Stadium Experience is pleased to announce that 70 football and rugby clubs across the UK and Ireland have been nominated for awards in the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2019.
The awards, sponsored by CCS & RAK Porcelain, will take place in the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club on Thursday 20th June 2019. Over 450 guests will experience a fine dining four course menu, awards ceremony, followed by an exclusive onsite after party until the very early hours.
The prestigious event recognises the amazing efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football and rugby stadium across the UK and Ireland. There will be a total of 14 different award categories, with a Bronze, Silver and Winner award for each presented on the evening, meaning a potential 42 awards are up for grabs. This year’s categories include:
Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award – Sponsored by Conference News
The Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award category will be judged by HGEM in a mystery shopper style sales call.
Best Digital Enquiry Award – Sponsored by Hi-Impact Media
The Best Digital Enquiry Award category will be judged by HGEM using a mystery shopper style email enquiry.
*New for 2019* Matchday Sales Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by ACME Facilities Group
This award recognises the best matchday sales team in stadium venues across the UK and Ireland. Judges are specifically looking for teams demonstrating consistent growth and using new ideas to drive sales and cross-selling.
*New for 2019* Non-Matchday Sales Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Target Response
This award recognises the best non-matchday sales team in stadium venues across the UK and Ireland. Judges are specifically looking for teams demonstrating consistent growth, using new ideas to create unique and different events, whilst also providing value for money and overcoming any challenges.
Best Stadium Events Venue Award – Sponsored by Corium Designs
This award recognises the very best stadium events venue within the UK and Ireland. Judges are specifically looking for a stadium venue which consistently displays exceptional venue facilities and outstanding guest experiences.
Shining Star Award – Sponsored by Taste Coffee
This award recognises those individuals who are simply outstanding at what they do, and continuously shine. This may be someone at the start of their career, making great strides in their roles, or someone in a more senior role leading the way in excellence.
Operations Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Braehead Foods
This award recognises the often unseen behind-the-scenes teams that make stadium events run so smoothly. Judges are looking for teams which go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the very best service to customers.
Chef Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Chef Works & Corprotex Apparel
This award is judged by Salon Culinaire chefs as part of the live kitchen event which took place alongside the Foodservice Show at NEC, Birmingham. Chefs teams had one hour to prepare, cook and present a three-course menu suitable for their Club Chairman to entertain the Head of the FA or RFU to dinner.
Visiting Directors Awards – Football & Rugby – Sponsored by fcbusiness & The Rugby Paper
The Visiting Directors Award categories are voted for by Directors at each club. They are asked to nominate the club where they had the best away experience when travelling with their team. They are specifically asked to consider the welcome, service and catering when casting their votes. There will be an award for both rugby and football venues.
Matchday Hospitality Award – Sponsored by Verteda
Reported by professional Salon Culinaire chef judges who experience hospitality at UK and Irish clubs this season using strict criteria. This is divided by size of hospitality offering with an award for:
Matchday Hospitality Award – Small Stadium (up to 1000 hospitality seats)
Matchday Hospitality Award – Medium Stadium (1001 – 2000 hospitality seats)
Matchday Hospitality Award – Large Stadium (2001+ hospitality seats)
Overall Matchday Hospitality Award – Presented by CCS & RAK Porcelain
This award pitches all sized clubs against all, to announce the overall winning UK or Irish stadium.
Stadium Experience Chair Person Collette Salmon, commented: “Stadium teams work tirelessly, striving to bring excellence in their venues for both matchday hospitality and non-matchday events.
“These awards really recognise and celebrate all of this hard work and commitment and continue to drive up standards across the industry. Congratulations and best of luck to all of this year’s award nominees – We look forward to announcing the results at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on 20th June!”
More information on the awards, and tickets for the event are available online at – www.stadiumexperience.com/awards.