL ATTENDANCE SINCE VENU-WORKS ASSUMED MANAGEMENT IN 1999
$65,651,765OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER SINCE AUGUST 1997
$38,618,685DIRECT SPENDING IN VICKSBURG SINCE THE CONVENTION CENTER SINCE AUGUST 1997
‘Going beyond your expectations’
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 9
BUILDINGLAYOUT
EXHIBIT HALL LEVEL (LOWER)417,000 square foot exhibit hall can be divided into two sections – 10,230 square feet and 6, 820 square feet by an operable sound proof wall partition4Capacity for 100 (8’ x 10’, 10’ x 10’) Exhibit booths4Over 2,200 theater style capacity (over 2,500 utilizing meeting room skyboxes)4Banquet Style Seating for 1,250430’ ceiling height – clear span – no columns4350 lbs. per foot live load capacity with utility centers on 30’ x 30’ grid (electric, phone, water, drain)4Weather-protected loading dock facilities with direct drive-on access4Overhead rigging ability
MEETING LEVEL (UPPER)48,000 + total square feet4Large meeting area (approximately 6,100 square feet) that divides into four breakout rooms with operable sound proof wall partitions4Smaller meeting area (approximately 1,600 square feet) consisting of three smaller rooms with double door divisions4One individual small meeting room (approximately 800 square feet)4Seating capacities range from 15 to 800 depending on room and choice of seating style4Ceiling heights from 12’ - 16’4State-of-the-art meeting amenities
14 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
people together. Once you get, get involved in it, you can’t get out of it.
“It is something that is in my blood,” she said. “Either you have it, or you don’t.”
Kirklin also understands the impact events and the VCC’s overall strength have on the overall Vicksburg and Warren County economy.
“There are people here and that is impor-tant,” she said of when events are going on. “When people drive by and see cars here, they know that something is going on. They know people are visiting, people are staying at the hotels and they are going to eat at our restaurants.
“And, that is all happening because of an event we helped organize.”
And it is one of those words she finds the most important, the key to the success of every event and the Vicksburg Convention Center as a whole.
“We. You will never hear I or me, but rather ‘we,’” Kirklin said. “We are success-ful because of the team we have in place, and the partnerships we have built.”
And those partnerships, that team, is focused on only one thing, and that is the overall experience customers and guests
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 15
have when visiting the Vicksburg Conven-tion Center.
“The customer service is what we feel overtakes everything else,” Kirklin said. “We have meetings before events, we have meetings during events, we have meet-ings after events. We want to make sure we are — just like our slogan says — ‘going beyond your expectations.’”
Even though improvements to some of the center’s capabilities have been made, more are planned; all aimed at further enhancing the guest experience.
In recent years, the City of Vicksburg added a large bus, giving the Center the flexibility to transport guests to and from locations and hotels around Vicksburg.
“The Board of Mayor and Alderman, they understand that it is about the guest expe-rience,” Kirklin said. “The city has been tremendously supportive of what we need, helping us remain competitive.”
In the end, though, it is the passion Kirk-lin and her team have for the job they feel called to do that separates them from others.
“You have to be passionate,” Kirklin said. “You can give what you can to everything you do if you are passionate about it.”
16 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
In 2011, the Mississippi Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, held it’s Multi-State Exchange, which consist of seven states coming together for a convention, at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
In 2017, our Eastern Star Organization elected to return to Vicksburg for a “repeat visit”.
Why? Because we had a great time in 2011 and Vicksburg made us feel so welcome. In July, 2017, our Mississippi Eastern Star Members were joined by other members from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Missouri in Vicksburg.
Our organization appreciates the staff at the Vicksburg Convention Center and their willingness to work with us in making our event such a success. We are thankful to the Vicksburg Convention Center and the City of Vicksburg for their generous hospitality.
Beth AndersonWorthy Grand Matron
Mississippi Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Everything was great! Wonderful staff, wonderful Facilities! We look forward to returning again for future conferences!
Chief John B. Pope IIIMississippi Firefighter’s Association
Your team was great, every one of them. Thanks. Keep
doing the things you are doing.
Abraham Green Jr.R.A. Temple Class of 1966 Reunion
The VCC team met every need that we had to make our
event a success. We look forward to hosting our next event at the center! Don’t mess with perfection.
Laura Beth StricklandVicksburg Tourism Rally,
Vicksburg Convention Visitors Bureau
The staff was very courteous and helpful. Our numbers were very low compared to what we usually have but everyone was great.
Brenda HoodMEMTA 2017 Educational Conference
The staff was pleasant to work with and took care of
our needs.
Jeannie W. ZierenBack Stage Pass, Mississippi Street Association
You really helped me out in emergency situations when I needed assistance. You were very professional and I appreciate all the help.
Kay ElliottOld Man River Quiltfest
Testimonials
Tell us how we exceeded your expectations
From large conventions to small events, attendees and organizers are singing the
praises of the Vicksburg Convention Center
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 17
20 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
Under the directon of Betty Palmertree, Palmertree Catering got its start 35 years ago and has served as the exclusive food and beverage partner of the Vicksburg Con-vention Center since July 2006.
“I worked for a company that had a lot of parties,” Betty said of the company’s ori-gins. “They used to want me to do them all, pull them together. I teased them one day that if I was so good at it, I should get paid for it. They started hiring me to do it.”
Barry prepares an extensive menu of items for clients including his specialty Vicksburg tomato sandwiches and Parme-san crusted chicken. Barry himself cooks every meal that is prepared, with only lim-ited help from workers hired to help with events.
No matter the offering, one thing holds true; the meals are made from scratch.
“We are not convention center food,” Barry said. “Everything we do, 95 percent of what we make, is all from raw ingredi-ents. We personally make everything by hand, all the way down to salad dressings.”
Palmertree Catering was immediately thrown into the fire once they began work-ing at the Convention Center, as their first event was the 2006 Miss Mississippi Pag-eant, where they were responsible for the concession stand and other events.
“Before we got here, we were at the BB Club,” Barry said. “We were adamant about doing 300, 400 people parties. That wasn’t a big problem for us. When you first get into a concession stand and there’s 1,500 people, it was kind of a learning curve.”
Palmertree caters around 100 events at the Convention Center annually, with many lasting multiple days with more than one meal a day. Barry said the key to the process is to make sure he is organized and that he doesn’t forget to order anything.
“I’ve been in the restaurant business my whole life, but when you miss an item for 400-500 people, you can’t just go buy that somewhere. You have to go through your distributor,” Barry said. “I do all the inven-tory, I do all the checking in of the trucks and I cook all the food. I know exactly what we need and I’m the one that breaks down the menu before and says we are going to need this amount of this and break down every item on every food and beverage they order.”
The years of experience have made Barry a pro when deciding how much it will take to prepare a meal, which sometimes has to
‘GOING BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS’ • 21
feed upwards of 1,800 people.Barry said he has been doing
it long enough that he knows how many ingredients and how much of those ingredients it will take to cook a meal for an event of varying sizes.
“There is no crystal ball,” Barry said. “Say the event wants a combination salad for 400 people. I’ve got to make sure I get enough lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, cheese and croutons.”
The work at the Convention Center keeps the Palmertrees busy throughout the year, and only on rare occasions will they cater an event elsewhere.
“Our goal is to never have to do anything outside of here,” Barry said.
Their committment to qual-ity catering, along with the VCC’s commitment to the finer details, has combined for the perfect recipe for an out-standing guest experience in Vicksburg.
We are not convention center food. Everything we do, 95 percent of what we make it is all raw ingredients. We personally hand make everything we do all the way down to salad dressings.
— Barry Palmertree“
Layouts & Specifications
22 • VICKSBURG CONVENTION CENTER
Room Reception Theatre Classroom Banquet Width Depth Ceiling Height Usable Sq. Ft.
MR 1 260 150 100 120 50'6" 42'6" 16' 2,120 MR 2 170 100 60 90 31' 42'6" 16' 1,326 MR 3 170 100 60 90 31' 42'6" 16' 1,321 MR 4 170 100 60 90 30'5" 42'6" 16' 1,296 MR 1-4 770 480 216 430 143' 42'6" 16' 6,111 MR 5 100 74 40 50 27'6" 29' 12' 785 MR 6 80 64 32 40 22' 29'6" 12' 638 MR 7 90 70 36 50 26'6" 29'6" 12' 782
Board Room -------Conference Set Up For 14----- 13'6" 17'6" 12' 239
Exhibit Hall A 900 800 272 500 62' 110' 31' 6,820 Hall B 1,400 1,350 440 750 93' 110' 31' 10,230 Hall (A+B) 2,400 2,400 712 1,250 156' 110' 31' 17,000 Entire Facility 50,000
Room capacity numbers are for general reference. They are based on maximum seating without space allowance for staging, risers and head tables.
