NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience (LMHE) has selected Sodexo Live! as its hospitality partner following a competitive procurement process. The agreement establishes a 15-year partnership positioning hospitality as a strategic component of LMHE’s guest experience and long-term financial sustainability.
Under the agreement, Sodexo Live! will design, develop and operate LMHE’s full food and beverage program, including daily guest offerings and special event catering. The program emphasizes locally inspired menus, scalable service models and operational standards aligned with LMHE’s cultural mission and role as a year-round gathering place.
Sodexo Live! brings significant local and national experience to the partnership, including its longstanding operation as hospitality partner to two additional venues in the area including the National WWII Museum and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where they manage complex hospitality programs within mission-driven cultural environments. Sodexo Live! has also partnered with the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) to revitalize the city’s hospitality industry by focusing on upskilling workers, expanding career opportunities and preparing the next generation of industry professionals.
The procurement process and resulting agreement were facilitated by SinCera Group, which advises museums and cultural destinations nationally on food, retail, events and earned-income strategy.
“It was the right client working with the right operator under the right terms,” said Scott Campanella, Managing Partner of SinCera Group. “I was very proud of the offer Sodexo Live! put forward and LMHE’s willingness to work collaboratively toward the strongest possible long-term outcome.”
"Louisiana's music is inseparable from its food and culture, and we've had the privilege of serving New Orleans for decades”, said Belinda Oakley, CEO, Sodexo Live! "We understand this city's unique cultural landscape and are honored to support LMHE's mission."
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to quality, collaboration, and sustainable operations, positioning hospitality excellence as a meaningful contributor to both guest satisfaction and institutional performance.
About Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience
The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience is a nonprofit cultural destination dedicated to celebrating the state’s unparalleled musical legacy. Designed as an immersive, narrative-driven institution, LMHE integrates exhibitions, live performance, education, and community engagement to explore Louisiana’s lasting influence on American and global music. Food, beverage, retail, and events are intentionally integrated to support long-term institutional sustainability.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, Roland-Garros, the Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Games and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Galler and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About SinCera Group
SinCera Group is a strategic advisory firm focused on optimizing food, retail, events, and earned-income programs for cultural destinations nationwide. The firm advises museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, and performing-arts organizations on partnership strategy, procurement, and long-term operational alignment. The firm is currently managing a request for proposals for LMHE’s retail gift shop program and anticipates awarding the contract by Spring of 2026.