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America’s Center® Convention Complex
Labor Information
Convention and tradeshow industry magazines – and their readers – have taken notice of positive changes at the America’s Center ® convention complex in St. Louis.
Today customers and labor unions are working together to create win-win situations that are making the flexible facility in the heart of the downtown St. Louis hospitality district an example for other venues.
Significant changes have taken place for the benefit of customers at America’s Center. Exhibitors now have the freedom to set up their own booths of 300 square feet or less using hand tools. Exhibiting company employees can also hang signs and graphics in their booths.
Materials unloaded from a privately-owned vehicle may be brought into the facility through a designated door and exhibitors may move their materials through the building with their own two wheel handcarts. Exhibitors also may pack and unpack their own computers and overtime rules have been modified to step up to time and a half rather than double time in most situations.
America’s Center’s labor relations manager, Melanie Donnelly, is responsible for the positive changes that are winning rave reviews from clients.
Donnelly works to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the convention center’s clients and the trade unions at America’s Center ® before the customer arrives in St. Louis and acts as a liaison between customers and unions in a variety of ways:
- Meets with customers early in the site selection process
- Defines what work will be done by trade unions for the customer
- Seeks concessions when necessary to book valuable business for St. Louis
- Visits tradeshows with Business Agents before the events get to St. Louis to create a better understanding of the show’s requirements
- Conducts quarterly meetings with Business Agents to discuss work rules and future business
What Clients Are Saying
Here is what our clients and contractors are saying about the new labor at America’s Center.
National Rifle Association Of America
“I wanted to thank you for your efforts in helping to make our experience at the America’s Center a memorable one. The NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits this year in St. Louis was one of the most successful events we’ve ever had and the cooperative effort of the convention center staff, unions and contractors played a key role. …The union personnel displayed a professionalism and competence level above most cities I have worked in during my 15 years of producing shows and events. …From the labor on the floor to the stewards and management at the center, they all realized that the do play an important role in the success of a show. As a show manager, I strongly value those attributes and appreciate their impact on our ability to produce a successful show for our exhibitors and attendees. I think it’s safe to say that I will be singing the praises of St. Louis to anyone who asks”
– Jeffrey L. Poole, CEM, Show Manager and Director, Membership Programs, National Rifle Association Of America
Door and Hardware Institute
“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts and those of your labor crews at the America’s Center. I would be remiss if I did not tell you how stellar your labor crews were during our event.”
– Marcia J. Slakie, Director of Meetings and Conventions, Door and Hardware Institute
American Foundry Society
“Thanks for everything the folks at America’s Center did to help make CastExpo ’05 a success. Our exhibitors found the labor courteous and accommodating. The facility matched our needs …As always your staff was experienced and accommodating.”
– Kristy Glass, Director of Meetings and Exhibitions, American Foundry Society
Cast Expo/Freeman
“The spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the representative trade unions of America ’s Center during the production of this event were not only experienced by Freeman, but we received many compliments from exhibiting companies regarding the labor situation in St. Louis, MO.”
– Robert C. Audette, Vice President Sales, Exposition Services, Executive Sales Group, Freeman
National Wood Flooring
“The degree of cooperation and professionalism from (your staff )and the litany of your support staff far surpassed any other group I’ve had the pleasure to work with over these past 30+years …YOUR STAFF MAKES HEROES! Let me dispel another myth about working a convention in St.Louis. Rumor has it that the St. Louis required union labor is of concern. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
– Edward S. Korczak, CAE, Executive Director, National Wood Flooring Association
Shepherd Exposition Services
“It’s not often that I sit down to write a letter to a facility …Courteous, flexible, pro-active, accommodating, knowledgeable, professional, service-oriented …these are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind in describing our experience with your staff at America’s Center. I’d like to take it one step further and include the union labor in this accolade. We could not have been more pleased with the quality and professionalism of all the crafts involved in producing events there at your facility …Be sure to tell them to call me, I’ll give you a terrific reference.”
– Mary Anne Rogers, National Sales Manager, Shepard Exposition Services
Rockwell Automation
“The changes that you have incorporated since our last visit in 1998 have made a tremendous difference in the way show managers look at the America’s Center. The city of St. Louis should be proud of what the America’s Center has become. That is: First Class. Thanks Again for everything.”
– Stephen Holder, Automation Fair Show Manager, Rockwell Automation
Questions?
Contact Melanie Donnelly at 314-342-5095 or mdonnelly@americascenter.org.
