Pennsylvania Convention Center and Aramark Sports + Entertainment Celebrate Grand Opening of Renovated Concession Offerings
submitted by Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA (January 31, 2024) – The Pennsylvania Convention Center and Aramark Sports + Entertainment (Aramark, NYSE: ARMK) marked the completion of a major renovation project with the grand opening of six permanent concession stands and four new portable concession units. The renovations are designed to further enhance the overall customer and guest experience at the facility with diverse food offerings, enhanced flexibility, and greater convenience.
The renovation project consisted of the design and construction of six new permanent concession stands located in Halls A through F. These stands are equipped with digital signage and digital menu boards that provide limitless opportunity to customize menus based on the show. From healthy food options to Philadelphia’s iconic cheesesteaks to quick grab and go options, menus can be programmed based on what group is visiting the Center. In addition, Aramark has created four new portable concession units that will provide meeting planners with the flexibility to personalize the culinary options and locations.
“We are excited to offer our customers with enhanced food and beverage options that offer an incredible level of flexibility and personalization,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “These renovations are consistent with our commitment to constantly improve our operations and offerings so that we provide our customers and their attendees with the best possible experience.”
The flexibility of the stands also offers the ability to expand the portfolio of offerings going forward, as well as bring in local restaurants and food providers. Prior to the renovations, the locations were vacant spaces that lacked any permanent infrastructure. Previously, food and beverage service were provided by setting up portable activation units that were setup for each specific event, which was both time and labor intensive. The new permanent stands are equipped with cooking, warming, refrigeration, and ventilation infrastructure that did not previously exist at the locations. Photos of the concession stands and ribbon cutting are available for download.
“Aramark Sports + Entertainment recognizes that the food and beverage offerings play an important role in the customer experience and the overall success of an event,” said Alison Birdwell, President and CEO of Aramark Sports + Entertainment. “The ultra-flexibility and diverse menu selections provided by these new permanent and portable concession stands will provide increased choice and customization that can be tailored based on a customer’s vision and individual needs.”
Over the past four years, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has made $78.8 million in capital investments in the facility, including enhanced health and sanitization measures; an upgraded, next-generation wi-fi infrastructure; improved air-handling units; and sustainable, energy-efficient lighting. Currently, the Center is also working on a major renovation to under-utilized space that will provide meeting planners with a facility to host board meetings and executive level private meetings.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city’s many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by ASM Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry. For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.
About Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food and beverage, retail, and facility service programs in premier stadiums, arenas, convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues, and unique entertainment destinations across North America. The company has received accolades for industry innovations including autonomous markets, dining concepts powered by artificial intelligence, and high-profile events like the MLB World Series, MLB at Field of Dreams, and NBA All-Star. In 2021, Aramark entered into a strategic collaboration with the Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurant Organization, led by entrepreneur and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur, Stephen Starr, which will bring the renowned culinary visionary’s highly sought-after concepts to clients throughout Aramark Sports + Entertainment’s portfolio. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” Fair360’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and earned a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
