Enterprise
March 2022
New career development program propels culinarians
to new heights
Delaware North in March 2022 announced the launch of a new, industry-leading talent development incubator for the company’s culinarians: Culinary & Hospitality Excellence for Future Success – or the CHEFS™ program.
Created in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the CHEFS program establishes a formal approach to talent development and career progression for culinarians within Delaware North. The program pairs promising talent – identified as an “Emerging Culinarian” – with one of Delaware North’s accomplished executive chefs, who will serve as a “Chef Mentor.” Chef Mentors guide Emerging Culinarians through a 12-month rotation that includes both on-the-job mentoring and coursework support.
May 2022
‘Future of Recreation, Travel & Hospitality’ report explores forces shaping the business
The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed social, technological and business forces that will greatly accelerate profound change in the recreation, travel and hospitality industries over the next decade, according to “The Future of Recreation, Travel & Hospitality,” or “FORTH.”
The report, commissioned by Delaware North, was produced by a team of 16 seasoned journalists and futurists who interviewed experts across multiple industries to better forecast the changes they believe will have the most impact on recreation, travel and hospitality through 2030 and beyond.
2021/2022
Delaware North continues to give back in Buffalo, Boston
and other communities
Delaware North is deeply committed to the communities where it operates. 2022 represented a chance for the company to make investments in organizations that were closing gaps in health and safety, education and workforce readiness that were exacerbated by the global pandemic.
Across the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, Delaware North’s operating locations contributed to various local charitable causes – from TD Garden Neighborhood Charities feeding Bostonians in need to Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Australia sponsoring an organization that provides hospitals with medical equipment to dozens of Sportservice locations helping organizations raise funds through volunteers operating stadium concessions.
In Buffalo, where the company was founded and is still based, Delaware North contributed several million dollars to organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, FeedMore WNY, Say Yes Buffalo, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, University at Buffalo and the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.
August 2022
CEO offers insight on FORTH report for U.S. Travel Association
Hundreds of destination marketing leaders learned of the profound changes forecast for how, when and where people work, vacation and enjoy leisure time, thanks to a keynote panel discussion in August 2022 led by Delaware North CEO Jerry Jacobs Jr. at the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference.
“Now What? Industry Insights Post COVID,” the opening event for the four-day conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., highlighted Delaware North’s most recent “future of” report, “The Future of Recreation, Travel and Hospitality,” (FORTH).
November 2022
Popular national radio program gains perspective from CEOs
Delaware North CEOs Jerry Jacobs Jr. and Lou Jacobs in early November 2022 were featured on Marketplace, a daily finance and business radio program produced by American Public Radio, as it explored the state of the economy and labor market, with a focus on Buffalo, N.Y. Marketplace is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on more than 800 public radio stations nationwide.
Host Kai Ryssdal spoke to the two CEOs about the labor market post-pandemic, including how the company regained its workforce as business reopened.
December 2022
Delaware North creates council promoting diverse and inclusive workplace
In December 2022, Delaware North CEOs Jerry Jacobs Jr., Lou Jacobs and Charlie Jacobs introduced Delaware North’s first diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) Advisory Council: a diverse group of team members and leaders who convened under the leadership of Heather Jacobs, chief human resources officer.
The council supports enterprisewide initiatives and advises leadership on ways to formalize the company’s approach to ensure that DE&I is firmly embedded in Delaware North’s culture. The dynamic team represents a global cross-section of backgrounds and expertise, and their voices and perspectives help ensure this important work moves forward in deliberate and impactful ways.
