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Back to Facility Manager
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 New “Tasting Room” Raises Bar For Convention Center Food Service The Northshore
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New “Tasting Room” Raises Bar For Convention Center Food Service The Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle unveiled its new on-site Tasting Room in February. The first demonstration area specifically designed for a convention center’s meeting planner clients, the Tasting Room offers an elegant oasis near the center’s busy, award-winning kitchen. Finished in cherry wood, granite, fine fabrics and leather, the Tasting Room can seat up to 12. “We invested in the design and construction of a dedicated area within the kitchen to offer meeting planners a more accurate picture of the Center’s exceptional service capabilities,” said Michael McQuade, the convention center’s director of sales and marketing. “The Tasting Room also provides an outstanding environment for our sales team to showcase the wide selection of menu items, our comprehensive wine list, and a whole range of china, linens and centerpieces offered at the Center.” Planners are even encouraged to don aprons and interact with Executive Chef José Luis Chavez at a demonstration grill. “Most of our clients look to us to create custom menus exclusively tailored to their ideas, budgets and tastes,” said Steve Kiely, director of food services. “Over 90 percent of our menus are created after discussing the client’s specific price points, the theme of their event and after experiencing several different culinary options.” The Washington State Convention & Trade Center has been awarded “Best On- Premise Catered Event” by the National Association of Catering Executives, the only convention center to be so recognized.
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It only took 20 years to become a reality, but it looks like the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell, Louisiana will finally open its doors: May 20, 2005. General Manager Kerry Painter is determined to make this event something unlike anything Louisiana has ever seen. While the opening will of course include the usual ribbon cutting and speeches, the Harbor Center is also looking to be a bit unique with two second-line parades, sky trackers and a red carpet leading to world famous pianist Ronnie Kole playing favorites in the lobby. Painter says, “It is only by the grace of God and the diligent effort made by the board of commissioners and Harbor Center staff that we will open this facility in May. While we take nothing for granted, we plan to make this opening an explosion of the senses and make it an event to remember.” Every day is an adventure. That’s the attitude to describe the years leading up to the grand opening. “In a single day I can research fire hydrants and the difference between certified sod and plain-old sod, make coffee for and run the same meeting, give a tour of the construction site for a group of prospective caterers and have a conversation about sails with an artist in Maine,” says Painter. With such a small staff it is expected that everyone pick up their share of definitely “odd” jobs. The Northshore Harbor Center has chosen the tag “Lagniappe Every Day.” While a common word regionally, the rest of the industry is usually intrigued by the marketing ploy. “It’s about inspiring conversation. If I can get someone to ask what lagniappe means, it gives me a chance to tell them about our superior customer service. Lagniappe means ‘something extra-unexpected.’ That’s what we want our clients and community to take away from their Harbor Center experience. We are definitely something unexpected.” |
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  Michelle Pill, venue hiring manager at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, practices professional development. Many talk it, but Pill completed a successful month-long secondment with venue manager NCC (NZ) Ltd., in Christchurch, New Zealand. Pill said that Pamela Del Nin, her CEO, made the suggestion that it would be a valuable component to Pill’s professional development. After speaking with Mike Kelly, a past IAAM President, Pill was on her way to completing the secondment at the venues that Kelly manages—Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch Town Hall and Westpac Centre for Sport and Entertainment. “Michelle is a very determined lady and I was just more than pleased to do what I could to play a part in her very brave and ambitious professional development agenda,” said Kelly. In addition to working a number of major events, Pill also spent time with all directors to gain an understanding of the company’s strategic operations, spent time with all reporting managers to understand their day-to-day operations and spent time listening, observing and learning about different systems and procedures. “The secondment clearly identified that sharing information is invaluable, even if systems and procedures are different, there is value in understanding and learning another company’s operations,” said Pill. |
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Couple Exchanges Rings at Rink On Saturday, February 19, Everett (WA) Events
Center AV Technician Cole Robert Fornia wed his fiancée Alison Tilea
Elizabeth Leonard at center ice during the first intermission at the Everett
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©
2002-2005 International Association of Assembly Managers |
Silvertips
home game against the Red Deer Rebels. The ceremony was presided over by his
friend, co-worker and event coordinator for the Everett Events Center,
Dennis McDonald. The couple was engaged at center ice in the first
intermission at the January 28, 2004 Everett Silvertips game against the
Seattle Thunderbirds. This marks the first marriage on the ice and during an
Everett Silvertips Game. Their reception followed at the Everett Events
Center Conference Center.