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Established in 1912, The Marconi Event Centre has been a community staple in Sault Ste. Marie
& area. After over 100 years, it is being revamped and rebranded to prepare for modernization.
With the announcement of new changes and new leaders, comes a sustainable business model
that will thrive in the competitive food and event planning business.
A group of successful business leaders have joined forces to volunteer their skills & experience
to lead the charge. The public can expect exciting changes to the Marconi including upgrades to
the facility and the guest experience.
One of the business leaders, Dr. Kent Floreani, is passionate about the changes to come. He had
this to say about the addition of take-out “Most of us have grown up loving the quality and
taste of the food served at the Marconi, and that won’t change! The food will carry the Marconi
name and hand made quality we have all come to appreciate, but will be much easier for
families to grab & go with online ordering, pre-ordering and ready to go hot or frozen meals.”
He also had this to say about the individuals volunteering their time and expertise with this
initiative, “I’m so proud of this community we live in, and thankful for this group of industry
leaders who are donating their time, talents & resources to this great place!”
One of the group members, Nadia Sartor, Manager at Sar-Gin Developments had this to say
about the initiative, “We all want the same thing for the Marconi; to be a leader in Italian
culture and that we will keep! It has been THE place to get married and host memorable family
parties and we have ideas to make that even better.” Another group member, Dino Biasucci,
owner & operator of WINMAR® stated, “We’re thrilled to be able to work alongside one of the
oldest establishments in Sault Ste Marie and to preserve that legacy. Our family owned &
operated company will be completing the major renovations needed to revamp the facility.”
“The food at the Marconi has always been a strength and now we will make it more accessible
to the customer. Furthermore, we will be experimenting with new dishes for the public to try,”
Says Chuck Gassi, recently recruited General Manager of the Marconi. Gassi’s extensive
experience in take-out and the restaurant business will be carrying these ideas forward.
He had this to say about his new role as General Manager, “It’s exciting to see the
changes,which are already starting to happen, and what’s to come. This has been a challenging
position in the past, but I’m looking forward to being a part of the next chapter in the Marconi’s
history.”
For those of you that have been clamouring for the famous Marconi Buffet… Yes it is back! It
will be growing once renovations are completed but for now, it is situated upstairs in Ballroom
C, it’s temporary location, from Tuesday to Friday for lunch 11:30 am – 2 pm & dinner Friday &
Saturday, from 5pm – 8pm with the Fish fry back for Friday night!
The Guglielmo Marconi Society and the Elettra Marconi Society will be close partners in this
modernization and are essential it’s success. Orlando Rosa, President of the G Marconi Society,
says, “with the increasing complexities of this business, it is time to turn the operations from a
volunteer society to a bonafide group of business people.” He went on to say, “ While we are
respecting the strong history of the Marconi, and the contributions of the membership, this
modernization is required to meet the future head-on.”
The Marconi was built on volunteers and there has been a surge in those that have reached out
generously from the community with their talents and energy whether it is accounting,
marketing, event planning or operations.
The new business leaders, with the help of the two societies and wonderful volunteers, will be
bringing in new initiatives, seamless wedding packages, novel ways of delivery and unique
alliances. The Marconi Event Centre will be a happening place with relevance to a larger
audience including millennials and Gen X and Gen Y. It will be the Marconi 2.0!