| We've all seen the balconies at sporting venues with | | | | family orientated and wouldn't think of attending a |
| the VIP boxes in the background. We imagine the | | | | sports event or fun day without their children, this, |
| fortunate and favoured sipping chilled champagne and | | | | too must be taken into account. If they have children |
| eating mini shrimp and avocado starters in climate | | | | or have strong ties in the local community they might |
| controlled luxury. One of our secret ambitions is to be | | | | not want to travel but stay within the area and |
| invited to join the exclusive circle of chino clad sports | | | | support some local talent. As the event is intended to |
| revellers and see for ourselves just what goes on in | | | | be for the client's benefit, the client's preferences |
| one of those suites. A primary obstacle for the | | | | must be your first priority. |
| majority of sports goers is how to go about | | | | The invitation can be issued verbally but should ideally |
| procuring that invitation. For most, it's simply beyond | | | | be written. It must be delivered with due |
| reach. | | | | consideration given to the client's schedule, with |
| For those who operate in corporate business circles, | | | | enough time for them to enter it into their diaries and |
| the chances of attending your dream sports events | | | | plan around it. The invitation should be attractive and |
| are much greater. Businesses are taking advantage | | | | invoke interest, not only in the event, but also in |
| of an increasingly popular method of wooing clients, | | | | meeting you and getting to know your business. It |
| rewarding existing clients and expanding distribution | | | | should also be done in a professional manner, as it |
| networks. They have found that one of the keys to | | | | serves as the first impression that the prospective |
| good business is to invite important decision makers | | | | client will have of your business. Included in the |
| to corporate hospitality events. Treating important | | | | invitation package should be all the information that |
| clients or prospective clients to their favourite | | | | they will need to attend the event. If the event isn't |
| sporting event, complemented with the best food | | | | local you should include a map, an itinerary if the |
| and drink, creates a favourable impression and goes a | | | | event involves more than one activity, and a card |
| long way to securing their future favour. | | | | indicating that they are entitled to free VIP parking. |
| Before inviting any clients to a corporate event it is | | | | Corporate hospitality needn't only be an entertaining |
| important to do some investigating to find out what | | | | day for prospective clients. After all of the planning |
| their interests are and to accommodate them in | | | | and organising, it can be a rewarding day for the |
| planning. Some clients may appreciate a private box | | | | business staff and owner. The hospitality market is |
| at the ballet rather than prime seats at the rugby. | | | | growing at an estimated rate of 150 million Pounds |
| Others may be table tennis nuts and would therefore | | | | per year. It stands to reason that businesses that |
| be less appreciative of a night of Romeo and Juliet at | | | | don't take advantage off all that it has to offer, will |
| the theatre. It might also prove useful to find out if | | | | soon find themselves scorned by clients who've |
| any of your competitors make use of corporate | | | | come to expect five-star treatment, and all the |
| hospitality as a means of ensuring client loyalty and | | | | courtship that they can handle. Corporate hospitality |
| goodwill. Knowledge of the resulting benefits and | | | | is tailor made for a world that values materialism and |
| disadvantages will help you to better plan your | | | | consumerism above all else. Businesses should just be |
| events. | | | | careful that in their desire to convert clients to their |
| It's also important to find out if your prospective | | | | side, they don't create corporate monsters with |
| guests would prefer to attend an event alone or | | | | insatiable appetites for free tickets to the most |
| with their partners. Some people are particularly | | | | popular events. |