SPORTS> About China Open
China Open VIP Lounges in Lotus Stadium surpass the Olympics Business Club
(chinaopen.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-02 17:22

China Open 2009 will take the stage in brilliance during the 60th anniversary of the country, at the National Tennis Center in Beijing. It's the first time since hosting the Beijing Olympic Games that the center is holding such an important event. With the China Open, the facility will unveil significantly upgraded facilities.

Unlike during the Olympic Tennis Events, VIP Lounges will now occupy 1/3 of the central court, and 5-star VIP Lounge services will provide a luxurious experience for spectators. It's also an excellent platform for corporations, who can use the exclusive business club at the Lotus Tennis Courts to host activities during sporting events.

This year the China Open has been upgraded to be the top tennis tournament in Asia, and the games will be held in the National Tennis Center inside the Olympic park. Compared to previous tournaments, this year the facilities of the VIP lounges have become much more sophisticated. There are over 220 international standard VIP Lounges available this year, most configured with either 6 or 8 seats. They range in price from RMB 180,000 to RMB 260,000 and can meet discerning tennis fans different needs.

"Prestige" becomes the added value proposition to guests who will enjoy the China Open's 5-star VIP Lounge service. These boxes can serve as a special venue to gather friends who are fond of tennis, a great space for family to spend a memorable time together or for couples to enjoy a romantic time together. It's also the perfect platform for smart entrepreneurs to entertain clients. Companies are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to use the tournament as their own business club.

All corporate clients will be able to promote their brand by positioning their company logo in a prominent space in the VIP Lounges. It is expected that the China Open's global broadcasting time will exceed 1000 hours this year, so this logo positioning can function as an effective communication platform for companies aiming at brand enhancement and taking their business to a higher level, especially for local enterprises who wish to align with international brands on TV.

VIP Lounges of top level sporting events always serve as a good hospitality platform. In many tennis tournaments, local corporations will often buy a lounge box as a hospitality program to reward employees or treat key business clients. In a city with such a rich sporting atmosphere, owning a VIP Lounge at a renowned event reflects a company's social standing in the business community. Take the NBA for example, most VIP lounges at the different NBA stadiums are usually engaged by corporate owners on an annual basis or for an even longer term.

A VIP Lounge is considered a prestigious social setting for corporate PR and hospitality purposes. A Chinese expert once described VIP Lounge culture at sporting events in this way: on the surface, it seems the concept is imported from western countries; but in fact, the traditional Chinese etiquette always emphasizes "location", and the VIP Lounge is an exclusive location that stands out by its price as a symbol of status. Therefore, the VIP Lounge culture particularly suits the increasing needs individuals and businesses here have for top social settings.