Spectra Venue Management (formerly Global Spectrum) and Food Services & Hospitality Divisions Combined

October 12, 2015

Comcast Spectator’s Spectra Venue Management division (formerly Global Spectrum) and the Spectra Food Services & Hospitality division (formerly Ovations Food Services) will be combined, effective Nov. 2. 

This model integrates Spectra food and venue operations management into one team. In total, there will be four geographic divisions and 19 regions.

 “The strong partnerships we have with our clients allow us to innovate in ways that benefits our clients, our employees and our customers,” said Glen Brandeburg, who joined the company in 2015 as the president and COO of Spectra Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality divisions. 

He added, “These geographic divisions will drive even more efficiencies to enhance the fan/customer experience.”

With this geographical realignment, Spectra by Comcast Spectacor assigned four leaders to the newly created positions of divisional senior vice presidents.

They are Hank Abate (Northeast Division), Doug Drewes (Southeast Division), Shura Garnett (Central Division) and Charlie Neary (West Division). They will report to Brandeburg and oversee several regions within their divisions. 

Abate joined Spectra predecessor Global Spectrum in December of 2013 as senior vice president of Arenas and Stadiums for the company.

He spent 20 years with SMG as a senior vice president of Stadiums and Arenas. During his time at SMG, he oversaw 70 arenas nationwide.

Garnett, a 12-year Spectra employee, recently served the company as general manager of the Saint Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Mo., and as a regional vice president, focusing on the convention center business for Spectra.

She has been in the facility management industry since 1987. She is a past chairman of the Board for International Association of Venue Managers.

Drewes began in the industry at the age of 20, and has managed some of the most prominent facilities in the country.

Prior to joining Spectra Food Services & Hospitality in 2014 as the executive vice president overseeing operations in the eastern half of North America, Drewes spent 26 years with Centerplate, overseeing 88 accounts.

Neary has been with the Spectra since 2001 when his company, FanFare Enterprises, a regional foodservice company, merged with Spectra. 

Formerly overseeing Spectra Food Services & Hospitality’s operations in the western half of North America, Neary was responsible for managing half of all food service clientvenues for Spectra.

“Our new leadership team has incredible industry experience and will be a great team,” said Ken Young, founder and CEO of Spectra Food Services & Hospitality. “I am really excited for our future and how it will benefit our clients, our employees, and ultimately, our customers.”

Spectra by Comcast Spectacor partners with more than 300 clients at 400 global properties to create experiences for millions of visitors every year.

Spectra’s expertise is embodied within three divisions: Venue Management (formerly Global Spectrum), Food Services & Hospitality (formerly Ovations Food Services) and Ticketing & Fan Engagement (formerly Paciolan). Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.