SMG Ventures South of Border
By Rachelle Crum -- Tradeshow Week, 8/29/2005
Philadelphia-based venue management firm SMG, in a joint venture with E.J. Krause & Associates, announced Aug. 16 that it will manage Mexico City's World Trade Center Intl. Exhibition & Convention Center.
The move marks SMG's first contract south of the border. E.J. Krause, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., was one of the first show organizers to venture into Mexico in 1991 with its E.J. Krause de Mexico operation.
SMG will handle the day-to-day operations of the center, which offers 138,000 square feet of exhibit space. EJK will assist SMG in establishing a Mexican base of operation.
"EJK has been a catalyst for a number of prominent show organizers making forays into Mexico in the past," said Gregg Caren, SMG vice president of operations and business development. "Our combined resources and relationships will help eliminate perceived barriers to entry for tradeshows of all sizes and genres."
Paul St. Amour, EJK de Mexico director general, added, "We can give them the benefit of our experience on the Mexican market and culture, as well as dealing with local laws, labor and tax issues."
Mexico City real estate developer Grupo HIR in July purchased the 10-year-old WTC from Bancomext. EJK CEO Edward J. Krause III said Grupo HIR turned to his firm for a recommendation on how to manage the venue and "SMG immediately came to mind."
SMG currently operates 52 exhibition venues in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The company reported it is exploring other opportunities in Latin America, as well as in Europe and Asia.
