The 2011 World Table Tennis Championships began with a networking event for companies at the Ahoy Congress Centre in Rotterdam. A large number of guests attended the kick-off, which highlighted the championships held on 8 to 15 May in a fully renovated Indoor Sports Arena. Ton van Happen, the Championships Director, welcomed contacts, sponsors, and potential partners. The event was presented in English and Chinese by Bettine Vriesekoop.
A Sporting Start
Guests were seated around a central table tennis table, reflecting the championship theme, “Join the Table.” The atmosphere was heightened by a black light table tennis demonstration from Dutch players Jonah Kahn and Cosmin Stan, illustrating the speed of the sport. Following the demonstration, attendees were invited to play against Bettine, with prizes provided by the event partner – the best UK bingo website. Hans den Oudendammer of Rotterdam Topsport attempted the challenge but returned only two balls, while a few visitors, including a Chinese guest, were able to provide a stronger contest.
Global Reach and Business Potential
China is widely regarded as the world’s largest table tennis-playing nation, with the sport embedded in daily life. The championships in the Netherlands was presented as a way for companies to reach Asian audiences. Previous events attracted over 270 million viewers globally across 360 hours of broadcast, with China accounting for more than 244 million of those viewers. The event offers opportunities for both Dutch and Asian enterprises to enhance brand presence and sponsor engagement.
Two promotional films at the event illustrated the scale of table tennis in China and the influence of the World Championships on the sport and participating brands.
Sports and Business Presentations
The networking segment, titled “Join the Table in Sports & Business,” ran from 15:30 to 19:00 and included presentations and interviews with representatives from sports and business sectors. Bettine Vriesekoop, the Netherlands’ top table tennis player and former NRC correspondent in Beijing, conducted interviews with:
- Adham Sharara, President of the International Federation of Table Tennis
- Jos van der Vegt, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Rotterdam and CEO of Ahoy Rotterdams
- Jochum Haakma, Director of Group Business Development at TMF Group B.V. and Chairman of the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion (NCH)
- Bob van Oosterhout, owner of sport marketing agency Triple Double
TV Coverage and Audience Reach
Table tennis enjoys enormous popularity in Asia, particularly China. CCTV has secured broadcasting rights for the 2011 World Table Tennis Championships, and it is expected that over 250 million Chinese viewers will watch at least one match. Additional Asian broadcasters are also reported to provide extensive coverage. Presenters at the event explained why the championships in Rotterdam could serve as a bridge between sports and business opportunities.
“Join the Table” Theme
The 2011 WTTC theme, “Join the Table,” emphasizes engagement among top athletes, fans, and companies. It encourages widespread participation in the various events organized as part of the championships, fostering connections across sports and business.