(Pictured L-R: Patrick Bero, the Cobo Center and Greg Fender)
Hospitality provider Centerplate has announced an early, multi-year contract extension with Cobo Center in Detroit. Managed and operated by the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, the Cobo Center is one of the largest convention centers in the U.S., located on the beautiful Detroit riverfront.
“Over the last few years, we have made a substantial investment in the Cobo Center to transform it into a more modern, guest-centric venue,” says Patrick Bero, CEO/CFO for the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. “As we continue to attract conferences, meetings and events from around the globe, we are happy to continue working with Centerplate as our exclusive hospitality food and beverage service provider.”
When the new Cobo Center Grand Riverview Ballroom opened in 2013, it became the premier banquet and event facility in the Detroit area. With 40,000 square feet, divisible into smaller areas by retractable walls, the Grand Riverview Ballroom offers stunning views of the Detroit River, downtown and Windsor, Ontario. There is also a best-in-class, 8,000-sq.ft. kitchen with a private tasting room, where meeting planners can work with the Cobo culinary team to develop custom menus for their event.
Centerplate recently has created new concepts for the venue, including the Detroit Made Market for pizzas and burgers, Rock City Fresh for sandwiches, soups and salads, and Go Natural, offering more health-conscious fare.
“We are happy to carry on our partnership with Cobo Center,” says Greg Fender, executive vice president, Centerplate. “We will continue to source locally as much as possible, from brands like Zingerman’s Cheese, Dearborn Sausage, Verner’s and Faygo. It’s about more than just the food though, as we provide a level of hospitality that resonates well with our guests.”
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau honored the Cobo Center with the William F. McLaughlin Hospitality Award for Service Excellence at the 2018 Recognition of Service Excellence Awards this past summer. The William F. McLaughlin Hospitality Award is the only award in the state of Michigan that honors customer service excellence in businesses.
Cobo Center and Centerplate will also continue to work with PepsiCo to supply an array of soft beverage options for all guests.
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 17th largest convention center in the country. For more info, visit cobocenter.com.
At gathering places across North America and the United Kingdom, Centerplate and its partner venues have been defining extraordinary experiences through thoughtful hospitality, expertly delivered, for more than 80 years. Their strategic approach to hospitality creates tailored food and beverage programs, unique hospitality design, rewarding event and retail services to deliver the type of one-of-a-kind, local authenticity that builds loyalty, reputation and memories. Centerpiece partners with more than 300 premier event venues across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.; annually serving more than 115 million guests. For more info, visit centerplate.com.
