Marble Falls, TX – Jimmie Fore, 72, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, March 19 at his ranch in Marble Falls, TX, about 60 miles northwest of Austin, TX. He had been raising quarter horses and exotic game after his retirement. During his 40+ years in the trade show industry, Fore had been general manager of the New Orleans Convention Center, McCormick Place and the Astrodomain Complex.
In 2005, Fore was elevated to “industry legend” as the result of his heroism in remaining inside the New Orleans Convention Center during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 with three key management executives. He refused to “abandon his ship” despite evacuation orders and pleas from his family. Afterwards, Fore led the Morial Convention Center to complete a massive cleanup and an ambitious reopening plan. The building’s $60 million renovation partially reopened in February 2006 to host smaller events — a mere six months after Katrina. More exhibit and meeting space opened in June 2006 to host the 17,000 person American Library Association, and by November, the entire facility was once again hosting conventions and trade shows.
He received IAVM’s Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2007 from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) at the International Convention Center Conference (ICCC) in Boston.
More details will be published as they become available.
