Corporate Hospitality Success At The Masters – 7 Best Practices
Posted by Ron Amodio on Fri, Mar 02, 2012 @ 05:47 AM
In an earlier blog post, our colleague and exclusive, strategic partner, Bill Colvin, President, Colvin Sports Network, shared with us the 5 keys to a successful sport event hospitality program and how they could be applied to your company’s corporate hospitality activities at 
The Masters – a serious sporting competition that takes place each April at the classic Augusta National Golf Club.
You’ve put into operation our event hospitality planning recommendations (e.g. invite CEOs early) and as a result, your response rate is off-the-charts. Now that your most valued customers, top performers and best prospects will all be gathered as your guests at The Masters, you need an implementation strategy and tactics to ensure your relationship development objectives are achieved. To that end, below is Bill's list of best practices your event hospitality team can utilize prior to / during the week of The Masters (April 2-9, 2012).
1. Manage Ticket Allocation
This is the most important part of your program. Masters badges usually belong to someone else and they must be returned to their owners.
2. Make Travel Plans Early
Travel to Augusta requires early ticketing. It is a small airport and most flights connect through Atlanta and are on regional jets. This will impact how much luggage gets on a flight and typically golf bags are not on the same flights as their owners.
3. Coordinate Housing Accommodations for Guests
Housing in Augusta for the Masters typically is secured in private homes. There is a wide range of quality and pricing. This will be the single largest expense after the Masters badges themselves.
4. Secure / Manage All Travel Arrangements ( i.e., from airport to hotels and rented houses to tournament)
Hiring a local set of drivers will give you a big advantage. They are familiar with the backroads and side streets which will help tremendously in getting around Augusta.
5. Manage Distribution of Corporate Premiums (i.e. developed and produced for your guests attending The Masters tournament)
Everybody loves the Masters logo. There is a wealth of choices but getting the inventory now requires more planning as typically the merchandise cannot be purchased until Monday of the Masters.
6. Plan Off -Site Activites with Usual Focus on One Round of Golf (i.e., at a nearby golf course)
Over the years, these choices have increased dramatically. In between watching golf and playing golf, there leaves little time for anything else.
7. Arrange for Guests’ Meals to be Catered
Catering is very important. The limited good restaurants are crowded and they don’t take reservations during Masters week. Hiring a good chef is a great alternative.
Key Takeaway: Remember, this {Masters Badge} is one of the hardest tickets to get and yet every year the demand is great so planning ahead will be critical.
For more than 25 years, Bill Colvin has been creating upscale hospitality programs at premier venues such as Augusta National that have delivered measurable value for his corporate clients. So if you have questions for Bill regarding your corporate hospitality needs, he can be reached on his cell at 216-272-7779, via email: bill@colvinsports.com or you can follow him on Twitter: billcolvin.
If you would like to take advantage of our complimentary 30 minute consultation with Bill, click on the button below to learn more.
Photo Credit: " Par 3 Course Gallery at The Masters," Courtesy of Colvin Sports Network
