Centerplate Design Chief Director John Sergi Named to Prestigious "Executive In Residence" Post at Cornell School of Hotel Administration

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, America's leading event hospitality partner to the country's top stadiums, entertainment venues and convention centers, is proud to announce that Chief Design Officer John Sergi has been appointed to the post of "Executive in Residence" at Cornell University's world-renowned School of Hotel Administration. As an Executive in Residence, Sergi will enhance the University experience of both undergraduate students and students in the Master of Management in Hospitality program by using his wealth of industry expertise to advise on career development, academic goals, as well as guest lecturing the Strategic Hospitality Planning in Sports.
 
"We are incredibly proud of John Sergi's appointment to this prestigious post, and we're thrilled that one of the nation's preeminent academic institutions is recognizing Centerplate's innovation and leadership in the event hospitality industry," said Centerplate CEO Des Hague. "John has much to offer the hospitality leaders of tomorrow and this is another example of how Centerplate is committed to elevating the hospitality industry as a whole."
 
For more than two decades, John Sergi's hospitality designs have proven successful in building brands, fostering fan loyalty, creating surprise and delight for guests, and generating increased sales at some of the world's best-known venues and events. Most recently, Sergi has played a critical role in developing the guest experience at the Safeco Field's the 'Pen, New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and the New England Aquarium. From his first job at age eleven working at a friend's Italian deli to earning his master's degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University (where he honed his strategic hospitality principles), John has spent over 40 years lifting the role of food and hospitality at big venues.
 
"John Sergi will be a wonderful addition to our graduate and undergraduate programs at the School of Hotel Administration. Excitement is already very high among faculty and students knowing that an executive of his stature is available to lend his experience to our school," said Steven Carvell, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

About Centerplate

Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." in over 250 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America – annually serving over 100 million guests. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Last year, the company was named the fastest growing restaurant/ hospitality group in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com

About the Cornell School of Hotel Administration
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is shaping the global knowledge base for hospitality management through leadership in education, research and industry advancement. The school provides management instruction in the full range of hospitality disciplines, educating the next generation of leaders in the world's largest industry. Founded in 1922 as the nation's first collegiate course of study in hospitality management, the Cornell School of Hotel Administration is recognized as the world leader in its field. For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu.

SOURCE Centerplate

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