CEO Newsletter
CEO Newsletter
Team,
On the heels of our annual conference, I cannot help but to reflect on what makes us so great …YOU.
It starts with each of you, the people who work in our organization delivering greatness as a daily standard, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and transforming moments into memories. Thank you to everyone who made the trip to Nashville, because you made it better to be there. I hope that you enjoyed the conference as much as I did, and that you truly do embrace your craft. It’s time for each of us to convert our learnings into actions, and “Turn It Up” as we deliver for our guests, our clients and our organization.
For those who weren’t able to attend, we had a tremendous welcome, thanks to the amazing hospitality that we received from the moment we arrived in Nashville. Doug Zimmerman, Chef Max and the entire Centerplate Music City Center team rocked the house. The food, the service, the displays, the innovation… all were simply outstanding. Dave Keitel didn’t let a little bit of cold weather hamper a wonderful night at the ballpark, complete with batting cages. Dave, Chef Jerry and his team hit the cover off the ball (and so did our Chairman). The food choices were as diverse as they were delicious and plentiful.
Charles Starks and Putt Putman, our clients at the Music City Center, were equally gracious and made sure that our time at the Center was exceptional and the wonderful hospitality of Adam Nuse, our Nashville Sounds client, gave us a ballpark experience to remember. Each of them heaped praise on our Nashville teams.
Our theme this year, “Turn It UP!” was supported by a great message: Centerplate’s point of differentiation is the quality of our hospitality—it’s more than a job, it’s a craft. To be successful, we each need to give our best every day… to our guests, our clients, and our teams. We asked everyone to contribute in our breakout sessions to define the standards that will become the next generation of our hospitality brand. The input was great! How we conduct ourselves is equally important, and Keith King led an interesting and informative session with outside counsel and a former federal prosecutor who clearly articulated our standards and expectations. The takeaway from that session: “if they ask, you ask” without exception. We also shared details about our forthcoming investment in the tools to make you successful—from technology to legal, this year is about removing obstacles and empowering our people.
This time together is also about celebrating the accomplishments of our colleagues, and this was a great year with many highlights. Congratulations to all of our Award winners:
Line of Business Awards
UK: Celtic FC (accepted by Simon McMain)
Sports: BB&T Center (accepted by Bob Hough)
Entertainment/Restaurants: North Charleston Coliseum Complex (accepted by Richard Kellstrom)
Convention Centers: Orange County Convention Center (accepted by Doug Connor)
Quiet Excellence: Matthew Kelleher (Regional Controller)
Rising Star: Ron Muvich (Regional Controller)
Rookie of the Year: Wayne Duprey (GM, Wilmington Blue Rocks)
Employee of the Year: Jayne Nightingale (Purchasing Manager, UK)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Angie Perrilliat (GM, AT&T Park)
Culinary Excellence: Mark Spooner (Executive Chef, Hard Rock Stadium)
General Manager of the Year: Doug Keller (GM, Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center)
President’s Award: Kevin Mitchell (GM, Hard Rock Stadium)
Our annual team competitions also gave us great concepts.
Tastemakers, brought to us by Executive Chefs Orlando Morales and Marc Spooner, with BBQ Master Judge Steve Cahoon (really, he’s certified!) was all about the battle of Barbecue.
We had great entries from Chefs Dinari Brown, Marisa Pearlstein, Laura Brennan and Newton Sewell; but you voted, and the award went to Josh Distenfeld and Tracie Chiquet.
Competition this year for the Better To Be There Award was also extremely tight.
Jack Lyons represented the Morial New Orleans Convention Center’s “Creole of Course” culinary theater program, and Kevin Mitchell gave an impressive presentation on Hard Rock Stadium’s Uber Tailgate Lot and pre-game Marketplace. But, Kernell Jupiter, and the team from New Orleans, took home this year’s prize for their “Guest Ambassador Program,” which is making it better to be there at the Smoothie King Center and Superdome with an excellent training, coaching, and rewards program.
I was sorry not to have been able to personally recognize everyone onstage during our farewells, but it is obviously an extraordinary team effort to bring everyone together for the occasion. Of course, Jill Crowe is the lucky one who works on this project year round, making sure that every last detail is perfect, with support from Virginia Elkins. Much of Jill’s effort takes place behind the scenes, but we all recognize the hard work it entails. As always, Bob Pascal and his team delivered stellar content. Bob also conducted riveting interviews with our clients, Carol Wallace and Tom Garfinkel, on the mainstage. Finally the tradeshow was a high point thanks to Paul Daly’s team in Purchasing (and Paul launched a new career in entertainment—and fashion—reminding us to “Call Paul” with purchasing questions).
Remember when done really well, hospitality is a craft, not simply a job. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you that these are amazingly dedicated individuals who clearly understand the difference between a job and a craft. They truly embody Power of Centerplate and boldly demonstrate our people first culture.
While I regret that I was unable to attend the last day of our conference, I was comforted by the fact that my teammates are always well prepared to handle any situation. There was no question in my mind that they would easily deliver a successful conclusion. That, my friends, is the hallmark of a great organization. As I said during my presentation, “Centerplate is a special place” and that’s because of YOU.
I can’t wait to see all of the terrific energy and new ideas that you will bring to the business following our session this year, and look forward to a notable build in 2017—let’s make it great.
Thanks for what you do, I’ll see you soon…
