Ricoh Arena Up For International Awards

Last updated : 19 April 2010 By Covsupport News Service

The Ricoh Arena and its staff have been nominated for three awards at the first ever International Stadium Business Awards.

Arena Marketing Director Liz Cooper, who meets with Coventry City supporters representatives on the SCG, has been nominated in the Team Player of the Year section.

The Arena has also been shortlisted for the Venue Of The Year and faces competition from the O2 in London, Twickenham Rugby Stadium, Espanyol's new ground in Barcelona, the Cowboys stadium in America and the Donbass Stadium in the Ukraine.

The final award, the Ricoh Arena has been listed in is the Creative category.

The winners are due to be announced at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin on Wednesday

Ricoh Arena CEO Daniel Gidney told the Ricoh Arena website: "We are proud to have been short-listed in three categories in these awards which are designed to showcase the international expertise of stadiums, arenas and major sports venues across the world.

"Liz's category is for individuals who have delivered outstanding service, contribution and loyalty and that certainly applies to her since she was single-handedly responsible for enticing Take That to perform at the Ricoh for three sell-out nights which certainly put Coventry on the UK's live music map.

"We are among illustrious company for the Venue of the Year title and we have been put forward since we have different products for different people at different times.

"In 2009, we staged a host of top sporting action from an England under-21 international to both EDF Energy Cup rugby semi-finals, we attracted over 6,000 delegates for two major conferences, secured status as a 2015 Rugby World Cup venue, signed a £125 million catering contract and approved £6 million investment for new facilities which will open this year. And that is just the tip of the iceberg!

"Our innovative marketing offers and sales offers have also led to a nomination in the Creativity category for Coventry City winning the Championship programme of the year, the club's nomination in the Football League's Family Club of the Year, the launch of Skyshare and football packages offering overnight stays in the hotel.

"The awards will be decided by a panel of experts from the industry and around 1,000 nominations were received from across the world.

"We are thrilled to have been nominated in three categories and it underlines the standing of the Ricoh Arena among our peers on the national and international stage."