DRBA to Host Open House Events for Hospitality Operators at the Cape May – Lewes Ferry

NORTH CAPE MAY – Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that “Open House” events related to the food, beverage and retail operation of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF) will be held on Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11. Last week, DRBA officials announced plans to seek private hospitality operators for its food, beverage and retail businesses at its terminal locations in Cape May and Lewes and aboard its ferry vessels.
According to Jim Walls, Chief Operations Officer for the DRBA, these sessions will provide interested hospitality operators with the opportunity to observe current operations within the terminals and aboard the ferry vessels. “We’re confident that these exchanges of ideas and information will provide a clearer understanding of ferry operations to potential hospitality operators and will allow us to gather information from those operators about their issues, concerns, and suggestions,” Walls said. “This information will be used to develop our solicitation of proposals.”
Each day’s events will include the same presentations and facility tours, in addition to Q & A sessions and networking receptions offered in an “Open House” styled setting. Participants will also be invited to make a round-trip ferry crossing of the Delaware Bay to observe the ferry service during peak season operations first-hand. Key DRBA executives, staff, and consultants will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.
“The better we understand the operational fine points of the hospitality industry, the better equipped we will be to structure a successful solicitation and selection process that will begin this Fall,” Walls added. “This event will give interested firms the ability to view, observe, and make inquiries about all aspects of our terminal and vessel operations at the Cape May – Lewes Ferry as well as to discuss various business and leasing possibilities.”
Registration is free of charge and includes reserved pedestrian passage aboard the Ferry. Those wishing to attend, either or both days, are encouraged to register on-line at www.cmlfconcessions.com.