Greater Columbus Convention Center General Manager John Page To Be Honored as Diversity Pioneer on October 31

John Page, general manager of the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), will be honored as a 2018 Diversity Pioneer Award recipient during the 8th Annual Central Ohio Champions of Diversity Awards Luncheon & Business Expo and Career Fair on October 31 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

Page was recognized for his leadership, focus on diversity and community outreach as general manager of the GCCC, which completed an award-winning $140 million expansion and renovation in 2017.

“The Central Ohio Champions of Diversity Awards are designed to highlight and recognize the contributions of individuals and corporations with 200 or more Central Ohio employees who demonstrate outstanding efforts in diversity leadership, development, supplier, workforce and community outreach,” said Sharon S. Gordon, chairperson of the 2018 Central Ohio Champions of Diversity.

Known as the only program in the area recognizing the diversity accomplishments of both individuals and corporations, the event is planned entirely by local businesses owned and operated by minorities, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to local non-profit organizations assisting minority communities.

Page was also recognized in September as one of the 2018 Most Admired Chief Operating Officers in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First. He was a Smart Business Columbus2016 Central Ohio Smart 50 Award recipient and has been profiled extensively in Who’s Who in Black Columbus.

A two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, Page also serves as a commissioner on the Ohio Expositions Commission, the governing body for the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center is located in downtown Columbus and owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and managed by SMG.

Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to 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 19 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, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide.

Visit www.columbusconventions.com and www.smgworld.com for more information.