VenuesNow 2026 All-Star Honoree: Belinda Oakley

Belinda Oakley
CEO
Sodexo Live! North America

BON APPÉTIT!
“Food and beverage are no longer just an amenity; they’re part of the reason people show up.”

Over the past year, Sodexo Live! has experienced strong attendance and per-capita spending at events across North America. In July, the food and beverage provider and hospitality company identified North America as a major growth priority, saying it plans to increase investment to generate future growth.

Driving the strategy is Belinda Oakley, CEO, North America, for Sodexo Live!, who currently oversees 20,000-plus employees at more than 150 venues across the U.S. and Canada.

“Our commitment to invest in our people, to embrace technology where it genuinely enhances the guest journey, and to stay humble makes a big difference to our ability to rise to the challenge,” says Oakley. “Staying humble means never being too proud to say something isn’t working or someone is doing it better, and to listen intently to our venue partners, teams and guests. Hospitality has never stood still, and neither will we.”

The company’s momentum is characterized by expansion into major cultural venues, like The Music Center in Los Angeles and the retention of existing partners like Nashville’s Music City Center and T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners.

“Long-term renewals like this reflect years of hard-won trust built by so many talented and committed people, so standing on those shoulders and being able to connect what has been to what can be, was an incredible responsibility and honor,” Oakley says of working with the Mariners.

In 2026, Sodexo Live! also hosted fans at two FIFA World Cup venues.

“Delivering hospitality on the world’s biggest stages always requires extraordinary teamwork, planning and execution, but this one had a lot of unique facets,” says Oakley. “I’m so proud of how our teams – which we call our Experience Makers – showed out, but I’m also really proud of the way the cities we are fortunate enough to call home, came together to create incredible moments and memories for so many. We are all a little bit smarter, more connected and of course, more tired for it!”

“Food and beverage are no longer just an amenity, they’re part of the reason people show up,” offers Oakley. “Fans want experiences that feel authentic to the destination and offer something exclusive.”