ASM Global Rolls Out Plant-Based Menu Options at Select Convention Venues In North America

December 13, 2022

In order to increase the selection and availability of sustainable, vegan menu options throughout its extensive network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers, ASM Global recently formed a multi-year partnership with plant-based global food provider Wicked Kitchen.

The new partnership establishes Wicked Kitchen as the “Preferred Plant-Based Food Partner” of ASM Global venues as well as “Exclusive Plant-Based Food Provider” across all catering, suite and concessions managed by SAVOR, the chef-driven culinary division of ASM Global. 

With this announcement, Wicked Kitchen also becomes an official partner of the ASM Global Acts Foundation, ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform. 

Featured menu items in concessions, catering and suites will include a diverse range of sandwiches, sausages, burgers, pizzas, pastas, appetizers, main dishes and ice cream, made entirely of plant-based ingredients. The chef-created menu offerings are designed to appeal to a wide variety of palates, while also following the momentum of more guests, athletes and performers globally seeking plant-based foods to bolster their health while reducing their environmental footprint.

Chad Sarno - Wicked Kitchen

Created by chefs and brothers Derek Sarno and Chad Sarno, Wicked Kitchen offers a chef-driven range of delicious, 100% animal-free foods. In addition to its recent launch into food service, the company boasts the largest variety of any plant-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand in the U.S., with a portfolio of products available in more than 8,900 retail stores in the U.S. 

“We’re proud to be a part of the solution for ASM Global’s large-scale venues to meet their sustainability goals and to provide plant-based foods that appeal to everyone,” said Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen. “With the product variety and insights that Wicked Kitchen brings, we see this as a major game-changer for the food service industry.” 

Wicked Kitchen fare will be available at select SAVOR-managed venues in North America in an initial phased rollout. Among the 32 stadiums, arenas and event venues that will offer its vegan menus, participating convention centers include:

  • Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.
  • Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif.
  • Oklahoma City Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz.
  • Moscone Center and Moscone West in San Francisco
  • McCormick Place and Lakeside Center in Chicago
  • Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center in Syracuse, N.Y.

Plant-based cuisine pioneer Chef Chad Sarno, chief culinary officer and co-founder at Wicked Kitchen, applauded ASM Global and SAVOR for their commitment to sustainability by choosing plant-based foods for their venues. 

“We are so excited to partner with ASM Global and SAVOR to push the boundaries of traditional venue favorites for bold-flavored, plant-based offerings that are good for the planet and provide tasty options for both meat eaters and vegans alike,” said Sarno. “As a culinary-first brand, we are especially thrilled to partner and work with the incredible culinary team at SAVOR that prioritizes taste and experience for all customers.” 

With the addition of this strategic partnership, ASM Global is poised to continue its trajectory of becoming the global leader in sustainability in the entertainment, sports and convention industry, according to ASM Global officials. 

Wicked Kitchen

“This partnership between ASM Global, SAVOR and Wicked Kitchen is an integral part of ASM Global’s commitment to establishing the most sustainable venues in the world,” said Shaun Beard, SAVOR senior vice president. “Our plant-based food offerings will immediately increase, providing our guests with more diverse choices that also have a positive impact on our planet.”  

He added, “Additionally, Wicked Kitchen’s product offering is delicious, and we are confident that all of our guests, no matter their food preference, will be drawn to these menu items.”


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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.