June 21, 2013
CEO Newsletter
We operate and thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing world. Our clients are moving and reacting to change to stay ahead, as are we, but not all at the same time or at the same pace. Good companies not only react but thrive and survive in spite of these extra demands. Great companies proactively seek out insights that better predict the future so change is led and embraced, not forced and feared.
Recent developments at Apple underscored a recurring thought of mine that competitive advantage is fleeting and a great company needs to be constantly evolving. The time to evolve is not when the competition is trying to catch up to our newest initiative, but when they are still trying to catch up to the previous one. If we stand still and admire our work each day that passes erodes our competitive advantage and we become a commodity of tomorrow. Do you not find it interesting that everyone is talking about hospitality, talking up insights driving strategy and the role of big data and guest segmentation? At one time these were all part of our competitive advantage toolkit.
Now our competitors are using these same tools and are also catching up with our farm initiatives, and no doubt our other initiatives as well.
We need to be developing CP 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 so our competitors are operating, like they have been for the last 5 years, in catch-up mode. We need to retire them like an 8-track cassette, only quicker and even more permanently by constantly innovating and morphing ourselves to greatness. Business intelligence is critical; now like never before Centerplate is investing in gaining macro and micro insights. I ask you to get insights from your department or venue and share them. The more we know, the more we can plan and shape winning strategies. Furthermore, we are going to get more aggressive with our social media efforts. Please send in pictures of your signature food items or noteworthy displays and events so we can use them to communicate and showcase our brand more effectively.
I truly believe that we stand at a momentous crossroads of realignment in Event Hospitality. The stark reality is that entertainment and, more importantly, the expectation of an entertainment experience has exponentially increased in recent years while the fulfillment of the promise in a live environment has lagged far behind. We need look no further than declining attendance to see that the explosion of in-home multi-media solutions have provided many with an alternative experience that is seen as good enough. We can simply ignore these signals or we can work to deliver an experience that cannot be replicated at home. Long lines for our products or services will not help our cause nor will unfriendly, untrained and unmotivated employees. What will bridge the experience gap is the delivery on our client promise of one-of-a-kind locally relevant hospitality programs that elevates the Centerplate brand (through differentiated and superior hospitality for the fan/guest) and delivers higher returns for the client’s brand. We need to deliver on both these interconnected goals.
I am thrilled to announce the promotion of Kay Towner to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Kay will continue in her new business development role as well as lead the development of our business building initiatives for our clients and partners, on the local and national level, to grow their businesses and brands. Please join me in congratulating Kay and wishing her well in her new position.
We have more great news to share on the renewal front – our contracts at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and RFK Stadium were both renewed without going through an RFP process and our contract at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center was extended. Each renewal is a great testament to our performance at the facilities, our team members and our client relationships. Great job by Vince McPhail, Bobby Dichiaro, Gary Leach, Nick Biello and all involved in the renewal efforts!
E3 moments of the week …
Bob Pascal was presented with the 2013 Leaders in Retail Foodservice award by CSP Media at the sixth-annual Foodservice at Retail Exchange (FARE). In receiving the award he is noted as a leader in our industry segment for balancing culinary creativity with a greater business plan and as a forward-thinking operator in retail food service. Centerplate stood out for its unique technology initiatives, its strong community connections and its culinary creativity. In addition to accepting the award, Bob participated in a general session panel where he discussed the fundamental shift taking place in the food and beverage sector of sports, convention centers and entertainment based on generational and cultural shifts. Congratulations Bob!
The Culinary Institute of America and Harvard University’s School of Public Health convened a summit entitled Menus of Change to evaluate the business and scientific implications of health and sustainability issues related to food. Centerplate contributed to the conference in several ways. Michael Kaufman helped open the first session and was on the closing panel. Chef Bill Bradley, New England Aquarium, was one of a select few chefs invited to prepare and serve at the Opening Reception. John Harvard’s Brewery and Ale House in Cambridge played host with a four-course Brewer’s Pairing Dinner for a select group of attendees and compliments on the menu, food and service abounded. Job well done by Chef Aldrin Asencio, Emily Cobb, Jack Eckalbar, Lila Kahn, Tre Lucas, Riley Markey, Colleen McNamara, Juan Medina, Leah Pizzella, Laurie Sypniewski, Jason Taggart, Ashley Tart and Armando Urbie!
The UFC161 Block Party and Light Heavyweight Bout at the MTS Centre was a great success with over 14,700 fans in attendance which set a new single event sales revenue record and building per cap record. Planning and execution were instrumental in pulling off the event and it showed with the UFC officials very happy with the first-time block party results. The Mayor’s Special Events Deputy commented, “We set the bar for event hospitality in the city.” Kudos to Lynda Baker, John Couture, Clark Forsyth, Ellerey Friesen, Devonny Hadder, Michael Law, Analiza Marn, Kim Mullin- Giajnorio, Brad Johnson, Emanuel Machado, Karen Rainka, Rejean Roch, Gary Scott, Brian Selmon, Betty Skovgaard, Michael Smith, Sean Swan, Tod Trudeau, Craig Vidal, Rob Williams, Roger Wilton and our entire team in Winnipeg!
Here’s to being the industry trailblazer!
