Labor Information
The Good News about Labor Relations at America’s Center®
Convention and tradeshow industry magazines – and their readers – have taken notice of positive changes at the America’s Center convention complex in St. Louis. Today, customers and labor unions are working together to create win-win situations that are making the flexible facility in the heart of the downtown St. Louis hospitality district an example for other venues.
Significant changes have taken place for the benefit of customers at America’s Center. Exhibitors now have the freedom to set up their own booths of 300 square feet or less using hand tools. Exhibitor company employees can also hang signs and graphics in their booths.
Materials unloaded from a privately-owned vehicle may be brought into the facility through a designated door and exhibitors may move their materials through the building with handcarts. Exhibitors also may pack and unpack their own computers and overtime rules have been modified to step up to time and a half rather than double time in most situations.
America’s Center’s labor relations manager, Melanie Donnelly, is responsible for the positive changes that are winning rave reviews from clients. Donnelly works to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the convention center’s clients and the trade unions at America’s Center® before the customer arrives in St. Louis and acts as a liaison between customers and unions in a variety of ways:
- Meets with customers early in the site selection process
- Defines what work will be done by trade unions for the customer
- Seeks concessions when necessary to book valuable business for St. Louis
- Visits tradeshows with Business Agents before the events get to St. Louis to create a better understanding of the show’s requirements
- Conducts quarterly meetings with Business Agents to discuss work rules and future business
Questions? Contact Melanie Donnelly at (314) 342-5095 or mdonnelly@americascenter.org.
