Image copyright: Pennsylvania Convention Centre (PCC)
ASM Global managed Pennsylvania Convention Centre (PCC), Philadelphia USA, has announced its ‘Safety, Skills, and Smiles’ workforce training program. PCC will be working alongside its trade show labour partners for the scheme.
According to PCC, the program aims to solidify the working relationship between all parties - thereby furthering the client experience. The joint management programme will be expanding and building upon an existing training program in three areas: safety, technical skills and customer service and hospitality.
The scheme will be financed through the new Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust (HIAT) Fund which will represent the partnership between the management of the PCC and show floor labour.
The three ways that the HIAT Fund will support the training programme are:
- Safety programs: providing general and specialised Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety certifications.
- Skills training: coordinated with contractors in the events industry, such as installation and dismantle (I&D) and decorator companies, to provide technical training.
- Hospitality programmes one and two: how to prioritise customers, provide positive attitude and engagement, and success.
Michael J. Barnes, first international vice president of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) and chair of the HIAT Fund Board, said: “This joint initiative between convention centre labour and management will improve workplace safety; provide additional skills training to enable the centre to offer customers the most economical build-outs possible.”
John McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) , added: “We are fortunate to have a team of labour partners that appreciate and understand the importance of delivering the best possible experience to our trade show.”
“They are making a long-term commitment to ensuring the labour personnel who work in our facility not only have the latest safety and skills training but also a high-level of hospitality-focused training.”
McNichol commended the “remarkable” partnership and cooperative relationship between management and its show floor labor workforce, which he said is having a real, substantive impact on the customer experience.
The ongoing working relationship between management and labour at PCC was additionally reinforced in 2022 with the five extension of the facility’s labour agreement, the Customer Satisfaction Agreement (CSA), until 2034.
