The National
Trade Centre at Exhibition Place, Toronto’s newest one million
square foot state-of-the-art Trade Show Facility has successfully
exceeded its sales expectations for 1997, creating economic benefit
and spin-off business for The City of Toronto. Under the management
of O&Y/SMG Canada, the facility has generated more than $1.6
million in new rental business and has increased gross revenues
to over $11.3 million for 1998.
John Sellers, General Manager of The National Trade Centre believes
the future looks bright. “The National Trade Centre has been
well received within the Canadian market. Existing shows have grown
by an average of 10% and new shows from the Canadian market are
discovering that the facility can offer them the space and technology
to do just about anything,” Sellers said. “The focus
for future bookings is to target the international market and bring
business to Toronto”.
The facility was declared Open For Business when it was launched
on April 3rd, 1997 with a multi-media opening event which intrigued
interest from the business community. Nine (9) months of operation
produced thirty-eight (38) existing client renewals with a 10% expansion.
New to the Toronto market brought twenty-four (24) new events which
occurred in 1997 and thirteen (13) new secured bookings for 1998
and 1999. Included in the roster of new business to the National
Trade Centre during 1999 will be the largest machine tool show in
North America and the return of The National Home Show, the largest
in North America and second largest in the World.
The National Trade Centre is owned by The City of Toronto and managed
by O&Y/SMG Canada, a partnership between O&Y Properties
Inc. of Toronto and SMG of Philadelphia offering facility management
services to convention and trade centres across Canada. O&Y
Properties Inc. is a publicly held owner (4.1 million square feet)
and manager (25 million square feet) of commercial space across
Canada. SMG is the leader in the United States in the management
of public facilities operating a total of 64 convention and trade
centres, arenas, stadiums and theatres. |
