Networking, but different – Geosparc invites partners to a padel tournament
Sport and business met at the Padel2020 field in Outer near Ninove in East Flanders when Geosparc invited its partners and fellow Gumption businesses for a friendly tournament in the popular racquet sport.
More than 20 businesses signed up, in teams of two. Kris De Pril, managing partner of Geosparc: ‘The enthusiasm is something we’re really pleased about. We honour the co-creation principle in our Gumption group. Businesses work together on solutions, both with the client and with fellow businesses. Collaboration like this is not that different to playing together. With that in mind, we thought it would be special for us to bring our partners together on the field. Networking, but in an original way.’
The tournament involved businesses including Brightest, TheValueChain, Trafiroad, OPC, BDO, Sirus, Digitopia, Cyclomedia, Jacops, Alphatronics, Yunex Traffic, The Beacon, Sigmax, ITS, Cronos Public Services, Cegeka, TotalEnergies, Allego, Agoria and APCOA. ‘Some partners are competitors,’ explains Christel Cornette, Account Manager at Geosparc. ‘Where better a place for them to meet than on a sports field to decide who is the best? The best at padel, of course (laughs).’
The tournament involved businesses including Brightest, TheValueChain, Trafiroad, OPC, BDO, Sirus, Digitopia, Cyclomedia, Jacops, Alphatronics, Yunex Traffic, The Beacon, Sigmax, ITS, Cronos Public Services, Cegeka, TotalEnergies, Allego, Agoria and APCOA. ‘Some partners are competitors,’ explains Christel Cornette, Account Manager at Geosparc. ‘Where better a place for them to meet than on a sports field to decide who is the best? The best at padel, of course (laughs).’
Participants played in two categories – beginners and advanced. Seasoned player Bert Roosens, a Belgian with P1000 ranking, gave the newbies an introduction. Once everyone had got to know one another and had warmed up, the tournament got underway. The dreaded poor weather, a feature of this year’s spring, fortunately stayed away. ‘The fact that we took eggs to the “Arme Klaren (as the saying goes in Dutch)” clearly helped,’ said Kris De Pril, with a wink. Less fortunate were fans who were hoping for aerial footage. ‘The camera drone literally fell into the water. A rather unfortunate crash with a tree saw it land in the pond next-door.’
After a series of exciting games, the winner was finally announced – the team from consultancy firm BDO – Max Mariens and Mathias Lambrechts – took home the trophy. Amongst the beginners to win were Joachim De Wilde and Bart Verbeeck of Cyclomedia. The day rounded off with a barbecue. ‘It’s a challenge trophy,’ emphasised Kris De Pril. ‘This tournament is the start of a series. With all this enthusiasm for the first edition, we are keen to repeat it.’
After a series of exciting games, the winner was finally announced – the team from consultancy firm BDO – Max Mariens and Mathias Lambrechts – took home the trophy. Amongst the beginners to win were Joachim De Wilde and Bart Verbeeck of Cyclomedia. The day rounded off with a barbecue. ‘It’s a challenge trophy,’ emphasised Kris De Pril. ‘This tournament is the start of a series. With all this enthusiasm for the first edition, we are keen to repeat it.’
‘In the business of digital innovation, openness and transparency are central. There isn’t a single business that can meet the digital challenges of the future all by itself. Collaboration will only become more important, and good rapport is the foundation for that. This initiative is a positive way to highlight that,’ concludes Alan Segebarth, Business Developer at Geosparc.
Put the next Geosparc Challenge in your diary – Friday 24 May 2024!
‘In the business of digital innovation, openness and transparency are central. There isn’t a single business that can meet the digital challenges of the future all by itself. Collaboration will only become more important, and good rapport is the foundation for that. This initiative is a positive way to highlight that,’ concludes Alan Segebarth, Business Developer at Geosparc.
Put the next Geosparc Challenge in your diary – Friday 24 May 2024!