ABILENE, Texas— ASM Global has promoted industry veteran Austin Connors to General Manager of Texas’ Abilene Convention Center. Connors has been with ASM Global for seven years, most recently serving as Senior Events Manager at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
With more than 12 years of hospitality experience, Connors is an accomplished event and operations executive with an extensive customer service and facility operations background.
Prior to Philadelphia, Connors served as Event Manager for the Tucson Convention Center complex. In May 2022, Connors received a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Temple University School of Sports, Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Connors took over leadership of the team at the Abilene Convention Center on October 12.
“The City of Abilene welcomes Austin to Abilene,” said Abilene Deputy City Manager Mindy Patterson. “The transformation happening in downtown Abilene is exciting, and we look forward to seeing how Austin’s experience and leadership will grow the Abilene Convention Center as a legacy landmark within our downtown landscape.”
With a newly completed plaza entry, the Abilene Convention Center features a 2,000-seat performing arts theater, a 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall and two conference centers with six meeting rooms. For more than 40 years, the convention center has proven to be a hub for the meetings and events industry, the community and the region.
In Spring 2023, the new $80 million DoubleTree by Hilton will open with 17,000 square feet of meeting space, 200 guest rooms, full-service dining, pool deck, rooftop bar and other amenities in the heart of Abilene’s arts and business district.
“It’s a very exciting time to be part of the meetings and live entertainment industry in Abilene,” Connors said. “With an energized hospitality community, a beautiful multi-purpose convention center and a city that is committed to growth and economic development, I am proud to be part of the team at the Abilene Convention Center.”
ASM Executive Vice President of Convention Centers Bob McClintock said, “We are fortunate to have Austin accept this leadership position to build an alliance with the local hospitality community, deliver on the brand promise and provide customers with exceptional service.”
ASM Global currently features 98 international convention centers and 23 million square feet of convention center space and hosts more than 160 million guests annually.
For more information, visit abilenetx.gov/159/convention-center.
