Date: Wed 25th February, 2009
Venue:
Number of Guests Attended: 100
It is time to capitalise on spectacular events such as the Ryder Cup and Ashes test for the benefit of the economy. That was the verdict of a top team at Insider’s Business of Sport Breakfast at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff as the Six Nations championship stepped up a gear.
The legacy of past successes, reputation for getting it right, civic pride and teamwork are the keys, according to the influential panel. Nigel Roberts, a board member of Glamorgan County Cricket Club and one of a team credited with bringing the Ashes to Wales, said the potential of the match against Australia could be seen from a recent game between India and Pakistan that attracted an audience bigger than the population of Europe.
“Imagine what the tourist board would pay for that. We have an opportunity to show Cardiff to the world,” he said.
Gwyn Dolphin, group head of marketing for the Welsh Rugby Union and the Millennium Stadium, said we must build on experience already gathered. “What we have in Wales is a track record that shows we can deliver. We don’t just talk, we can actually do it. Our record speaks for itself,” he said.
“Team Wales was one of the factors that brought us the Heineken Cup Final and works very successfully in delivering quality events. We have a legacy of being able to deliver and are better placed than we have ever been.”
Dean Sheehan, managing director of sports management company Endgame Group, said working together was fundamental. “I strongly believe the only way we can compete is to capture the knowledge and facilities in one vehicle. It should be South Wales as a region with one plan to hold these types of events. You have to look beyond boundaries,” he said.
One question was how to enhance and maintain revenues after events. Moves were already being made to capitalise on the Ryder Cup, said Rob Holt, chief executive of Ryder Cup Wales.
“I am taking the trophy to the US and have had requests from newspapers and TV to do interviews,” he says. “They are very keen to learn about Wales and there is an opportunity to sell to a generation that may not even have heard of Wales.“
Dolphin said that through all events, the Millennium Stadium brought in one million people last year, although they did not all stay. “Clearly one of the biggest issues for the stadium is competition and we have to find a point of difference. One of the critical things is hotels. There has been good progress made with Cardiff & Co but we must work together to make sure it is not feast and famine for hoteliers.”
The breakfast was sponsored by Paramount Office Interiors, Bristol Airport, Continental Airlines; M&A Solicitors and Endgame Group.
