Sporting Hospitality Shows Modest Growth

Wimbledon and Royal Ascot, the "cornerstones of the British sporting summer," are reporting modest increases in their corporate hospitality incomes, according to Roger Blitz of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Royal Ascot both "feared sales of corporate packages could suffer" from the combination of a crowded London sporting calendar that includes the Summer Games and the economic climate.  AELTC Commerical Dir Mick Desmond said that some of its traditional clients "were giving Wimbledon a miss this year because of the Olympics." After slight price increases, he said Wimbledon would still achieve “modest growth” in sales. Royal Ascot also increased prices, but has sold 8-10% more corporate hospitality packages than last year (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/25).