DETROIT — As construction moves forward on the site of the new Detroit Events Center, Olympia Entertainment today announced that Meijer and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are its first two official Landmark-level partners, the highest level of commitment. As Landmark partners, Meijer and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System will have maximum visibility throughout the Detroit Events Center, through complete partner integration with The Detroit Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment. Each has signed multi-year deals that begin with the 2017-2018 event season. The move reaffirms Olympia Entertainment’s commitment to collaborating with Michigan Made, Detroit Built companies throughout The District Detroit.
Both partnerships include opportunities for community initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of Michiganders and visitors while at The Detroit Events Center. Meijer is working on concepts for an interactive kids’ area, free hockey clinics throughout the summer and Red Wings player appearances.
Meijer, like Olympia Entertainment, is a family-owned, Michigan-based company serving the needs of families at each of its stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of Detroit’s great comeback story. After opening two Meijer stores in the city recently, we see this as another excellent way to support Detroit,” said Cathy Cooper, senior director of community partnerships and giving for Meijer. “We are so pleased to be a part of what will be a fantastic venue to watch a game or enjoy a concert.”
Michigan-based Saint Joseph Mercy Health System is one of the nation’s top health care service providers, spanning seven counties across southeast Michigan. With more than 2,700 physicians and 14,000 employees, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System includes five hospitals (St. Joe’s Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Livingston, Oakland and St Mary Mercy Livonia), five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities and more than 25 specialty centers.
“We share the anticipation of fans, visitors and businesses for the opening of this transformational project in the heart of Detroit,” said Rob Casalou, regional president and CEO, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. “As one of the major health systems in southeast Michigan, we want to help our community stay well by encouraging fitness and eating great, fresh food no matter where they are. Our sponsorship is an exciting way to bring our message of health and wellness to visitors to the Detroit Events Center, and engage people out in the community where they live, work and play.”
The Saint Joseph Mercy Health System “Healthy Hockeytown” platform will include multiple health-oriented events within the community such as 5K runs and yoga classes, and the expansion of the Healthy Choice program currently at The Joe to the new Detroit Events Center, offering fans more healthy food options as they enjoy a Red Wings game or event.
“We are thrilled to have Meijer and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System as our first official, long-term partners,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Olympia Entertainment. “These companies believe in the city and The District Detroit, and recognize that the Detroit Events Center is going to be The District’s crown jewel. Both companies are focused on bringing unique experiences to fans and visitors, and are names we are very proud to have associated with the new Detroit Events Center.”
About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 223 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronic offerings. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 13,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $1.9 billion and returns about $120 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.
SJMHS is a member of Trinity Health, the third largest Catholic health care system in the country. Based in Livonia, Mich., Trinity Health operates in 21 states, employs about 95,000 people, and has annual operating revenues of about $15.8 billion and assets of about $20.4 billion. Additionally, the organization returns almost $1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.
For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.stjoeshealth.org.
About Olympia Entertainment
Olympia Entertainment, a Detroit-based company owned by entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch, is one of the country’s most diverse sports and entertainment companies and the largest organization of its kind in the Midwest. The company owns and operates Detroit’s Fox Theatre, the intimate City Theatre and also books and operates Joe Louis Arena and books Comerica Park. Olympia Entertainment also handles business operations for the Detroit Red Wings, an Original Six member of the National Hockey League and collaborates with the Detroit Tigers baseball franchise and other Ilitch companies.
Other Ilitch companies include: Little Caesars Pizza, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, the Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program and Olympia Development. Additionally, Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers, and Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.
About the Detroit Events Center
Home to the Detroit Red Wings, other sports and entertainment events, concerts, family shows and community functions, the new $627 million Detroit Events Center will feature a dramatic arena bowl, proximity to the action and great sight lines. Rich with the tradition of the Original Six Detroit Red Wings and Detroit’s incredible musical heritage, the new Detroit Events Center will also feature state-of-the-art technology and fan amenities. The Detroit Events Center will open in the fall of 2017, and it’s going to deliver amazing experiences.
Source: Olympia Entertainment