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Convention centre GM ‘extremely well-regarded’
Posted By COREY LAROCQUE
The Niagara Convention and Civic Centre is still three years away from opening, but its management team is already setting up shop.
After receiving “a lot of interest” in the centre’s top job, project director Dragan Matovic announced Kerry Painter, a 43-year-old woman originally from Windsor is the new president and general manager for the centre.
A “unique combination” of personality and marketing flair set her apart from other candidates, Matovic said.
“Kerry was extremely knowledgeable about the industry and has taken a leadership role within the public assembly industry,” said Matovic.
“Talking to people in the industry, she’s extremely well-regarded.” She’s coming to Niagara Falls from Slidell, La. where she managed the Northshore Harbor Center.
There were 124 applicants for the job, which was advertised in national newspapers in Canada and regional papers throughout the United States in December.
“We felt Kerry was, by far, the most outstanding candidate. The selection committee unanimously selected her,” said Matovic, who is the convention centre’s founding president. Matovic spearheaded the plan to get federal and provincial funding to pay for the centre’s construction. His plan was always to turn the day-to-day management over to a professional who has experience in the specialized field of running convention centres.
Painter’s old job in Slidell paid $87,700, the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper reported. Managing the convention centre in Slidell was a county position, so the salary was reported publicly, Matovic said. Niagara’s board of directors has not yet considered whether to disclose what they’re paying Painter.
“We did our research as far as what the industry pays. We had to pay a salary and a compensation package that was competitive to get the best and the brightest,” Matovic said.
The Niagara Convention and Civic Centre will be owned by the city of Niagara Falls, but its operation is leased to a private company, meaning salary disclosure might not be necessary, Matovic said.
The convention centre is setting up a temporary office on Fallsview Boulevard, in the retail area along the ground floor of the Fallsview Casino’s parking garage.
By mid-April, there will be three or four people working there.
The convention centre’s board cast a wide net to find its manager because of the specialization required. But other positions, including the sales team, could be hired locally, Matovic predicted. “We have a lot of talent here,” he said.
clarocque@nfreview.com
Article ID# 937443
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