Written by  Michelle Parkes

Dittie Guise, SMG’s general manager at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, has been awarded the prestigious 2013 APEX Award for Distinguished Service.  Hailed as one of the “meetings industry’s highest honours” the Apex Award, presented by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine, is the leading international award honouring  individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavour, which have positively impacted travel and tourism.

With more than 35 years of senior leadership experience in the meetings and conventions industry, Dittie Guise has been the General Manager of the Montego Bay Convention Centre since its opening, and is charged with the responsibility of starting one of the region’s most important economic engines.

“Dittie Guise is the embodiment of excellence in both business and management, providing strong leadership in developing innovative strategies and new business opportunities for the Montego Bay Convention Centre,” said Andrew Azar Chairman of MBCC Board. “She brings to the table a unique set of skills and drive to help make the Convention Centre a success. We are proud of her most recent accomplishment in earning this distinguished award.”

Ms. Guise has held key positions at several large Convention Centres in her career.  Her many professional accomplishments include a four-year term as Chief Operating Officer, for the Pennsylvania Convention Centre.  As a member of the SMG team, she has held the positions of General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and VP of Convention Marketing and Services at the Greater Columbus Convention Centre in Columbus, OH. Throughout her career, Dittie has built international teams that developed award-winning operating procedures which have been adopted by many leading convention centres around the world.

Guise’s rapid rate of positive transformation made such an impression on the city of Philadelphia that she was declared one of the regions “Movers and Shakers” and honoured as one of the city’s most “Influential African Americans in the hospitality industry” for eight years by a national publication, Black Meetings and Tourism.

“Dittie Guise has a deep and broad understanding of the Meetings and Conventions Business, stated Desmond Malcolm General Manager of the UDC. “She also knows how to prepare a great product for the market, and when and how to draw on the resources other people provide.”

“Dittie is a highly respected figure in both academia and industry, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding work in the conventions industry,” stated Gregg Caren, Senior Vice President of Business Development at SMG.  “Since returning home to Jamaica, she has gone on to play an instrumental role in bringing excellent quality and service to our guests. We applaud her cutting-edge innovations and congratulate her on this honour.”

Dittie holds membership in leading industry organizations, including ASAE – The Center for Association Leadership, the Professional Convention Management Association, International Association of Exhibitions and Events and the Religious Conference Management Association. She has presently served on the board of Philadelphia Hospitality, Inc. and the Forum of Executive Women board.

Ms. Guise will be honoured at the star-studded Travel Professionals of Colour’s 11th annual conference on Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

About SMG

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities worldwide, including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centres, equestrian facilities, convention, congress and exhibition centres, science centres and a variety of other venues. Across the globe, SMG manages more than 14 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.75 million arena and theatre seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide.