Sales Team

Kelly Wright, CMP

Assistant Director of Sales

Industry Member: Rocky Mountain Chapter of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Kelly has over 20 years experience working in the events industry. Kelly is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, with a concentration in Travel and Tourism. During her senior year, Kelly completed a five month resort management internship in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon return to California, Kelly began a five year career as a catering manager in the restaurant industry, where she specialized in weddings, holiday parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Kelly joined the SMG team at the Colorado Convention Center in 2000, and was part of the opening team of the $340 million dollar expansion in 2004. Along with the Director of Sales and Marketing, Rich Carollo, Kelly oversees sales and booking of all events at the Colorado Convention Center, where the Sales Team successfully writes, negotiates and executes nearly 400 event agreements a year.

Kelly was awarded the Manager of the Year Award at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in 1998, and served as an active committee member, officer and executive board member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) for over six years. Kelly was Chair of the Community Services Committee for Rocky Mountain PCMA during the year the committee won the National Spirit Award, and was awarded the Deb West Memorial Award for community service for two years.
 

Gregory J. Lowry

Senior Sales Manager

Greg has over 20 years experience working in the concert, conventions and events industry.  Greg graduated from The University of Memphis in 1986.  Before moving to Denver, Colorado, he was employed by SMG in Memphis, Tennessee at the Pyramid Arena where he was responsible for all areas of marketing, advertising and public relations for the 20,000 seat arena.  While at The Pyramid, Lowry worked with the NBA Memphis Grizzlies Basketball program, NCAA Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball program, national touring concerts and family spectaculars.  In May of 2004 SMG transferred Lowry to Denver to participate in the grand opening of the $340 million dollar expansion of the Colorado Convention Center.  Today, Lowry oversees the sales and booking of consumer and trade show events at the facility.

Over the past five years Greg has served as an Adjunct Professor at Johnson and Wales University teaching in the College of Hospitality.

Jason Strauss

Senior Sales Manager

Jason is a Denver Native and graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver where he earned a degree in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. Prior to his arrival at the Colorado Convention Center, Jason worked with the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos and Special Olympics Colorado. Jason specializes in the public/consumer show market, community outreach and supporting junior sales team members.

Kayla VanCleve, CMP

Senior Sales Manager

Industry Member: Rocky Mountain Chapter of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Kayla first began her career in the events industry in 2002 with Hanley Wood Exhibitions in Irving, TX. During her tenure at Hanley Wood, Kayla worked on several large corporate events including the Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo and the Remodeling Show. In 2011, after moving back to her native Colorado, Kayla spent time working for the Club Industry Show, the National Restaurant Show (NRA Show) and the Int’l Wine, Spirits & Beer Event. She joined the CCC team in September 2013.

Morgan Kusek 

Sales and Marketing Manager

Morgan, native to Denver and graduate of Metro State University, studied hospitality, tourism and events and was passionate about finding a career in the industry. Having worked with The Walt Disney Company in various roles including, Disney Destination Marketing and Sales partnering with hotels in the Orlando area, as well as event operations management for The Downtown Disney Entertainment District, Morgan spearheaded into event sales, promotions and marketing after moving back to the Denver in 2010. In April of 2013, Morgan joined the Colorado Convention Center sales team as marketing coordinator and is excited to continue with the CCC sales team as sales and marketing manager.

Alaina Slider

Sales Coordinator

Alaina Slider received her bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University in Sports and Entertainment Event Management. Her career in the events industry was launched as a wedding coordinator in 2012.  She has also worked as a conference associate for the YMCA of the Rockies. Her love for the city of Denver, sales, and events drew her to work for the Colorado Convention Center. In Alaina's spare time, she is pursuing her MBA through Southern New Hampshire University. Alaina joined the CCC sales team in August of 2014.

Hannah Newman

Sales Assistant 

Hannah, a native to Northeastern Colorado, received a BA in Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. After completing a marketing internship in Italy, Hannah joined SAVOR, the foodservice and catering division of SMG, as the Catering Events Manager in Lincoln. She assisted in the 2013 grand opening of Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her events included concerts, family shows, banquets, Husker Basketball and the 2015 Nebraska Governor’s Inauguration. She resigned from her SAVOR position to return to Colorado where she is pursuing a MBA through the University of Colorado Denver with a specialty in Marketing. Hannah joined the Colorado Convention Center sales team in November 2015.