Tim Pontrelli, senior event manager for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, received the 36th Annual James V. Cunningham Award at the 2008 Gold Key Awards, co-sponsored by the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The award, which is presented by the San Diego Chapter of HSMAI, recognizes individuals who, regardless of palpable pressures and demands, consistently display a willingness to serve. A 26-year industry veteran, Pontrelli has been coordinating and executing important events for the Convention Center for 15 years. Prior to that, he worked at the San Diego Concourse, a smaller meeting facility previously managed by the Corporation. The award honors the extraordinary service he provides clients while expertly managing their events. Pontrelli manages many of the building’s most valuable and high-profile events including last year’s Society of Neuroscience, which generated a record $133 million in economic impact for the city of San Diego; and San Diego Comic-Con International, the annual con-fab which draws 126,000 visitors and locals alike. His professionalism and talent at overseeing every detail of an event keeps many conventions coming back year after year. “Tim is a major asset to the Convention Center,” said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. “He truly has an incredible gift for managing events and keeping our clients happy.” Pontrelli also knows the full meaning of going above and beyond the call of duty. His quick thinking saved the life of an attendee who collapsed while participating in a fun run. After being called to the scene, Pontrelli immediately administered CPR and stabilized the attendee until paramedics arrived. Now celebrating 20 years of success, the Convention Center has generated $18.3 billion in regional economic impact, $364 million in tax revenues for the City of San Diego and supports 12,500 jobs countywide. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the city to exclusively market, manage and operate the 2.6 million square foot waterfront facility.
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