Delaware North chefs from different divisions compete in the Innovation Challenge during the company's annual Food & Beverage Summit in Buffalo, N.Y.
Delaware North is in the hunt for a new president of Delaware North Sportservice with the departure of John Wentzell Nov. 5.
And in the same week, the firm moved into its new world headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., and is currently hosting its annual food summit in Buffalo.
Rick Abramson, Delaware North executive vice president and COO, said there is no specific timeframe in the international and internal search for a replacement for Wentzell.
In the interim Carlos Bernal, COO of Sportservice, will oversee operations. In the United Kingdom, also formerly under Wentzell’s watch, Doug Tetley, Delaware North’s managing director, will continue in that role, answering directly to Abramson.
Sportservice is a food, drink and hospitality company. Abramson said he is looking for someone who has a passion for the business. “Attitude is important to me. Our business is based on relations, customer and client relationships. We need someone aware of that.”
That said, he has a tremendous team on board at Sportservice, Abramson said. They will search for that perfect candidate through all of Delaware North at the same time seeking candidates internationally through an executive search firm.
Wentzell joined Delaware North in 1996 as vice president of operations for the Delaware North-owned-and-operated arena in Boston – now known as TD Garden and home of the NHL's Boston Bruins, owned by Delaware North chairman Jeremy Jacobs, and NBA's Boston Celtics. He became president of the company's Boston operations in 2006, including the arena, commercial real estate development activities and certain sales and business functions of the Boston Bruins.
In 2011, Wentzell added oversight of Delaware North's diverse international business portfolio to his duties, including its operations in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and including its sports stadia, airport and luxury resort hotel operations. In 2013 he became president of Delaware North Sportservice and retained leadership of the company's United Kingdom operations.
Meanwhile, also on Nov 5, Abramson said Delaware North moved into its new offices along with another tenant, Homeland Security. Work continues on a 12-story hotel and the rest of the office tower.
Delaware North moved 350 employees from its former downtown offices into 250 Delaware Ave. The $110-million building is 516,200 sq. ft. and includes a full-service restaurant to be operated by Delaware North affiliate Patina Restaurant Group.
The trade show during the Delaware North Food & Beverage Summit drew 176 companies.
FOOD & BEVERAGE SUMMIT
Delaware North’s annual food summit kicked off Nov. 10 and runs through tomorrow. A new highlight is the Shark Tank competition, Abramson said.
Victoria Hong, Delaware North director of communications, said the food summit involves 709 attendees, and broke that down to include 349 Delaware North associates; 360 vendors and reps from 176 companies occupying 167 booths.
“Food is at the heart of Delaware North, and we love the annual Food & Beverage Summit. It's a great opportunity for our associates to come together to hear from experts, and also to hear from each other, on the latest culinary and beverage trends. Every year they leave the conference inspired and ready to try new things, and that helps us to stay fresh and innovative in our concessions and restaurants,” said Lou Jacobs, Co-CEO, Delaware North, in an email.
Abramson said Jacobs spoke at the opening, followed by sessions, trade show and contests, like the new Shark Tank competition which he was looking forward to as one of the judges. He said he would be joined on the dais by the head of finance and a couple of service executives.
“We have our ‘Mr. Wonderful,” Bernal said, referencing one of the judges on the TV show.
It is an educational event and all of Delaware North divisions, including airport, gaming and parks and resorts, along with Sportservice, are encouraged to share ideas.
The first day, competition centered on a culinary challenge cookoff, themed The Eighties. It was won by the Gaming team, which Bernal attributed to the “Tang drink that went with the Happy Meal.” He’s looking forward to taking the trophy back next year.
The Shark Tank will take place the last day and is something different for this corporate meeting. Six teams will present their best ideas – a new concept in food and drink. The sharks will decide if it makes financial sense and the company should invest in it. The winner will walk away with a trophy and Delaware North will have some fresh ideas and a week of internal collaboration.
Interviewed for this story: Rick Abramson, (716) 858-5011; Carlos Bernal and Victoria Hong, (716) 858-5420