New convention facilities, partnerships and philanthropic activities are the latest developments at several North American convention centers heading into fall. Take a look:
Anaheim Convention Center Opens New Rail Yard
The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) recently opened the Claudina Marshaling Yard, located on 6 acres of at-grade asphalt less than 2 miles from the facility at the corner of Anaheim Boulevard and Claudina Way.
Serving as a base for coordinating deliveries and shipments, the new yard provides optimal space for vehicles to wait and undergo security checks before being allowed to unload their cargo. Created to improve the efficient management of materials handling for events, the yard handles everything from receiving freight to preparing for move-in and move-out to storage during events, according to Visit Anaheim officials.
“The Anaheim Convention Center Rail Yard is the new advantage you get when hosting your major convention in Anaheim,” said Ronnie Collins, senior vice president of sales and service for Visit Anaheim. “We have the equipment handling and storage solution to accommodate even the largest conventions, all within a short distance of our convention campus.”
Convention and exhibition planners interested in using the Claudina Marshaling Yard for their next event can contact the Visit Anaheim sales team or click here to learn more.
OCESA Selects OVG Hospitality to Transform Dining Experiences at Multiple Venues in Mexico
OCESA, one of Mexico’s leading live entertainment companies, has tapped Oak View Group subsidiary OVG Hospitality to redefine the culinary and hospitality experiences at its Mexico City venues. The selection expands Oak View Group’s business presence in Latin America, while OCESA’s venues will benefit from OVG Hospitality’s premium food and beverage offerings and customer service, according to OVG officials.
Promoter of more than 3,000 annual events attracting nearly 6 million attendees across Mexico each year, OCESA’s venue portfolio includes the recently renovated 65,000-seat Estadio GNP Seguros; Mexico’s premier convention center, Centro Citibanamex, offering 2 million square feet of meeting and exhibition space; and a diverse collection of multi-purpose venues, theaters, arenas, festival grounds and stadiums.
As OCESA’s exclusive food and beverage provider, OVG Hospitality will integrate its industry-leading services across OCESA’s locations, partnering with local, regional and national suppliers to develop menus that reflect Mexico’s rich culinary heritage. Plans include enhancing the premium experience in suites and clubs, introducing new menu selections and market concepts throughout the year, and integrating technology to streamline ordering and payment processes to reduce wait times.
OVG Hospitality is already operational at Centro Citibanamex, Estadio GNP Seguros and Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez and is expected to begin operations at Palacio de los Deportes by the end of the year. Other OCESA locations are expected to follow in January, according to OVG officials.
“By combining OCESA’s unmatched expertise in delivering world-class events with OVG Hospitality’s leadership in high-end hospitality, we are poised to elevate the fan experience across Mexico, starting with these iconic venues,” said Chris Granger, President of OVG360. “This partnership marks a pivotal expansion of Oak View Group’s presence in Latin America, and we are especially excited and honored to partner with OCESA. As hard-working operators, we value their entrepreneurial spirit, boldness and commitment to music fans across the country.”
Pennsylvania Convention Center Holds Back-to-School Backpack Drive
On August 20, the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority held a backpack drive to provide 150 backpacks filled with school supplies to students participating in programs hosted by Mighty Writers, a nonprofit organization that runs free writing workshops and after-school programs for children ages 7 to 17.
Organized in collaboration with the Center’s site management partner, ASM Global, and Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc., Philadelphia Chapter, the event featured more than 20 volunteers who filled backpacks with much-needed school supplies donated by Center staff, vendor partners and union partners, including IBEW Local 98, IATSE Local 8, Elliott Lewis, BSI, Siemens, Ernest Bock, Aramark, Schneider Electric and PJP (Penn Jersey Paper/Brady Plus).
“The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority recognizes that we are an integral part of the Philadelphia region and we work closely with our partners and clients throughout the year on programs that support our local community and nonprofit organizations,” said John J. McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “We are proud to collaborate with our partner ASM Global on initiatives, such as the backpack drive, that help improve and strengthen the communities we serve.”
This effort is an initiative of ASM Global ACTS, ASM’s corporate social responsibility platform launched in 2021.
“A key goal of the ASM Global ACTS initiative is to encourage volunteerism among our staff,” said Tony Hodgins, ASM Global Managing Director at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. “We place great importance on partnering with community organizations to create opportunities for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and ASM Global staff to provide support to those in need in the Philadelphia area.”
Baltimore Convention Center Expands Partnership with Edlen
Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, a leading independent electrical contractor to the convention, trade show and special events industry based in Las Vegas, will continue to provide utility services to the Baltimore Convention Center through 2030, extending a partnership established in 2011.
“Edlen is pleased to announce our continued partnership with the Baltimore Convention Center to meet its utility needs,” said Jim Wetterling, Edlen’s CEO. “This partnership and relationship has been valuable over the past 13 years, and we are honored to receive this contract renewal.”
Diane DeBarros, Edlen’s general manager, who has been at the Baltimore Convention Center since 2010, will continue to manage day-to-day utility operations, and Jeff Butler, who has been at the Baltimore Convention Center since 2004, will continue to serve as Edlen’s general foreman, a position he has held since 2020.
“I want to express our appreciation for this mutually rewarding relationship,” said DeBarros. “Our partnership with the BCC over the past 13 years has been a fruitful collaboration and I look forward to many more years of accomplishing great things together.”
Do you have information to share about trade shows and corporate events? Contact us at lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.
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