VIPSeating Global got its start on youth soccer fields.

Licensing Outlook:
Q&A with Perry Senko, President of VIPSeating Global
August 3, 2010

The U.S. sports landscape wouldn’t look nearly the same without the contributions of our friends north of the border. The latest import comes courtesy of Perry Senko, President of VIPSeating Global in Canada. Senko is the creator of an innovative outdoor seating system with a variety of uses and applications. VIPSeating Global has made inroads worldwide, but the U.S. marketplace is the next major destination. Senko talked to LOGO! about his company’s plans for the rest of 2010 and beyond.

LOGO!: How did the idea for VIPSeating Global originate?'

Perry Senko: I’ve attended a lot of youth soccer tournaments in Canada. When the weather got rough, the kids were fine, but the parents needed protection. I started working on an outdoor chair that would give them shelter. People eventually mentioned that VIPSeating would be great for company logos. I realized that I had a perfect brand-able surface.

CFL tailgaters love to show off their team pride with VIPSeating.

LOGO!: So what exactly is VIPSeating?

Perry Senko: The next generation of outdoor seating. We have a full selection of canopy chairs and benches available in many different sizes, seating formats and colors. All are designed to give the ultimate in functional event and recreational seating that works with your needs in mind. We offer lots of options and accessories, including a beach chair with a cooler, mosquito netting and custom amplified speakers.

LOGO!: Tailgaters must love them.

Perry Senko: They do. You see people using them all over Canada for tailgating. Parties are full of our chairs. They create a great atmosphere.

LOGO!: One of your goals is to penetrate the U.S. marketplace. How do you plan to do that?

Perry Senko: Licensing is a big part of it. We’ve received a great response from professional leagues, the entertainment world and FIFA. We just picked up the Canadian Football League this year. We hope to sign more licensing deals in the near future.

A two-seater designed for a Miller Lite promotion.

LOGO!: What about distribution?

Perry Senko: That’s an area we’re still exploring. We don’t have a U.S. distributor presently. We’d like to find one that can manage our retail presence.

LOGO!: How does the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show fit into your plans?

Perry Senko: We’ll be exhibiting at the show in January of 2011. We see this as a great way to deliver out message to retailers and buyers.

LOGO!: What is that message?

Perry Senko: VIPSeating is the ultimate in outdoor seating. We provide a wonderful opportunity for retailers to deliver the kind of seating that people want for tailgating. VIPSeating is also a terrific promotional product.