On the 7th of September, Wild Thang had the incredible opportunity to attend and exhibit the inaugural Business of Sport conference, hosted by Downtown in Business. The event took place at the iconic Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

We are so proud to reveal our partnership with Downtown In Business at the event and set a precedent for a great partnership moving forward to become their official branding clothing and merchandise partner.

Some Of The Display Stands From The Day

Andrew Dwerryhouse Wild Thang MD commented:  “Committing to a membership with Downtown In Business who are the fastest growing business club in the UK that covers the whole of the UK, with key locations across the country we are incredibly excited to grow our network, we know 100% this will create a huge about of opportunities for Wild Thang across the UK and even internationally.

We have already found and heard how they make sure key areas that are concerning and restricting business growth in the UK are raised at the highest possible corporate and governmental level. We have known the head of DIB Frandk Mckenna for a number of years and he really does have an incredibly strong and authentic voice for both the private and public sectors. We have big aspirations for growth as a company so are looking forward to growing our network with like minded businesses that are committed to creating sustainable growth and opportunities across the UK by delivering products and services to a world class standard.   

Pitchside Of Lancashire Cricket Club 

The DIB sports conference really was the perfect platform for Wild Thang to showcase our extensive knowledge of branded clothing, merchandise and print in the sports arena. We have a vast amount of experience and lots of long term relationships with some of the largest sporting organisations in the UK, one of which is actually Lancashire Cricket Club themselves so made sure we displayed and showcased many of the sports related projects and innovative products we have delivered over the past 27 years.”

Stadia & Regeneration Conversation

The conference brought together a diverse range of leading personalities and officials from various sports, including football, rugby, cricket, athletics, and tennis. The discussions centred around the economic impact of sports on cities, the legacy of major events like the Olympics and Euro Championships, and the regeneration benefits of new stadia developments.

Our Wild Thang Stand For The Event

It was a great opportunity to set up our vibrant event stand and expose all the amazing people from the sports industry who attended the event to the great things we can do for them at Wild Thang.

Frank Mckenna Starting The Welcome & Introduction 

One highlight of the event was the presence of exceptional guest speakers who all had their own topic of conversation:

•  Gary Neville: Former professional footballer, renowned for his achievements at Manchester United and his subsequent ventures in coaching, media, and business.

•  Goldie Sayers: A three-time Olympian and British record holder in javelin, who transitioned her career into a successful property investment business.

•  Sir Howard Bernstein: The former Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, instrumental in Manchester's urban and economic resurgence.

•  Yvonne Harrison: CEO of Women in Football, advocating for equality and change within the sports industry.

•  Jamie Jones-Buchanan: Former rugby league player and part of Leeds Rhinos' "Golden Generation," now on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

•  David Murray: Sport Rights and Negotiation Coach and Consultant, with a remarkable career in sports broadcasting and production deals.

•  Kelly Skeggs: Chief Operations Officer & General Counsel at Omni-sports, known for her exceptional legal expertise in the football industry.

•  Paul Cheetham-Karcz: Founder of The Sedulo Group, an expert in business advisory services and a key player in the world of sports and media.

•  Professor Rob Wilson: Head of Department for Finance, Accounting, and Business Systems at Sheffield Business School, with a wealth of experience in sport finance.

•  Tom Higgins: A veteran in the construction industry, contributing to the successful delivery of major sports infrastructure projects.

•  Andy McIntyre: VSI Co-Founder and Chairman, with a diverse career spanning journalism, business, and education.

•  Tony Faulkner: VSI Co-Founder, dedicated to developing strategic leaders in the world of sport through innovative education.

Will The SKY Fall In On Football Conversation

Wild Thang was honoured to be part of this exceptional event, celebrating the intersection of sports, business, and inspiration. We were delighted to engage with esteemed individuals who are making waves in their respective fields it really was filled with inspirational moments. The event reminded us of the incredible journey of growth and success that Wild Thang itself has undertaken.

Wild Thang HQ

We would also like to congratulate our fellow sponsors for the event, we are proud to have been co-sponsors for the first event of this kind and we can't wait to see you there next year. 

In Conversation With Gary Neville

As we reflect on the valuable insights shared and the connections made, we're more motivated than ever to continue our commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. The Business of Sport conference was a true testament to the power of sports in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating a platform for change.

The Main Hall Of The Conference

Over the next year, we can’t wait to get started building that long term partnership with Downtown In Business but also looking forward to next year's sports conference and can’t wait to find out what inspiration sports leaders will be up next to give us the valuable inside into the world of sport we are all looking for!

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