KICK OFF Experience Kissimmee Partners with West Ham United Football Club

Posted on 08/10/2016 | About Kissimmee, Florida

Experience Kissimmee and England’s West Ham United Football Club have announced a three-year partnership naming the Florida tourism marketing bureau as the team’s Official Destination Partner. This partnership is the first of its kind between a US destination marketing organization and a Premier League team.

A member of the top-tier Premier League, West Ham United’s new soccer season kicks off August 13 and runs through May 21, 2017.
This season will mark the first year for West Ham in the newly-renovated London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, England. Originally constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the stadium has a capacity of 60,010 and is adjacent to Westfield Stratford City, one of the largest urban shopping centers in Europe.
West Ham United expects the stadium to be sold-out for every game this season.
“With West Ham United’s historic move to a new stadium this season, the timing couldn’t be better to reach the club’s enthusiastic fan base,” said DT Minich, Experience Kissimmee President & CEO.
“This agreement will put the Experience Kissimmee brand in front of sold-out crowds in the heart of one of our most important travel markets.”
According to a recent study conducted by the club, Hammer fans are more likely to select the US as a holiday destination than the UK average population.
As a result of the club’s ongoing community outreach efforts and appeal to the next generation of fans, the majority of West Ham fans are families, many who prefer a Florida holiday.
As part of the agreement, Minich says Experience Kissimmee will receive brand prominence on LED boards surrounding the playing surface, and on the stadium’s two massive indoor digital screens, which are the largest in European football.
Experience Kissimmee will also receive year-round brand exposure on the 83 x 12-meter screen outside the stadium. The destination will be included on all step-and-repeat banners, the interior and exterior of the visiting team bus, as well as player access and imagery. Various online campaigns and database mailings to their more than 1 million fans, social media posts, hospitality suites at matches and preseason training opportunities in Kissimmee are also part of the agreement.
“West Ham United will now boast the highest number of season ticket holders in London and the highest percentage of season ticket holders in the entire Premier League, which is the most followed league in the world with a cumulative worldwide in-home TV audience of more than three billion,” said Minich.
“The club also has an enormous social following – approximately two million global fans on Facebook, nearly one million Twitter followers and almost four million views on YouTube – which gives us another avenue for reaching potential visitors.”
West Ham United’s Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said, “Following this summer’s highly successful US tour, we are delighted to have forged another significant relationship in the States, particularly one that will benefit our supporters. This is a fantastic opportunity for our fans to take advantage of excellent deals to visit a beautiful part of the world. The coming season is as important as they come, and we wholeheartedly welcome Experience Kissimmee onboard at this most exciting time.”
To follow the West Ham United FC this season, visit their website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.
For more information on Experience Kissimmee, go to www.ExperienceKissimmee.com.