Meeting News - February 11, 2008 - (Page 16)

Convention Centers Centerplate Emerges as the Winner In Orlando CC’s Catering Contract Contentious negotiations reportedly involved political influences Orlando—The Orange County Convention Center has awarded a 10-year catering contract to Centerplate, the Spartanburg, SC-based firm that provides services to meetings and recreational facilities across the country. Centerplate beat industry heavyweight Aramark, based in Philadelphia, and current contract holder Levy Restaurants, based in Chicago. The center’s catering contract, which could be worth as much as $30 million annually, is one of the most contentious for city commissioners, who are its final arbiters. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the convention center’s union workers lobbied hard against Aramark, alleging unfair labor and wage policies, and sought to work with Levy or Centerplate. The local paper also suggested that minority-based politics may have played a role in the final decision, as Centerplate teamed up with four local minority joint-venture partners in the latest contract bidding. Ultimately, city commissioners went with the convention center staff’s recommendation. This was good news for Centerplate, which has been working aggressively to build new business. Its clients include the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and Yankee Stadium, but the company stands to lose its $65-million annual contract when the Yankees move to their new park in 2009. As the second largest convention center in the country, the Orange County Convention Center serves approximately 2.5 million meals annually. Centerplate’s new contract goes into effect in August. Edited by Elizabeth West elizabeth.west@nielsen.com Steel and trusses now, the skybridge at Phoenix CC is the missing link in a $600-million expansion project. Centerplate will start serving meals at the OCCC in August. Bridging the Divide at the Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix—In the early hours of Jan. 22, the streets of Phoenix were quiet, except for the rumbling of a 150-foot, 82-ton skybridge being towed toward the city’s convention center. The facility is undergoing a $600-million expansion that includes a brand-new wing called the North Building, which is on track for completion this December. The skybridge will link the existing West Building, with its 46,000-sf ballroom, to the new wing, where 190,000 sf of exhibition space will be available to groups, as well as a street-level ballroom, 56 meeting rooms, and outdoor event areas. The skybridge is one of three pedestrian passages that will take delegates from the West Building to the North Building. Also, there will be a street-level crossing and a 312,500-sf, underground exhibition hall that seamlessly links the two structures. Oncenter Complex Renovates Ballroom After 15 Years Syracuse, NY—On Jan.16, the Oncenter Complex, a multi-venue exhibition, convention, and entertainment center that opened 15 years ago, debuted its first major renovation that took on the facility’s grand ballroom. The ballroom received detailed work on its color palette, ceilings, walls, carpeting, and lighting, creating a warm ambiance with corals, apple green, and ecru; it is a style that is said to adapt well to both formal and casual events. New ballroom chairs feature open fret work in a metallic 16 MeetingNews gold finish that mimics the ceiling panels and golden chandeliers. “The redesign… is exquisite,” said David Marnell, Sr., president and CEO of the complex, of the work by consulting firm Cody & Wolff Inc. “We are thrilled with the outcome and are confident our guests will be pleased with the new look and the overall welcoming atmosphere.” The upgrade at the convention center has been completed none too soon. The new Westin Syracuse Hotel is scheduled to open adjacent to the center next year, with 354 guest rooms and 17,000 sf of meeting and event space, making conven- ience a bigger draw for the facility. The upscale hotel is likely to increase planner and delegate expectations of the 99,000-sf convention center. A New Park Waits to be Discovered in Houston Houston—The $122-million, 12acre Discovery Green park adjacent to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center is in the final stages of construction. The project includes two restaurants and a two-acre great lawn, a one-acre lake, a putting green, and a jogging trail. Planners will be able to take advantage of the great lawn and an amphitheater for outdoor events. Underneath the soon-to-open recreational park, a new underground parking garage debuted at the convention center last month. It has taken the place of the two aboveground lots that were razed to make room for the Discovery Green project. The garage has space for 675 vehicles, and users enjoy ’round-theclock security. In the fall, the Houston Pavilions entertainment complex will open just a few blocks from the convention center. Planned tenants include House of Blues, Lucky Strike, and Red Cat Jazz Cafe. r www.meetingnews.com February 11, 2008 http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - February 11, 2008

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