Centerplate Brings National Catering and Event Honors Home To Raleigh Convention Center and Downtown Event Campus

RALEIGH, N.C., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the global hospitality company which welcomes millions of guests to premier event venues worldwide, including the Raleigh Convention Center and surrounding facilities, has been recognized with a major national honor for its event hospitality on behalf of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the Raleigh Convention Center and Performing Arts Complex.

At the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) annual award gala, Centerplate took top honors in the On-Premise Catered Event of the Year, Budget of $50,000 to $100,000 category for its inspired work creating the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 2013 Annual Meeting and Celebration.

The outdoor setting and menus reflected an innovative approach to featuring the city as the star of the event at the elegant Chamber gathering, which took place last September on the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex event campus' Lichtin Plaza with downtown Raleigh providing a dazzling backdrop.

Three tents—complete with chandeliers and bright pops of "raspberry silk" and "electric blue" accents over white leather 'whisper' benches for intimate conversations—were configured to form a graceful semi-circle around the plaza's lighted fountain, showcasing the view of twinkling downtown Raleigh and its six-block jewel box of stunning events spaces, which includes the convention center, the performing arts center, the Red Hat Amphitheater, City Plaza and Marriott and Sheraton hotels.

Menus featured locally-sourced ingredients and libations from nearby farms, breweries and wineries, and included upscale renditions of regional specialties such as BBQ-stuffed hushpuppies, grilled hanger steak, shrimp and grits, chicken 'osso bucco,' and gourmet cupcakes.

"Raleigh is increasingly known as a 'foodie' town that values and enjoys the best in cuisine," said Mayor Nancy McFarlane. "Congratulations to Centerplate for putting Raleigh and our Convention Center at the head of the table when it comes to catered events. Having enjoyed many events at the Raleigh Convention Center, I know this award is well deserved."

Kate Jansen, Brad Clinton and Nick Lewis of Centerplate accepted the prize at the NACE awards gala. "We are truly honored and delighted to treat guests to a one-of-a-kind experience that shows the best of what Raleigh has to offer," said Kate Jansen, catering sales manager for Centerplate at The Raleigh Convention Center and Performing Arts Center. "This award serves as a lovely recognition of our partnership with the Center and the community, and is a shared acknowledgment of a joint effort to "make it better to be there" for Raleigh's guests."

The Centerplate team at the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex has received numerous accolades locally, including the 2013 President's Award of Excellence for the Triangle, N.C. Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events, as well as rave reviews from visitors and corporate event planners at events ranging from refined corporate gatherings to the massive World of Bluegrass festival, which attracted tens of thousands to downtown Raleigh in 2013 and returns Oct. 3-4.

About Centerplate
Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality, "Making It Better To Be There^®" for more than 115 million guests each year at more than 350 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom—including more than half of the top 10 highest-rated convention centers in North America. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com or connect via Twitter @centerplate or Facebook /centerplate.

About the Raleigh Convention Center
A three-time winner of ConventionSouth's Readers' Choice Award, the Raleigh Convention Center is a bustling hub for the culture, commerce and technologies that make the Triangle one of the country's most admired regions. The modern, 500,000 sq ft, LEED Silver-certified facility includes a soaring street level lobby, an elegant, easily partitioned ballroom, a 150,000 sq ft exhibit hall and a 4,100 sq ft mezzanine as well as cutting edge tech amenities and award-winning culinary delights. Convention center staff also operates the nearby Red Hat Amphitheater and Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, which can also be part of an event experience.

SOURCE Centerplate