PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2015) - Stephanie Mays Boyd, director of sales and marketing for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, an SMG-managed facility, will receive the Apex Award from BM&T (Black Meetings & Tourism), a trade publication for her outstanding industry contributions.

Presented annually, Apex Awards are granted to leaders who provide a positive influence within the travel industry and for the African-American market. Nominees must represent a national level of prominence in the industry and have a demonstrated track record of at least two years.

A veteran leader of the hospitality industry in Philadelphia, Mays Boyd heads the team at the Convention Center with a comprehensive sales and marketing plan that has exceeded budget goals of more than $6 million for the past five years.

"Stephanie is an outstanding representative of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and SMG," said Bob McClintock, Senior Vice President / COO for SMG's Convention Center Division. "I've known Stephanie for many years. She really drives sales for our building and contributes greatly to the success of the Convention Center."

Black Meetings & Tourism was established in 1994 and offers an award-winning, bi-monthly trade publication focused on the $40 billion-plus African-American group and leisure travel, incentives and meetings markets. An African-American owned publishing company, BM&T is dedicated to serving and supporting the multi-cultural travel segment as well as providing opportunities to all businesses, service providers, and affiliates that want to reach this market.

"Stephanie's leadership is a critical contribution to the Convention Center as we attract new shows to Philadelphia such as the 106th NAACP Annual Convention this year and the Democratic National Convention in 2016," said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the Convention Center. "She is a true ambassador for our building and with our customers."

BM&T will present the Apex Award during the International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show on July 18 at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami, FL.

"It is an honor to represent industry-leader SMG on our sales and marketing efforts for the Pennsylvania Convention Center," Mays Boyd said. "(BM & T Publishers) Solomon and Gloria Herbert are great supporters of the multi-cultural market within the hospitality industry. Receiving this award from BM & T is especially nice and it is received with much respect and humility."

About the Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city's many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Now managed by SMG, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features the largest exhibit space and ballroom in the Northeastern U.S. The Convention Center will host the World Meeting of Families prior to the Papal Visit in September.  For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.

About SMG

Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 243 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Houston's NRG Park, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide. For more information, visit www.smgworld.com. 

For news media inquiries, contact:

Deirdre C. Hopkins                                                                             

Strategic Communications Manager                                        

Pennsylvania Convention Center / SMG

215-418-4754, [email protected]