By Enzo Carannante

The Siouxland (IA) Expo Center is getting a new name as a result of a multi-year partnership with Seaboard Triumph Foods. The venue is being renamed the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center, effective immediately, according to OVG360, whose Global Partnerships’ team brokered the deal. OVG360 provides booking and management services and sales efforts for the Expo Center.

The naming rights agreement includes a variety of assets such as a new name and logo for the facility, branding integration throughout the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center space, and other internal signage to be unveiled at a later date. Transition to the new name has been completed.

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with Seaboard Triumph Foods,” said Dirk Lohry, President of the Expo Center Board. “With Siouxland’s strong history in the stockyards, working with a community partner that shares our values and history is important to us.”

Since opening in September 2020, the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center has hosted over 1,500 events, including the Siouxland Volleyball Showdown, Midwest Pool Tournament, Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland’s Home Show, Heartland States Basketball Championship, and more. The Expo Center is also home to the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is only the beginning for the expansion of our roots in the Siouxland community,” said Frank Koekkoek Jr., Vice President and General Manager of Seaboard Triumph Foods. “Our hopes are to continue to support the community that our team members reside and work in, and this partnership does exactly that.”

“We are excited to be forming a long-term Naming Rights partnership with Seaboard Triumph Foods,” said Oak View Group’s Meghan Carannante, OVG360 Global Partnerships Director. “Seaboard Triumph is dedicated and committed to the Siouxland community, and we are eager to be working alongside a well-respected community partner.”

Enzo Carannante is Assistant General Manager & Director of Marketing Tyson Events Center / Fleet Farm Arena & Orpheum Theatre

By Amy Procaccini

Beginning this month, Strathmore will once again provide expansive dining options before performances in its venues. Supported by new hospitality partner Sodexo Live! and under the leadership of a new chef, the food and beverage experience for patrons at Strathmore’s Music Center and AMP will be customized to the season and event – “a perfect culinary harmony.”

Philadelphia native and culinary artist, Chef LaTasha Stevenson, will lead the Strathmore Culinary Arts team. With a degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and years of experience in hotel and country club food operations, Chef LaTasha then moved to Washington, D.C. where she learned to combine her love of Southern US, African, and mid-Atlantic cuisine.

“As the Executive Chef at Strathmore, my focus will be on fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients,” Stevenson said. “The food we showcase will reflect my passion for the art and highlight the decency, dignity, and love I have for the craft of culinary services. Guests will be delighted to an array of offerings that are sure to leave a lasting impression.”

Reflective of the vibrant programming at Strathmore, the culinary team will incorporate unique and familiar dishes with a distinct take on sustainable, seasonal, mid-Atlantic favorites. Specific themed menus will be shared the week leading up to each performance.

The team from Sodexo Live! will power the program, as they do for such institutions as London’s Royal Academy of Arts, Madrid’s Museo del Prado, the Scottish National Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

At the Music Center’s Allegro Kitchen, guests can enjoy dinner and bar service 90 minutes before the performance. Features will include the best ingredients of the season including carving stations with creative sides, cheese and charcuterie boards, and themed, light bites.

At AMP by Strathmore, menus will be customized and sharable, including “Jazzy” Crab Salsa, Poco Chicken Salad Bites, and delectable desserts. Paired with innovative cocktails and local, craft beer, patrons can enjoy a truly “audible, edible” experience at the 144-seat lounge—which has recently been revamped to allow extra space for guests.

Strathmore Culinary Arts will also provide on-site catering services for weddings, milestone celebrations, and other private events at Strathmore’s Mansion and other spaces.

“We feel passionately that the art created in the kitchen is just as important as the art on our stages or in our galleries,” said Mac Campbell, Vice President of Operations at Strathmore. “We’re excited to watch Chef Stevenson and the Culinary Arts team bring their passion and creativity to the forefront, making for a truly experiential patron experience from the minute they walk through our doors.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to kick off this partnership,” said Steve Pangburn, CEO, Sodexo Live! North America. “From the National Gallery of Art to the Baltimore Convention Center, this is a region we understand quite well and one where we have strong local ties. Strathmore is a stunning venue that showcases both the local community and world’s best talent in a wonderful light, and we look forward to helping enhance the dining experience here.”

Amy Procaccini is Strategic Brand Communications Manager for Sodexo Live!

The Kansas City Current announced a partnership with Levy to craft a one-of-a-kind food and beverage experience for the first stadium purpose-built for a women’s professional soccer team, opening in 2024. Levy will work with the Current to showcase local vendors in its downtown stadium.

The Current and Levy are committed to bringing local restaurants and culinary talent that reflect the rich culture of downtown Kansas City. Levy is known for creating the food and beverage experience at many of the country’s iconic and cutting-edge sports and entertainment venues, including Q2 Stadium, Barclays Center, Crypto.com Arena, Lower.com Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, TQL Stadium, United Center and the home of the 2022 NWSL Championship, Audi Field.

Fans can also expect a flexible and unique experience that features many ways to access food and beverage based on their own preferences, including mobile ordering and self-service, among other tech-driven hospitality initiatives. More information about the food and beverage experience will be shared over the coming months.

“We are thrilled to work in conjunction with Levy to create a truly bespoke food and beverage experience for Kansas City Current fans,” said team president Allison Howard. “It was essential for us to find a partner who excels at innovation while staying genuine to our Kansas City roots. Levy has a strong track record of success working with groundbreaking technology to build an experience worthy of our cutting-edge stadium.”

“From the moment we heard the idea for a world-class purpose-built stadium for women’s soccer, we wanted to be involved,” said Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with an incredible organization in the Kansas City Current to create an experience that is authentic to the Kansas City community and Current fans, and that we hope will inspire many more in the future.”

The soccer-specific stadium at Berkley Riverfront Park will be the first stadium purpose-built for an NWSL team, seating 11,500 and opening for the 2024 season. As part of a 50-year lease agreement with Port KC, the stadium will be built on a 7.08-acre site on the east end of the park in Kansas City, Missouri.

By Gail Sawyer

Malcolm Caddies, Grounds Manager at the ASM Global managed, iconic Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, has been announced as General Manager of Sports Turf and Landscape at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

Caddies, renowned for his ability to deliver a first-class pitch for multiple World Cup Tournaments and back-to-back international sporting events, will take up his position at the ASM Global managed Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong, in October.

Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports precinct, built on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport on Kowloon, is set for completion in the second half of 2024.

Chairman and CEO of ASM Global (Asia Pacific) Harvey Lister AM, said Malcom’s appointment was recognition of his professionalism and dedication during his 19 years at Suncorp Stadium.

“Kai Tak Sports Park is set to be one of the greatest sporting precincts in the world and this appointment will highlight Malcolm’s skills in being able to accommodate all sporting codes, delivering world class pitches for international competition.

“The appointment illustrates the value of the ASM Global Advantage. Malcolm applied for this role amongst a strong field of international candidates, and this is proof of ASM Global’s commitment to create rewarding careers for our people.”

ASM Global’s executive director at Kai Tak Sports Park, Darren Burden, said it was a privilege to welcome Caddies to the outstanding team responsible for delivering one of the world’s greatest sporting venues.

“Malcolm has a fantastic reputation and will no doubt make an invaluable contribution to the success and performance of the Sports Park,” Burden said. “I believe his extraordinary knowledge, experience, and skills as an internationally acclaimed groundsman will bring unique qualities to the role and very much look forward to welcoming him to Hong Kong.”

Caddies said he was extremely proud of all that he and his team achieved at Suncorp Stadium. “Kai Tak Sports Park is an incredible project, and I am looking forward to playing my part in making it an enormous success on the world stage.”

Caddies’ new role at Kai Tak Sports Park will involve leading the operation and management of the sports fields and landscape at the Sports Park, as well as managing an off-site Turf Farm. Initially he will work with the design and build team to oversee and advise on the construction and operation of the playing surfaces in the Main Stadium and Public Sports Grounds.

Gail Sawyer is Group Communications Manager – ASM Global (Asia Pacific).

By Stadiums Business

Weapons detection security screening firm Evolv Technology has strengthened its presence in the NFL by agreeing to a deal with SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

Evolv’s technology will be used at all events at the stadium starting from the upcoming season. The system uses sensor technology to spot potential danger from weapons or other prohibited devices.

Rams and Chargers fans will be able to walk through the stadium scanners without removing anything from their pockets or clear bags. Additional security screening may be required in some instances and fans will be asked to comply with the requests of stadium staff.

SoFi Stadium will also be introducing new ticket-scanning equipment for the new season. Fans who attended the Rams’ pre-season game against the Houston Texans were able to sample the new entry process, which includes hands-free pedestal scanners at all entries.

The ticket scanners are designed to increase throughput into the stadium, with fans being encouraged to have their mobile tickets ready before reaching stadium entry points. Tickets will either be saved to their mobile wallet, in the Rams or Ticketmaster mobile app, or on mobile web.

Recently, Evolv entered into a partnership with FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.

Evolv Express will help reduce lines at both of the stadium’s south entrances, which are the busiest for Browns games. Evolv Express, which is built with sensor technology and AI, identifies weapons, enabling security professionals to focus on addressing potential threats and reducing the need to manually screen every fan.

Evolv also holds partnerships with the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium, Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium, and Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium.