Another Decade, Elevating Guest and Client Experience
submitted by Heather Anderson
DETROIT – Huntington Place and Sodexo Live! are proud to announce the extension of their partnership for another ten years, solidifying a dynamic collaboration that continues to set the standard for excellence in the convention and event industry. This extension is driven by a shared commitment to guest satisfaction and delivering best-in-class hospitality experiences.
Huntington Place’s decision to extend its contract with Sodexo Live! is based on several key initiatives designed to enhance the experience for event planners and attendees alike:
- 24/7 Just Walk Out Store – A revolutionary, checkout-free shopping experience that allows guests to purchase items quickly and conveniently without waiting in line. Whether before, during, or after events, this cutting-edge technology ensures efficiency, reduces congestion, and provides 24-hour accessibility.
- Transformation of In-House Café – This reimagined space will offer an expanded selection of food and beverages in a welcoming atmosphere. Enhancements include modernized layouts, improved guest flow, upgraded equipment, and additional points of sale, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.
- Culinary Equipment Investments – A comprehensive review of back-of-house culinary operations has led to significant investments in refrigeration and kitchen infrastructure. These upgrades will enhance food safety and operational efficiency.
- Upgraded Point of Sale (POS) System – A new POS system distributed throughout the venue will facilitate faster, more accurate transactions while providing valuable data insights to refine marketing strategies.
- Annual Innovation Fund – A $50,000 per year investment in new initiatives will support the continuous evolution of Huntington Place’s food and beverage program, ensuring ongoing improvements that align with industry trends and client needs.
“Huntington Place’s top priority is delivering an unparalleled guest and client experience, and Sodexo Live! has consistently demonstrated their ability to make that happen,” said Bryan Crowe, CEO of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. “Their commitment to operational excellence and culinary creativity made them the clear choice for this continued partnership. We are excited for what the next decade will bring.”
Sodexo Live! shares the enthusiasm for the extended collaboration. “This partnership extension is a true testament to the deep collaboration and shared commitment between our teams,” said Belinda Oakley, CEO of Sodexo Live! “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation, redefine hospitality experiences, and set new standards of excellence for the industry.”
At the heart of Sodexo Live!’s culinary program at Huntington Place is Executive Chef Stephan Blaser, a veteran of the industry for nearly 40 years and a valued leader in Detroit’s event dining scene. Chef Blaser seamlessly blends international flavors with locally sourced ingredients, crafting menus that celebrate Detroit’s culinary heritage while catering to the diverse needs of event attendees.
In 2024, Huntington Place achieved a milestone waste diversion impact rate, with the help of Sodexo Live! each step of the way. After events, donations of prepared but unused meals are promptly given to local food rescue programs to both reduce the carbon footprint and serve local community members in need of a meal. Additionally, food scraps that can become compost and distributed to local urban farms in Detroit are sent to Hammond Farms.
With this renewed partnership, Huntington Place and Sodexo Live! remain dedicated to delivering an elevated, seamless, and innovative guest experience that will continue to make Detroit a premier destination for world-class events.
About Huntington Place
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Huntington Place, Detroit’s convention center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and has the largest ballroom in Michigan with 40,000 square feet. It is a LEED Gold certified venue and has received numerous industry awards for excellence including the 2020 USGBC Leadership Award for Building Performance, making it the only convention center in the history of the award to receive it. It is the 16th largest convention center in the United States. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and huntingtonplacedetroit.com.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About ASM Global
Award-winning ASM Global is the world’s No. 1 development and full-service venue company focused on client-first approaches for driving significant financial success. The company’s elite network spans five continents featuring a portfolio of more than 400 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention/exhibition centers and performing arts venues.
ASM Global translates its unique visionary ownership experience into innovative project development, planning and execution; content programming; curated guest-immersive experiences; locally tailored solutions; and optimized revenue streams for our client’s properties and surrounding communities. Focused on value creation and economic growth, ASM Global realizes venue business potential to elevate the profitability and profile of our clients and partners. We cultivate strong, inclusive relationships with the communities we work and live in while championing the welfare and development of our employees and small-business partners, resulting in a more cohesive, resilient and vibrant community.
ASM Global’s expertise and commitment extends across existing venue management, new venue development, and transformative renovation projects across the most exciting properties in the industry, including Kai Tak Sports Park (Hong Kong), Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana), The Moscone Center (San Francisco, California), AO Arena (Manchester, U.K.), The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles, California), Desert Diamond Arena (Glendale, Arizona) and Fishers Event Center (Fishers, Indiana).
