As the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, Events DC announce the selection of Aramark as the new, exclusive food and beverage partner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, following a comprehensive bid process. The newly approved contract by Events DC’s board of directors will mark a proposed ten-year agreement with five one-year options, that will begin April 1. Centerplate/NBSE, the current exclusive food and beverage provider, has committed to providing a seamless transition until their contract ends on March 31, 2019.
With a long-standing history of operating diverse venues across the globe and an already established presence in Washington, D.C., Aramark will enter the partnership with a forward-thinking understanding of Events DC as an organization and brand, as well as Events DC clients and their customer base. Aramark currently provides cleaning services at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and exclusive food and beverage offerings at the newly opened Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights, managed by Events DC. Aramark is also the official concessionaire at Capital One Arena, operated by Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
“Aramark has made a distinct mark not only in Washington, D.C., but globally across the convention industry and within many notable sports and entertainment venues, by delivering first-class experiences with a creative and innovative approach,” says Gregory A. O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC. “We are thrilled to announce our new partnership—giving us the ability to expand upon and further develop an already existing relationship,’ adding, “The team at Aramark shares our forward-thinking vision and commitment to raising the bar of services delivered—as well as the value of investing in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the right people to bring it all to life.”
Walter E. Washington Convention Center Events DC’s Senior VP and General Manager Samuel Thomas says, “Events DC is excited to welcome Aramark as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center’s new food and beverage provider. Aramark has built an excellent reputation working with both local partners and industry-recognized meeting planners for providing an unmatched level of service and expertise, resulting in extraordinary event experiences. Together, we look forward to implementing a unified approach at enhancing food and beverage operations and increased local and innovative offerings at the Convention Center.”
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus, including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals’ Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the U.S. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and the Entertainment and Sports Arena, all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. For more info, visit www.eventsdc.com
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. They operate the business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. For more info, visit www.aramark.com.
