Akanksh Joshi’s Post

Let's talk sports bars in Vegas for a second. PTs Pub has over 70 locations. Parkway Tavern has 7, Bourbon Street has 7 locations, The Lodge has 12 locations, there's also Irish pubs that show sports --about a dozen--and 136 casinos that have a sports bar and a sports book. Not to mention you can watch the game at literally thousands of locally owned mom and pop sports bars in every single neighborhood of every corner of Las Vegas. Including gaming bars, like Dotties--and now Terribles Convenience stores are getting in the game--even plunking down the very awesome WSKY concept next to Alligent Stadium--and newcomer FLANKER right across the street. To me, that's over saturation. Everyone with a TV gets into the sportsbar game here in Vegas. I would estimate were in the tens of thousands of places that show the local games. Yet, we keep building them. Listen. If you have good promotional staff, maybe a big screen or TVs in your concept --you don't have to lock yourself into a one feature bar. The name of the game in this economy is to fill as many needs as you can throughout an entire week. You can put on your sportsbar hat and take it off when events happen. Make sure you don't build something that's only a one trick pony. Because when there's no major event--you sit there dead or at best--fighting to be half full. This game is about butts in seats at all times--because the clock with your rent and utilities NEVER stops. Be creative with your concepts. 🙄

Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth: Football South Australia (FSA) is extending ties with wholesale bakery supplier Balfours for three years, re-establishing the company as FSA’s exclusive Savoury, Pastry and Sweets Supplier. FSA-led events, particularly those at FSA’s newest complex ServiceFM Stadium, will be catered by Balfours. The deal holds further importance to NPL and State League clubs, as well as FSA-affiliated programs, who the FSA say will have better access to securing Balfours’ products for their own use. This includes access to special prices and promotions for products, as part of the partnership with South Australian football. Football clubs and communities often do it tough when it comes to catering food for players, coaches, and supporters - especially on matchdays where volunteers contribute close to a full day’s work behind canteens and kitchens. Thus, the importance of affiliations like this helps take the strain off those stakeholders and potentially saves clubs hundreds of dollars on catering bills. Clubs can contact Balfours for catering events beyond matchday too, such as corporate events, charity days, or training programs. “We're thrilled to renew our partnership with Balfours as our exclusive pastry and sweets supplier,” said FSA General Manager - Commercial Operations, Mark Easton, via press release. “This collaboration strengthens our ties and offers exciting opportunities for clubs. Here's to continuing our shared success." Being a proudly South Australian brand since 1853, Balfours has a sentimental link to most South Australian people. Operating under the Aus Pie Co umbrella, it has strengthened its commercial ties to sport. “We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Football South Australia for the second consecutive year,” Aus Pie Co CEO Bruce Feodoroff said in a statement. “Aus Pie Co – the home of quality brand Balfours, is proud to align with an organisation that not only oversees the National Premier League and State leagues but also passionately supports grassroots football, providing opportunities for aspiring athletes and fostering the players of tomorrow.” “Balfours continues to support South Australia’s sporting communities, and we look forward to our future of shared success and supporting the growth of football in SA.” Working with local brands like Balfours will benefit FSA greatly, thriving off the strong connection the brand has with South Australians already. This will further help South Australian clubs and communities to improve the football experience for all stakeholders. The post Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

Three Things I Learned In SaaS, Sports, Tech, & Live Events   The collapse of Lyte and why choosing vendors is high-stakes   Choose who you work with carefully - both ways. It is so easy to get drawn in by whatever business you can get in the early days. Especially when times are tough- which they are for many right now. We made a lot of mistakes and have seen a lot of mistakes since we started. In light of the collapse of Lyte leaving vendors and customers high and dry, here are three mistakes we made or watched when not properly vetting vendors.   1. Vet your customers! In the early days of TicketManager, we were living hand to mouth. Anything we bought for a client came out of our pockets personally until they paid for it. Michelle Wing was stealing from her company to buy access to big events. We never looked into it as she was the exec assistant to the CEO, used her work email, and it all seemed legit. Until we got a call from the FBI. She owed us 20k. We lost it all.   Mitch Chirchick was a big customer of ours at StubHub who would buy lavish events. He took his business with us when we started. He would buy a suite for the Rose Bowl and then show up with a boxing star and celebrities. Until he got indicted. And we were left holding the bag on $40k we didn’t have—more on him in the comments.   Cy was a bigwig at our biggest early customer, CenterPoint Energy. We would marvel at how he’d throw money around at events. Once telling me to buy “all the Caymus” at the local liquor store and handing me his black card. I did. He was a great customer, until he was gone. Procurement let us know that none of the buying was approved by compliance. At least that one we didn’t eat.   We weren't worried about all three of them. We should have been.   You know what they say about crooks: if they aren’t great liars, they aren’t crooks for long   2. Vet your vendors   Enter Lyte.   They’re not the only ones.   If something is too good to be true, it rarely is true.   ScoreBig was everywhere. Every event. They had big-time VC backing and paid out rips better than any marketplace.   Until they didn’t. They went under and left many holding the bag.   SpongeTech had sponsored everything in the late 10’s. It seemed impossible they could do all these team deals.   It was. They flamed out and disappeared as fast as FTX.   Lyte was going to change the economics of ticketing. They made bold statements and did plenty of press.   Those that believed are the most hurt.   If the deal seems too good - it's much cheaper, easier to buy, or flashy - be very wary.   3. Nobody can actually spot a cheat. Gladwell's book “Talking To Strangers” examines just how terrible we all are at judging what is true and what isn’t. And the more certain people are they can tell what no one else can - he uses judges and the FBI as examples, the more spectacularly wrong they are. Don't take my word for it. Read the book. 

ICYMI: Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth: Football South Australia (FSA) is extending ties with wholesale bakery supplier Balfours for three years, re-establishing the company as FSA’s exclusive Savoury, Pastry and Sweets Supplier. FSA-led events, particularly those at FSA’s newest complex ServiceFM Stadium, will be catered by Balfours. The deal holds further importance to NPL and State League clubs, as well as FSA-affiliated programs, who the FSA say will have better access to securing Balfours’ products for their own use. This includes access to special prices and promotions for products, as part of the partnership with South Australian football. Football clubs and communities often do it tough when it comes to catering food for players, coaches, and supporters - especially on matchdays where volunteers contribute close to a full day’s work behind canteens and kitchens. Thus, the importance of affiliations like this helps take the strain off those stakeholders and potentially saves clubs hundreds of dollars on catering bills. Clubs can contact Balfours for catering events beyond matchday too, such as corporate events, charity days, or training programs. “We're thrilled to renew our partnership with Balfours as our exclusive pastry and sweets supplier,” said FSA General Manager - Commercial Operations, Mark Easton, via press release. “This collaboration strengthens our ties and offers exciting opportunities for clubs. Here's to continuing our shared success." Being a proudly South Australian brand since 1853, Balfours has a sentimental link to most South Australian people. Operating under the Aus Pie Co umbrella, it has strengthened its commercial ties to sport. “We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Football South Australia for the second consecutive year,” Aus Pie Co CEO Bruce Feodoroff said in a statement. “Aus Pie Co – the home of quality brand Balfours, is proud to align with an organisation that not only oversees the National Premier League and State leagues but also passionately supports grassroots football, providing opportunities for aspiring athletes and fostering the players of tomorrow.” “Balfours continues to support South Australia’s sporting communities, and we look forward to our future of shared success and supporting the growth of football in SA.” Working with local brands like Balfours will benefit FSA greatly, thriving off the strong connection the brand has with South Australians already. This will further help South Australian clubs and communities to improve the football experience for all stakeholders. The post Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

MUST READ: Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth: Football South Australia (FSA) is extending ties with wholesale bakery supplier Balfours for three years, re-establishing the company as FSA’s exclusive Savoury, Pastry and Sweets Supplier. FSA-led events, particularly those at FSA’s newest complex ServiceFM Stadium, will be catered by Balfours. The deal holds further importance to NPL and State League clubs, as well as FSA-affiliated programs, who the FSA say will have better access to securing Balfours’ products for their own use. This includes access to special prices and promotions for products, as part of the partnership with South Australian football. Football clubs and communities often do it tough when it comes to catering food for players, coaches, and supporters - especially on matchdays where volunteers contribute close to a full day’s work behind canteens and kitchens. Thus, the importance of affiliations like this helps take the strain off those stakeholders and potentially saves clubs hundreds of dollars on catering bills. Clubs can contact Balfours for catering events beyond matchday too, such as corporate events, charity days, or training programs. “We're thrilled to renew our partnership with Balfours as our exclusive pastry and sweets supplier,” said FSA General Manager - Commercial Operations, Mark Easton, via press release. “This collaboration strengthens our ties and offers exciting opportunities for clubs. Here's to continuing our shared success." Being a proudly South Australian brand since 1853, Balfours has a sentimental link to most South Australian people. Operating under the Aus Pie Co umbrella, it has strengthened its commercial ties to sport. “We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Football South Australia for the second consecutive year,” Aus Pie Co CEO Bruce Feodoroff said in a statement. “Aus Pie Co – the home of quality brand Balfours, is proud to align with an organisation that not only oversees the National Premier League and State leagues but also passionately supports grassroots football, providing opportunities for aspiring athletes and fostering the players of tomorrow.” “Balfours continues to support South Australia’s sporting communities, and we look forward to our future of shared success and supporting the growth of football in SA.” Working with local brands like Balfours will benefit FSA greatly, thriving off the strong connection the brand has with South Australians already. This will further help South Australian clubs and communities to improve the football experience for all stakeholders. The post Balfours continues with Football SA to feed growth appeared first on Soccerscene. #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

🐠⚾️🎟️ The last three weeks I’ve shared three different use cases for a company to have a season ticket membership. This post will talk about how companies can best leverage the perks and benefits that come with a membership. When working with clients I lead with usage and how the usage aligns to business objectives to achieve the desired outcomes and ROI. Secondarily, the perks and benefits can show additonal value to the purchase but should not be the sole reason for the purchase. If you are the end user for your company and you’ve been given budget approval it must drive an ROI or eventually that line item will be eliminated from the budget. Budgets are more heavily scrutinized and buying/approval committees keep growing so what we purchase today as business leaders needs to drive impact. Yet most salespeople spend their time talking perks and benefits of tickets 🎟️ and not enough time on achieving desired business outcomes through tickets. As the end user you have to drive that conversation home 🏠 if your salesperson is not so you can justify the purchase to your buying committee. Each team has a similar set of standard benefits they offer their season ticket members and for this example I’ll share how our business clients with the Marlins can take advantage of three of our benefits that come with membership. 1️⃣ Access to Exclusive Events: We host events year round. To continue to see value from your membership in the off-season you can bring clients to these events. A popular event we have is an on-field batting practice. Most people have never stepped foot on to a Major League Baseball field let alone have the ability to take swings. This is a once in a lifetime experience you can provide one of your clients to thank them for their business. 2️⃣ Savings on Retail and Concessions: When hosting a business guest you want to make sure you cover everything and members can save up to 20% on retail and concessions. Over an 81 game home season those savings go a long way towards the value of your membership. 3️⃣ Priority Access to Ballpark Events: We recently hosted the World Baseball Classic, next week we will host the Caribbean Series and there are more events coming like concerts and the Savannah Bananas. Having first access to premier events like this is and Postseason Priority Access are huge benefits of being a member. If you see a positive return from using Marlins tickets this will give you more unique opportunities to grow your business in addition to Marlins games. Though, the perks and benefits are secondary in the buying decision a strong analysis of the benefits can help differentiate from the multiple vendors or teams your deciding between if budget allows you to only select one. #seasonticketmebership #ROI #perks #benefits #value

Do you know that premium hospitality at football matches in Europe’s top five leagues is not just a luxury? ⚽✨ It's an integral part of the football experience that brings fans closer to the action while enhancing the business side of the sport! 💼🍽️👑 Whether it's The Premier League, LALIGA, Lega Serie A, Bundesliga International GmbH, or Ligue 1, the demand for VIP packages is booming, and it's no surprise why! From exclusive seating with panoramic views to gourmet dining 🍽️ and personalized services, fans are treated like royalty 👑. These packages often include private suites, champagne receptions 🍾, and even the opportunity to meet players after the match ⚽. Such offers transform a day at the stadium into a truly memorable event. But the impact of premium hospitality isn't just felt by the fans — it plays a huge role in club revenue and brand engagement. Premium seating and hospitality revenue contribute significantly to the bottom line of clubs. In the Premier League, clubs can generate upwards of £100 million annually from hospitality alone! For instance, Manchester United’s hospitality revenue was around £121 million in 2022, making up a significant portion of their matchday earnings 📊. Similarly, FC Barcelona reported hospitality revenues of over €30 million in 2021, proving that top-tier experiences are a key part of their business strategy. But it's not just about the money 💶. Premium hospitality allows clubs to forge deeper connections with corporate sponsors and high-net-worth individuals, fostering long-term business relationships 🤝. These VIP services are often integrated into corporate packages, where businesses can entertain clients or partners in a luxurious setting, further blending sports with networking and commerce. It’s a win-win for both the clubs and their corporate guests! The hospitality sector at football matches is also a major tool for brand engagement. Sponsors get a chance to showcase their products in an elite environment. Imagine sipping on premium drinks while watching your favourite team score a goal, surrounded by the branding of luxury cars or fashion houses 🚗👗. This type of association between high-end products and unforgettable sporting moments elevates both the brand and the matchday experience. Moreover, with the growing trend of technological integration 📱, some clubs now offer digital perks like AR experiences or live statistics directly to the VIP sections, making the experience even more immersive. This fusion of luxury and innovation not only appeals to die-hard fans but also attracts a new generation of tech-savvy supporters. With the demand for unique, high-end experiences, the future of football hospitality looks brighter than ever 🌟. #VIPExperience #FootballBusiness #PremiumHospitality #FanExperience #FootballCulture #CorporateHospitality

Sport is all about emotion. When your club wins, it feels like you personally scored the winning goal. And even in defeat, your loyalty never wavers. Your dedication deserves to be recognized and celebrated. At Kickoff, our mission is to bring you closer to your favorite clubs and enhance every aspect of your sports journey. Here's what awaits you: • Connect directly with your club, chat with representatives, and share your thoughts. • Leave detailed reviews on stadium quality, services, merchandise, and more. • Benefit from an efficient channel for amplifying fans' voices, ensuring your opinions are heard and valued by the club. • Support your club and boost its online reputation by expressing your admiration. • An all-in-one destination for everything sports-related, keeping you engaged and informed. • Never miss out on polls, events, match updates, and the latest club news – it's all at your fingertips. • Engage with clubs, join events, and connect with fellow fans for an immersive experience. • Stay informed about club news, transfers, and decisions, fostering transparency and trust. • Gain access to exclusive player interviews and behind-the-scenes content you won't find elsewhere. • Enjoy exclusive supporter perks, including discounts on tickets and access to special events. With Kickoff, you can take your love for the game to the next level.

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘀 At 𝗞𝗡 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘀, we understand the powerful motivation that comes from receiving a personalized award. That's why we provide a wide range of high-quality custom trophies. We particularly excel in designing sports trophies. Whether you're coaching a football team or a basketball team, here are some important considerations for presenting trophies. You don't want to hand out trophies without any celebration simply. It's important to ensure players truly feel recognized. When presented with care and creativity, a trophy becomes more than just an award that sits on a shelf; it becomes a cherished keepsake.  Add creativity to the award process. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 Instead of merely handing out trophies, turn the awards process into a memorable event. Host a ceremony to present custom trophies to each player. There can be a small gathering on the court with players, their friends, and family. Alternatively, you could organize a more upscale event that will be a lasting memory for your athletes. Rent a space in a nice restaurant, dress up, and make the occasion special for reasons beyond just the trophy itself. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 Whether you choose to host a more elaborate event or not, simply handing someone a trophy isn't special enough for your team. Consider each player's unique contributions and write a note acknowledging their efforts. While receiving a trophy is great, personalized recognition from a coach can be an even greater motivator. When your players see that you care, they'll be inspired to work even harder next season. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 During your ceremony, highlight significant moments from the past season and showcase some of the standout plays from your most valuable players. If you have any funny videos from practices or away games, share those to add a lighthearted touch to the event. Reflecting on the season can remind everyone of their achievements and provide insights on how to improve in the future. Custom trophies and awards are a fantastic way to communicate and reinforce your organization's brand and event positioning, helping to attract more participants to your events. There are numerous types of custom awards you can offer your clients, with almost endless design possibilities. 𝗔𝘁 𝗞𝗡 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀. #sports #corporate #events #trophies #customisedtrophies

I often talk about target occasions and cocktails, but I am stunned when I read such articles. How can such a thing be achieved? What I can think of is: - consistent execution through the years (this is not a 2024 overnight success) - a partner (US open) that is pushing in the same direction as you - huge budgets to support a single execution - instagrammability and talkability Did I miss anything? Thanks to Julian Marsili for sharing this article with me to spark our mutual curiosity about how brands are built. https://lnkd.in/eajmMQTP