MSEA to Manage Miami Arena: SMG Out March 2002.

Business, Entertainment & Sports Writers 

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2002

The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority (MSEA) Board of Directors voted not to renew the SMG Arena Management contract. MSEA, which owns the Miami Arena, will assume management in March 2002.

"Our goal is to become more aggressive in securing, as well as creating events and productions in 2002," said James Jenkins, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority. "We have many plans for this Arena from events to infrastructure re-design in the near future." "It became apparent that SMG Management lacked vision, and felt more comfortable with a turn key operation," stated Jenkins, "This style of management combined with their hefty fee does not fit with our future plans."

Jenkins will lead the new Arena management team using his extensive experiences with Walt Disney World Co. During his tenure at Disney, Jenkins helped develop entertainment and marketing plans, event promotions and product development for some of its newest brands, including Pleasure Island, Village Marketplace and Downtown Disney. In 1998, Jenkins became Director of Marketing for Harrah's Casino & Resort where he continued working in product development and event promotions.

As the Executive Director and CEO of MSEA, Jenkins has already attracted family events and other entertainment productions to the Miami Arena. MSEA sponsored the Second Annual Magical Holidays event for the community, as well as being a co-sponsor in events and concerts.

Rodger Newton, SMG Regional Vice President based in Philadelphia said, "We are going to be very cooperative in the transition process."

The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority (MSEA), founded in 1983 by the Miami City Commission, is an independent and autonomous instrumentality of the city. Its mission is to facilitate and promote activities, improvements and infrastructure in order to attract conventions, exhibitions, tourism-related activities, professional and international sports, as well as other events and programs that will contribute to the economic and social growth of the community.