Charlotte sports firm promising perfection for VIPs

Robert Miller is one of the founders of a locally based company that sells VIP golf outings and other travel packages to corporate customers.

For those who think of shuttle buses as slumming it, a Charlotte startup could be your ticket for entertaining clients and prospects. Especially if it?s a smaller outing aimed at leaving a lasting impression.

Such is the promise of 54 Sports, formed by partners Robert Miller, Mark Surles and Brandon Woods. Surles, the CEO, and Miller, chief sales and marketing officer, have just opened an office on East Boulevard. Woods, the chief operating officer, works from an office in Pone Vedra Beach, Fla.

Surles was with The Shelton Cos. in property management and leasing before founding Construction Waste Services and Redwood Capital. Miller and Woods knew each other from their time together at the PGA?s Tour Club. Before that, Miller worked in sales at Richard Petty?s NASCAR team.

The Tour Club requires a one-time fee of $75,000, plus annual dues of $2,500. Golf outings, VIP tournament tickets and travel arrangements are offered in custom trips for corporate outings and other groups. With 54 Sports, the idea is similar but incorporates other sports and events such as the Kentucky Derby and U.S. Open tennis.

?Corporations are starting to entertain again, but they?re taking a smaller, high-touch approach,? Miller says. ?It?s eight to 12 to 16 people with a 360-approach.?

Surles agrees, saying the little details make all the difference with such outings. As an example, he says a trip to the Masters would include not just tickets and a private residence, but also a car on-call and a private chef.

That way, no one is left waiting, and executives and their clients can relax in a casual atmosphere that fits their schedule.

Erik Spanberg covers government, sports business, hospitality and airlines for the Charlotte Business Journal.

Source: http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/vertical_12/~3/hSRKZXjwH00/charlotte-sports-firm-promising.html

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