United Come Up Trumps At Hospitality Awards

Newcastle United were honoured to win the award for best Matchday Hospitality Experience in a Large Stadium at the the Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards 2014, held at Hull City FC last week.

Over 300 guests from football and rugby stadia across the country celebrated their off the pitch successes at the 10th annual awards ceremony organised by Stadium Experience (previously The Football Hospitality Awards) which recognise the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football and rugby stadium across the UK.

Nine awards were presented with the Magpies involved in three, the Matchday Hospitality award being the most prestigious:

Matchday Hospitality Award - Large Stadium (over 40,000 seats)
WINNER - Newcastle United Football Club
SILVER - Chelsea Football Club
BRONZE - Everton Football Club

Conference and Events Sales and Marketing Award - Sponsored by Hospitality Gem
(Judged by a mystery shopper style telephone call enquiry and follow up process)
WINNER - Hampden Park Stadium
SILVER - Newcastle United Football Club
BRONZE - Aston Villa Football Club

Star For The Future Award -Sponsored by The Football People
(Judged by panel of award sponsors and the Stadium Experience Awards committee)
WINNER - Elisha Lindsay - Newcastle United Football Club
SILVER - Vinnie Shields - Everton Football Club
BRONZE - Neil Hubbard - Birmingham City Football Club

The summary of the judge who attended the Swansea City match in April as a guest in the Joe Harvey Suite was fulsome in praise for the Club.

It read: "As an all-round performer St. James' Park is the best I have ever attended. From the moment of first contact with the Club through the welcome, the dining experience and the farewell their performance was exemplary.

"The quality of food on offer, both in its presentation and taste was as good as I have experienced in many a five-star hotel. They cleverly utilised the Club colours of black and white as a theme throughout including the marketing brochure, suite furnishings, staff uniforms, crockery and napery and even included the theme in many of the dishes offered.

"The staff greeted and treated each and every client and their guests as true VVIPs. Newcastle United should be commended on this outstanding performance and the marks I have awarded are absolutely deserved. Well done indeed."

Colin Perkins, Sodexo Prestige Account Director North, said: "Everyone at Newcastle United is immensely proud of our successes in these very prestigious awards. It's a team game here at St. James' Park but we strive for the best all the time and huge credit is due to all those who week in week out give of their absolute best to excel in their particular field, be they a chef, matchday host or whatever role they play.

"We have a lot to live up to in 2015 but we aim to raise our standards and the stadium experience to even greater heights."

Stadium Experience Chairperson Collette Salmon, from Liverpool Football Club, commented: "These awards recognise those dedicated teams who work tirelessly off the pitch at football and rugby stadia across the UK to make hospitality, conferences and events run seamlessly for their customers. Congratulations to all of tonight's winners."

A worthy mention also to city colleagues the Newcastle Falcons, who scooped the top gong for Overall Matchday Hospitality Experience 2014, fighting off tough competition from across the leagues.

Newcastle United aim to go from strength to strength next season with the addition of the new Park Grill at the Leazes End of the stadium. With 100 corporate hospitality boxes in place and conference and banqueting rooms that provide the best matchday experience, St. James' Park is the place to be when the new Barclays Premier League season kicks off in August.

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