October 11, 2013
CEO Newsletter
Recently I visited our UK market; within a short few days we toured Watford FC, Warner Bros, Leicester Tigers, Northants CCC and RAF Hendon, held several client meetings and even attended a Madness concert. It was a real pleasure to see the professionalism and pride on display by our UK team and they are living up to our billing of being the world’s most respected Event Hospitality company. Back here in North America we are also living up to our vision and our NFL teams are a shining example with sales up almost double digit season to date.
Moving forward our challenge is to differentiate Centerplate through the quality services we provide to our clients and our guests. We do this best with an element that no one can duplicate – our people. It is vital for us to have a motivated and engaged workforce. The attached article from Nation’s Restaurant News “Five steps to building your restaurant’s dream team” outlines steps to bring your team to the top level. Please make sure that you are personally taking every opportunity to develop your team and yourself and pushing all to deliver unmatched care and guest happiness.
If you have not engaged in our organizational and personal development programs, now is the time to do so. After all, we are the sum total of the choices we make every day. Knowledge and competency come through learning and training. If you steadfastly focus on a mission of personal development, you can improve your skills, elevate your game and achieve your goals resulting in success for you and for Centerplate. Luke Wooldridge, our GM at McAllen Convention Center, a past competitive swimmer, sent me the attached “20 Habits of Elite Swimmers” with a note that it is a good guide to success to everyone and he is exactly right.
Earlier this week I was in Louisville connecting with our new client, exploring how we drive our partnership forward and committing to crafting a one-of-a-kind locally relevant hospitality program. While there I spent some time with our Louisville management staff and left knowing that we have an excellent team in place to fulfill the commitment made to our client and provide our guests with unmatched hospitality.
We’re excited to be presenting our first “HR Player of the Year Awards”. Be sure to submit your nominations in the following categories – Rookie of the Year; Switch Hitter; HR All-Star; Coach; Recruiter; HR Hero or Other – to John Allen by October 20th. Then tune in to the Online Awards Ceremony on November 5th.
E3 moments of the week…
Centerplate is one of 5 companies nominated for the 2013 Local Impact Award by the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Winners are announced at their annual Business Excellence Awards Dinner. The award recognizes businesses that have had a significant impact on the Toronto region’s economy in one or more ways – creation of new job opportunities; expansion of an existing facility or building a new facility; continued education and training of their workforce; and active, ongoing involvement in community economic development activities. Kudos and good luck to all of our Ontario team members!
At a recent University of Notre Dame football game one of our non-profit volunteers, Jessica Burbrink with the Northridge Area Swim Association, had a conversation with a guest who was very impressed by the great service he received at their stand, as well as another concession stand that he had visited earlier. Jessica told him how they were trained to provide “great customer service with a great attitude” and described our emphasis on good customer service, secret shoppers and the opportunity to receive the “Gold Shamrock Award”, which honors a volunteer group at every game that consistently displays exceptional service to our guests. Following the conversation the guest identified himself as a trainer for Ritz Carlton, an organization well known for its high level of service. Great job by Ryan Cummings, Kory DeMeulenaere, Krystle Ellis, Tom Merry, Colleen O’Dwyer, Executive Chef Kippard Peters, Stephen Whalen and our entire Notre Dame team!
While the Tampa Bay Rays didn’t advance to the ALCS, our team at Tropicana Field provided the fans with fare to cheer about it at the AL Division playoff games against the Boston Red Sox. With the post season games drawing the largest crowds the ballpark has seen in several years and increased per cap spending over regular season games, our fan-favorite “foot- Longoria” and fresh-made Cuban sandwiches were in much demand. Local Channel 10 news visited the stadium and took a backstage tour of the kitchen with Executive Chef Marc Spooner to see our preparations for the game. Kudos to Anne Bistodeau, Nancy Blaisdell, Chef Matteo Casini, John Cirelli, Jody Finzer, Chef John Flohre, Grace Lui, George Middaugh, Anne Rabeau, Joe Seifert, Rhonda Thompson, Michael Rodgers, Jackie Van Sant, Executive Chef Marc Spooner, Jon Webster, Clay Wilder and our entire staff in Tampa!
Here’s to moving our mission further forward each and every day and winning through the Positive Power of Our People!
