Raleigh Convention Center Fights Hunger Through “Share Your Meal” Initiative
February 5, 2020
The Raleigh Convention Center and its catering partner, Centerplate, kicked off the new year on a compassionate note by launching a new community meal donation program to benefit local nonprofits in The Triangle region (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, N.C.) and surrounding areas. Dubbed Share Your Meal, the initiative allows event organizers to help people in need by ordering additional meals at their meetings or conferences that are then donated to the Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina and the agencies it supports.
Through this initiative, organizations hosting events at RCC simply order extra meals that then become in-kind donations from the host. No service charge is applied to the meals, and the facility will match all contributions by providing a one-to-one additional meal. As the conference meals are prepared and served, those being donated are packed and delivered to the food bank.
As the focus on sustainability and philanthropic engagement grow globally, Share Your Meal is not only thoughtful but a tangible and immediate way to contribute to a community’s well-being, said Kerry Painter, director and general manager of the Raleigh Convention Center.
“Creating community often begins with the sharing of a meal, so we’re excited about serving food to those in need around us, setting the stage for stronger, thriving neighborhoods,” Painter said. “We truly believe in supporting our surrounding community and this is a tangible way to make a long-term impact. Plus, with our 100-percent matching program, we hope this act of paying it forward inspires organizations, attendees and our staff to carry on the spirit of contributing to their home communities.”
Although RCC has maintained a practice of donating leftover meals after events to various shelters and non-profits in the area whenever possible, this new initiative ramps up that philanthropic reach.
“We’re very thankful for partnerships like this with Raleigh Convention Center [that] allow generous businesses to support our neighbors facing hunger in a way that is straightforward, and so helpful for us,” said Carter Crain, director of food partnerships at the food bank. “The nutritious food that will come from this support will help a lot of people in need.”
To broaden the reach of Share Your Meal, Centerplate and RCC are sourcing ingredients from area farms and suppliers to help the local economy and support small businesses.
To get the word out and encourage planners to get on board, news of the donation program will be shared with prospective clients and by including an empty seat at every table during meal functions with signage about the donated meals.
“This will help reinforce attendees’ emotional connection to the organization and with the Raleigh Convention Center,” said Painter. “Our guests will enjoy their food two-fold knowing that the same nutritious, gourmet meal is going to someone in need.”
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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