Centerplate Executive Honored with Industry Leadership Role

NEW LONDON, Conn., Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, event hospitality partner in over 300 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America and the United Kingdom, is proud to announce that Dave Sugrue has been appointed to the post of president of the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (NEAAPA). As one of the country's oldest and most reputable attractions associations, NEAAPA is committed to protecting the needs of the industry through legislative and legal advocacy.

Sugrue currently serves as Centerplate's General Manager at New London Connecticut's Ocean Beach Park, a premier recreational facility featuring a beautiful white sugar sand beach complemented by an Olympic-size freshwater pool, family entertainment, dining, and banquet and conference facilities. The 50-acre park also boasts a beautifully-landscaped 18-hole miniature golf course and other family-friendly amusement attractions including a water park, rides and carousel. Named among MSN's List of Urban Oases, the news outlet described Ocean Beach Park as a beach where visitors can "experience the Riviera, North American Style."

"After devoting my entire career to the hospitality and attraction industry with most of it here at Ocean Beach Park, I couldn't be prouder to take a leadership position, advocating for our important community members and businesses," Sugrue said. "Successful attractions can be powerful job creators and economic engines, and I'm excited to do my part to promote our industry."

Sugrue is a University of Hartford graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and marketing.  He began working at Ocean Beach at the age of fifteen, rising from a job as line cook, all the way to General Manager.  As General Manager, Sugrue worked with the City of New London, local partners, and the volunteer group "Save Ocean Beach" to refurbish the park's banquet rooms, food court, office areas, boardwalk, health club, children's rides, playgrounds and spraypark.

NEAAPA serves many roles for its member organizations, including a structure for recruiting and recognizing excellence in the industry. The Association oversees nominations for future Board members, Hall of Fame honors, industry education, buyers guide, legislative advocacy, newsletter, promotion and advertising, annual meeting and membership drives.

ABOUT CENTERPLATE   
Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." for more than 115 million guests each year in over 300 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided event hospitality to 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 21 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history. In 2011, the company was named the fastest growing restaurant/hospitality group in the United States by Nation's Restaurant News, and has recently expanded operations in the United Kingdom. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com.

SOURCE Centerplate