Ottawa, Canada, September 8, 2010 – The Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC) today announced a 15-year partnership with ARAMARK – a world class leader in professional services – to provide comprehensive support services for the new, state-of-the-art venue, scheduled to open in April 2011.
Under terms of the arrangement, ARAMARK will be responsible for coordinating all event services. In addition to managing all catering, retail food, and beverage services, ARAMARK will work directly with meeting planners to develop floor plans, design event space and set up events.
On the building services side, ARAMARK will oversee plant management, including engineering and mechanical maintenance, as well as housekeeping and grounds. It also will be responsible for cleaning the facility’s exterior windows, consisting of 1,045 triangular window panes.
“We look forward to bringing our full scope of industry expertise and professional services to the Ottawa Convention Centre,” said Jack O’Brien, president of ARAMARK Convention Centers. “We’re confident that our commitment to culinary excellence and our in-depth event and building management experience will help the Ottawa Convention Centre set the standard for meeting planner and event attendee satisfaction.”
Leading ARAMARK’s effort at OCC is Jennifer McCrary. As general manager, McCrary manages ARAMARK’s day-to-day food and beverage and facilities operations to ensure resources are properly allocated and client and guest expectations are being met. McCrary brings a vast amount of sales and operations experience to the position. Most recently, McCrary was ARAMARK general manager at Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, where she won several awards for innovation and culinary expertise. In 2008, she was selected as the director of the Main Dining Hall for the Beijing Olympic Games, leading a team of 7,000 employees that served athletes, officials and support staff.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jennifer McCrary and ARAMARK to the Ottawa Convention Centre team,” said Paul Keogh, Ottawa Convention Centre Senior Vice President of Redevelopment and Client Service. “We are confident our new partnership will live up to the tremendous potential the new Ottawa Convention Centre’s iconic design and state-of-the-art facilities bring to the National Capital Region.”
With 13,000 square feet of primary kitchen space and additional prep kitchens throughout the facility, the OCC is poised to redefine the convention centre dining experience.
Working with ARAMARK, the Centre will elevate meeting place dining by showcasing the latest culinary trends, installing the most advanced cooking equipment and technology, and incorporating modern design features and amenities in the food and beverage service areas. Event planners will meet ARAMARK’s culinary team in the Centre’s Innovation Gallery to develop menus and take advantage of the in-kitchen chef’s table for pre-event menu tastings.
With a focus on “Think Global-Dine Local,” menus will emphasize fresh seasonal, regional, organic and sustainable ingredients and reflect the regional and cultural diversity of Ottawa and Canada, while appealing to the international tastes of event attendees. ARAMARK also will be using a method of cooking, known as cook-chill, to conserve resources while reducing cook times.
In conjunction with the OCC’s pursuit of LEED Silver status, ARAMARK’s commitment to environmental responsibility extends to all facets of the food and beverage and catering programs, including a comprehensive recycling and food composting initiative.
About ARAMARK Sports, Entertainment, and Conventions
ARAMARK Sports, Entertainment and Conventions, a division of ARAMARK, delivers a wide range of innovative solutions to more than 170 premier sports, convention and entertainment venues throughout North America. Working closely with its partners, ARAMARK creates authentic and memorable guest experiences by designing industry-leading hospitality, dining and catering, retail merchandise, and facility service programs.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute, as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.
Contacts:
ARAMARK
Dan Smith
215-409-7403
smith-dan@aramark.com
Ottawa Convention Centre
Peggy Nieghorn
613-563-1983 ext.626
pnieghorn@ottawaconventioncentre.com