Competition over who will manage food and beverage concessions at the Ventura County Fairgrounds could bring layoffs for 128 hospitality workers in mid-November, according to a notice submitted to state officials.
OVG Hospitality, part of the global Oak View Group company based in Denver, has been the master concessionaire for food, beer and other beverages for year-round events at the beachside fairgrounds since 2012.
But the company’s contract expires on Nov. 15, triggering its notice to the state that all of its workers at the state-owned fairgrounds are expected to be laid off unless a new deal or extension is reached.
OVG's notice to the California Employment Development Department is required by state law. Company officials noted in a written
statement notices of the possible layoffs were sent to affected workers in compliance with legal requirements.
"We remain committed to supporting our employees during this timeframe," they said in an email.
Concessions business at the fairgrounds involves big money. Fairgrounds CEO Heidi Ortiz reported in August that the 2026 fair generated more than $2.4 million in gross sales at bars operated by OVG.
Fairgrounds officials previously indicated they will put the concessions contract out to bid. Ortiz said the bidding process is mandated by the state.
"The relationship is not changing," she said of OVG. "The contract is expiring, and we are required to put these services out to bid."
But the bidding process is the first for the position since OVG gained the gig in 2012. It's expected to draw competition, including the Ventura County Fairgrounds Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial support for the fairgrounds improvements.
“The foundation plan is to put in a bid,” said foundation board chairman Edgar Terry, noting the submissions would likely be reviewed by the state.
OVG leaders said they expect to participate in the bidding process in an April fairgrounds board meeting. The discussion touched on the expiring contract, financial risks associated with opting for an in-house option and the bidding process.
OVG bills itself as a global leader in hospitality and venue development with projects in four different continents and clients, including Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s possible other companies could also submit bids for the master concessionaire role. Terry said the foundation’s connection to the fairgrounds will not give it an inside track, noting his expectation is that all bids will be reviewed on equal footing.
In the April meeting, company leaders cited experience with events ranging from the Los Angeles County Fair to fairs in Washington, Kansas and Texas. They pointed at improvements they brought to the Ventura fairgrounds including alcohol stands set up in shipping containers and changes in concessions at the fairgrounds’ speedway.
If the foundation wins the bid, all concession profits would stay with the fairgrounds, Terry said. The nonprofit would consider hiring experienced hospitality employees to help lead concession efforts, he said, not dismissing the possibility that former OVG employees could be hired.
“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it the right way,” he said.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Hospitality company says it could lay off 128 workers at fairgrounds
