Las Cruces Convention Center

Global Spectrum Names David Hicks General Manager of New Las Cruces Convention Center

LAS CRUCES, NM - August 6, 2009 - Global Spectrum, operators of the soon-to-open Las Cruces Center, today named David Hicks as the first General Manager of the 55,000-sq. ft. Convention Center. He will begin on Monday, August 10, 2009. Global Spectrum, which manages more than 80 public assembly facilities throughout North America, is a subsidiary of the internationally recognized sports and entertainment leader, Comcast-Spectacor.

Hicks, a veteran of the convention center sales and marketing industry, was most recently Director of Sales and Marketing at the Global Spectrum- managed Century Center. In his new role, Hicks will oversee the day-to-day operations of the new Las Cruces Convention Center, including hiring and training of a full and part-time staff, all financial aspects of the facility, and scheduling, booking, and marketing of the events.

"David is an incredibly talented marketer, salesman and team leader and will become a driving force in the Las Cruces community," said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. "Based on the successes that he has had in his previous role, combined with his high level of enthusiasm, David will make the Las Cruces Center a fun, enjoyable center for the entire region."

"We are anxious to begin the process of promoting and marketing the convention center to the professional meetings market," said Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ken Mompellier. "We think David is the right man for the job and are excited to have him on board to lead this effort."

Hicks joined Global Spectrum when the company began managing the Century Center in 2007. Hicks had been an employee of the City of South Bend prior to Global Spectrum's arrival. He is a 2005 graduate of the International Association of Assembly Manager's (IAAM) Public Assembly Facility Management at Oglebay School and received International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE) Certified Exhibition Manager (CEM) certification.

City unveils convention center logo

LAS CRUCES, NM – The City of Las Cruces has unveiled a new logo that will be used to promote the soon to be built Las Cruces Convention Center.

The logo, based on a concept designed by the Convention & Visitors Bureau and approved by City Council, features the Organ Mountains back dropped against desert landscape and a bank of mountain foothills with the words “Las Cruces Convention Center” in the foreground. The sun from the City’s logo rises above the mountains in a bright clear blue sky.

“The idea was to give people a sense of Las Cruces’ natural beauty,” said Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ken Mompellier. “The Organs are the city’s most famous natural icon, and for many that is what they think of when they hear Las Cruces. We also wanted to emphasis the fact that Las Cruces is a year-round destination with sunshine almost everyday.”

The logo was designed by Leesa Mandlman of Fine Line Graphic Design in Las Cruces and will be used on collateral material, websites and promotional items produced to promote the new facility which is set to breakground on June 29.

Alternate versions of the logo were created to fit a variety of sizes and formats.

For more information, call the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150, or media@lascrucescvb.org

2011 and 2014 New Mexico High School Coaches Association annual conventions to be held at the Las Cruces Convention Center
Convention is the first to be booked for the Convention Center

LAS CRUCES, NM – The Las Cruces Convention Center has secured the facilities first convention. 

Working together, the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Global Spectrum, the facilities management company, secured the New Mexico High School Coaches Association’s (NMHSCA) Annual Convention for 2011 and 2014.

The NMHSCA Annual Convention brings together over 350 high school coaches from across New Mexico and from all sports including: football, baseball, soccer, cross country, and wrestling. The group of coaches will spend Tuesday through Friday in Las Cruces in sessions that discuss rules and regulations on how to become a better coach. The highlight of the conventions will be the All-Star Basketball and Football games played on Thursday and Friday respectively.

“We were very excited to partner with the CVB to book this group.” said David Hicks, General Manager of the Las Cruces Convention Center. “The CVB sales team has done an excellent job of developing a relationship with the meeting planner and bringing this group to table for discussions.”

The dates for the conventions booked are for July 26-29, 20011 and July 22-25, 2014. For the Las Cruces economy this means there will be over 350 additional people in the community occupying nearly 700 hotel room nights with a direct spending impact of an estimated $125,000.

“This is a great convention for both Las Cruces and the Convention Center. It will allow our community the opportunity to showcase the great things you can expect with you choose to hold your meeting or convention in Las Cruces,” said CVB Executive Director Ken Mompellier. “We are also excited to be a part of the center’s first booking and look forward to many more with our facility partner Global Spectrum.”

For more information contact David Hicks, General Manager Las Cruces Convention Center at (575) 541-2494 or david@meetinlascruces.com.

The Las Cruces Convention Center will have a building foot print of 55,000 square feet with just over 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The facility will feature a 14,500 square foot exhibition hall, 8,900 square foot ballroom, and 6 break-out rooms totaling over 2,800 square feet. Additionally, there will be over 5,000 square feet of outdoor event space and 6,000 square feet of indoor pre-function space. The convention center will be located at 690 E. University Avenue, adjacent to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
 

Las Cruces Convention Center secures Beta Sigma Phi convention for 2011

LAS CRUCES, NM – The Las Cruces Convention Center has secured another convention group for the soon-to-be convention facility.

Working together, Global Spectrum - operators of the center - and the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau, secured the 2011 Beta Sigma Phi New Mexico State Convention to be held June 3-5, 2011.

“The Beta Sigma Phi group will be a great group to have visit Las Cruces,” said David Hicks, Global Spectrum’s General Manager of the Las Cruces Convention Center. “This group is interested in being immersed in the natural beauty, history and cultural activities that can only be experienced in Southern New Mexico.”

Beta Sigma Phi will bring 400 delegates from New Mexico and surrounding states to Las Cruces for the three day convention. The group will be not only meeting at the Las Cruces Convention Center, but have carved out time during their visit to Las Cruces to see the sights, shop, and be entertained by the great venues the city has to offer.

This type of group is great for the local economy,” said Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ken Mompellier. “We can expect over 400 hotel room nights and a direct spending impact of nearly $60,000 into the community.”

Beta Sigma Phi was formed in 1931 during the Great Depression and brought women together exposing them to a social, cultural and educational climate that was not available during those difficult times. The sorority offered much needed friendship and support from other women. Beta Sigma Phi is unlike a college sorority having members of all ages and educational backgrounds. Their sisterhood constantly redefines itself through the diversity and vitality of its members who share their ideas, talents and enthusiasm.

The New Mexico Chapter’s members enjoy social gatherings that range from informal events to galas to community service events. Members are provided opportunities to contribute to their local communities, develop lifelong friendships, and polish leadership skills.

The 55,000 square-foot Las Cruces Convention Center is set to open near the end of 2010. It will feature just over 30,000 square feet of meeting space with a 14,500 square foot exhibition hall, 8,900 square foot ballroom, and six break-out rooms totaling over 2,800 square feet. Additionally, there will be over 5,000 square feet of outdoor event space and 6,000 square feet of indoor pre-function space. The convention center will be located on approximately 10 acres of land located at 680 East University Avenue, at the corner of University Avenue and El Paseo Road adjacent to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The center will be managed by Global Spectrum, the fastest growing venue management firm in the world with more than 80 facilities throughout the United States and Canada including the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM and the Clovis Civic Center in Clovis, NM. 

For more information, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150, or media@lascrucescvb.org