October 19, 2012
CEO Newsletter
Te3am,
As you know, this week we completed our management led buyout with Olympus Partners. We have never been in a better position to accelerate our presence and influence in the industry. However, let’s be clear that our effectiveness is not determined by our form of ownership, but by our leadership. How we lead, motivate, manage and coach makes all the difference. One rogue venue, one “try” performance, one misstep can hurt. Make sure that you run a “hurt proof” operation or department. Details matter and need your attention. Results matter more. You must be the unstoppable force that leads your operation or department to deliver on its goals.
“To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill” is another terrific and timeless quote from Sun Tzu that underscores our 3-year goal to dominate in industry. This is not just my goal; it’s a shared goal that can be delivered only with shared commitment. We win by delivering one-of-a- kind locally relevant hospitality to all of our clients.
We need to demonstrate the power of Centerplate so that when we embark on an opportunity, any opportunity, the outcome is preordained. To accomplish this we need more than just a positive outlook and disposition. We need to think differently, better, faster, fresher and more comprehensively than all of our competitors combined. This month’s issue of Venues Today has a Centerplate cover-wrap (copy attached) that states our message loud and clear. Our mission, our promise to our clients and examples of how we make it happen, Blue Bear Farm in Denver and our Convention Center Advisory Council meeting in Napa, is laid out for all to see. Centerplate is reinventing the industry and the meaning of Event Hospitality. Do your part.
Important Calendar Note – Our 2013 Annual Conference will take place in Denver on February 6-8. The conference will launch our Y13 strategy and initiatives to deliver on our vision to be #1 in Event Hospitality. Be on the lookout for our StepBeyond – Nothing is Impossible Tour plans.
E3 moments of the week …
The sold-out New York Comic Con at the Javits Convention Center last week was a great success with over 250,000 attendees for the 4-day marathon of events. With a specialty menu including a Batman BLT with our special blend of peanut butter, bacon, tomato and green leaf lettuce, the event broke the retail sales record for any given day and for the event. Show management passed along a big thank you to our staff for their service and assistance with the overwhelming crowds. Great job by AJ Catanzaro, Leonard Centonze, Camela Duncan, John Erickson, Greg Fainer, Anna Ference, Westin Harris, Scott Hauser, Alex Johnson, Niagara Jones, Tashima King, Omar Maldonado, William McCully, Barbara Mishaan, Ebony Mitchell, Jason Morgan, Sam Tu, Boris Valter, Klaudia Valter, Jason Yarborough and our team in New York City, and visiting team members William Greene, Chris Morgan, Ivan Stosic, Billy Thompson and Shauntay Thompson!
Our team at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center went all out for a couple forced to change their wedding date, when the Town decided within 6 months of their wedding to hold its annual Bikefest the same day. Working with area hotels our team was able to rebook their ceremony and rehearsal dinner as well as get room reservations for their guests at comparable rates for their new wedding date. GM and Executive Chef Gary Leach offered his time and talents and made their wedding cake. “Thank you so much for making our wedding day wonderful. We got so many compliments on the service and food. I would recommend you to everyone. It was the best day of our lives!” Kudos to Gary, Glory Bunting, Dan Ciceri, Kayla Craighead, Audrey Killen, Karen Lawrence, Alina Mellinger, Sandra Reno, Kathleen West and our team in Ocean City!
The Grand Opening of our new San Francisco 49ers Team Store at the Town & Country Shopping Center in Palo Alto, near the site of their new Santa Clara Stadium, took place last weekend with over 500 fans waiting in line for the store opening and first day sales of $50K. The 49ers cheerleaders, the Niners Drum Corp and a live DJ were on hand to celebrate. The next store will open at Valley Fair Mall in November 2013 with more locations in the planning process. Congratulations to John Allen, Mark Fenske, Ivan Grigas, Patty Kain, LeVella Johnson, Scott Milbourn, Josh Pell, Gary Prell, Randy Brubaker and our vendor partners at M3 Messenger Corporation and Eagle Promotions!
Our final E3 this week is our entire NFL business – last week we delivered a total revenue increase of 11%+ and a per cap increase of 19% – now that’s huge!
I know we have the winning team – there is no other that compares to ours and I could not be more proud. Just stop for a second and reflect on how our competition feels right now. It can’t be pleasant and we need the resolve to intensify that unpleasant feeling. Let’s push hard to close out the year in true style the Centerplate Way and make Y13 our fifth back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to- back best year ever.
Let’s go DO THIS!
