After one year of waiting, the III Madrid Weekender finally took place again.
Everyone who still does not know what The Madrid Weekender is about will know have the chance to read the following summary of the III Madrid Weekender:
The Madrid Weekender is a fascinating event which combines Sports Events, Learning & Leisure for students around the Globe.
This year we had attendees from Bournemouth University, Charles University and Sheffield Hallam University, as well as Rod Caughron, Associate Professor of Sport Management at Northern Illinois University, who came to experience Madrid, its facilities, to watch its popular Sports Events and also to learn from the Experts.
Our three day program started on Friday, 12th of May: After a nice and delicious breakfast we went to the Global Sports Innovation Center by Microsoft. This was a once in a lifetime experience for the students, because when do you get the opportunity to visit a Center of Microsoft and learn directly from the Experts and see how they work?!
After gaining a lot of impressions, we went to Caja Mágica in order to see the Tennis Matches of the Mutua Madrid Open. We had the chance to see Zverev, Thiem, Nadal, and many other high professional Tennis Players in their quarter-final matches. Whole day on the field took its toll and after that we needed to recharge our batteries.
To avail ourselves of the opportunity of removing the tension, we went to an astonishing gala dinner at RealCaféBernabeu which is located on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with the view on the grass field of Real Madrid football club. Great food and service provided us an extraordinary end of the day.
The second day of the III Madrid Weekender (13th of May) was devoted to learning. The day started early. We went to the Universidad Europea – Real Madrid Graduate School. During the day we had the possibility to hear great, experienced and well-known speakers that gave us a broader image on Sports Marketing and Sports Management. Thus the students have been able to gain new and important knowledge concerning their future work area and even expand their network.
Speakers of the day were Nuno Alves, Business Development Director, Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid-Universidad Europea, Pedro Corrales Àlvarez, International Sales Manager, Real Madrid, C.F., Ricardo Garca-Viana, Director of the Master in Sport Marketing, Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid-Universidad Europea, Kevin Roberts, Co-Founder, the SportBusiness Group and Principal of the Roberts Network and as well the Director of Events GB Gerardo Bielons.
After the lectures we went to Santiago Bernabéu stadium to learn something about one of the biggest football clubs in the history. On the Bernabéu Tour we saw and felt the greatness of this magnificent sports organization from its very beginning. During the two hours of the Tour we experienced almost the whole stadium with beautiful trophies and we reviewed all past and present players and trainers of Real Madrid CF.
The evening was reserved for leisure – the students had for example the chance to explore Madrid and its nightlife.
The last day (Sunday, 14th of May) of the III Madrid Weekender started with a certificate-transfer at Events GB headquarters – every participant received his certificate of attendance. After the reception we went to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for watching the football match between Real Madrid vs. Sevilla. The students could see some of the world’s best football players in their full strength.
Before the path of everyone separated again, we gathered together for a farewell dinner at the Museo del Jamon, in order to summarize the experiences and impressions of the III Madrid Weekender and also to enjoy the nice food once again.
See you next year!