AMERICAS - The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board of Directors has voted to investigate privatising certain functions of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Since the centre was opened 20 years ago its management have been accused of excessive spending and wasted costs due to problems with labour unions.
The 15-member board took the decision to authorise chairmain Gregory J Fox to draft a ‘request for qualifications’ from international convention centre management companies. Fox will send a letter of request on 29 August to seek qualified companies.
The draft letter states: "The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority is issuing this request for qualifications to seek details concerning a full range of possible operations, maintenance and support services. . . . The authority invites submittals from qualified firms that have proven experience in major-market convention and/or exhibition facilities' management."
The taxpayer-funded convention centre completed a US$786m expansion in March 2011.
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