Thom Connors's guest appearances

Thom Connors

PureReinvention Podcast

Melissa Butler

Erik Larson

Mark Wallace

Eric Thomas

Noah Smith

Josh Linkner

Gerry Roston

Phil Knight

Carrie Ramirez

Danielle Smith

Kevin Shaw

Kris Smith

Jim Knight

Julie Owens

Sean Mann

OwlTail

Even the most set-in-stone edifices can be reinvented. Just ask Thom Connors, Regional Vice President and General Manager SMG/Cobo Center. Thom sat down with Mike Bills to talk about Cobo Center’s five-year renovation project. Thom shares really interesting details about the catalyst for change, some roadblocks along the way (like not getting a ballroom on the roof!) and how Cobo Center connects visitors and residents in a cool way. QUOTE IT “We just can’t replace what we have with the same thing.” (9:27) “The transformation of Cobo mirrors the transformation of the City of Detroit.” (11:35) “You will be successful when you have the right mix, mesh and mass of activity.” (22:03) DIG IN At 7:25 Thom talks about the major disruption that forced political leaders of the time to seek sustainable change for Cobo Center and how the plan was set in motion. Mike asks Thom around the 15:20 mark to describe how ASAE 2015 participants can see and experience Cobo’s reinvention while they are attending the Annual Meeting.     Take Aways   1 - This is the second reinvention of the Cobo Center.  The first one was in post World War 2.  It was one of the first convention centers in the US and opened as Cobo Hall in 1960.   2 - Cobo Center is now run by a regional authority which is connecting state and regional governments as a unified governing body to run the center.   3 - This regional authority appointed SMG, a facility management company, to run Cobo Center and turn around the balance sheet.  By 2025 they plan to break even as opposed to a 20 million annual deficit they encountered when they took over.   4 -  Cobo Center has served as a major connector to downtown businesses.     5 - The new Cobo Center has been remodeled using an “adaptive reuse” strategy.  They used what they had within the facility and updated it with new technology and a modern ballroom to meet changing needs.   6 -  The new 120’ by 30’ video board will help connect activities in the Center to the surrounding area.

Even the most set-in-stone edifices can be reinvented. Just ask Thom Connors, Regional Vice President and General Manager SMG/Cobo Center. Thom sat down with Mike Bills to talk about Cobo Center’s five-year renovation project. Thom shares really interesting details about the catalyst for change, some roadblocks along the way (like not getting a ballroom on the roof!) and how Cobo Center connects visitors and residents in a cool way. QUOTE IT “We just can’t replace what we have with the same thing.” (9:27) “The transformation of Cobo mirrors the transformation of the City of Detroit.” (11:35) “You will be successful when you have the right mix, mesh and mass of activity.” (22:03) DIG IN At 7:25 Thom talks about the major disruption that forced political leaders of the time to seek sustainable change for Cobo Center and how the plan was set in motion. Mike asks Thom around the 15:20 mark to describe how ASAE 2015 participants can see and experience Cobo’s reinvention while they are attending the Annual Meeting. Take Aways 1 - This is the second reinvention of the Cobo Center.  The first one was in post World War 2.  It was one of the first convention centers in the US and opened as Cobo Hall in 1960. 2 - Cobo Center is now run by a regional authority which is connecting state and regional governments as a unified governing body to run the center. 3 - This regional authority appointed SMG, a facility management company, to run Cobo Center and turn around the balance sheet.  By 2025 they plan to break even as opposed to a 20 million annual deficit they encountered when they took over. 4 -  Cobo Center has served as a major connector to downtown businesses.   5 - The new Cobo Center has been remodeled using an “adaptive reuse” strategy.  They used what they had within the facility and updated it with new technology and a modern ballroom to meet changing needs. 6 -  The new 120’ by 30’ video board will help connect activities in the Center to the surrounding area.

Episode 032 - Thom Connors, General Manager