Jon Stromberg

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.

NHL Hall of Famer Paul Coffey with THG Clients

For its hospitality offerings during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, THG Sports sought to create an unforgettable experience for clients and their guests, pairing them with former Games medalists and celebrity athletes to provide unique insights and perspectives across a variety of sports and competitions—from the opening to the closing ceremonies, says THG CEO Jon Stromberg.

“Without a doubt, our partnerships with celebrities like former NHL player and Hall of Famer Paul Coffey and NHL standout Trevor Linden proved a memory-making winner at this year’s Winter Games in Vancouver,” Stromberg says. “They definitely helped make the hockey events—including the historic finals between the Canadian and U.S. teams—clear high points for our clients and their guests.”

NHL standout Trevor Linden with THG Clients

In addition to featuring hockey greats during key hockey match-ups during the Winter Games, THG also partnered with celebrity speakers for its hospitality services around other events:

Luge: THG featured former Canadian luge standout Kathy Salmon- Farstad, who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Games. Salmon-Farstad currently works as a color commentator for luge and other events and she helped THG clients and guests gain a deeper appreciation for the sport. As one client noted, “Kathy was phenomenal! I actually understand Luge now!!” Salmon-Farstad also let THG clients and guests try on her Winter Games gear, including photo-ops with the torch she carried for this year’s games.

Alpine Skiing: THG partnered with 1976 Winter Games gold medal winner and Canadian Ski Hall of Fame inductee Kathy Kreiner-Phillips for an insider’s perspective on the sport. Kreiner-Phillips brought her gold medal to THG’s hospitality event, and allowed THG clients and guests to hold and photograph the medal, an opportunity one client dubbed the “coolest experience ever!”

Opening/Closing Ceremonies: For its hospitality during the opening ceremony, THG featured gold medalist Cassie Campbell, who led the women’s Canadian team to gold medals in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games. Campbell, who currently works as a hockey analyst in Canada, offered her perspective on upcoming events and the Winter Games experience. For the closing ceremonies, five-time speed-skating medal winner Marc Gagnon also provided a “hands-on” experience, sharing his three gold and two bronze medals with THG clients and events.

“Our clients and guests left this year’s Winter Games with a keen sense that they were a part of several historic events,” Stromberg says. “I’m delighted at how well our team performed in providing a world class hospitality experience on par with the unmatched athleticism and talent of the Winter Games athletes.”

For more information on THG’s sports hospitality offerings, click here.

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.

When the Canadian Team won the hockey gold medal on Sunday afternoon and posed for their picture on the ice, I envisioned every child who plays hockey in Canada having that poster on their wall or that screensaver on their computer for years to come. When our clients who attended the game see that image at any point in the future, they will we able to say “I was there. I was a part of history.”

The Canadian Team won gold on their home soil and stood solidly with nearly 19,000 countrymen to sing Canada’s national anthem. The Vancouver games were filled with moments that will go down in the history of sports. Were you or your clients there to witness a piece of history, a piece they will always attribute to whoever was responsible for making this moment come true?

The thrilling, historic finish to the gold medal hockey game reminded me that our company is not just about hospitality…it is about history. Sports history, national history and our clients’ personal histories. What will they take home from our events? Memories and mementos yes, but also something you cannot buy–history. When they see that replay one month, one year, or even 10 years from now, they will remember and be able to say “I was there”. When they retell their story to a colleague, to a friend, to a grandchild, they will remember “I was there for that moment in sports history” and they will remember the relationship with the business client or partner that enabled them to be there.

As a CEO watching the Olympics with my children, I thought of the historical events I have had the privilege to experience over the years. I will always remember Arnold Palmer in tears as he walked up the 18th fairway during his last round at Oakmont during the ’94 US Open; the crowd’s reaction when Michael Johnson won the 200-meter sprint during the ’96 Olympics, or standing on the 18th green among the silence as Phil Mickelson dropped the final putt to win the ‘04 Masters.

For nearly 20 years in North America, and 27 years globally, THG Sports has given our clients access to historical moments in sports. What will the next one be? Will you and those who matter be there for it?

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Matt Light speaks to THG clients in Miami

THG Sports completed its 19th year providing first-class hospitality for a capacity list of clients and guests during last weekend’s Super Bowl in Miami, an anticipated event that delivered a thrilling finish for the first- time Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints, says THG CEO Jon Stromberg.

“This was one of the best Super Bowl games in memory. Our clients were delighted to be part of the excitement leading up to and during the game,” Stromberg says. “Our skilled on-site operations team proved once again their ability to provide five-star service and a Super Bowl experience that guests are sure to always remember.”
Highlights of the event for THG clients and guests included:

• Game-day celebrity reception and sit-down luncheon at the Westin Colonnade Merritt Ballroom in Coral Gables, Fla., as a precursor to the kick-off.
• Upgraded suites for all attending guest accommodations at the Westin Colonnade.
• High staff- to- guest ratio allowing for a superb atmosphere for C-level executives to enhance there guest relations and network before and after the game.
• Key note celebrity speech from New England Patriot and two-time Super Bowl champion, Matt Light, who offered his perspective on what it’s like to play in the Super Bowl. Light also impressed THG clients and guests with his generosity and candor during a Q&A session following his presentation.
• A post-game celebration and late evening meal service that featured official NFL merchandise and a replay of the game’s second-half and the Saints’ march to victory.

“A majority of our annual clients have re-booked with us for 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas—another mark of a successful event,” Stromberg says. “The excitement surrounding the game and THG’s hands-on approach to hospitality provided the perfect atmosphere for clients to entertain and build relationships.”

For more information on THG’s sports hospitality offerings, click here.

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.

If you could choose between tickets to the Super Bowl or the NBA All-Star Game, which one would you pick? Jon Stromberg is one of those lucky people who doesn’t have to select one over the other. As CEO of THG Sports, provider of VIP hospitality services for both events, he has the pleasant task of attending both.

Not that he’s going to be resting on his laurels and enjoying the game. Stromberg oversees North American Sales for THG. This worldwide corporation specializes in first-class hospitality suites at major sporting events. Companies looking to make a splash at any sporting event frequently come to Jon Stromberg. He knows what people want and he knows that THG will deliver.

Jon Stromberg recommends that anyone wishing to know more about how THG Sports can make their next company event unforgettable should log on to http://www.thgsports.com for more information.

2010 is barely a month old and already the year is shaping up to be a big one for Jon Stromberg and THG Events. THG is a company known worldwide for its ultra first-class “VIP Hospitality” services. Each year more than 350 companies, from Fortune 500 firms to sports organizations and more, turn to THG for their hospitality needs at big events.

For example, coming up quickly for THG is the Red Bull Air Race 2010, April 17-18 in Perth Australia. This is a world championship skill competition. And thanks to THG the hospitality services will be first class as well. THG is providing everything from a luxurious hospitality facility with flat screen monitors and video walls to an open bar facility and a Red Bull Air Race commemorative book to take home as a souvenir. Invitees will also get to attend the pilots meet and greet.

Stateside, Jon Stromberg and his THG crew have their hands full this year. February will find THG providing services during the NFL Super Bowl in Miami, Florida, followed a week by the 2010 NBA All Star Game in Dallas. At the same time, THG will be busy in Vancouver, British Columbia, as it provides excellent hospitality service during the 2010 Winter Games.

Companies wishing to reserve their own executive suites at any future sporting event should contact THG first. More information can be found at http://www.thgsports.com.

Through a year of negative press and talk of global economic downturn, THG staff continued their division growth with over 30 first-time sales, 16 division promotions, and three new office openings across the North American region, according to THG CEO Jon Stromberg.

“Our experience shows that five-star hospitality at signature sporting events remains a critical channel for C-level executives to meet their business development and relationship-building goals,” Stromberg says. “In a year where many companies scaled back, THG expanded its teams, adding 24 budgeted sales executives to our North and South American operations.”

Highlights for 2009 include:

• The completion of our 19th year in North America with top satisfaction ratings from clients—a testament to THG’s expert pre- and post-event client relations. (Special thanks go to John D, Emily Darin, Sarah Hurd and Allison Ziola for their tireless efforts on behalf of THG clients and guests at events.)
• Record-setting renewals for the 2010 Masters Tournament, following THG’s client successes at the 2009 event.
• The March 2009 launch of the THG Blog. “The blog allows clients to review monthly THG Articles and key sports hospitality data, and provides a channel for THG sales executives to keep up with the consistent growth and development of the sports division across all North American locations,” Stromberg says.
• The June 2009 launch of THG’s “Sports Internship Program,” which offers select opportunities for undergraduates and recent graduates seeking a career in Executive Level Sales to expand their experience working with C-level management within fortune 1000 corporations. The THG Sports Internship Program allows the participant to work closely with select in house National Sales Managers assisting with group development needs. The eight- to 10-week program has proven to be an exceptional opportunity for participants to experience leadership and training to learn the business inside and out.

“The outlook for 2010 is exceptionally good, with a strong forward calendar of events in Miami, Vancouver, Pebble Beach, Augusta and Montreal,” Stromberg says. “In addition, our plans to expand our ‘best practice program’ and enhance our clients’ experiences will make this another exciting year.”

The following are highlights from THG’s North American offices:

Chicago:

The headquarters for THG’s North American office ended 2009 with strong quarter growth over the previous year period.

THG Chicago Sales Group

The “high ticket” wing of the office now has a six-team structure, including a new Global Sales Team added in 2009, which includes bi-lingual Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking staff who specialize in serving our South American client market.

Top producers in the Chicago office include CEO Jon Stromberg ($1 million in sales), Joel Chiappetta ($650,000) and Juan Garcia ($550,000).

In early summer, THG rewarded North Americas top 20 producers with a weekend of fun and relaxation in Miami’s South Beach.

THG’s Chicago Team in Miami

San Diego:

Shawn Pockett continued in 2009 as Sales Director to advance the San Diego sports group, helping the office increase its sales 50 percent between 2007 and 2008. The San Diego office growth continued in 2009, with more than $100,000 in additional sales in the first half of the year compared to the prior year. THG expects the office to continue its growth due to a strong team and a forward calendar through 2012 full of key West Coast events. Top performers in San Diego include sales manager Brian Kanig and assistant sales manager Scott Burcar who continue to pull in consistent sales for the group, and Seniors Graham Ruskin and Gus Demos, both of whom were promoted in the last quarter due to sales achievements. The San Diego office expects to add eight to 10 additional staff members to accommodate expected growth in early 2010.

THG San Diego Sales Group

Montreal:

The Montreal office closed 2009 with fourth quarter growth of 110 percent compared to the same period in 2008—momentum that’s sure to lead the office to additional record-breaking results in the coming year. The office, which THG relocated to a new high-rise location in the heart of the city last May, enjoys proximity to several key events—the 2010 Winter Games, the Canadian Open and the Grand Prix—to start the new year. Working under sales director Patrick Boghossian, several THG team members have received promotions in the past six months: Peter Yannopoulos, Alex Mouton, Matt Haney, & Corinne Vandal. Their advancement has allowed the office to add eight additional team members, bringing the total in Montreal to 18. With continued growth, the office expects to expand to 28 team members in the coming year.

THG Montreal Sales Group

Toronto

The opening of the Toronto office in 2009, Augusta Tournament Hospitality, dedicated to providing top-tier hospitality during our annual Masters Golf Tournament program, marked our second division-level expansion for THG Sports in 2009, following New York and Los Angeles. Under Pierre Marchand, the group’s C-level relationship skills have grown to a high level, allowing us to leverage our 19 years of Masters Tournament experience and further enhance our global client attendance starting in 2010 at this major event.

THG Toronto Sales Group

Los Angeles & New York

THG’s Championship Hospitality offices in Los Angeles and New York now serve as the nucleus for marketing our executive hospitality during the U.S. Open Golf each year. Both offices opened in 2009 and work with THG’s other North American locations to promote the company’s exclusive event hospitality during this event.

Managers Armando Vera in Los Angeles, and Evan Raggi in New York, now allow for advanced support layers, growing our C-level client attendance into this major annual event.

On the heels of successful client hospitality during the recently completed Rugby Autumn Internationals, THG Sports is fielding strong interest from C-level executives for hospitality during some of the sport’s top events, including the Six Nations Rugby events in Europe, and the 2011 Rugby World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, says THG Sports CEO Jon Stromberg.

“The hospitality experience THG Sports provides during rugby events is unmatched,” Stromberg says. “Our two-decade track record of providing best-in-class hospitality translates to an unforgettable experience and unprecedented opportunity for our clients to build relationships and business opportunities with their clients and customers.”

At the Autumn Internationals, held last month in France and England, THG clients enjoyed exclusive hospitality packages that included gourmet food and drinks and an “insider’s view” of match play and the sport from rugby legends, such as Jason Leonard, Lee Mears, Philippe Saint-André and Jonah Lumo.

“We tailor all of our hospitality offerings to match the world-class atmosphere and expectations of our clients and their guests,” Stromberg says. “We’re already seeing interest growing in what promises to be a strong rugby forward event calendar.”

In February, THG Sports will provide premier hospitality and world-class speakers during the 2010 Six Nations events in England, France, Scotland and Italy. In March, THG will be providing hospitality during the Six Nations match-up in Ireland. In 2010, THG will be providing exclusive hospitality during group games that lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Championship in New Zealand.

“The next 18 months offer a wealth of rugby hospitality opportunities for C-level executives with business interests across Europe and New Zealand,” Stromberg says. “We look forward to providing our clients with the best staff, facilities and experience to achieve maximum ROI from their hospitality investments with us.”

For more information about THG’s hospitality offerings during rugby’s premier events, visit here.

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 College Basketball Championships. As a marcus evans company, all aspects of THG’s services promise a level of client focus and attention second to none.

About Jon Stromberg

Jon Stromberg currently serves as CEO of North America for THG Sports. Jon began his career at THG Sports in sales in 1991, progressing through the ranks to become CEO in October 2008. He received his Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Read more about Jon on the Web at:
Jon Stromberg Blog
Jon Stromberg on Naymz