EUROPEAN BRIDGE LEAGUE

Anna Maria Torlontano
EBL Women Committee Chairman

Turin, October 2002

For the EBL NBO Officers' Seminar
For the EBL Teaching Seminar

The Image of Bridge at Official Events

Dear friends,

 And now to conclude our  meeting, that I hope has not been too boring for you, please allow me to say some words about the  image of bridge at all bridge events.

Most of you have had the opportunity to participate in the EBL Ceremonies in Salsomaggiore: Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and also the Celebration, at the theatre. It's very easy to understand how all of them contributed enormously to the image of the Championship. You know very well how hard I worked to prepare for them!

Also in your Countries you could do the same thing, in a smaller scale of course, according to the importance of the events that you intend to organize, such as simple social pairs or teams events. The  playing area should be cosy, very well arranged, well lit, clean and tidy, the Directors properly dressed, and with the Prize-giving Ceremony having a certain style, even if very simple.

All the details are important; it is very important to put the players at their ease, to attract people who normally play at home and who perhaps come just to have a look and MOST importantly, to attract Sponsors.

If the atmosphere and the ambience are agreeable, everybody will appreciate and enjoy it.

And it is up to you and your colleagues  to create it. I recommend a woman as they tend to be extremely good at arranging this kind of thing, with an instinct and flair for creating a good atmosphere and attending to the necessary detail.

Anna Maria Torlontano