Spectra Names Jim Mcdonald General Manager Of Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall And The Atlantic City Convention Center
(Via Erin Bilton, Director of Marketing -- Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center/Spectra Venue Management)
Spectra, the providers of venue management and food services & hospitality to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center, today named 20-year industry veteran, Jim McDonald, as General Manager of both facilities. McDonald will be responsible for supervision and oversight of the facility to ensure seamless operations while creating memorable experiences for all clients. He will work at the direction of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City, which oversees the arena through Spectra’s contract.
“Jim has a tremendous reputation in the venue management industry and has been a great asset to both the Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall,” said CRDA Executive Director, Matt Doherty. “We look forward to his leadership and his vision for the future of both buildings.”
McDonald has served as Assistant General Manager and Director of Operations for Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention center since 2014. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of operations including labor relations, budgeting, facility maintenance, capital planning and implementation, and public safety. He spearheaded the creation and execution of the five-year, $96 million Capital Improvement Plan that is currently being implemented in both facilities. Additionally, over the last five years he has successfully negotiated 10 collective bargaining agreements in both facilities that have resulted in immediate changes to employee relations and lowered event operating expenses, while making both facilities more attractive to clients, promoters, and attendees.
“Jim has made an enormous impact during his tenure as Assistant General Manager with these two major Atlantic City venues, so he was the clear choice to become our new General Manager,”
Mike Scanlon, Spectra’s Senior Vice President of Arenas and Stadiums, said. “With deep roots in the area, he understands that the Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall are economic drivers and prime examples of a thriving region. Both facilities are in good hands with Jim at the helm.”
McDonald has over 20 years of management and operations experience in the industry. Prior to joining Boardwalk Hall and the Convention Center, Jim served as the Director of Operations at Talen Energy Stadium, home of the MLS Philadelphia Union; Director of Operations for the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and College Football’s Fiesta Bowl; and Operations Manager of the Wells Fargo Center and Spectrum, home to the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, NBA’s Sixers, AHL’s Phantoms, NLL’s Wings, and AFL’s Soul. He has been part of the operations team behind premier events including The Republican National Convention, the NHL Conference Finals, NBA Finals, NBA All-Star Game, NCAAA Basketball Regionals, Super Bowl XLII, XLVIII, and XLIX, the MLS All-Star Game, the Rugby Sevens, the Gold Cup, and Wrestlemania 26.
McDonald received his Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Bucks County Community College. McDonald is an active member of the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce, MBCA, Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, and International Association of Venue Managers.
Both Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center are owned and funded by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Spectra provides both Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality to both Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center.
About Spectra
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.
About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit
www.njcrda.com. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/njcrda, and Twitter at
www.twitter.com/njcrda.
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