For Immediate Release
Contact: Stephen Weir stephen@stephenweir.com
416-801-3101
Diversity Business Network
New Partnership for a Diverse Canada: Diversity Business Network and Centerplate Make It Official
Toronto, Canada -- May 19, 2011 -- The Diversity Business Network (DBN), a Toronto based company leading the development of diversity in the supply chain in Canada, announced today that Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America’s premier sports stadiums, convention centers and entertainment venues, has joined DBN as its hospitality consortium leader.
“This agreement has significant benefits for the Diversity Business Network and its member companies in the hospitality industry,” explained DBN president Courtney Betty. “Centerplate is already a world player in sports’ hospitality services; handling major events including the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series and even the United States Presidential Inaugural Ball. This move signifies their commitment to diversifying their own menu of hospitality services.”
A Consortium Leader with DBN leads and mentors diverse suppliers and SMEs to unify and leverage their combined strength to respond to RFPs requiring capacity and scale. “Our approach demonstrates how diverse-owned businesses and corporate Canada can work together to achieve mutual success,” said Betty.
“This agreement today reflects Centerplate's commitment to diversity and working with Canadian suppliers from diverse communities, including the Aboriginal companies,” continued Mr. Betty. “For our part, this agreement provides mentorship for diversity-owned hospitality companies seeking to grow their business in both Canada and the United States.”
Centerplate partners with many of Canada’s foremost venues including the Vancouver Convention Center, B.C. Place, and the Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto and the newly opened Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara. This announcement follows other recent Centerplate service openings in the United States including the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan, the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland and the Woodruff Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We are thrilled and honoured to formalize our close working relationship with DBN,” said Ashton Sequeira, Vice President, Eastern Canada for Centerplate. “I am confident that together we can open doors for Canadian companies who may not have had a chance to participate in the premier venues and events we serve in any other way.”
About Diversity Business Network
The Diversity Business Network has developed a unique approach to diversity in the supply chain in Canada. We provide our Consortium Partners and diversity owned businesses with the strategies and tools to create long term, mutually beneficial relationships. The end result is a win/win for these companies and the Canadian economy.
For more information about The Diversity Business Network, visit www.diversitybusinessnetwork.com
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 11 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, 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.
