Abstract
Convention centers are vital economic and cultural assets, driving commerce, tourism, and local engagement. In addition to hosting conferences and trade shows, they serve as gathering spaces for civic events and community celebrations. Like many municipalities, the City of Waco shifted the Waco Convention Center from direct municipal operation to private management to improve efficiency and service quality. Guided by its commitment to community assets, the city adopted an employee-first approach through its Employee Success Team (EST). The EST addressed the challenges of privatization—such as staff uncertainty and restructuring—by placing employees in roles within the city or with the new operator, ASM Global. This strategy preserved institutional knowledge, minimized disruption, and aligned with the municipality’s long-term economic goals. Waco’s convention center’s privatization offers a replicable model for other municipalities, showing that operational improvements and employee well-being can be achieved through thoughtful change management.
Recommended Citation
Andersen, Hanna E.. 2026. "Transitioning to Privatization with an Employee-First Approach: The Role of the Employee Success Team." Certified Public Manager® Applied Research 6, (1). https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cpmar/vol6/iss1/3
Included in
Growth and Development Commons, Labor Economics Commons, Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons
Tell us how this article helped you.