Spectra takes over Santa Clara Convention Center Operations

Spectra officially took over Santa Clara Convention Center operations on Monday, March 18. In February, the Santa Clara City Council awarded Spectra a multi-year contract to manage the 300,000 square-foot Convention Center. To oversee operations, Spectra has named Kelly Carr as the venue’s general manager.

“The location, size, history and services at the Santa Clara Convention Center position the facility and surrounding area for significant growth,” said John Wentzell, President of Spectra. “We’re honored to have been selected to take the venue into the next chapter of its history.”

Spectra will also work with the City of Santa Clara and the Tourism Improvement District to establish a new Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote the City, the region and the Convention Center.

Carr will oversee all aspects of the facility, including contract negotiations, business development, financial planning and marketing initiatives.

“[I’m] honored to be at the helm of the Santa Clara Convention Center,” said Carr. “We will be laser-focused on working with our partners in the building and the community, focusing on transparency for the city and innovation for our clients, and preparing the facility for the region’s evolution. We also look forward to bringing community events to the convention center.”

The Santa Clara Convention Center regularly hosts large conventions and trade shows, weddings and receptions, corporate meetings, banquets and other events. With a significant capital investment from Spectra, the facility is poised to make some major enhancements.

Across North America and globally, Spectra currently operates 45 convention centers, such as Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Miami Beach Convention Center, Atlantic City Convention Center, Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, and Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company also manages a blend of services for a host of other facilities in California including Avaya Stadium, Papa Murphy’s Park, Orange County Marketplace, California Exposition & State Fair, the LA County Fair and more.