The Seattle Convention Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael McQuade to Senior Advisor, Commercial Strategy, reporting directly to Jennifer LeMaster, President & CEO effective January 1, 2026. This transition marks a significant step in advancing the Center’s future growth objectives.
McQuade, SCC’s Director of Sales since 1988, brings extensive experience and industry knowledge to the advisory role. He helped launch the original Center and served as an insightful contributor to the three expansions of the Arch building, plus the half-million-square-foot addition of Summit, which opened in early 2023. He will be responsible for shaping new commercial relationships, refining destination KPIs, and partnering with an expanding network of stakeholders to evaluate tradeshows, sports and special event opportunities for the city.
As a result of McQuade’s transition, the Center will initiate a search for a highly experienced and innovative business leader to join its executive team as Vice President, Commercial Strategies. This role is ideal for a tenured professional with a proven track record of diversifying and driving revenue growth and leading high-performing teams in complex hospitality environments.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Seattle Convention Center is excited to embark on a Campus Master Plan process, with a renewed focus on delivering clean, safe, and secure environments for visitors, guests and residents alike. The plan’s initiatives reflect the Center’s dedication to operational excellence and its vision for the future of business events in downtown Seattle.
