Sodexo Live!-Tennis Garden ‘match’-up

Article posted by Coliseum, September 11^th, 2023

Image: Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Sodexo Live! (France) recently announced a multiyear agreement to become a strategic hospitality partner of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (US), one of the world’s most critically-acclaimed sports and entertainment venues.

‘sodexo’ stated that the new relationship will elevate the food, beverage and guest experience at the facility, highlighted by new hospitality offerings for the fans and players alike at the annual BNP Paribas Open, the world’s largest combined Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) two-week professional tennis tournament.

Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)-based Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities.

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The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a premier tennis destination located in the Coachella Valley in Southern California (US). This critically acclaimed tennis landscape spans 54 acres and boasts 29 world-class courts, including the 16,100-seat Stadium 1, the second largest in the world. An 8,000-seat Stadium 2 was also added in 2014. The Tennis Garden is home to several annual events, including the Indian Wells Music Festival and, most notably, the BNP Paribas Open. The facility is open to the public, with year-round tennis memberships available, a fitness center onsite and more.

The Indian Wells Masters, also known as the Indian Wells Open and BNP Paribas Open, is an annual tennis tournament usually held in early-and mid-March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, United States. The owner is Larry Ellison, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of the American multinational computer technology company Oracle.

London (UK)-based the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuits – the ATP Tour (worldwide top-tier tennis tour for men), the ATP Challenger Tour (second-tier tour) and the ATP Champions Tour (men’s tennis tour intended for former tennis professionals).

St. Petersburg (US)-based the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is the principal organizing body of women’s professional tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women and was founded to create a better future for women’s tennis.

‘sodexo’ further stated that the partnership is a perfect match, with two powerful entities in the world of tennis coming together. Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a premier year-round tennis destination featuring 29 world-class tennis courts, including the 16,100-seat Stadium 1, the second largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world. Sodexo Live! boasts decades of expertise operating hospitality for best-in-class global tennis events including the French Open, while also being responsible for premium hospitality package sales for the Australian Open.

Put in Philippe Dore, Chief Marketing Officer at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open, “We are committed to offering a world-class hospitality experience to all fans and players who visit the Tennis Paradise and our partnership with Sodexo Live! will focus on developing new premium experiences, a first-rate culinary program and fan-focused service. Fans planning their trip to the Tennis Paradise this Spring should be excited about the variety of new luxury offerings coming to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden thanks to this new partnership.”

The Sodexo Live! team will implement a refreshed strategy around the player and fan hospitality experience at the BNP Paribas Open that maximizes efficiency and excellence of service, showcases area cuisine and beverages and highlights nutrition and sustainability.

Added Belinda Oakley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sodexo Live! North America, “In just over two decades, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden has become a beacon for world-class tennis. We’re honored to build a hospitality program at this iconic venue, and excited to provide magical moments year after year.”

Commented Carmen Callo, Senior Vice-President (SVP) Corporate Executive Chef, Sodexo Live! North America, “Creating a culinary and beverage program that elevates the excellence of this venue is our top priority. From the athletes and daily guests to premium ticket holders, our goal is to make sure we offer something outstanding for everyone.”

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden joins a growing list of Sodexo Live! partner venues in Southern California, including the 125,000-capacity San Diego Convention Center, the 10,000-capacity The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (live music venue in San Diego), San Diego Theaters, the 17,500-capacity Hollywood Bowl (amphitheater in Los Angeles), the 1,200-capacity John Anson Ford Theater (music venue in Los Angeles), the 3,000-capacity Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (archive in California).

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