As a major sponsor at this year's facilities show, De-Ice – one of the UK's longest-established and leading winter gritting and snow clearance specialists - will be hosting the new De-ice Arena.

The Facilities Show (www.facilitiesshow.com), now in its fifteenth year, will be taking place between 17th-19th June at the ExCel in London. It is the only facilities management exhibition in the UK that has the support of the BIFM. The event offers networking, education and support from all the major associations within the FM industry.

The arena will be the main focal point at this year's event. To celebrate the World Cup taking place in Brazil (at the same time), the arena will become a 400 square metre football stadium, that will host a variety of entertainment and networking opportunities.

De-ice will also be holding a seminar in the keynote theatre on Wednesday, 18th June, at 12.35, where the company will join forces with leading defendant insurance law firm, Plexus Law, and its Accident & Health Team. This presentation will also follow a football theme and focus on the importance of a winter management plan and best practice when dealing with any potential claims.

The new arena will include the following ...

  •   Meet the Buyers

Show organisers, UBM, will bring together senior procurement professionals from companies including MITIE, Norland and Vinci, for one-to-one meetings with potential suppliers throughout the event.

  •   Social media buying service

Another new initiative for 2014 will see the utilisation of Twitter – putting buyers in touch with exhibitors throughout the show.

  •   Penalty shoot out competition

At the end of each day, the arena will host a penalty shoot out competition – where the football champions will be crowned.

  •   VIP area

The traditional VIP area will be hosted at the De-ice arena, with free refreshments available throughout the day.

  •   Sticker wall

Visitors and exhibitors will be given the opportunity to place their stickers on the wall and to guess the photo, for their chance to win a fantastic prize.

  •   Networking bar

Here visitors and exhibitors can meet up with clients and colleagues, whilst watching some classic World Cup footage.

  •   F1 simulator

Returning in 2014 is the popular F1 simulator, where visitors and exhibitors can race against colleagues to set the fastest lap and win a prize.

De-ice will also be hosting an invitation-only party from 4pm on 19th June, where the England team will take on Uruguay at the Arena do Sao Paulo. Interested parties should register via the following link: http://www.facilitiesshow.com/party

Commenting on the sponsorship, Mark Lopez, founder and managing director of De-ice, said: "We have been exhibiting at the show for a number of years, and have found it an excellent platform for networking and meeting with FMs. When we were offered this sponsorship opportunity we didn't hesitate.

"The Facilities Show is the largest and most respected of the events within the sector, and one that we are keen to remain closely aligned with. It's the meeting place for the industry, and we are thrilled to be playing such a major part in it. With the World Cup as a back-drop, it's going to be an exciting month".

Group event manager at UBM Live, Fergus Bird, said: "It is fantastic that De-ice is sponsoring our new features arena. The company is a top supplier to FMs and its name lends kudos to our arena. It will be the social hub of the show and we cannot think of a better set of personalities to facilitate such a great visitor experience".