VenuesNow 2025 All-Star Honoree: Morell Marean

MORELL MAREAN
Chief Operating Officer
OC Sports & Entertainment, OCVIBE, Honda Center

DUCK POND ON DRAFT
New self-serve drink dispenser pours beer in 14 seconds.

A new era is on the horizon in Anaheim, California, and Morell Marean is one of the figures leading the charge to reshape live entertainment in Southern California’s Orange County.

As chief operating officer of OC Sports & Entertainment (OCSE), Marean has done his part to make Honda Center one of the busiest arenas in the country today and beyond, leading modernization efforts that will help the venue stand out within a competitive SoCal market and as an anchor to the $4 billion OCVIBE mixed-use district.

“Renovating a 30-year-old building from top to bottom is no small task,” Marean says. “The way our industry has evolved since Honda Center first opened in 1993 is incredible, and figuring out how to bring in all the modern enhancements we wanted while working within the bones of the building was a real puzzle.”

While construction will be done in phases over the next two years, Honda Center has implemented new concepts to enhance the fan experience. One of them is Draft Picks, a self-serve beer stand that pours a drink in only 14 seconds. Its implementation has led to a 176% increase in sales.

“These early successes are just the beginning. The next two years will be even more transformative as we bring the full vision to life,” says Marean, who previously worked in food and beverage operations and multi-unit management at Universal Studios Hollywood.

OCSE’s ambitious project includes a new five-story south entrance with a high-impact digital display to host outdoor viewing parties and community events, as well as four new entry plazas.

Following the trend of investing in VIP experiences, the Orange County venue is modernizing its luxury suites adding other premium experiences such as opera boxes in anticipation of the 2028 Olympic Games.

“I am excited about the opportunity that all-inclusive experiences can provide,” Marean says. “The economics for these products are compelling. … I am also energized by the role that data and analytics are playing in our industry.”