Rugby Club Issue 76 | Page 9

Rugby Expo attention switches to community club rugby, with this year’s event running into the evening to support those attending from the grass roots game. Rugby Expo has also moved to a new, larger exhibition hall to facilitate a greater focus on interactive content, with a new 102m² interactive area at the heart of the exhibition floor, which will facilitate a series of technical and practical coaching demonstrations from some of the very best coaches in the game. This has been designed to allow community game coaches and volunteers to get the best access they can to the very best coaches, to support their development and allow them to take away unrivalled insight and knowledge transfer from the pro game to the community game. The new location in the Ricoh Arena also provides a much larger auditorium for the main stage presentations, which will be a real focus for the professional game content, with the conference programme, final schedule and the line- up of speakers to be announced very shortly. The event also continues to be well- supported by the sport’s governing bodies including Premiership Rugby, the RFU and RFL, as well as extending its close working partnership with the Ricoh Arena and senior management team at Aviva Premiership home side, Wasps. Commenting on today’s announcement, Jonathan Wilson, event director, said: “We are delighted to confirm our return to the Ricoh for 2018 and to share our vision and plans for the new-look Rugby Expo. I also want to place my thanks, on record, to Wasps who have worked with us to help create our new vision for Rugby Expo. “The event is very well-established, but we are always looking at new ways in which to work with our partners to refresh our offering, and further support both sides and codes of the sport. The new-look event for 2018 will not only bring about positive changes for those attending from the community game, but will ensure that we continue to deliver the big names, hard-hitting content and unrivalled networking opportunities that Rugby Expo is known for.” Stuart Cain, commercial director of Wasps and the Ricoh Arena, said: “Rugby Expo is a fantastic platform that brings together the pro and community games and we’re proud to welcome the event back to the Ricoh Arena. “The relationship is a true partnership and we’re looking forward to working closely with the event team to help support and implement the exciting changes outlined for 2018.” To discuss sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities or to find out more about attending Rugby Expo 2018 as a delegate, contact Jenny Forbes, Head of Business Development, on +44 (0) 843 289 0583 or at [email protected]. As part of its commitment to supporting the grass roots and community game, Rugby Expo will be providing heavily discounted tickets to affiliated rugby union and league clubs from all home unions. Tickets are priced at £20 per person and will give holders access to the afternoon and evening sessions, which will run later into the evening than previous years, to support those attending from the grass roots game. Also included will be an exhibition and conference programme and free evening refreshments. Community tickets are reserved for senior representatives and decision makers at the clubs to include chairperson, board member, team/club manager, head coach, secretary, treasurer etc., and you may be contacted by the Rugby Expo Operations team to confirm your position at the club. Community tickets are available online now by visiting www.rugbyexpo.com/community. Alternatively contact Jenny Forbes, head of business development at Rugby Expo, at [email protected] or +44 (0) 843 289 0583. www.rugbyclubmag.com 9