Hospitality Leader Trumps Competition with Record of Exemplary Guest Services

STAMFORD, CT – Centerplate, the leading hospitality provider to North America’s premier convention centers, sports stadiums and entertainment venues, announced today it has been awarded the long-term contract as hospitality partner to the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center, the storied 2.4 million square foot facility in the heart of downtown Detroit. Following a lengthy and competitive bidding process, Centerplate will support Cobo Center during its $278 million upgrade.

“We are thrilled to bring our guest-centric approach to the Cobo Convention Center,” said Kyle Kandel, Senior Vice President for Convention Centers, Eastern Region for Centerplate. “I am confident that we will offer new energy to the Center through our commitment to outstanding guest experiences.”

Cobo Center has a long and proud history of hosting some of the nation's top meetings, events and conferences, including the North American International Auto Show, the International G-7 Job Summit, and the Annual Detroit NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner as well as activities associated with the Super Bowl XL, Major League Baseball All Star Game and the NCAA Men's Final Four Basketball Championship.

“We were very impressed by the Centerplate team and their strategic approach to enhancing our brand and building our business,” noted Larry Alexander, chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, which governs Cobo Center. “Their ability to enhance our hospitality experience will be a major component in the future success of Cobo Center.”

This announcement comes on the heels of other recent Centerplate news, including new facility upgrades and innovative menu concepts at each of its four partner venues home to Major League Baseball teams, and the appointment of food-industry veteran Steve Trotter to Vice President of New Business Development.

About Centerplate
Centerplate crafts and delivers “Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results.” in 250 prominent sports, entertainment and convention venues across North America. Centerplate has provided services to 12 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, key events for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Art Basel Miami Beach, 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com.

About Cobo Center
Cobo Center is a world-class meeting and convention facility, located along a beautifully restored international riverfront in the heart of a vibrant and transformed downtown Detroit. Cobo Center prides itself on its versatility. Its elegant banquet rooms and more than 80 meeting rooms comprise 178,446 square feet, and Cobo boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America, accommodating groups from 30 to 10,000 in one room. The facility has embarked on a $278 million upgrade that will transform Cobo into a state-of-the-art facility that organizations will enjoy for years to come. This investment was made possible through a partnership between the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and the counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb. It reflects southeast Michigan's commitment to Cobo Center's future and its clients.