Jon Stromberg

THG Sports North America has developed a new division based in Toronto to leverage the company’s 20 years of experience providing C-level hospitality during professional golf’s signature event, the Masters Tournament, says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

“With more C-level executives seeking relationship-building opportunities with proven ROI at top-tier sporting events, the timing is perfect to launch this specialized THG Sports division,” Stromberg says.

Augusta Tournament Hospitality Inc. will serve as THG Sports’ primary hub for marketing and selling hospitality packages during the storied Masters Tournament, which next year is scheduled for April 8-11 at Augusta National Golf Club. The Toronto-based operation will work in conjunction with THG Sports offices in Chicago, Montreal and San Diego to promote THG Sports’ exclusive hospitality offerings.

“Augusta Tournament Hospitality brings a new level of creativity and professionalism around the Masters for our clients,” Stromberg says. “Our focus on this event will allow us to assist clients in linking Masters hospitality with their business goals through packages that serve as incentives for key team members and loyalty-builders for A-list customers and client prospects.”

THG Sports’ Masters hospitality packages provide exclusive access to THG Sports facilities, tournament play and activities that include celebrity appearances and premiere dining and entertainment. THG Sports typically hosts more than 40 corporations during the annual Masters Tournament and expects to advance its C-level participation through the specialized focus Augusta Tournament Hospitality will deliver, Stromberg says.

For more information about Augusta Tournament Hospitality Inc. and annual client testimonials, click here.

As more CEOs are looking globally to grow their businesses in an ever challenging marketplace, they are seeking new avenues to extend their relationships and reach in many countries—a trend that mirrors THG Sports’ experience offering hospitality packages across the globe, says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

“Our C-level contacts and clients realize that as they expand their global reach in today’s ever-changing market, connecting with customers outside of an office atmosphere whether it be the Masters Golf Tournament or Singapore Grand Prix, to the World Soccer Championships or Americas Cup is a key advantage in allowing each to pinpoint and develop regional relationships around the world,” Stromberg says. “Language and cultural barriers seem to disappear when experiencing a global event of personal interest to customers.”

The assessment fits with findings from IBM’s most recent Global CEO Study, which highlights increased investments in global opportunities and an emphasis on building collaborative relationships with customers and prospects to engender future success. The study details the focus on relationship building is due to a more demanding and sophisticated customer bases across more countries and CEO recognition that quality customer relationships offer a way to differentiate their companies from competitors.

Through its 63 global locations, which span from London and Sydney, to Kuala Lumpur and Chicago, THG Sports is seeing more evidence that affirms the IBM study findings. Companies are seeking THG Sports’ assistance to craft hospitality offerings at a larger number of events in multiple countries to address their global business goals.

“Response and interest in our global THG Sports Open Contract program is stronger than ever,” Stromberg says. A key benefit of the service, he explains, is the ability for companies to tailor the Open Contract to respond to business-and relationship-building needs at both corporate and regional levels.

For example, a global THG Sports client that provides technology-based security solutions used the Open Contract format to provide relationship-building opportunities during the U.S. Open Golf Championships, the Autumn Rugby International’s, and the Malaysian Grand Prix in the past year.

“The company has now expanded its Open Contract and plans to allow each global region to use a portion of the funds to build customer relationships in targeted geographic areas, working in conjunction with THG Sports’ Chicago office,” Stromberg says.

“Our Open Contract program is the perfect complement for C-level executives to meet their global business goals,” he says.

For more about THG Sports’ global event hospitality offerings, click here.

With a first pitch thrown by President Barack Obama and a homerun-robbing catch in the seventh inning, the 2009 All Star Game was a thriller for THG Sports clients who took part in the company’s top-tier hospitality offerings during this year’s midsummer classic in St. Louis, says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

“The game was a winner on all fronts-exciting play, excellent networking opportunities and a showcase of baseball at its finest.”

THG Sports clients took part in a pre-game, interactive appearance with three-time All Star and former Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinal standout Andy Van Slyke. He quizzed THG Sports attendees on All Star game trivia, offering autographed baseballs for correct answers, and gave an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to play in the All Star Game.

“Andy’s appearance was a perfect precursor for a great night of baseball,” Stromberg says. The American League team beat its National League opponents, 4-3.

THG Sports hospitality offerings-including Van Slyke’s appearance and pre- and post-game networking opportunities-took place at the new Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark (see image), which is adjacent to Busch Stadium in the city’s historic downtown district.

THG Sports has organized hospitality during the All Star Game for the past 17 years, with a majority of their top Fortune 1000 accounts already secured for next years 2010 All Star Game scheduled for July 13 at AT&T Park in Anaheim, Calif.  For more information, click here.

Following glowing results from this summer, THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg announces the company’s internship program selected for Chicago, San Diego and Montreal offices has proved a success-paving the way for future seasonal paid sports internship programs in the years ahead.

“It’s been a great program,” Stromberg says. “We’re providing real-world experience that offers interns an opportunity to work with our teams and experience what a career in executive sports sales can offer.”

THG Sports‘ Internship Program gives undergraduates and recent graduates seeking a career in executive level sales the opportunity to expand their working experience with C-level management within Fortune 1000 corporations.

“The selected applicants work directly with in-house National Sales Managers where they assist with client profiling and group development needs,” Stromberg says. “We are excited to include these young applicants within our division teams, helping them gain valuable experience.”

The internships run 8 to 10 week periods and give selected candidates an opportunity to work with some of the best in the business. They will experience exceptional leadership and training necessary to become a valuable team member and partner ready to deliver highly personalized sales production to C-level executives.

To learn more about this internship visit THG Sports’ Internship Program page.

Ten years ago Greg Piers walked into THG Sports’ San Francisco office with a resume and a desire to succeed. Over the years he’s been a great asset to the THG Sports sales division rising from a Sales Executive to National Sales Manager. Greg’s career advancement included periods in both the San Francisco and Montreal offices before settling in San Diego. His drive and passion has been an inspiration for all THG Sports team members.

This past week, Piers retired from his position but will continue working as a consultant for THG Sports.

“At THG Sports and Marcus Evans we like to think of our team members as family. While we are sad to see Greg depart on a full time basis we wish him all the best and look forward to working with him as a consultant,” says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

Many describe Piers as “tenacious” and “dedicated” and often go to him for advice. He has been a valuable team member for the last decade.

“I have been fortunate enough to meet a lot of different people during that time, some who will remain my friends for the rest of my life,” Piers writes.

Colleagues at THG Sports’ San Diego office presented Piers with a framed poem during a retirement party this week:

Celebrate with us and Greg Piers,
As we say cheers together, over a few beers,
It’s a bittersweet occasion, but we won’t shed no tears…
It’s time for Papa Smurf to say goodbye to his peers…

Greg Piers,
Who worked so hard over the years,
And has decided to take the time to switch gears,
He’s heading on outta here but don’t show your fears,
He loves all his friends…even those who hunt deers…

Greg is someone who has hair in his ears,
A true friend of ours we’ll always keep nears,
Loves hockey and golf and doesn’t shop at Sears,
Has plenty of time to trim his hedges with razor sharp shears,
He’s not a quitter, although it appears,
To company policies he always adheres,
But has decided to leave us and spend time with his dears..
He’s joining the land of retired pioneers…

Greg is not to be confused with Britney Spears,
Though the ladies will love him flashing porcelain veneers,
He’ll be eating his bagels covered with smears…
Let’s hope he doesn’t become senile and walk around with bunny ears,
He’s certainly subject to our ridicule and jeers,
Will he be getting man-boobs and needing brassieres?
Or have plenty of time to go get pap smears?
Maybe he’ll become a dirty old man who enjoys giving leers

Though Greg may become older like Santa and need some reindeers,
Don’t mess with him or he’ll kick you in the rears,
Let’s wish him well with these quaint souvenirs,
And we’ll continually hope that he soon reappears,
Until our paths cross again, we’ll miss you Greg Piers!!