<p>Press Release: February 26, 2008 Shreveport, LA--Louisiana native Sam Voisin is the new general manager of the Shreveport Convention Center. His appointment was announced this week by Wes Westley, President of SMG, the management company for the Center. </p><p>Voisin has more than 12 years of experience specializing in management of multiple convention facilities including 10 years at the Cajundome and Convention Center complex in Lafayette, LA.</p><p>“Voisin’s responsibilities in Shreveport will include all aspects of the operation of the Center.” said Doug Thornton, regional vice president for SMG. “He brings experience and energy to the position, and his Louisiana background is a plus. A number of meeting planners and association executives throughout the state are already familiar with Sam, and that will be advantageous to booking the facility,” Thornton added. </p><p>In his most recent position served as Vice President of Facilities and General Manager of the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center in Fredericksburg, VA (Metro Washington DC), since 2005. Sam was responsible for the day to day oversight of all aspects of the operation which included sales, food and beverage, and finances. Located near Washington, D.C., the facility was very active in corporate and military meetings and conferences as well as a variety of tradeshows. The 175,000-square foot center hosted more than 235 events per year. </p><p>In his capacity at the Cajundome, Voisin assisted in the project development stages from conception to day to day operational and sales aspects of the CAJUNDOME convention center. He was responsible for maximizing facility booking of conventions, consumer shows, tradeshows and community events.</p><p>He also created and implemented facility operational policies, procedures and rental rate structures to obtain profitability while remaining competitive in the market.</p><p>Voisin is a 1992 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned a BA degree in mass communications and marketing. He began as Executive Suite and Sponsorship Sales manager at the Cajundome in 1996, and was promoted to Director of Sales in 1999.</p><p>He was named Honorary State Senator of Louisiana as well as one of Louisiana’s Top Business Leaders in 2004. He is a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers and the 2004 President of the Public Facility Management School. He is also a member of the National Association of Consumer Shows.</p><p>Philadelphia-based SMG was founded in 1977 to manage the Louisiana Superdome. Since then, it has grown to manage more than 200 facilities worldwide including 76 arenas, 9 stadiums, 62 convention centers, 49 performing arts centers, and 13 other recreational/equestrian facilities.</p><p>#####</p>