News Summary
Delaware North is set to lay off 580 employees at AMALIE Arena due to the expiration of its concession contract. The transition to Oak View Group may offer many affected workers a chance to secure new positions. The upcoming changes aim to enhance guest experiences at the arena, which has been serviced by Delaware North since 1996.
Tampa, Florida – A significant workforce reduction is set to occur at AMALIE Arena as Delaware North prepares to lay off 580 employees due to the expiration of its concession contract on June 30. This announcement was made on April 25, when the company provided the necessary 60-day notice in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), which requires employers to notify employees and local government officials prior to large layoffs.
Delaware North’s executive James Obletz stated that a majority of the affected employees may have the opportunity to transition to Oak View Group (OVG), the new concessionaire, which is scheduled to take over on July 1. This transition follows a multi-year agreement signed between Vinik Sports Group, the owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning and managers of AMALIE Arena, and OVG.
The pending layoffs mark the end of Delaware North’s long-standing food and beverage service operations at AMALIE Arena, which has been providing these services since the arena opened its doors in 1996. The company also manages similar services at other venues owned by OVG, such as Climate Pledge Arena and UBS Arena.
Steve Griggs, CEO of Vinik Sports Group, has expressed appreciation for Delaware North’s partnership over the years and recognized the dedication of its staff during their tenure at the arena. The selection of OVG was the result of a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process conducted by Vinik Sports Group over the past several months.
OVG’s partnership with AMALIE Arena not only marks its entry into the National Hockey League (NHL) concessions market but also serves as the company’s third collaboration within major North American sports leagues, joining existing partnerships with the Phoenix Suns/Mercury and Las Vegas Raiders. Plans indicate that OVG aims to improve service speed, prioritize local suppliers, and enhance premium experiences at the arena, similar to concepts previously implemented in their other venues.
Additionally, there have been discussions surrounding possible future renovations for AMALIE Arena, which would involve collaboration with Hillsborough County and architectural firm Gensler. These renovations could complement OVG’s initiatives to enhance the overall experience for attendees at AMALIE Arena.
Despite the impending layoffs, AMALIE Arena continues to host events, including the upcoming “We Them Ones Comedy Tour” featuring Kountry Wayne on May 10. Tickets for this event are currently available, starting at $65.50.
In summary, the transition from Delaware North to OVG at AMALIE Arena is set to alter the landscape of food and beverage services at the venue. As Delaware North prepares for a significant reduction in its workforce, the opportunity for many employees to secure positions with OVG offers a silver lining amid the uncertainty of the upcoming changes. The commitment to enhancing guest experiences and service at AMALIE Arena remains a focal point for the new concessionaire as it moves forward.
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Additional Resources
- Business Observer: Amalie Arena Concessionaire Layoff
- Amalie Arena: TBL Panthers Event
- Sports Business Journal: OVG Wins Amalie Arena Concessions RFP
- CT Insider: UConn Day at Capitol
- TBN Weekly: Diversions Article
- Wikipedia: AMALIE Arena
- Google Search: Amalie Arena concessions news
- Google Scholar: Amalie Arena services
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amalie Arena
- Google News: Amalie Arena layoffs
