EPA Recognizes McCormick Place Food Service Provider for Outstanding Waste Reduction Efforts

SAVOR…Chicago remains committed to sustainable food service practices at the nation’s largest convention center

For Immediate Release 

CHICAGO, IL (November 19, 2015) — For the second consecutive year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized SAVOR…Chicago for outstanding waste reduction efforts in the category of Sports and Entertainment Venues for its initiatives at McCormick Place. SAVOR…Chicago is the food and beverage provider for McCormick Place.

SAVOR…Chicago was recognized for its use of sustainable material management practices to decrease wasted food at the nation’s largest convention center. SAVOR…Chicago was one of six winners in the category of “Data-driven Improvement by Sector” representing the highest percentage of wasted food diversion and prevention in their sector for 2014.

“The MPEA is committed to being at the forefront of sustainability throughout our food service operations and the convention campus,” said Lori Healey, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, owners of McCormick Place. “We are proud to set the standard for the meetings and convention industry and remain committed to upholding these environmentally- friendly standards for our customers and the environment as we continue to strive to further enhance innovation as it relates to sustainability.”

“SAVOR…Chicago is delighted to be recognized by the EPA for our ongoing efforts to reduce food waste at McCormick Place. We are proud to partner with MPEA to have a state-of-the-art sustainability initiative and are fully committed to improving sustainability at every step,” said Doug Bradley, SAVOR… Vice President of Culinary Operations. “We are all invested in making McCormick Place a model of effective large-scale sustainable food operations.

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About MPEA: 

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) owns McCormick Place, the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel. The North, South and West Buildings as well as the Lakeside Center offer 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space. Located along Chicago’s lakefront, McCormick Place offers 173 meeting rooms, the 4,249 seat Arie Crown Theater and one of the largest ballrooms in the world.

ORPHEUM RENEWS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH SMG

Wichita, KS (November 13, 2015) - The Orpheum Performing Arts Centre, Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has renewed its management agreement with SMG, the world leader in venue management, effective January 1, 2016.

The Orpheum, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit arts and cultural organization, originally entered into a management agreement with SMG in September 2013 for a period of two years. The Orpheum recently renewed its contract with SMG for an additional five years through the year 2020.

SMG will continue its management of the programming, marketing and operations of the theatre and all of its productions, rentals and community events. SMG will also ensure that the theatre’s programming will continue to be active and diverse with a wide array of quality entertainment for all ages. SMG will work with the Orpheum to ensure that it continues to fulfill its mission to serve the community by partnering with community groups to utilize the theatre for a variety of events.

“We are very pleased with our relationship with SMG. They have been good partners and we look forward to five years of continuing improvement in the attendance and the diverse booking we have enjoyed with SMG,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Orpheum Theatre, Harvey Sorensen.

With an annual attendance of over 65,000 people, the Orpheum’s partnership with SMG will ensure the long-term stability and growth of the theatre’s technical side of the operations, while the Orpheum’s Board and President remain focused on its Capital Campaign.

“SMG is extremely excited for the opportunity to continue its partnership with the Orpheum Theatre,” said General Manager of SMG Wichita, AJ Boleski. “The Orpheum is a critical piece of Wichita’s history and we look forward to continuing to assist in carrying out its mission through booking a diverse lineup of events and attracting top-notch events to Wichita.”

SMG’s Theatre Director at the Orpheum Theatre is Barney Byard. Byard will continue to manage the facility and its SMG staff. Byard is also responsible for booking acts at the Orpheum Theatre. The Theatre will continue to fund and maintain its own operating budget.

Frank Lapsley Appointed As New General Manager of The North Charleston Coliseum

Conshohocken, PA (November 13, 2015) - Beginning November 16, Frank Lapsley will take over as the new General Manager of the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center in North Charleston, SC.

“I look forward to working with the SMG team in North Charleston and becoming an active part of the community,” said Lapsley. “We will continue to build on the legacy of these first-class facilities.”

Frank Lapsley will be transferring from his current position as the General Manager of the SMG-managed Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord, NC in order to fill the opening at the coliseum. “Frank is an engaging leader,” said SMG Regional Vice President, Leonard Bonacci. “His charismatic leadership style has been successful in leading the team at Cabarrus Arena and Event Center for the past 10 years. That, combined with his 25 years in the sports and entertainment industry, makes for an exciting future.  We are thrilled to have Frank as part of our team in North Charleston.” Kenny Robinson, Cabarrus Arena’s Director of Operations, will be assuming an interim GM role after Lapsley’s departure.

“The City of North Charleston welcomes Frank Lapsley as the new General Manager of the North Charleston Coliseum, Performing Arts Center and Convention Center,” said R. Keith Summey, Mayor of the City of North Charleston. “He brings many years of experience and successes to our venues. The city has been providing quality events to the community since 1993 and we look forward to continuing this excellence with Frank and SMG.“

SMG Wins In Two Categories In Venues Today’s 2015 Hall of Headlines Awards

Conshohocken, PA (November 11, 2015) - After receiving nominations in all five categories of the Hall of Headlines Awards, SMG took home awards in two: News and Ops & Tech. Doug Thornton, SMG Executive VP, and Regional VPs Steve Tadlock and Michael Krouse won the award from Venues Today’s News category, while Jim McCue, SVP, and John Bolton, VP, won for Ops & Tech.

Presented each year, the Hall of Headlines Award is Venues Today’s most prestigious honor. Awards are given in five different categories: News, Booking, Marketing, Ops & Tech, and Concessions. Recipients are nominated and elected by Venues Today readers, and the awards are given to the candidates who have made a difference in the facilities industry during the year.

The News honor was given to Doug Thornton, Steve Tadlock, and Michael Krouse for leading the effort in winning the contract for the iconic Los Angeles Greek Theatre. After many months of work in an extremely competitive process that was covered by national media, SMG was awarded the contract from the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

SMG’s Jim McCue and John Bolton were awarded the Ops & Tech honor for developing a specialized tool that allows SMG facilities to attain higher and consistent standards and results, with a dedicated web-based intranet marketing support services site. Along with the specialized tool, McCue and Bolton also started a company-wide Best Practices program. In order to effectively integrate the Best Practices program and adequate corporate oversight of facility marketing via a network of Regional Directors of Marketing that serve 68 arenas, 61 theaters, and 13 stadiums in the SMG network, SMG utilizes the intranet website as a central repository for the best practices programs, sample venue marketing plans, sales plans, press releases, social media plans, public relations plans, media-buying contracts, operating standards and more.