Sport The Business of Sport
Partnership keeps cricket fans on track
Major award for Ricoh
The Ricoh Arena has been crowned as the best sporting venue for events at the National Venue Awards. The news comes on the back of a second consecutive record year
for the number of events held at the venue. The 857 events held there represents a ten per cent increase on the
previous year. The majority of this growth was within the conference and meetings sector, with 666 bookings in the last financial year compared to 583 in the previous 12 months. The venue has also undergone significant refurbishment in recent
months, including the new state-of-the-art Ricoh Business Lounge, as well as free high-speed wi-fi that is 270 times faster than the average UK home. Caroline Lissaman, head of event management at the Ricoh Arena,
said: “The Ricoh Arena plays a pivotal role in attracting visitors to the Coventry area via a mixture of live sport, music, conferences and exhibitions, and this award reinforces that. “We were up against some of the biggest names in the UK and the
win acts as a reminder that as well as serving the region well, we are a venue of national and international standing that is a sizeable driver for the economy in this part of the country.” *Coventry-based rugby giants Wasps are launching the 1867 Club, a members’ hospitality suite. The Ricoh Arena’s new ‘Heineken Lounge’ will be available for all home games next season.
Ideal partner for Baggies Partnership: Alex Perkins (left) with Danial Crehan
Warwickshire County Cricket and Virgin Trains have announced a new one-year partnership that is designed to make travel to Edgbaston Stadium easier and more cost effective. As part of the new agreement,
Virgin Trains – which operates services to and from Birmingham New Street – will provide discounted fares to Warwickshire members, international spectators and event delegates who are travelling to the stadium. Alex Perkins, head of commercial
at Warwickshire CCC, said: “We’re thrilled to establish this new partnership with Virgin Trains ahead of such a big summer of cricket at Edgbaston, which includes England’s Vitality International T20 against Australia, Test match against India, and Vitality Blast Finals Day. “Edgbaston is located just two
miles from Birmingham New Street and, with our return shuttle bus service operating to and from the station on international and T20 match days, there’s an opportunity for a large number of our Members and supporters to benefit. “We’re keen to make transport to and from Edgbaston as easy as
‘Nothing beats a day’s cricket at Edgbaston, one of the country’s most atmospheric sporting venues’
possible and, over the course of the partnership, we will be in touch with our Members, supporters and delegates to provide details of how they can claim discounted travel through Virgin Trains.” Virgin Trains discounted travel to
Birmingham will be communicated to members, ticket holders and event delegates through Warwickshire CCC, Birmingham Bears and Edgbaston digital channels. Daniel Crehan, commercial
partnerships manager for Virgin Trains, said: “Nothing beats a day’s cricket at Edgbaston, one of the country’s most atmospheric sporting venues. With so many big games coming up, we are delighted to be working with Warwickshire CCC, and look forward to welcoming fans onboard who, in addition to the discount, can take advantage of our fast and frequent services to and from New Street.”
A new venture: Mark Jenkins (left) with Shaun Edwards
West Bromwich Albion have announced Ideal Boilers as their new principal partner. Ideal Boilers have signed a two-
year agreement which will see their logo appear on Albion’s kit and training wear for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Albion are linking up with one of
the UK’s top performing companies in the domestic and commercial heating markets and, with a history dating back to 1906, Ideal can claim a rich heritage just like the Baggies. Since those early days, Ideal
have grown to employ 1,100 staff and develop a turnover of £435m, garnering multiple awards as millions of their products have found their way into British homes and businesses. Albion’s chief executive Mark Jenkins said: “This summer marks
the start of a new journey for the club and I’m delighted we have found in Ideal Boilers a partner which can point to the same longevity and values. “Their founding principles were
‘quality, innovation and value’ and that is something we can identify with at The Hawthorns.” Ideal Boilers’ CEO Shaun
Edwards said: “From the moment you step into The Hawthorns you realise Albion is a very special club and we are thrilled to join forces with them. There is an exciting journey ahead and I’m delighted Ideal will be there supporting them every step of the way.” Albion have also announced a kit
deal with Puma which will see the new designs, emblazoned with the Ideal Boilers logo, available later this summer.
July/August 2018 CHAMBERLINK 69
Sector Focus
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
