The Netherlands: FC Utrecht’s Offshore Lounge; Combining Business With Pleasure

40 top managers from the offshore industry enjoyed the kick-off of the Offshore Lounge in the Galgenwaard stadium on Sunday 19 February, when FC Utrecht played AZ.

The FC Utrecht Offshore Lounge is a brand new concept, located in the centre of the Netherlands, offering unique networking possibilities for the offshore industry.

The Offshore Lounge is an idea of Frans van Seumeren, owner of FC Utrecht and entrepreneur in the offshore sector (RollDock and RollLift) in cooperation with ZPMC Europe and Navingo BV, the idea has become an exclusive offshore skybox, available for 22 companies in total. The 40 top managers of the international offshore companies were welcomed by Frans van Seumeren, who explained the concept of the Offshore Lounge, and Foeke Booij, the Technical Director for FC Utrecht, who gave an introduction to the match After the match everybody enjoyed a warm buffet and Jan Wouters, the Trainer of FC Utrecht, gave his opinion of the match This Sunday afternoon program created the perfect condition for networking and creating new business.

Walter Leenes, Sales Manager Europe & ICE Class Vessels at Thrustmaster Europe BV, enjoyed the afternoon and was glad he was given the chance to participate in this great initiative. Like the other participantsguests, all representatives of various sectors within the offshore industry, he thought the Offshore Lounge is a great venue for networking and meeting new people in a unique location. Iwan Scholte, sales manager offshore and mobile harbour cranes at Liebherr Maritime Benelux B.V., also, reacted enthusiastically; “the perfect combination of networking possibilities in offshore business and a successful sportive environment!”

Wilco van Schaik, General Director at FC Utrecht, is happy with the new concept. He says: “I want to compliment all of the initiators. FC Utrecht is not just a soccer team. The concept of the Offshore Energy Lounge shows how FC Utrecht works for it’s partners; creating surprising innovative possibilities to bring people together with enthusiasm and a high level of quality “.

The concept of the Offshore Lounge the Galgenwaard stadion offers a new and exclusive meeting point for the offshore industry. You can combine business with pleasure by inviting your business relations to see a premier league soccer match. Companies participating in the Offshore Lounge can come and watch all the FC Utrecht home matches, use the skybox on weekdays for meetings, become a member of the FC Utrecht Businessclub (organizing seminars and networking events), have their own account manager at FC Utrecht managing the reservations of the skybox, full hospitality service (private hostesses, parking space, all inclusive catering by Maison van den Boer), VIP seats at the skybox terrace and access to numourous other events organized in the Galgenwaard stadion.

Several companies have already decided to participate in the Offshore Lounge and have become members. With a maximum capacity of 22 companies for the 2011-2012 season membership is still possible. For the 2012-2013 seasons, 36 companies will be able to join.

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Offshore WIND staff, February 24, 2012; Image: navingo