The Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC) announced a 15-year partnership with ARAMARK 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.”