SMG Goes High Tech

SMG has launched its own Web-based system to coordinate event scheduling among its buildings. Most of the facilities managed by SMG are expected to start using SMGBooking.com May 1st.

The system was designed by EventBooking.com and SMG’s I.S. department, and is operated from a server owned by SMG. The two companies had been in discussion for years. Because of its proprietary nature, SMGBooking.com will allow the company to tweak the system to its liking.

SMG Senior VP of Sports & Entertainment Mike Evans told Pollstar he has already used the program to rearrange holds and dates for three venues in California, which allowed SMG to book three dates for a tour this fall.

“It was fantastic,” Evans said. “I sat there with a big smile on my face because it did exactly what it was supposed to do. And the general managers will still have direct contact with the agent to make sure everything was done correctly, but we were able to save two hours’ worth of work.”

EventBooking.com is a Web-based system for facility booking, but SMG wanted a proprietary system. EventBooking.com President John Platillero and his staff, along with SMG, worked on the system for about six months. Platillero explained the system to SMG facility staffers, who were flown to four regional training sessions across the U.S.

SMG manages about 120 arenas and convention centers in the U.S. and more than 170 venues worldwide.