Alan Steel Named President and CEO of New York's Javits Center

February 26, 2012

Alan Steel, a 30-year veteran of the trade show industry, has been named president and CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.

Steel is replacing Gerald T. McQueen, the center’s leader for the past 14 years, who resigned in October and stayed in his post until a successor was found.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with the various constituencies which interact with the Javits Center,” Steel said.

He added, “It's obviously an interesting time here. My primary goals will be to make a real difference to the customer experience and to address issues and opportunities related to recent announcements concerning the building's future."

Steel joined George Little Management nearly 30 years ago and knows the Javits Center well, with GLM’s flagship gift show, the New York International Gift Fair, being a mainstay in the building.

He started at GLM in 1982 and oversaw not only corporate strategic planning and direction for the company's shows, including the National Stationery Show and SURTEX, but also was active in developing domestic and international markets for the company.

Before GLM, Steelworked for more than 15 years with the British government in a number of trade-related positions at theDepartment of Trade and Industry in London, theBritish Consulate in Chicagoand theBritish Trade Development Office in New York.

Last year, Daily Mail and General Trust, dmg world media's parent company, sold GLM to Providence Equity Partners, led by former Canon Communications’ CEO Charles McCurdy, and after a transition period, Steel left the company.

Steel is joining Javits at a time when the center’s future has been questioned after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan involving a private Malaysian company financing the build of a massive center near the Aqueduct Race Track.

As part of that plan, there have been calls to tear down the Javits Center, which sits on valuable development land.

During his tenure at the Javits Center, McQueen helped transform it from a place plagued by corruption and racketeering to a venue with a stable work force, well-maintained building and capable management team.

"I regret leaving a job that has been such a large part of my professional life", McQueen said. "But secure in the knowledge that Alan Steel can continue Javits' mission of providing excellent customer service and economic impact to the city and state of New York.”

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.