PRESS RELEASES - February 2008

February 19, 2008

Mark Wisness is City’s New Convention Center Director

The City of Arlington announces Mark Wisness as the new director of the Arlington Convention Center. Wisness has been serving as the interim director since September 2006. He has been in convention center management since 1989.

Arlington’s Convention Center is part of the Economic Development Services Group and generates revenue for the City of Arlington through rental space for national, state and regional trade shows, conventions, consumer shows, conferences, meetings and events. The local economy benefits from visitors’ patronage of area hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and tourist attractions.

Trey Yelverton, the city’s deputy city manager for Economic development said Wisness’ operational strengths and strong customer service values made him the ideal candidate for the job.

“Under his leadership, the City of Arlington continues to enjoy extremely high customer service ratings for events and conferences held at the Convention Center,” Yelverton said. “As we continue to evaluate our opportunities for future expansion, his operational experience will be invaluable to the city.”

As the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau moves closer to selecting a new president and chief executive officer later this spring, Yelverton said Wisness’ ability to work closely with the bureau will help ensure greater successes for the Arlington convention and tourism industry.

Wisness joined the City of Arlington in 1997 as an assistant director of the Convention Center in charge of the daily management of facility operations, event booking, and subcontracts for food, beverage and audio visual. Prior to joining the City, Wisness worked for the Dallas Convention Center as an event services manager, business manager and budget analyst.

“It is certainly an honor to be entrusted with the leadership of the Convention Center,” Wisness said Tuesday. “The Convention Center has a terrific staff, and a growing community within the center of the re-developing Entertainment District. It is an exciting and very exhilarating time to be in Arlington.”

His appointment becomes effective immediately.