INDUSTRY NEWS 

CHICAGO: McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, has awarded Oak View Group two major contracts for private management. In a unanimous vote, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Board awarded the contracts for private management and food services on the McCormick Place campus to OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, respectively. The contracts are scheduled to begin Oct. 1, 2023, and run through September 2028. The change will affect the McCormick Place Convention Center, the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena, and Arie Crown Theater.

DALLAS: On Oct. 26, Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh will host a gala fundraiser in honor of its 100-year anniversary by opening its exclusive 11th and 12th floors for hundreds of guests to toast the centennial—and party like it’s 1923. The hotel will partner with Preservation Dallas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of the city’s historic buildings and neighborhoods. Guests can expect 1920s-inspired hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and music, plus activations throughout the hotel including a silent auction that will benefit Preservation Dallas. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

LAS VEGAS: David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal will join Sports Illustrated and Authentic Brands Group as hosts of the Saturday night celebration for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Club SI (a three-day immersive experience and hospitality suite for the event) on Nov. 18. The two sports superstars—both stakeholders in Authentic—will take part in a candid conversation about their renowned careers and be on hand to mix and mingle with Club SI guests prior to the race kickoff.

LOS ANGELES: The Georgian announced the promotion of Bre Smith to general manager at the landmark hotel. The new role follows the restoration and reopening of the iconic oceanfront property in April, where Smith first joined the team as director of operations. Most recently, Smith was the director of food and beverage at Soho House Chicago. 

NEW YORK: Plant Based World Expo 2023, taking place at the Javits Center Sep. 7-8, has unveiled some of its key programming. Renowned chef Eric Ripert, co-owner of the acclaimed New York restaurant Le Bernardin, will speak on a panel with The New York Times food writer Florence Fabricant, executive leader for New York PLANTA restaurants Stephany Burgos, and Danielle Schwab of Fable Foods. They will be discussing the versatility of mushrooms on Sept. 7. Day two's keynote, “Plant-Based Foods in 2023: Lessons in Resilience and Collaboration,” will be moderated by Nil Zacharias, founder of Eat For The Planet, with panelists Liron Nimrodi from Zero Egg, Pete Speranza from Wicked Foods, and Minh Tsai from Hodo Foods.