Delaware North Companies to Continue Long-Term Partnership with Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust and Tennis Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware North Companies Australia is proud to announce it has been selected through a competitive tender process to continue as the official hospitality and catering partner of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, home to the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific and an annual calendar of international concerts and special events.  

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Delaware North will continue to deliver hospitality and catering solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into the exciting redevelopment and investment plans for new and existing venues across the precinct.

This announcement comes after the company wrapped up operations at the 2013 Australian Open, which drew a total of 684,457 fans. To accommodate and ensure the best guest experience, Delaware North had a staff of more than 2,000 onsite, including more than 200 chefs delivering the varied catering needs across 52 retail outlets and 56 corporate dining facilities.

2014 will mark the 25^th year that Delaware North has served tennis fans at one of the most-attended Grand Slam events in the world. The company has been the exclusive hospitality and catering partner for Melbourne & Olympic Parks since 1989 and this is the second contract extension that the company has received through a competitive tender process – the last being in 2001.

Executive Quotes:

• Gary Brown, Managing Director, Delaware North Companies Australia: "Our success with Melbourne & Olympic Parks and the Australian Open is due to the 24 years of passion, loyalty and commitment to the venue, the client and the 34 million guests that have passed through the gates throughout our tenure. We are proud to continue our operations in the largest multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in Australia."
  
  
• Delaware North Principal Lou Jacobs: "On behalf of the Jacobs family, we would like to express our sincerest appreciation to the visionary leadership of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and Tennis Australia for their confidence in the continued partnership with Delaware North Companies. Steve Wood, chief executive officer of Tennis Australia, and Brian Morris, chief executive officer for Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, have elevated the reputation of the venues and events to a world-class level in the global sports and entertainment industry. It is a great honor to be entrusted to accommodate the passionate fans and athletes of the venue and for years to come." 
  
  
• Rick Abramson, President Delaware North Parks & Resorts, Australia and Asia: "One of the company's hallmarks is the spirit of partnership.  We couldn't ask for better partners in the leadership of Melbourne & Olympic Parks and Tennis Australia. While we have proudly served millions of fans for 24 years, I am confident that the best is yet to come. We are committed to continually raising our game in terms of innovative menus and service to exceed guest expectations for the years to come."

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service. Its family of companies includes Parks & Resorts, Gaming & Entertainment, Travel Hospitality Services, Sportservice, International and Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and 55,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.

About Delaware North Companies Australia
Delaware North Companies Australia & New Zealand provides world-class hospitality and food service management, resort management and travel hospitality services at more than 30 unique locations. The portfolio includes all major city airports in Australia and at Wellington Airport in New Zealand; leading sports and entertainment venues and five of Australia's most spectacular resorts.

SOURCE Delaware North Companies