San Diego, Calif. (January 23, 2025)— The San Diego Convention Center and Sodexo Live!, its exclusive food and beverage provider, announce a new collaboration with Talitha Coffee. This partnership offers meeting planners the opportunity to upgrade their event beverage service with premium, locally roasted coffee.
"Our San Diego team is continually looking for new ways to support local businesses and create a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Bobby Ramirez, Sodexo Live!’s Regional Vice President, Southern California. “We're excited to partner with Talitha to bring their delicious coffee and inspiring mission to our clients and guests.”
With a roastery in Barrio Logan, one mile from SDCC, Talitha offers high-quality blends through a mission-driven business model. The company provides training, employment, and holistic support to survivors of human trafficking. The launch of this Talitha-SDCC partnership coincides with Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a national effort to end human trafficking in America and around the globe.
“By working with Sodexo Live! and the Convention Center, we can raise awareness year-round and support survivors through expanded employment opportunities,” said Jake Jiron, Talitha’s Head of Sales. “This relationship builds on the growth and success we’ve developed with other San Diego businesses, such as Izola Bakery in East Village.”
“By working with Sodexo Live! and the Convention Center, we can raise awareness year-round and support survivors through expanded employment opportunities”
In 2024, Sodexo Live! served approximately 700,000 cups of coffee at the San Diego Convention Center. Meeting planners interested in upgrading their coffee service can now opt to select a custom blend from Talitha Coffee, elevating the experience for their attendees while supporting a meaningful cause. This custom blend is exclusively available at SDCC; it isn’t available for retail purchase.
“We aim to deliver unforgettable experiences for our clients, exhibitors, and attendees. Local relationships like this enhance our offerings and reflect our values of sustainability and community,” said Rip Rippetoe, President and CEO, San Diego Convention Center.Outside of hosted coffee for breaks and meals, grab-and-go options vary by event, often including Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s, and concession stands in the exhibit halls. Additional local food and beverage concessionaires frequently participate in larger events such as Comic-Con.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious conference, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. As strategic and responsible partners, Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup, Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Hard Rock Stadium, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Prado museum in Madrid, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About San Diego Convention Center
The San Diego Convention Center is the region’s premier gathering place, hosting conventions that create economic benefits and jobs for the San Diego region, paid for by outside visitors to the destination. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego to exclusively manage, market, and operate the 2.6 million sq. ft. waterfront facility.
