News Releases

Following a three-year closure and $4.5 million restoration, Great Performances, New York’s prestigious event and catering company, and Delaware North Companies, one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers, have announced that the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom has officially reopened after holding its first event last week, a dinner and celebration of diamonds hosted by Chanel Fine Jewelry. The iconic space has been meticulously restored to its 1929 opulence while incorporating modern advances including a new state-of-the-art kitchen, enhanced lighting and sound equipment, additional pre-function space, 15,000 square feet of newly constructed meeting spaces, and a luxurious new bridal suite.

On Friday, February 1, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) will conduct a ceremony to honor the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 on the 5th anniversary of the Columbia accident.The Astronauts Memorial Foundation honors and memorializes all astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and the space program.The ceremony will be held at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Delaware North Companies Australia will provide two new catering experiences at the 2008 Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis Championship.

Healthy feats will no longer be confined to the court at the 2008 Australian Open with Melbourne Park becoming the first major sports stadium to offer genuinely healthier food choices with the Heart Foundation Tick from 15 January 2008.

Delaware North Companies Sportservice is selling remaining AMP Energy/NHL Winter Classic merchandise at a 50 percent discount today through Saturday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Located in Plaza del Pasado inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego Art Glass features local glass art made by hand using the ancient glass bead method. Although the proprietors lost their art studio, glass pieces, and home in the Rice Fire in Fallbrook, Kerry Christenson and Leonardo Huete spent November blowing and creating as many new glass pieces as possible and opened their studio at the unique Artisans’ Corner on December 11 where they join other local artists R.D. ‘Randy’ Riccoboni of Beacon Artworks and Frank Casciani of Designs in Shell.

On Dec. 27, Sportservice will open a retail outlet outside the stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, to offer a wide selection of official Winter Classic merchandise, including jerseys, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, hats, gloves, scarves and novelty collectibles. The retail outlet will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 27 through New Year's Eve and will be located near the One Bills Drive stadium entrance just off of Abbott Road.

Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new 43 table games including blackjack, craps, roulette and specialty games. Bob Marshall, President and General Manager of Wheeling Island said the ribbon cutting serves as the official grand opening of the new table games to the public.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway is holding "Play for a Cause" on December 19 to show our appreciation and give back to our community. Nine local organizations have been chosen to receive an equal share of Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s gaming profits for the day. The minimum amount donated will be $10,000 to each charity. Additionally, this day will be an opportunity to collect food for the holidays and toys for underprivileged children.

Delaware North Companies is taking an active role in this month’s graduation ceremonies at Kendall College in Chicago.