Detroit’s Cobo Center Is Now TCF Center 

September 4, 2019

Detroit’s Cobo Center has been officially renamed TCF Center. The new name follows a 22-year naming rights partnership between TCF National Bank, a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation, and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. 

DRCFA awarded naming rights to Chemical Bank — now a division of TCF Bank following its successful merger of equals on Aug.1 that transformed the two companies into TCF Financial Corporation — earlier this year following a competitive process.

The new name and signage were revealed on Aug. 27 by TCF Executive Chairman Gary Torgow, TCF President and CEO Craig Dahl and DRCFA Chairman Larry Alexander. Also attending the celebration were Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and a host of the bank’s and DRCFA’s top leaders along with other state, city and community dignitaries. 

“We couldn’t be prouder or more honored to partner with the authority on this unique opportunity to support our hometown and state,” Torgow said. “It helps ensure a continued strong, vibrant future for the world-class Detroit convention center that connects our city to the world.”

He continued, “It’s an important part of our larger, intentional effort to marry inclusion with investment across the city and its neighborhoods, region and state.”

The unveiling of the facility’s new name was followed by a free block party outside of TCF Center, where local residents enjoyed games, food and Motor City-style musical entertainment.

According to TCF officials, the partnership will help TCF Center continue to grow its meetings, conventions and event business, which has experienced a record-breaking uptick since its $279 million renovation was completed in early 2016. As host to 1.5 million attendees per year, the facility had an unprecedented year in 2018 with 244 events. It’s also seen a 564 percent increase in revenue since 2009.

“This naming rights agreement has been a goal of the DRCFA since it was formed in 2009, and TCF Bank is the perfect partner,” said Alexander, who’s also CEO of the Detroit Metro CVB. “Our partnership with TCF Bank will help to cement the convention center’s strong financial future.”

The $1.5 million-per-year in sponsorship revenue from the TCF Bank partnership will also help the facility move toward becoming self-sustaining by 2024, saving Michigan taxpayers millions of dollars, according to TCF Center officials.

“It is an exciting time for the venue and city,” said Claude Molinari, general manager of TCF Center. “This naming rights contract will help develop more business for the facility, which will mean more jobs for local residents. Providing jobs is critically important to our mission.”

In addition, the combined CSR programs of TCF Bank and TCF Center will expand community outreach for the venue, and offer more free events to residents including financial management workshops, job training and financial aid access. These offerings will add to the ongoing free health and wellness events, staff volunteer efforts in the Detroit neighborhoods and support of local artists and merchants in the Pure Detroit shop located on the concourse.

“I can’t think of better partners than Gary Torgow and the team at TCF Bank to help secure the future of our region’s convention center,” Mayor Duggan said. “Today’s announcement...shows TCF Bank is truly invested in our city and its people.”

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.