Official Launch of business in sport

Business in Sport’s first launch event took place at The Village Hotel in Bristol in June, with an inspirational keynote address by international ski star and double Paralympian Anna Turney.

The event was attended by several top businesses in the South West who were there to learn more about the new business club that is already bringing business people together through a shared passion for sport and the ambition of supporting grassroots sport in the region.

The event was opened by the Lord Mayor of Bristol Jos Clark, who spoke about the need for business to be part of the local community in which it is based and the importance of grassroots sport in helping unite people. This was followed by words from the club’s two launch sponsors, Village Hotels and Metro Bank.

Mark Watters of Metro Bank was delighted to announce the partnership between Bristol’s newest and most innovative bank and Business in Sport, saying that the two organisations shared the same vision for helping business while giving back to the community. Business in Sport members can take advantage of Metro Bank’s excellent facilities at its Broadmead branch, while several club events are already planned at the venue where members can learn more about the business of sport and how to get involved.

Mark McMahon of Village Hotels brought his team to the stage and introduced Bristol’s newest hotel to the audience. Again, the synergy between the ethos of the hotel to promote sport, business and a healthy lifestyle and business in Sport was highlighted.

Village Hotels also used the opportunity to announce a fantastic benefit for Business in Sport members – which allows all staff of businesses who join the club to enjoy corporate discounts for membership of the hotel’s state-of-the-art gym. This is the first time Village Hotels has offered such a deal, opening up the discount to all staff with no minimum numbers required to join.

Club founder David Smith also spoke. “Members stand to benefit from networking opportunities, sporting occasions and special club events, and part of the membership fee will be ring-fenced to help grassroots clubs and organisations,” he said.

“From new goal posts for a local football team to stumps and bats for a village cricket club, Business in Sport wants to promote sport and help everyone enjoy its benefits,” says David, who is passionate about ensuring grassroots sport is better funded.

“Giving back to the community through sport helps thousands of people in the region participate in and enjoy sports – and gives our locals businesses the chance to be at the heart of something very special.”

Finally, Business in Sport director William Davis announced the brilliant new initiative that will see club members given the opportunity to support more than 600 up-and-coming athletes and sports people from the region, who will be making appearances at the organisation’s Rising Stars events throughout the year.
“Members have the option to help sponsor someone training for the next Olympic Games or World Championship in their chosen sport,” he said. “Business in Sport is the link between business and sporting ambition, bringing these future stars into contact with business people who are looking to help them reach their goals.

“Business in Sport will help members fund brilliant young talent so they can share in the journey many will make to the top. We want business to share in the success of our brilliant sports stars of the future and be associated with that winning mentality.”

Membership packages

Following the launch event at Village Hotel at the end of June, Business in Sport has taken many enquiries for membership details.

They are proud to be able to announce, therefore, that they are now open for businesses to join the club – and for the first 20 that join they are offering a special deal of three free months with a normal 12-month package lasting for 15 months.

“As we start the club, we want to thank our first members for taking the first steps with us,” says club founder David Smith. “As all businesses know, starting anything is a long, tough road, but with the excitement we are getting from local businesses to join, I know this will be a huge success and we want our first members to share in that success.”

Membership for the first year is now set at £948.00 per business. The package includes access to many of the club’s planned events for free, while we also offer fabulous discounts to many of the year’s top sporting events for members. Meanwhile, members will have the opportunity to meet more than 600 rising sporting stars ate special investment events, while our sponsorship team will help members negotiate sponsorship deals with all manner of sports clubs in the region.

Of course, members will also benefit from many club networking opportunities, sporting occasions and special club events, and part of the membership fee will be ring-fenced to help grassroots clubs and organisations.

For more information about joining Business in Sport, please email sam@businessinsport.uk or call 07867 646 959.