Walch’s Event Hospitality is a one-stop-shop for sport services and event organisers

Zug, Switzerland / Lustenau, Austria, 25 July 2007 – Infront Sports & Media has joined forces with Walch’s Event Catering to create a full-service hospitality operation – Walch’s Event Hospitality GmbH – as part of the Infront Group.

Walch’s is an internationally recognised hospitality provider for major sports events. The company has global network capabilities, having provided first class hospitality service all over the world – from Australia to the USA. Walch’s Event Hospitality GmbH is based Lustenau in Austria and will be managed by Josef Walch, supported by his existing team.

Josef Walch started his first catering business in 1993 at the FIS Slalom World Cup in Lech, providing the catering for the first-ever VIP area at a FIS World Cup event. Its current client list is an impressive one in the context of sport and includes BMW Sauber Formula One Team (Hospitality worldwide), Audi (VIP and team Catering at 24 Hours of Le Mans race), BMW Oracle Team (America’s Cup 2007) and DTM Hospitality among others.

Walch’s also provides services to events of the Infront portfolio, such as the IIHF World Championship – where it has been involved since the 2005 event – and the 2007 FIS Alpine Ski World Championship in Are, Sweden. Walch’s portfolio also includes major non-sports clients, including the Bregenz Festival (Hospitality) and the Bregenz Festival Hall (Exclusive catering).

Walch’s Event Hospitality GmbH will provide clients with a range of hospitality options, from concept development to full implementation and management, depending on requirements. The company brings together the international event catering expertise of the Walch’s team with Infront’s access to global sports events. With 15 permanent staff members and access to more than 500 additional staff as and when required, Walch’s Event Hospitality will be a leader in this field.

The investment in Walch’s Event Hospitality reflects the Infront Group’s expansion into the area of sports services, with the objective of providing a complete menu of specialised services for event organisers. A dedicated division – Infront Sports Services – is focusing the experience and operational expertise gained on events such as the FIFA World Cup™, the IIHF World Championship and Germany’s international matches to the needs of other events, with the aim of assisting organising committees and sports federations to raise the standards of professional event management and operations.

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, said: “Establishing Walch’s Event Hospitality as a dedicated hospitality provider is the right step at the right time for the Infront Group. We now cover yet another part of the sports marketing value chain, a part that is important to our clients and their sponsors.”

Thomas Lessenich, Director Sport Services, Infront, added: “Thanks to this development, we can now offer hospitality planning for any kind of sports event and implement those plans in full. Walch’s has a track record in delivering innovative concepts, in time and of the highest quality.”

The company has the heritage of a 50 year history in providing first-class gastronomy. Its roots lie in the 4-star hotel “Walch’s Rote Wand” in Lech/Arlberg. Josef “Joschi” Walch, Managing Director of Walch’s Event Hospitality, said: “We are very happy to be now part of the Infront Group, one of the most innovative international sport marketing companies with a clear vision about the future of the business. The partnership gives us access to many exciting sport properties and projects. Together with Infront, we intend to build on our existing expertise to become one of the leading competence centres for sports event hospitality worldwide.”