Paul O’Connell, Project Manager and hospitality veteran, reveals how Southern Aluminum’s innovative products drive efficiency and cost savings.
In our interview with Paul, a seasoned project manager with 34 years in the convention industry, he shares insights on how partnerships and quality products are essential to operational success. Paul highlights his long-standing relationship with Southern Aluminum, explaining how their durable, lightweight, linenless tables have streamlined day-to-day operations. By reducing labor costs and eliminating the need for linens, Paul and his team consistently deliver quality meetings and events with greater efficiency and cost savings.
How long have you been in the Convention Center business?
I came to the New Orleans Convention Center 15 years ago. My history in the convention business goes back to 1988 in Boston as the Conventions Service Manager. I worked my way into operations, and moved to Savannah as a Director of Operations, then went to Corporate SMG and was the Corporate Director of FF&E. From there I came to New Orleans to work in IT but then moved into capital acquisitions, capital improvements, et cetera. So, all in all, 34 years!
How did you start doing business with Southern Aluminum?
When I was at SMG Corporate, I was the corporate director of FF&E. That means all the tables, all the chairs, all the scoreboards, and stuff that outfits, whether it’s an arena, a stadium, or a convention center, basically went through my office. The evolution of what people used in these buildings was thirty-five years ago when everybody had wooden tables. Then, 20 years ago, plastic splashed onto the scene, which was different. One guy could handle a table. But it didn’t last as long. Then Mike Soloyer, our general manager, came here six years ago and said, “Hey, I use these tables, the Southern Aluminum tables in San Antonio, and I want them here.” He’s the boss. You get what you want. I learned. I learned that, guess what? You’ve got a wonderful product. It’s lightweight, and actually, it’s a high-end table. It gives you that hotel look in a convention center.
How has Southern Aluminum’s products impacted the business of day-to-day operations?
We saved a ton of labor. The tables are always ready to go! Day-to-day, we don’t put linens on them. Day-to-day, we save that money. The specially designed protective rim around the round tables keeps them safe from banging around on anything. We also work with the food and beverage provider here, and they’ve got the tables with wheels on them. They can wheel them out and wheel them back. You’re set, and you’re ready to go. We will set this room 100 times. Labor is expensive. Linens are expensive. Cutting out linen cost per table adds up quickly!
Experience Operational Efficiency with Southern Aluminum
Ready to experience the operational efficiencies and cost savings that linenless tables bring to venues? Explore Southern Aluminum’s linenless event tables and see how our product transforms the everyday event space.
