April 26, 2013
CEO Newsletter
This week I had a great lunch at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. We have a terrific menu, an enthusiastic staff and our remodel plans are going to bring a whole dimension to the experience. Next I traveled to New Orleans to support our current operations and further strengthen our position in the market, including potential new business at Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University, and had the opportunity to meet with Louisiana Governor Jindal. Unsolicited he stated that he is a big supporter of Centerplate and recognizes the value we bring to the facilities and communities we serve. We all need to rally this type of support. Make sure you are known outside of your venue and Centerplate is a recognized partner in your community and the surrounding area.
While in New Orleans I also was honored to attend the GE Board Dinner where I spent time with GE Chairman Jeff Immelt, their Board members and other senior leaders of the company. Over dinner the discussion turned to challenges. Their business challenges are the same as ours – how do they produce more meaning for the market? How do they make quicker and better decisions? How do they ensure their team is the best trained? How do they eliminate silos and maximize the enterprise? They have the same opportunity to blaze an unprecedented path of prosperity facing our same challenges.
The leadership of PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) traveled to visit our office and we discussed ways that we can drive our collective business forward. I look forward to further developing the relationship and exploring the possibilities. We are also working with Juma Ventures on plans to move our Centerplate Promise campaign forward. It speaks volumes about our standing in the industry when enterprises are eager to develop plans to work with us.
We need to remain focused on delivering better results for our clients at every venue and the Centerplate message will resonate. We cannot have a “recession” in our actions or thoughts to deliver on our newly minted vision of being the most respected global Event Hospitality provider. I know we will attain that status – let’s do it sooner rather than later. Bring your team to life behind this challenge and remember that good people move on, either psychologically or physically, when their hunger for development or enrichment is not satisfied. Actively engage all of your team members.
E3 moments of the week …
Scene Bistro at Malvern Theatres has been awarded the Soil Association Silver Food for Life Catering Mark. Scene Bistro is a contemporary 80-seat restaurant at the theatre and is Lindley’s first such accreditation. It is also the first establishment in Malvern to achieve this honor and the first theatre to do so in the UK. The Catering Mark recognizes the serving of fresh and healthy meals that only use sustainable fish and meat which is Farm Assured. Our client was very pleased, “It’s very rewarding that our commitment to serving fresh and healthy meals made with local and organic ingredients has been recognized by the Silver Food for Life Catering Mark. We hope our customers will enjoy their meals all the more knowing that they are made with a selection of local and organic ingredients.” Congratulations to Anna Standen and our team at Scene Bistro on this great achievement!
John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House released Sean’s Brew, a new “spring-inspired” beer, to raise money for a good cause – $ 1 from each pint sold goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The beer is being brewed and sold at all of our John Harvard locations. We have a long history of working with cystic fibrosis and Sean is the son of a good friend, Bill Squires. Bill was thrilled on a recent visit to our Framingham restaurant, “It is terrific to see the outpouring of support for my son. I was very impressed with your staff since everyone knew about the Sean’s Brew promotion and I was amazed at the posting of flyers in strategic locations throughout the restaurant. I sincerely appreciate your support for my son, Sean, and all those who suffer from cystic fibrosis.” Great job to all of our staff at John Harvard’s!
At a recent Florida State Fairgrounds event two of our employees assisted an ill guest who fainted while in line at an outside concession stand. Leticia Lujanda and Donisha Putts went immediately to her aid, placing ice on her wrists and the back of her neck while awaiting the paramedics. The guest was truly grateful, “Fainting can be a frightening experience and they were so kind and had a very soothing demeanor. My partner and I have had employees over the years and I must say I would be proud to have these two young ladies work for me. They are a true asset to Centerplate. I am sure you are very proud to have such dedicated employees among your staff.” We certainly are – kudos to Leticia and Donisha!
Onwards!
