YOUNGSTOWN ‘” Aggressive marketing and relying on their national contacts are two of the reasons why city officials should pick Global Spectrum to run the Chevrolet Centre for them, Global Spectrum executives said at a presentation Tuesday.

In the first of three scheduled presentations this week by companies who want to manage the arena for Youngstown, Global Spectrum officials said the current state of the arena is not bad, but more aggressive marketing for customers, events, advertising and corporate sponsors would help it turn the tide of recent financial losses. Mayor Jay Williams also said that no matter who runs the arena, the city needs local residents to attend events there to make it a success.

”The facility, I believe, is an asset to our community,” Williams said. ”But the community needs to decide if they are going to support this facility or not.” The presentations are being held in open meetings because of their importance, Williams said. Other meetings will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday with the CAVS/IFG Group and 2 p.m. with SMG. Both presentations will be held in the community room at the Chevrolet Centre.

The arena, which opened in 2005, is home to the Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League and the Mahoning Valley Thunder of the Arena Football League 2. The previous operators, Global Entertainment, and the city severed ties in October after several reports of financial difficulties at the arena.