UK football and rugby venues celebrate success at The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2014
Over 300 guests from football and rugby stadia across the country have celebrated their ‘off the pitch’ successes at The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2014 last night. The awards are the 10th annual awards organised by Stadium Experience (previously The Football Hospitality Awards) and aim to recognise the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football and rugby stadium across the UK.
The prestigious event was held at the home of Hull City Tigers, the KC Stadium. There were a total of 9 possible awards. Some awards were entered by the club themselves and others by nominations from colleagues, media and other club directors.
The overall winner of the evening was Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, who scooped the top gong for Overall Matchday Hospitality Experience 2014, fighting off tough competition from across the Leagues.
The full list of award winners includes:
Media Choice Award – Sponsored by Conference News
(Voted for by media attending matches across the UK)
WINNER – Manchester City Football Club
SILVER – Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
BRONZE – Aston Villa Football Club
Conference & Events Sales & Marketing Award – Sponsored by Hospitality Gem
(Judged by a mystery shopper style telephone call enquiry and follow up process)
WINNER – Hampden Park Stadium
SILVER – Newcastle United Football Club
BRONZE – Aston Villa Football Club
Star For The Future Award – Sponsored by The Football People
(Judged by panel of award sponsors and the Stadium Experience Awards committee)
WINNER – Elisha Lindsay – Newcastle United Football Club
SILVER – Vinnie Shields – Everton Football Club
BRONZE – Neil Hubbard – Birmingham City Football Club
Operations Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Life Water
(Judged by panel of award sponsors and the Stadium Experience Awards committee)
WINNER – Reading Football Club
SILVER – Worcester Warriors Rugby Club
BRONZE – Southampton Football Club
Directors Choice Awards – Sponsored by FC Business
(Voted for by clubs board of directors when they visit an away match)
WINNER – Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
SILVER – Bradford City Football Club
BRONZE – Queens Park Rangers Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Awards – Sponsored by Salon Culinaire
(Reported by professional chef judges who experienced hospitality at UK clubs this season using strict criteria)
Matchday Hospitality Award – Small Stadium (up to 30,000 seats)
WINNER – Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club
SILVER – Wigan Warriors Rugby Club
BRONZE – Cardiff City Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Award – Medium Stadium (up to 40,000 seats)
WINNER – Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
SILVER – Birmingham City Football Club
BRONZE – Leeds United Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Award – Large Stadium (over 40,000 seats)
WINNER – Newcastle United Football Club
SILVER – Chelsea Football Club
BRONZE – Everton Football Club
The Big One – Overall Matchday Hospitality Award
WINNER – Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club
SILVER – Newcastle United Football Club
BRONZE – Wigan Warriors Rugby Club
Stadium Experience Chair Person Collette Salmon, from Liverpool Football Club, commented: “These awards recognise those dedicated teams who work tirelessly off the pitch at football and rugby stadia across the UK to make hospitality, conferences and events run seamlessly for their customers. We at Stadium Experience are proud to host the Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards and it is an honour to welcome Rugby stadia from across the UK in 2014. Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners.”
Jane Shepstone, Conference and Events Director at Kingston Park, Home of the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club commented: “We were delighted to be nominated, as this was the first year the awards have been opened up to Rugby stadia. To receive the Gold Award for Matchday Hospitality in a Small stadium, and then Overall winner of Matchday Hospitality is testament to the off field team who strive to give our customers a fantastic experience each time they visit Kingston Park”
See the latest updates on The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards.
