Brookings, SD (06/25/24) – Today, Dacotah Bank Center, announced it has teamed with Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions, to join its Supplier Diversity Program. Deepening its commitment to economic diversity, the initiative is part of OVG’s ongoing goal to be a catalyst for lasting change and inclusion throughout its organization, partners, and the communities it serves while encouraging business growth for historically underrepresented groups.
In addition to Dacotah Bank Center, other venues participating in the program include:
Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the world’s first carbon zero certified arena and home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken;
CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, ranked the 10
th busiest arena in the world;
Moody Center in Austin, TX, Pollstar Arena of the Year in 2024;
Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA, rated a Top 5 multi-purpose venue in the US; Chicago’s
McCormick Place, the nation’s largest convention center and the recently reimagined, state-of-the-art
Miami Beach Convention Center.
“Joining Oak View Group’s Supplier Diversity Program is a great opportunity for the Dacotah Bank Center,” said
Mike Logan, General Manager, Dacotah Bank Center. “In addition to our commitment to host top-tier events, we’re dedicated to fostering economic growth and inclusivity in our community. This partnership allows us to uplift businesses, creating a more vibrant and diverse local economy. I’m looking forward to the positive impact this will have on our region and am excited to see the growth and opportunities it will bring.
“OVG believes in the power of a diverse community and recognizes the opportunity to be intentional in the ways we support and uplift the communities we serve,” said
Tim Leiweke,
Chairman and CEO,
Oak View Group. “Our supplier diversity program won’t just benefit underrepresented businesses, it will uplift the communities where these businesses are located through job creation, increased wages, and tax revenue.”
Providing maximum opportunity for local, small, and diverse businesses to become OVG vendors, OVG will identify and increase sourcing from suppliers that are at least 51% minority-owned, including from businesses owned by BIPOC, women, veterans, LGBTQ+, disabled persons, and other local city certifications. When vetting potential suppliers, OVG will consider multiple factors which may change from market to market. These include capacity, based on the size of the potential partner’s company and where within OVG’s operations they would most likely succeed, and key differentiators such as what sets partners apart from competitors, cost savings, reduction in delivery or setup times, value-added services, product/services quality, and sustainability.
“Our goal is to provide exceptional guest experiences at our venues, and to do that authentically and responsibly, we need to think beyond customer service and deepen our commitment to the communities we serve,” said
Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus,
OVG’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. “This isn’t just a business strategy, it’s our commitment to making a long-lasting economic impact in the communities in which we operate. Minority-owned businesses encounter unique barriers that challenge their growth efforts such as access to capital and networking opportunities. This program aims to alleviate some of those pain points.”
Potential supplier partners interested in applying are encouraged to
click here to review the required diversity certifications.