June 27, 2014
CEO Newsletter
Te3am,
This week we held a series of top to top meetings. We had a great meeting with Sysco and laid out plans for how we can take our partnership to the next level. The central focus was how to improve performance to our venues and this will be an ongoing process. We capped off the week with an Operations and Sales Summit. The discussions were open and engaging and will propel us to keep up the momentum in Q3 and Q4, to minimize our challenges and take advantage of every opportunity to control costs and increase our bottom line, and vigorously pursue our sales pipeline. Commitment to delivering on our brand promise of Making It Better To Be There is critical.
I am delighted to announce that we have renewed an important piece of business and entered into a new partnership. First, we renewed our long-term partnership with the Louisiana Sports and Exposition District for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, and the Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans, further solidifying our presence in the city. Nice work by our New Orleans based management team, led by Steve Trotter and Kernell Jupiter, and the many Support Center leaders involved in the process. Second, we have been asked by our Winnipeg partners to operate the Burton Cummings Theatre. It is always very pleasing to grow our business with an existing partner and it is a testament to our team at the MTS Centre that our client recognizes that we do Make It Better To Be There. Taking care of today’s clients must always be our #1 job.
E3 moments of the week …
We have launched a range of afternoon teas – Gentlemen’s , Dudes & Dolls’, and Traditional – at The Sage Gateshead. With its beautiful views it is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones and perhaps a glass of champagne or Prosecco along with your tea. A recent blog included photos and raves about our offerings, “literally the nicest ham sandwich I have ever had and we were equally impressed with the scones which were described as mini but huge and perfectly formed, and came with our favorite little jars of Triptree jam and a huge pot of cream which I absolutely slathered all over my scone.” Great job by Philip Barron, John Dixon, Anthony Hegney, Amy Swan and our team at The Sage Gateshead!
Our team in Bridgeport has been busy! Last month they served 600 guests for the largest plated dinner function ever held at the Webster Bank Arena and it was so successful that the host, Bridgeport Hospital, booked a subsequent event for over 1,000 guests in October. Then last week the ballpark celebrated Pete Rose’s return to the baseball diamond as the one-day manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish. With the national news attention for the game it was our busiest night since 2009 and our special Cincinnati Chili Dog was a great hit with the fans. Job well done by Denisse Casado, Meghan Gilroy, Chef Robert Hurd, Chef Brian Josenhans, Elena Lopez, Chris Morgan, Stephanie Rodriquez, Rich Stein, visiting team members Joann Larous, Executive Chef William Miller, Rogelio Mitchell, Christina Montanaro, Morel Mouflett, Drew Revella, Craig Richards, Corey Wallerson and our entire Bridgeport team!
Let’s all remain committed to making a difference!
Onwards!
