Hospitality programme gets prestige partners

Famous names from the world of sport, including Gérard Houllier, Christian Karembeu, Henri Leconte and Laura Flessel, descended on the flagship Hédiard boutique at Place de la Madeleine in Paris on Tuesday for the introduction of the three prestigious suppliers for the hospitality programme at UEFA EURO 2016: Do&Co, Hédiard and Joël Robuchon.

Do&Co – who provided hospitality services at the last three UEFA European Championships – took over Hédiard in June 2014. The French fine grocery purveyor has been chosen by UEFA to deliver the catering services for the UEFA EURO 2016 hospitality programme.

"The hospitality programme is aimed at business clients and involves ticketing, catering, parking, a personalised welcome service and gift packages," explained Jacques Lambert, president of EURO 2016 SAS. "It is a commercial and public relations product that has become of the utmost importance for client-facing companies, who are now fond of major sporting events as ways to develop their business. In 2016, the EURO will be the biggest commercial forum on the continent."

The hospitality programme for UEFA EURO 2016 will be divided between holders of two passes, gold and platinum, which will guarantee business spectators access to matches in the best conditions. "There is only one option for any company wanting to ensure they can invite ten or 15 clients to matches and reserve a box throughout the EURO: get involved in the hospitality programme," continued Lambert.

In 2012, 1,200 companies from 60 countries were hosted in boxes and hospitality areas at stadiums in Poland and Ukraine, figures that should increase appreciably in 2016.

That is music to the ears of Haig Asenbauer, chairman of the board of directors of Hédiard: "We are very honoured and proud to have been chosen by UEFA to provide hospitality at EURO 2016," he said.

"It's a sizeable challenge because this EURO, with 51 matches and 24 teams, will be the biggest European sporting event ever. We are aiming for excellence. This EURO will take place in France, a magical country teeming with history and with a world-class gastronomic reputation."

Do&Co and Hédiard have selected the decorated French chef Joël Robuchon to take overall charge of culinary matters and supervise the 200,000 meals that will be served to hospitality guests during the tournament.

"I am going to create recipes that take into account the specific characteristics of each region of France," said 'the man with 25 stars'. "In the coming months, I will draw up the menus for each of the ten host cities, and brief the teams who will produce the dishes."

There can be no doubt that chef Robuchon's outstanding reputation will offer yet another springboard to showcase the art of living 'à la française' to the whole world. "Our partnership with Joël Robuchon shows our desire to make this EURO an unforgettable time for businesses who opt for our hospitality programme," explained Asenbauer.