Cauthen taps former Dallas convention chief ...

JerseyGuy · Post by **JerseyGuy** » Fri May 14, 2004 4:08 pm

...to lead KC department

Jerry LaMartina
Staff Writer
KC Business Journal

Kansas City Manager Wayne Cauthen hired a former general manager of the Dallas Convention Center Facilities as director of Kansas City's Convention and Entertainment Centers Department, Cauthen said Friday.

Oscar McGaskey Jr., 50, will start the job in Kansas City in mid- June. McGaskey was general manager of the Dallas Convention Center from 1992 through 2002.

Since then, he has worked as a consultant for American Trade Shows Inc. in Dallas, he said.

"I think the most important thing is providing quality service and bringing the impact of conventions to your city, bringing in new money to a city," McGaskey said.

He was born in Nachitoches, La., left there at age six and has lived in Dallas ever since, he said.

"I will probably live in the downtown (Kansas City) area," he said. "I want to be in the area where I'm going to be working."

McGaskey's salary will be about $124,000 a year. He succeeds William LaMette, who retired June 30, city spokeswoman Mary Charles said.

"As the former general manager of the Dallas Convention Center Facilities, Oscar McGaskey's experience in convention center management, arena management, contract negotiations, sales and marketing make him an outstanding choice for the position," Cauthen said in a written release. "As we move forward with plans for the downtown arena, McGaskey's background will be a real asset to the city."

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sat May 15, 2004 3:33 am

How do people feel about this?

I just wish we would've gotten someone in her/his prime rather than someone who used to work for Dallas and then went private. As long as this dude pimps KC and brings in mucho big time conventions...I'm happy. The pay for this job should be entirely performance based (i.e. you can't bring in conventioneers...you don't get paid).

KCK · Post by **KCK** » Sat May 15, 2004 4:53 am

The thing isn't built yet, do they really need a guy on payroll for $125,000 a year when the thing won't be finished for over 2 years?

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sat May 15, 2004 4:56 am

I believe he will be directing Bartle Hall and Municipal Audi....