ALSD Virtual Panel: Setting the Table for a Shift in Service

The Association of Luxury Suite Directors turned to foodservice thought-leaders Chris Bigelow, Mike Plutino and Tracy Stuckrath for their third ‘Solutions for a Shutdown’ installment.

In this latest virtual panel from the ALSD, industry experts discuss how, when our venues open again, the ways we deliver hospitality will be different, and ask, will there even be food in our suites?

When fans are allowed back in our venues, they will have many questions and concerns about food preparation and service. We must prepare for the new normal and for premium clients who still expect to feel comfortable and relaxed in our spaces, even in the existence of new overlays such as PPE and a limitation of certain civil liberties. We are in the hospitality business after all.

Food stations will be positioned further a part to permit social distancing, or perhaps removed entirely in favour of more controlled environments. Either way, the customer will certainly have less interaction with food. Buffets and self-service stations will likely be eliminated, replaced by grab-and-go concepts and more pre-packaged products, presenting a challenge to guest expectations for variety, healthy choices, certified vegan choices and options for fans with food allergies.

In this ALSD virtual panel discussion, the experts address food and beverage from the menu items themselves to their presentations to sustainability and recycling programs to sanitation protocols to local restaurant partnerships.

The panellists also cover topics from contactless payments to frontline staff anxiety, training and uniforms, as well as the increased cost considerations associated with delivering luxury experiences despite the changes necessitated by local governments and health departments in the era of COVID-19.

Hear insights from expert panellists:

Chris Bigelow, President, The Bigelow Companies, Inc.
Mike Plutino, Founder and CEO, Food Service Matters
Tracy Stuckrath, President and Chief Connecting Officer, thrive! meetings & events

All expertly moderated by: Amanda Verhoff, President, ALSD.

Introductions/Housekeeping Notes: 0:15

The New Normal – Food and Sanitation 6:34

Guest Questions to Expect 11:30

Future Considerations 12:30

Continue Delivering Premium Presentations 15:03

Personal Protective Equipment 20:04

Food Sourcing and Distribution 21:10

Support for Local Restaurants 23:10

Safety Before Pricing 27:07

Staffing, Training and Protocols 28:53

Contactless Payments and Other Technology Ideas 38:10

Recycling and Sustainability 40:54

What Happens to Foodservice Agreements? 44:43

When the Dust Settles 46:36

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit ALSD.com and follow @TheALSD

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ALSD International, Europe’s leading event for the Premium Seat & Sports Hospitality sector being held at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium this October 12-13, will include a conference examining how to increase revenue through new builds, renovations & service expansions, and how to recoup lost revenue due to COVID-19. The high-level event is organised and delivered by the ALSD in association with Sports Venue Business.

The 2020 edition of ALSD International will also feature an exhibition hall showcasing the latest products, services & solutions, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and M&S Bank Arena, in addition to numerous networking events, including 1-on-1 meetings, ensuring optimised opportunities to knowledge-share, network and do business.

#ALSDInternational – Europe’s leading event for the Premium Seat & Sports Hospitality sector

#ALSD – Leading the Premium Seat sector for the last 30 years

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