From the desk of the Bayfront Convention Center’s Director of Marketing and Sales:

Hello!

I am Lisa Di Luzio, the Director of Marketing and Sales at the Bayfront Convention Center.

The BCC has intrigued me since its opening, and for the past two years I have had the opportunity to work with such a diversified and unique building with endless capabilities.

With more than 28 consecutive years in the sales and hospitality industry, I merge classic professionalism with innovative ideas for meeting and convention needs. Daily, I am posed with availability and capacity questions, logistical inquires, and the task of bringing reoccurring and new business to the BCC. With the support of my team, I continue to problem solve to get the most for our building and the Erie community by providing optimal cliental for economic growth and impact. Quite often I am faced with fitting a 1000 person event in a room while executing a 400 person one in another with no interruption in customer service and experience. My insight into maximizing the “lay of the land” (as I like to call it) and the market segments allows for best sales practices, endless growth, and continued opportunity for Erie’s public and prosperity.

Some of the events myself and my team have facilitated include the annual UPMC Hamot Gala, the Barber Ball, the LECOM Student Auction, countless consumer shows and expos, social and daily meetings, and city-wide conferences and conventions. I have also brought the Polish National Catholic Convention, many non-profit organizations, educational sessions, military affiliations, and more to the BCC. Moreover, I look forward to introducing the Courtyard by Marriott Bayfront Hotel for future conventions and city-wides.

I am very appreciative to work for a productive and professional team that collectively holds a common goal. Our goal is to provide top service and quality products not only to host an event but to offer every guest an experience. I have strong passion for the business, the building, and the overall direction of bolstering Erie.

I’m ready to Get Up and Go!

A day in the life of Mike Kelly, the Director of Operations for Erie Events. He describes his role and how he contribute:

I started with the Erie County Convention Center Authority, now commonly known as Erie Events, in 2007 as the Convention Center’s Director of Food & Beverage. In 2008, I moved over as the Director of Operations, while still leading the food & beverage operations.  Recently, I was asked to lead the food and beverage operations for Erie Events.  This morphing of roles has taught me a great deal about the Bayfront Convention Center and Erie Insurance Arena businesses and has led to some very memorable experiences.

WE handle events from 3,000 to 5,000 people at the Convention Center at any given time;  Corporate business meetings, sporting events, consumer shows, weddings and wedding receptions, large banquets and even larger cocktail parties.  Many times events are happening simultaneously!   At Erie Insurance Arena, that number can range anywhere from 500 people for small sporting events to 8,000 for large concerts.

It’s a big job and people ask me how I manage to keep all these events straight on a daily basis. My answer is very simple; I have amazing co-workers!  A constant, concerted effort is made across the Authority by many employees to produce events, keep our establishments clean and safe and provide great hospitality and experiences for our guests.  Some days can be very trying as one could imagine, but the satisfaction of knowing we successfully produced an event that exceeded someone’s expectations is the reward!

Jeff Esposito, the Bayfront Convention Center general manager, talks about local champions:

Usually when people learn that I am general manager of the Bayfront Convention Center I get lots of questions. That’s great – I love talking shop. One of the more frequently asked questions is how do you bring conventions to Erie? I usually respond by saying it’s with the help of people like you.

The Bayfront Convention Center has a sales and marketing department whose job it is to generate sales. We also team up with several other groups such as VisitErie, the Sports Commission, our hotel partners, Presque Isle Downs & Casino as well as other local attractions. We all work together to bring out-of-town groups to Erie. Yet, you have an even louder voice.

If you are a member of a group, you can bring the group to Erie. Next time you get an email notifying you of the upcoming year’s convention ask your group why are they not considering Erie as a location for the convention. Introduce us to the group and watch how surprised the event planners are after they have a tour of Erie and see for themselves all that we have to offer. You become a “Local Champion,” a person who brings a group home to Erie – along with its positive economic impact to the region.

Consider that even a small convention can bring more than $300,000 in economic impact to the region. That’s a great return and all it requires is your providing your group a positive recommendation about your hometown. So, the next time you get an email or flyer in the mail give us a call at 814-455-1260.