DETROIT, MI — Huntington Place is proud to announce the appointment of Hassan Shalaei as the new General Manager of Sodexo Live!, the convention center’s premier internal catering partner. With a robust culinary and banquet operations background stretching back to 2010, Shalaei brings a wealth of expertise, leadership, and passion for elevating guest experiences.
Shalaei’s career spans some of the most prominent hospitality destinations in the country, including Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Caesars Entertainment, and Gold Strike Casino. He has held roles from Banquet Captain to Complex Director of Banquets, overseeing mission-critical environments with precision and poise.
And while his resume shines with major casino brands, rest assured—Huntington Place isn’t taking a gamble on Hassan. His proven track record demonstrates consistency and a commitment to excellence that makes him the perfect fit for Detroit’s tier-one convention center.
Throughout his career, Shalaei has mastered essential skills that will serve Huntington Place well, including large-scale event logistics and seamless front-of-house service execution. He is known for fostering collaborative cultures, prioritizing guest satisfaction, and building high-performing teams that thrive under pressure.
“Our partners and clients deserve a leader who not only understands the importance of impressive culinary delivery, but also champions our responsibility to the community and the environment,” said Bryan Crowe, CEO of Huntington Place. “Hassan’s values and vision align deeply with our mission. His commitment to sustainability, service excellence, and the guest journey makes him an exceptional addition to our leadership team.”
Shalaei’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for Huntington Place’s hospitality program as the venue continues to raise the bar for conventions, conferences, and events in Detroit and beyond.
Welcome to the team, Hassan — let’s get to work.
About Huntington Place
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Huntington Place, Detroit’s convention center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and has the largest ballroom in Michigan with 40,000 square feet. It is a LEED Gold certified venue and has received numerous industry awards for excellence including the 2020 USGBC Leadership Award for Building Performance, making it the only convention center in the history of the award to receive it. It is the 16th largest convention center in the United States. Follow us onFacebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and huntingtonplacedetroit.com.
About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner’s rep, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content & booking. Through our white-label approach, we keep our partners front and center while leveraging the power of our global network: over 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. To learn more, visit us at www.LegendsGlobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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