Foodservice Executive Padel Event
We understand the importance of collaboration, which is why we recently organized the Foodservice Executive Padel Event in collaboration with our partner Vermaat. This event offered a perfect mix of sportsmanship, networking and fun to bring together large and small companies and executives from the foodservice industry.
Kick-offevent
The first edition of the Foodservice Executive Padel Event took place on February 27 in Utrecht at the beautiful padel club and also our partner Peakz Padel. Padel, a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, is the ideal activity to connect people from different companies.
With a well-organized tournament and 26 teams composed of different foodservice companies, participants had the chance to show off their sporting skills while catching up at a high level and making new connections in an informal setting. But also, most importantly, to see how together we can make a positive impact on the world.
Upon entering, attendees received a Goodie Bag filled with products from our sponsors, such as Nano Notes. The event began with an opening speech from representatives of Zereau Drinks and Vermaat, who emphasized the importance of sustainability, collaboration and building strong relationships within the foodservice industry. This provided the perfect introduction to a day full of sporting challenges and valuable networking opportunities.
After the welcome address, the core teams who were not yet familiar with padel followed with a short clinic on the rules and skills. The remaining teams were welcomed for the second part, the guest speaker and the padel tournament. The guest speaker for this first edition was none other than Jouri Schoemaker, the founder of Pieter Pot. The central topic was the balance between sustainable business and commercial success.
Schoemaker told the vulnerable story of his company. This obviously made a big impression on the room. Where everyone was still full of energy from the padel clinic, there was now a complete focus.
There was enormous respect and recognition among the participating teams. It was nice to see that everyone agreed, that sustainable business is not without its struggles. It is a long and difficult road that entrepreneurs have to travel and there are hard lessons involved.
The start of the padel tournament
Then, with their heads full of inspiration, participants could move on to the next part of the event, the tournament. In the form of ''King of the Court,'' several teams created fanatical padel rallies in which professionals from different companies competed with each other to take their athletic abilities to new heights.
The winners of the first edition
In the end, the Harbour Club men managed to move from lane 10 to lane in and took on the men from Say What Bottles in the finals. The level of these teams was very high. For a long time it was evenly matched, but the men from Say What Bottles were of an unprecedented high level and pulled out the longest.
The level of these finalists was very high. It was a neck-and-neck race, but the team from Say What Bottles managed to come out on top. Thus, they were also the first to grab the coveted FEP title of the event and a check worth €250 from Vermaat.
The tournament itself was exciting and challenging, with teams competing for the coveted 2024 FEP title. Padel requires teamwork, tactics and quick reflexes, which resulted in lively and exciting matches.
The participants showed their sportsmanship and passion while respecting each other. This sporting aspect of the event not only created healthy competition, but also provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with colleagues and peers.
Networkingand good drinks】 .
In addition to the sporting activities, there was plenty of room for informal networking and sharing experiences. During the breaks between games, participants were able to enjoy delicious chilled and extra-filtered water from a Zereau Drinks water tap.
After the games, there was a food truck with delicious snacks provided by Vermaat. This not only provided a moment of relaxation, but also provided an opportunity to engage in conversation with other foodservice industry professionals. Sharing challenges, successes and ideas created valuable connections beyond just the event.
All in all, the Foodservice Executive Padel Event was a great experience for all involved. In cooperation with Vermaat, we proved with this event that it is possible to have fun while strengthening professional relationships.
In short, the Foodservice Executive Padel Event was a great success. Therefore, three more events will follow in the year 2024, each focusing on a different theme. With the six core teams: Sligro, Perfect Serve, Heineken, Jos ten Berg, Verdi coffee group and Red Bull, they will thus still have plenty of padel pots to show their skills against other teams.
In this way the event and its network is growing, but also the impact we can make together. In particular, we would like to thank our partner Peakz Padel for giving us the opportunity to create a successful padel tournament.
Have you also become enthusiastic now and want to join next year? Then send an email to info@zereaudrinks.com
