REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Agreement with Ovations Food Services dba Spectra Food Services & Hospitality for Interim Food & Beverage Operations at the Santa Clara Convention Center
Report
BACKGROUND
During its tenure as the Convention Center manager/operator, the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) executed an agreement with Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services (Aramark) to provide food and beverages services at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The agreement was executed in 2008 and was subsequently amended in 2014 to extend the term through 2022 with one additional two-year option to extend through June 30, 2024.
The City terminated the Convention Center Management Agreement with the Chamber effective March 17, 2019 and executed an agreement with Global Spectrum L.P. dba Spectra Venue Management (Spectra) to manage and operate the Convention Center effective March 18, 2019.
Although contracts related to the Convention Center were executed by the Chamber who no longer managed or operated the Center, to maintain continuous service within the facility, Spectra transitioned nearly all of the Chamber contracts to new agreements with Spectra for an interim period. The interim contractual arrangements allowed Spectra to better understand the Convention Center operations while commencing simultaneous procurement processes to seek competitive pricing and updated contracts for services.
One of the most critical contracts for service at the Convention Center is related to the food and beverage operations. The food and beverage operator can have a significant impact on the revenue profile and reputation of the overall facility.
On May 13, 2019, the City released a Request for Proposals for Food and Beverage Operations for the Santa Clara Convention Center. The RFP seeks proposals that will provide the City and the Convention Center with not only high-quality food service but that also meets other City objectives such as a long-te...
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