Thursday 22^nd April was an important day for me and The UK Sports Network as it saw the inaugural sports networking evening taking place at UCLan in Preston.  With about 35 local sports industry professionals coming together for an evening of networking and a presentation from social networking expert and MMU senior lecturer Jeff McCarthy.

This is going to be the first of many with a series of regular events planned for both the North West and the rest of the country.  The UK sports community has shown the need and want this type of event with over 130 attending a London event back in January and the feedback gained from those who attended Preston and those who couldn’t make it.

As well as bringing everyone together for a drink in the lovely bar in the Foster Building, we were treated to a great presentation on football and Social Media from Jeff McCarthy.  Below you can see the slides he put together and gave a great insight with into his studies into how specifically football is using the new media (or not).

UKSN Social Media Preston Apr10

I would like to thank Dave Lowe, Maggie Ferguson, Adrian Ibbetson and James Hendry from UCLan for their hosting of the event and ensuring it all ran smoothly.  Thanks also to Jeff McCarthy for travelling from Manchester to speak and all those who attended out first event.

From those who attended on the night here is a selection of the comments about the evening….

“I would just like to congratulate UK Sports Network on its’ inaugural meeting held at UCLAN in Preston. I found it very informative and made some very useful contacts. “

Paul Webber, Business Development Manager, Prescap – Preston’s Community Arts Project.

“Thanks for last night I really enjoyed the talk and the networking and thought as an event it went really well. What was really good also was the atmosphere – you would have thought people had known each other for years instead of having just met.”

Maggie Ferguson, School of Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors – UCLan  

“Thank you Daniel. Had a really enjoyable evening…”

Jeff Pickett – Managing Editor, Independent Sports News Television

“….was a good event and took plenty away on the power of social media that I didn’t ever think off.”

Majur Bhanji – Broadcast Journalist, BBC

“…the event was great really glad it was up north and definitely will be attending the others.”

Susan Allen – Managing Partner, Carter Law LLP

We are hosting new events in London and Reading in May with plans to expand into other cities around the UK every month.  If you would like to become involved we are always looking for venues, hosts, sponsors and speakers.  You can get in touch with me on daniel@theuksportsnetwork.com

The Reading event will be taking place at Bar Revolution on Wednesday 26^th May from 6.30pm.  You can book your place now on http://uksnreading.eventbrite.com

More details on the London event will be released very shortly.  I look forward to meeting you at one of our networking evenings very soon!