Delaware North on Oct. 23 and 24 hosted more than 100 top-level supplier partners and clients for the 2024 Strategic Partner Leadership Forum in Boston. The event, organized by Delaware North’s procurement team, featured Delaware North leadership, keynote presentations from guest speakers and several expert panel discussions.
Delaware North CEOs Charlie Jacobs and Jerry Jacobs Jr. opened the Leadership Forum Wednesday night with a welcome reception at Banners Kitchen & Tap, located at The Hub on Causeway, Delaware North’s multiuse development adjacent to TD Garden.
Delaware North chefs from around the company convened in Boston and worked together to put on a best-in-class culinary event for the reception. The event also featured a surprise visit from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and an opportunity to see and take pictures with the NBA’s Larry O’Brien trophy, a special touch from the 2024 World Champion Boston Celtics, a Delaware North client and partner.
The main forum on Thursday was held at the Omni Boston Seaport. Stephen Harrington, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, kicked off the day by underscoring the company’s collective commitment to adapting and evolving in the face of industrywide changes. Key themes explored changing consumer expectations, the influence of artificial intelligence and the power of adaptive innovation reshaping Delaware North businesses.
Two keynote speakers led the group in engaging discussions during the morning session. Kasey Lobaugh, chief consumer industry futurist at Deloitte, delivered a keynote on the dynamic shifts in consumer behavior. Drawing on his extensive experience, he outlined how technological advancements and digital transformations are fundamentally changing customer expectations and how businesses can respond strategically.
Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, led the group in an interactive workshop focused on fostering creativity within organizations. Wardle shared strategies to help teams think disruptively and ideate effectively to stay ahead.
Panels during the Strategic Partner Leadership Forum included:
- Second Order Consequences of Climate Change: Led by Josh McHugh, futurist and CEO of Attention Span Media, the panel explored the broader impacts of climate change on the travel industry, resource availability and business operations. Insights were shared by Scott Socha, group president for Delaware North Parks and Resorts, Travel and Australia; Elizabeth Gruns of Gallo; Alba Munoz Saiz from Attention Span Media; and Kevin O’Donnell from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
- Exponential Tech Change and Industry Upheaval: Jeff Wilkinson, chief information officer for Delaware North, moderated a discussion on the rapid evolution of technology and its implications for hospitality. The panelists included Frank Mendicino, Delaware North executive vice president and chief administrative officer; Andrew McGuire, chief customer officer of Molson Coors; and Andre Moraes, senior director of marketing and head of digital lab at PepsiCo.
- Unprecedented Customer in a Rewired Society: Moderated by Jen Compton, senior vice president of strategy at TD Garden, the panel examined how industries are adapting to the demands of a modern customer base. Panelists included Glen Thornborough, president of TD Garden and chief operating officer of the Boston Bruins; Rich Gotham, president of the Boston Celtics; and Tyrrell Schmidt, chief marketing officer of TD Bank Group.