Chance Meeting Leads to New Sponsorship Deal at Ricoh Arena
A chance meeting at a top exhibition led to a new sponsorship deal at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Chief executive Daniel Gidney and marketing director Liz Cooper travelled from the £113 million venue to ExCeL in London where they met John Hoath from Sky Creations.
The managing director of the contemporary furnishings company in Oxfordshire was initially asked to supply seating for conferences held in the E.ON Lounge at the International Events Centre (IEC) at the Ricoh Arena.
The deal led to the two-and-a-half-year-old business taking over the sponsorship of one of the Ricoh Arena’s suites, just off the main reception area, which has now been re-named the Sky Creations Lounge.
John said he was delighted to have secured this agreement at an international destination for business, entertainment and sport.
“We met Daniel and Liz at Hotelympia in London and they mentioned they were looking to replace some of the Ricoh’s furniture,” he said.
“We came to Coventry to discuss the conference seating required and we were also asked to supply contemporary seating for the Singers Bar and Bistro.
“Once the furniture was delivered, the response was extremely favourable and further discussions led to the sponsorship of the Sky Creations Lounge.
“We are a relatively new company who work exclusively with British designers and manufacture from our base in Thame, Oxfordshire, and this new arrangement allows us to showcase our furniture.
“Our high-profile clients include a major hotel chain and Edinburgh University and we are pleased to be working with such a prestigious venue.
“It is a marriage made in heaven with the Ricoh Arena because we love the venue and they love our work.”
Daniel added: “When we were mingling with suppliers at Hotelympia we wanted to find a partner that could develop a bespoke range of flexible furniture for a contemporary restaurant on Sky Blues match days as well as being suitable for conferences.
“We discovered plenty of suppliers that could do one aspect of the contract but not both until we met Sky Creations who came up with the solution that is a first in the industry.
“The colourful, comfortable furniture in the Sky Creations Lounge, E.ON Lounge and Singers Bar and Bistro is a fantastic addition for busy delegates taking a rest during conferences and exhibitions.
“The conference and banqueting seating with the seat support is especially comfortable and looks great in the different fabrics we chose.
“The sponsorship link-up raises the company’s profile to their existing and potential clients as the Ricoh Arena becomes a popular destination for companies large and small.
“The Sky Creations Lounge is a welcome addition to the IEC and it is a busy location during the week and on Coventry City match days.”
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