Delivering Excellence: Building Strong Client Connections

For Sodexo Live! partners, building and maintaining strong connections with repeat clients is crucial. From the nation's top convention centers to iconic cultural destinations, cultivating ongoing relationships and actively working to meet and exceed their expectations is vital for long-term success and growth.

The venue and location play significant roles, but quality food and beverage service play a crucial role in enhancing the experience at any event. "We have a critical role in the sales process," said Warner Peck, Sodexo Live! Director of Sales and Marketing at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. "Our job is to provide confidence that every detail will be perfect: in addition to the perfect location, the ideal meeting spaces, excellent audiovisuals, the food and beverage will be flawless. We can't just talk a good game. We have to deliver to keep people coming back year after year."

A Team From the Start

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has a long list of accolades, from Best Convention Center in the Southeast to being named one of the nation's top convention centers for trade shows and events.

"The OCCC provides exceptional value for organizations from around the country. Our job is to help differentiate them with excellent hospitality services," said Peck. "Repeat clients like the PGA know they love the space here. The OCCC builds a driving range in our facility and hosts nearly 1,000 brands showcasing the latest in the golfing industry. But I promise you that if the food and hospitality were disappointing, they wouldn't have been returning for 25 years."

A crucial differentiator for event planners is Sodexo Live! 's capability to provide a customized experience. "I believe the key to successful business relationships is delivering value to clients. It's not just about spending money, but ensuring that every dollar spent translates into tangible value," explained Peck. "The relationship between the sales manager and the food and beverage decision-maker is crucial, as our ultimate goal is to make them look good, whether it's for Orange County or the PGA. By standing out from the competition and consistently delivering value, we become the obvious choice for repeat business, earning the trust and loyalty of our clients."

Elevating the Exhibitor Experience

In addition to providing OCCC clients with everything they need for their major events, Sodexo Live! is focused on delivering a successful show for exhibitors. "There are two different types of people that we partner with: the seasoned meeting planners who run the whole program and individuals at each exhibitor booth who have less experience with food and beverage," said Peck. "They're paying a premium per square foot for their booth, and we're there to help them get as much value out of that investment as possible.

"We can provide freshly baked cookies or freshly popped corn, where the smell will attract attention. We can offer something with a 'wow' factor, from using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream on demand or pouring local craft beer. While our team is making the ice cream or letting hot cookies cool, it gives the exhibitor showcase team an opening to start that conversation with guests. That's the purpose of food at a booth. It's not about feeding people. It's about creating that opening to chat about your product."

“You Can't Find Anyone Better”

Buffy Levy, Director of Shows for the National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, chooses the OCCC as one of the regular venues for their annual NAFEM Show, the world's leading food service equipment and supplies event. "Orlando is best in quality in so many ways, including food service. We host a large event with a generous budget, so we're able to create something extraordinary. We have the privilege of sitting down with Chef K for a beautiful tasting to plan a menu, and he always comes up with incredibly creative ideas. You couldn't find anyone better at doing that."