Stadium Experiences
The inspirational Aaron Phipps gives his key note at the Stadium Experience meeting this week
Several years ago I first worked with the fabulous Debbie Rigney and the team at Stadium Experience, a Not-for-Profit organsiation that brings together representatives from the hospitality teams at all the major UK stadium venues to share best practice and industry news.
Presenting our virtual tour services at one of their meetings led to us working with Liverpool FC, Twickenham Stadium, Everton FC, Manchester United FC, St Helens RFC, Ipswich Town FC and Norwich City FC. In fact, I’ve been very privileged to return to several of these to renew their tours over the years as they renovate or rebrand, none more so than Norwich, where I have been back 4 times. I love working at stadiums: not just because I am a sports fan, but because I love meeting the people behind the scenes and finding out how the industry functions away from the match day
Stadium Experience recently hosted their first in-person meeting since Covid at the wonderful Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham and I took the opportunity to exhibit there as well as cover the event with film and photography. It was fantastic to reconnect with existing clients such as Jodie from Norwich and Sophie from Ipswich Town FC but also to meet prospective venues for virtual tour services.
Continuing my close ties with the sector, I will be covering July’s awards for Stadium Experience, which is always a lively affair! The event will be held at Brighton and Hove Albion’s American Express Stadium, and I cannot wait!
One thing I really enjoy about covering events is getting to listen to the key note speakers, and this week’s was particular impressive and inspirational - the paralympian and renowned British athlete, Aaron Phipps. What an honour to hear his story. He closed by telling everyone in the room that they should take themselves out of their comfort zones and attempt something a bit different. That struck a chord with me as I embark on my new venture as Racing Snake - although the services are not outside of my comfort zone, branching out and doing them without having a team behind me is definitely a little bit uncomfortable! It’s also exciting and really not that impressive given what people like Aaron have achieved in life with far more to overcome.
Edgbaston Stadium, the perfect venue in the heart of the country and a spectacular skyline view over Birmingham.
