Jon Stromberg

Last night I watched my Chicago Bears win against the Miami Dolphins and my mood was greatly inflated. I started to consider how the success of my sports teams actually might influence the success of our corporate sales teams. Perhaps I was influenced early in life by the fact that Halas Hall was housed in my hometown. A good season for the Bears equaled a happy community and thriving local economy. Somehow I still find that the weekend with a win can propel me to even greater ambition on a Monday morning.

I don’t feel I am alone in this confession, in fact it is one of the reasons sports is such a crucial element in our economy. That Sunday game, golf tournament or tennis match allows us the catharsis to put our daily dealings to the side for a moment. In observing the greatness of these athletes, we search ourselves to find what we can do to reach our fullest potential.

When THG Sports clients attend one of our hospitality events, they experience the greatest on the golf course, sporting field, tennis or basketball court. Up close with athletes and coaches, the inspiration is not two-dimensional; it surrounds them. With each great shot, putt, serve or pass they witness the best practices in sports. Will they come back inspired?? Talk to me on a Monday morning after the Bears have beat the Packers.

Jon Stromberg, THG CEO North America

Ideas for the future development of THG were discussed at a recent think-in held at the beautiful La Costa Resort & Spa in coastal Carlsbad, CA.

THG’s North American Fiscal Review was held Saturday, 2 October 2010 with directors and managers from six locations - Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, New York, San Diego, and Los Angeles - attending.

At the senior management event a number of important strategic areas were discussed.

The 30 per cent event growth over the last fiscal year was reviewed. Also discussed was the forecasted event and office growth over the coming 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The executive review looked at how the pivotal areas of staff development and THG training program could be advanced.

The expansion of THG’s successful Corporate Wellness program, which was established this year to augment the company culture and the incentives it offers employees, was also a hot topic. “The program fosters the strong link between physical fitness and on-the-job productivity and performance”, says CEO Jon Stromberg.

With the increasing relevance of social media in business, the meeting examined THG’s own social media agenda over the coming year. Advancements within THG’s Human Resources department are also planned.

In addition to weekly contact and video conferencing, the group meetings, which are held quarterly, have generated a number of new ideas and advancements within the division.

More than 40 companies took part in THG’s hospitality offerings during last month’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, with several calling the event a positive and unforgettable experience, says THG Worldwide CEO Jon Stromberg.

“The feedback from our clients at the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix affirms that our business is about more than hospitality—it’s about providing an exciting environment where memorable experiences help our clients achieve business development goals,” Stromberg says.

THG guests enjoy activities at the Restaurant Hélène de Champlain in Montreal

“This year’s event was another sell-out for us,” Stromberg says. “We’ve already had a strong number of clients renew for the 2011 Grand Prix and ask for hospitality options during other North American events.”

This year’s Canadian Grand Prix, which marked the return of the event to the Formula 1 circuit, saw McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton capture the checkered flag in a contest that saw multiple lead changes due to frequent pit stops to address tire wear issues.

Surrounding the race THG clients were able to enjoy full hospitality facilities at the Restaurant Hélène de Champlain (see photo at right). For pre-race warm-up activities, THG hosted celebrity and former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who shared an insider’s view of the race and Formula 1 events. After his presentation, Villeneuve met THG clients and signed autographs.

THG’s Montreal team coordinated client hospitality for the event, earning high marks from clients for their attention to detail and the accommodations provided to guests, Stromberg adds.

For more information about THG Worldwide’s hospitality programs to enhance your global business relationships, visit the company’s website.

About THG: THG (http://www.thgsports.com) is a leading provider of corporate hospitality programs during the world’s premier sporting events, including the World Soccer Championships, Masters, Singapore Grand Prix, and the Final Four. As a marcus evans company, all aspects of THG’s services promise a level of client focus and attention second to none.

THG Sports’ top 20 sales producers in North America spent a recent weekend celebrating their success and enjoying the attractions in Las Vegas as part of the company’s employee incentive program to reward top-tier performance, says CEO Jon Stromberg.

“We brought our top sales executives from Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Diego and Toronto to Las Vegas to recognize their contribution to THG’s sales success this spring,” Stromberg says. “The trip is part of our broader corporate goals to encourage and reward employees who share our vision for success.”

The THG Sports team enjoyed an expenses-paid, long weekend (June 25-27, 2010) at the Bellagio Hotel that included group activities, including a team dinner at the hotel’s Yellowtail restaurant (see photo). A year ago, THG Sports hosted a similar outing with top sellers in Miami.

“We’re delighted with the positive feedback and continued performance we see through providing these team incentives,” Stromberg notes. “It’s a nice way for us to give back to employees who go the extra mile to help us achieve our goals.”

THG Sports has launched an employee wellness program to augment its company culture and the incentives it offers employees, says CEO Jon Stromberg.

The first element of the wellness program: A THG-subsidized membership at a gym or workout facility of an employee’s choosing. The company plans to announce other wellness program components in the coming months.

“It’s no secret there’s a strong link between physical fitness and on-the-job productivity and performance,” Stromberg says. “Given we’re a sports-based organization, a majority of our employees already follow work out schedules. This program makes it less of a financial burden for them to continue. For others, it’s a good incentive to become more physically active and fit.”

“We’re excited about the other wellness program components we’ll announce soon,” he says. Those include sponsored sports and group wellness activities tailored during both the winter and summer months.

This year’s U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., marked a milestone for THG: The event was the 20th year for the company to provide hospitality during this prestigious event and resulted in positive reviews from the nearly 80 companies who took part, says THG CEO Jon Stromberg.

“The U.S. Open is a signature event in golf and a key event in our portfolio,” Stromberg says. “A majority of our clients have already renewed their space for the 2011 U.S. Open in Bethesda, MD, and the 2012 US Open in San Francisco, CA.”

This year’s event featured a nerve-testing win by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, who held his game together while other top players struggled. His win ended a 40-year drought in the winner’s circle for players from Britain.

In addition to taking in tournament play, THG clients enjoyed hospitality offerings that included opportunities to meet golf pro celebrities Mark Nye and Frank Nobilo and take their turns on golf simulator machines, which THG offers as a value-add at signature golf events. Several clients took home daily prizes (see image at right) that included full sets of golf clubs and a bag awarded to participants who hit the best shots, including the longest drive.

For some THG clients, the simulators proved almost as popular as watching the pros on the links at Pebble Beach: “We may just hang here this afternoon and play Pebble Beach by simulator with our clients,” one guest noted.

For more on THG’s golf event hospitality during key events throughout the word, visit our company website.

Due to a number of significant events in South America in the coming years, THG Sports is expanding

THG Sports' Chicago Office Building

its South American sales team to support its executive sports entertainment efforts.

“The opportunities are significant for the right person,” says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg. “We’ve had great success with our bi-lingual South American sales team and want to expand it.”

THG is seeking a Sales Executive fluent in Spanish and Portugese to work with its South American sales team, which operates from THG’s North American Headquarters in Chicago. The candidates should be fluent in writing and speaking both languages.

Specific qualifications for the candidate include: A minimum of two successful years of sales experience, or a strong desire to develop sales skills and succeed in corporate sales.

THG’s executive package includes: Initial and ongoing sales training, management promotion opportunities based on performance, international sales opportunities, salary and uncapped commission structure (first year earnings average between $75,000-$100,000), full group health benefits and 401K.

For more information about the Sales Executive position and THG, visit our Career Builder ad here.

Clients participating in the executive entertainment and hospitality provided by THG Sports during the recent 2010 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga., witnessed what may be one of the most memorable finishes in the tournament’s history, says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

“A key part of the recipe for THG’s success is providing our C-level clients and their guests with the opportunity to ‘be there’ when history is being made,” Stromberg says. “The 2010 Masters was a perfect example—and Phil Mickelson’s finish is certainly one of the history books.”

The success of this year’s Masters has fueled strong interest in executive entertainment and hospitality for the 2011 and 2012 tournaments, Stromberg adds. For more on Masters and other hospitality opportunities, visit the THG Sports website.

THG’s parent company, Marcus Evans, offers additional news and interactive features of significant sporting and other events. Visit the site for more.