Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent chosen for 2018 UK Corporate Games
Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are set to benefit as Europe's largest multisport festival for business returns to the region for a second year.
The UK Corporate games, which will take place from 21 to 24 June 2018 is expected to attract thousands of amateur athletes from top UK companies and boost the local economy while showcasing the area’s growing economic opportunities.
This year’s Games held in Nottingham in July attracted over 5,000 competitors and generated an estimated £3.8m for the local economy.
The Games will feature 24 sports on the packed weekend programme, as well as a host of celebrations including a Grand Parade of Athletes, the Great Games Party and the SuperCentre Celebration.
Sports will include, hockey, cricket, badminton, netball, football, go Karting, golf, volleyball, tennis, basketball, running and dragon boat racing. Venues include Keele and Staffordshire Universities, Fenton Manor Sports Centre, Newcastle College and Trentham Gardens.
The joint Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent approach was selected by the Games organisers ahead of several other bids following the success of the inaugural games in 2015.
Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Staffordshire County Council, said that hosting the games again would be great for the county and provide yet another real powerful opportunity to show off what Staffordshire has to offer.
He said: "The last games were a huge success giving thousands of people from top UK companies the chance to visit and see the huge economic opportunities available in the area. We already know what a great place it is to live, work and invest in and this is another opportunity to let the rest of the country know. Local businesses took part in the previous Games with opportunities to meet new customers and make new contacts and I hope to see even more local firms taking part again.”
Councillor Anthony Munday, cabinet member for greener city, development and leisure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re excited to be bringing this very popular and successful event back to the city for the second time. More than 3,000 competitors took part when we hosted the event in 2015 and we are hoping to see even more people involved this year, especially businesses based here in the city. It is an event which attracts businesses from all over the UK and gives us not only fantastic exposure but a unique opportunity to sell Stoke-on-Trent from a tourism, business and leisure point of view.”
Games Director for the UK Corporate Games, Ben Sedgemore said: The Games has been staged annually in the UK since 1992 but our experience in 2015 in the region was certainly one of the best. Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire is blessed with some fantastic facilities and a great central location and everyone enjoyed their involvement in the Games. We had some great interest from other strong destinations for 2018 but the positive experience enjoyed by the competing organisations and ourselves last time ensured we were very keen to return. We can’t wait now.