November 1, 2013
CEO Newsletter
I came across a great quote this week that we all must be reminded of from time to time, “I never learned anything hearing myself talk”. Make sure you are asking questions and listening well. When your people feel engaged, they feel empowered and we win; when our guests feel engaged, they feel valued and we win. Engagement is critical on all levels.
Our team did a great job at our recent renewal presentation for the Titans. Jerry Reed, our General Manager, had clearly spent the last six months engaged with our client and listening to their wants and needs. Our client in turn was engaged during our presentation as they knew that their views on areas of opportunity had been heard and incorporated. In this ultra-competitive marketplace we entered the meeting with full confidence that no other company can match our track record or provide a level of hospitality equal to Centerplate. Our 92% renewal rate this year is testament of our delivery to our clients.
I also had the pleasure of being the Keynote Speaker at the NRA’s Technology Summit which we hosted at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The most valuable technologies to us fall into two categories – those that give us a means to understand our guests and those that allow us a better mechanism to engage our guests. Technology is an important topic that you will be hearing more about as we work to use it more effectively to further our differentiation in the industry.
E3 moments of the week …
Congratulations to Chef Bob Dowd in Sioux City for his second consecutive win at the March of Dimes Signature Chef Fundraiser! Along with Chef Mike Rush, he was chosen to be the winner in the People’s Choice contest against local favorites in the cooking competition raising funds for research and educational programs in Sioux City. Chef Bob’s winning meal was his upscale take on Midwestern steak and potatoes – beef and lobster ballotine with a local-harvest potatoes gratin. Kudos to Chef Bob and Chef Mike!
For 4 days over 120,000 super heroes, aliens and celebrities took over the Javits Center for New York Comic Con. New to our offerings this year, in partnership with NYC food trucks Mike N’ Willie’s and Mac Truck, was an outside food pavilion. Our team planned and executed the event beautifully and once again set a new sales record. Great job by Alan Ameerullah, Michael Biggers, Camela Duncan, Leonor Echeverri, John Erickson, Ana Espinal, Greg Fainer, Maurico Florecio, Chef Scott Hauser, Niagara Jones, Laverne Kelly, Evelyn King, Dan Kuras, Executive Chef William Miller, Barbara Mishaan, Jason Morgan, Vanda Polokova, Lenna Rodriquez, Maria Sanchez, Rosa Soriano, Boris Valter, Klaudia Valter, Chef Jason Yarborough and our entire Javits team and visiting team members Meghan Gilroy, Tim Krott, Alison Kuras, Richard Laurette, Heather Mauro, Emily Ross and Matt Shewcik!
Our collective challenge as we enter Q4 is to close out the year strong. We have done a good job this year protecting our core business but we have isolated opportunities to work on in Y14 and we must accelerate our new development efforts. Focus on driving performance and make sure that you are engaging your entire team in your efforts.
