‘Spend your money elsewhere’ - that is the advice Nigel
Cooper, divisional managing director of Motvicom is giving clients thinking of
taking hospitality at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He has branded the experience ‘overpriced’ and is offering
clients of Motivcom, which includes event agencies Zibrant, P&MM and AYMTM,
other options for hospitality, which he says provide better value.
“We’re in a recession, and value is what we’re being
preached at all day long by procurement. There’s no value spending £4,500 per head in
four hours to watch one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it race and have a spot of
lunch,” he says. “For the same amount of money I can take you to the World Cup
final for four days, to Australia
in business class or on the Orient Express from Singapore to Chiang Mai. I can even
take you to the Ryder Cup for less money, and that’s good value.”
He added that suppliers who were charging over the odds
would damage the reputation of the events industry.
“I’m not a big fan of people looking to over-hype and then
capitalise by charging a big margin on it,” he said. “It caught them out in South Africa
for the World Cup and it will catch them out here.”
Cooper also criticised those companies devising hospitality
programmes around the cultural Olympiad and not actually attending any
competitions.
“What’s the point? I’m advising customers not to do anything
unless you’re taking people to the stadium and giving them a ticket in their
hands. Why go next door and say ‘hey, look at that! Wouldn’t it be great if we
could go in?’
“I know I’m being derogatory about the Olympics, but
ultimately it’s not representing good value for money. As a spectator, going to
the Olympic Park with your ticket, sitting in the stadium and taking it all in,
what a great experience. And whether that’s a £50 ticket or £150, I think it’s
a good deal, but throw in an extra bit of padding on your seat and a spot of
lunch and it’s £4,500; you’re having a laugh.”
Pictured: Nigel Cooper
