RiverCenter Adler Theatre

Receives Facilities Prime Site Award of Excellence

Davenport, IA (Tuesday, August 10, 2010) The RiverCenter Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, received a 2009 Prime Site Award of Excellence from the Facilities Media Group for venue excellence. Award winners were selected by a panel of industry experts based on the physical and structural dynamics of a building, the venue staff, and the level of technology of its sound, lighting, and staging.

The RiverCenter Adler Theatre is managed by VenuWorks of Ames, Iowa.

“The Prime Site Award is a terrific honor for our venues, said Rick Palmer, executive director of the RiverCenter Adler Theatre. “I am proud of our staff, as this recognition is certainly due to their commitment to exceed our clients’ and patrons’ expectations.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance our services and facilities to ensure we remain a key anchor for live entertainment, while serving our region as a convention destination.”

BACKGROUND

The RiverCenter Adler Theatre, a City of Davenport facility, managed by VenuWorks, is a 100,000 square foot multiple use facility that includes two large exhibit halls, 10 breakout rooms, executive boardroom and the historic Art-Deco Adler Theatre. For more information: www.riverctr.com ∙ www.adlertheatre.com

VenuWorks provides full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers to over 30 venues across the country. It also manages food and beverage operations, event booking, promotion services, and feasibility consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.

August 9, 2010

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Palmer
(563) 326-8525
rpalmer@riverctr.com

Chris Carton to Lead Food and Beverage Services for RiverCenter/Adler Theatre

Chef Chris Carton has joined the RiverCenter/Adler Theatre, managed by VenuWorks, as Executive Chef/Director of Food & Beverage. Carton brings over 20 years of professional experience in the culinary arts field and has a track record of customer focused excellence.

“The time was right from a business standpoint to move our food and beverage operations in-house,” said Rick Palmer, Executive Director of the RiverCenter/Adler Theatre. “We are thrilled to have Chris Carton and the caliber of product and service he delivers.” “His reputation precedes him,” added Palmer. RiverCenter Food & Beverage services were previously provided exclusively by the Radisson Quad City Plaza.

Carton has spent the last three years with BMA Management as Multi-Unit Culinary Services Director for the Lighthouse at Silvis and The Heritage Woods of Moline. Prior to BMA Management, he spent eight years as Executive Chef at the i wireless Center and managed all culinary operations.

Carton said, “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to bring the food and beverage operation into full swing at such a great facility. The downtown Davenport area has new and exciting changes on the table, and the entire team is just ecstatic about the future of the River Center/Adler Theatre and surrounding area.”

Carton attended Columbia College, Chicago, IL and completed the Stadium, Arena and Convention Center Chef Program at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Napa Valley, California. Additionally, Carton is an adjunct culinary instructor at Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa. Carton holds several food safety and sanitation certifications and is a member of the American Culinary Federation.

Background

The RiverCenter/Adler Theatre, a City of Davenport facility, managed by VenuWorks, is a 100,000 sq. ft. facility, and includes two large exhibit halls, ten breakout rooms, executive boardroom and the historic Art-Deco Adler Theatre. For more information: www.riverctr.com and www.adlertheatre.com

VenuWorks provides full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers, to over 30 venues across the country. It also manages food and beverage operations, event booking, promotion services, and feasibility consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.

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07/08/2010

RiverCenter/Adler Theatre Renews Contract

The Davenport City Council voted to extend and expand its contract with VenuWorks to manage the RiverCenter in Davenport, IA., VenuWorks President Steve Peters has announced. The contract extension is for a five-year term and will continue through August 2015.

The expansion of the contract calls for VenuWorks to internally manage the food and beverage operations for the RiverCenter and Adler Theatre. The food and beverage contract between VenuWorks and the Radisson expires in August.

Alan Guard, the city’s finance director, informed the City Council that the facilities generate between $15 million and $19 million in direct economic impact downtown annually. Combined with overall satisfaction with the current team and longtime local manager Rick Palmer, the City staff and RCAT Advisory Board recommended extending the agreement through 2015.

“That is a 17-to-1 return on investment,” Guard told the Quad City Times. “It makes sense to keep this team together.”

The contract extension was also supported by Joe Taylor, the president and CEO of the convention and visitors bureau, and by Amy and Amrit Gill of Restoration St. Louis, who are in the midst of a multi-million renovation of the Hotel Blackhawk, which is connected to the RiverCenter.

The Hotel Blackhawk’s Gold Room will be added to the RiverCenter’s selection of meeting spaces and Amy Gill said she is comfortable with Palmer and appreciates VenuWork’s extensive experience.

“Right now, the management of the RiverCenter and Adler is top notch,” Bobbi Rogalski, chair of the RiverCenter/Adler Advisory Committee told the Quad City Times. “Rick (Palmer) is out there building relationships, and you can’t ask for more right now.”

“We are happy to continue our partnership with the City of Davenport and its excellent facilities,” Peters said. “We look forward to continuing and expanding our service to Davenport and Eastern Iowa.”

BACKGROUND