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On April 13th, the ISL Travel Management Group provided agency services over a unique 9 day experience in Barcelona, Spain to 3 different clients and partners from opposite sides of the globe. Groups from Sporting Global, Nashville United Soccer Academy, and Barca Academy Chengdu (China) enjoyed a trip of a lifetime. The trip was made possible with meticulous planning of cultural activities, travel logistics, and elite playing opportunities by the ISL Travel Management Team.
Sporting Global are a sports management organization that creates new opportunities and value for sporting organizations around the world. ISL were glad to provide services to the group in order to bring 4 teams competing in the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC).
NUSA (Nashville United Soccer Academy) are the first soccer club ISL have partnered with for international competition. ISL and NUSA have had a strong relationship for years, and this was the first opportunity for the two organizations to partner for an international trip. NUSA leaders and parents said of the trip, “It was a total success. Everybody was happy and impressed with the professionalism and coordination of ISL during all the trip events. We’re looking forward to getting NUSA more involved in next years tournaments with ISL!”
ISL also worked with Barca Academy Chengdu in order to bring over a team to compete in the Barca Academy World Cup. This was the first time ISL executed a strategic travel management plan for a Chinese Client.
ISL continue to build strong relationships around the world with clubs and organizations. We look forward to helping others achieve their Travel Management goals.
With the recent announcement of the 2019 International Champions Cup (ICC) fixtures around the world, American fans of the worlds game can look forward to seeing world class soccer at their doorstep. The annual summer club competition is now in its 7th edition, and is now crucial for the next generation of young players around the world, and even more so in the United States.
ISL is rooted in the beautiful game across the United States and around the world, so as a company we couldn’t be more excited for the ICC’s return. Soccer is wildly popular in America and it’s only getting bigger. From youth academies, collegiate teams, the USL, NWSL, and the MLS, the game has taken a foothold at all levels.
As the growth of the game continues throughout the United States, ISL are privileged to be a part of the future of the game. Our strong partnerships around the world allow us to provide services that connect the American market to the highest levels of the game. A perfect example are the competitions Team ISL players compete in against some of the top youth club teams around the world. Our Travel Management Group make it all possible for Team ISL to compete in youth International Tournaments like the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC), similar to the ICC.
International Competitions like the ICC, and the MIC are events that will continue to improve the game in the United States. ISL are committed to continuing this growth, and making dreams a reality for young players.
Last weekend, ISL Foundation had the honor of partnering with Developmental Disabilities Resources, Inc. (DDR, Inc.) in putting on a free soccer clinic for 40 plus kids and adults in the Charlotte, NC community. “Dream, Believe, Achieve” is the bedrock on which they stand and for us, their motto is everything that embodies ISL Foundation as a whole.
The special event gained local news coverage from WCCB CW, and helped build support throughout the community leading into the event.
Kim Michel, the Leader of DDR’s Dream Squad, was quoted saying of the event “The DDR Dream Squad were in complete agreement that the soccer event this past weekend was easily one of our favorite events we have ever been a part of. This event ensured that each individual had the opportunity to stand out for a different reason, for trying hard and for being able to take risks doing something they have never tried before.”
The event was supported by Barca Academy Charlotte coaches and methodologies. Kim went on to say of the staff “I can honestly speak for the entire group when I tell you how much we truly appreciate the level of professionalism, effort, kindness, and genuine sincerity the staff put into this event.”
It was a chilly morning in Matthews, NC at the Matthews Sportsplex, but spirits were high and smiles were beaming all around. The emphasis of the day, simply to have fun, forget about the cares of the world and for a few hours train and play like real professional soccer players. After a brief welcoming introduction, players were broken up into different teams under the watchful and caring eyes of official Barcelona trained coaches and staff. Players were lead through the same instructions and drills academy players are routinely put through in preparation for league play and competitions. Passing, shooting, ball control and field formations were on the docket for the morning, before a spirited scrimmage to wrap up the morning.
ISL Foundation would like to thank everyone for making this event possible, and making it a memorable day for a special group of players.
After years in the background providing unique soccer experiences to those in need, the charitable arm of ISL now has a voice and a platform to achieve even more. We are proud to unveil ISL Foundation. ISL Foundation has a new logo, a new website, and easier access for those seeking to help the Foundation vision.
ISL Foundation strives to positively affect change and provide young athletes the opportunity to enjoy their sport, all while learning lifelong lessons to serve them well for the rest of their lives. Through a multitude of sports projects, ISL Foundation affords our communities a helping hand for young athletes to achieve and exceed their goals.
With the new platform, ISL Foundation can now actively reach out to our communities at large, as well as open up doors to valued corporate partners. Our support system will make a greater impact for the good, and continue to put more smiles on the faces of young athletes and their families in need.
If interested in helping or getting involved with ISL Foundation, please visit our new site, ISLAgency.com/foundation, and please reach out. We’d love to hear your ideas, and any support helps the Foundation achieve it’s goals!
Over the years, the ISL charitable arm, ISL Foundation, has worked hard with our communities and our partners in order to put on programs, both big and small. Be sure to check out some of our past works below!
ISL are proud to release Team ISL, the newest brand which top selected players from the United States will represent when competing in the highest level soccer tournaments and competitions around the world.
Over the past several years, ISL’s travel management group have been managing teams competing alongside the strongest brands in the game of soccer. With the launch of the Team ISL brand, ISL have ensured those top selected players that wear the ISL jersey always have a memorable experience with a strong brand.
The core of the Team ISL brand aligns with powerful values, effort and victory. These values helped guide the development of Team ISL to meet the vision of our Travel Management group. Effort and victory are values that will be on show for years to come under Team ISL, alongside other world class aspiring athletes.
Once again the ISL directors and executives team got together to welcome in the new year as a company and to level set from our last family get together in Barcelona, 2019. Over the course of the week we heard from each of the department heads about the progress of each team, the vision for 2020 and how we could each partner up together in expanding the ISL brand around the globe, all the while giving our clients the best possible experience.
Ahead of the company’s 7th anniversary in May, both co-founders Alex and Marc, took the opportunity to share their gratitude to all in attendance for of the hard work and efforts being poured into expanding the ISL brand into new markets, as well as set the stage for the presentation portion of the corporate meetup by giving a high level overview from the past year to date.
In addition to the presentations from the more visible parts of the company, back office departments including marketing, HR and operations were also given the chance to share updates to processes, discuss current statuses and give future outlooks. Overall, the time spent together and hearing from each department gave each of us a better perspective of the hard work and efforts being put forth to truly deliver an unparalleled experience for our clients and guests into focus.
That said, it couldn’t be all work and no play. Once the corporate portion was taken care of and out of the way, we (as a family) took the opportunity to explore the city that never sleeps by taking in the local cultural flair and fun that makes up this eclectic destination spot of the U.S. and has become a global home of our headquarters.
Unfortunately, like all good things, it must come to an end and our trip was soon over. However our engines were all refueled to tackle new opportunities ahead, relationships strengthened and fortified, but more importantly know that we are working together as a team and that we have each others backs.
Watch out 2020!
Rebranding can be a scary process. There is a lot of thought and work put behind it, and execution is everything. So, after 5 years of successfully running as ISL Futbol the decision was made to drop the “futbol” portion of the moniker and operate simply as ISL to springboard our co-founders vision into other sporting verticals outside of soccer.
Not only did we tackle a rebrand, but the decision was made to uproot from our U.S. based headquarters in Charlotte, NC to the warm, sun-kissed beaches of Miami, FL. From the outside looking in the move may or may not have made sense, but to us as a sports marketing agency the optics of everything that go into being a premier, global, client facing company and the way we are able to service those clients, as well as attack new sports entertainment ventures, the choice was a no brainer.
Recently Marc Segarra (Co-founder/Managing Partner ISL) and Tim Bailey (Dir. of Business Development) sat down to discuss the rebrand and move to Miami in further detail. To learn more about the thoughts that inevitably pushed ISL to pivot in a new direction follow this link.
In early January, the ISL team attended United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, IL. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with brands, clubs, technology startups, and other major players in the soccer industry across the United States and around the world. Our executives spent their time in meetings, connecting with new leads, and drinking too much coffee.
Apart from being over caffeinated, ISL also had a booth set up on the convention floor. In mid 2018, ISL went through a major rebrand effort, and it was a wonderful way to introduce the new brand to the Soccer Industry. Apart from introducing the new brand, ISL were also showcasing its travel management services. ISL provide opportunities for players to compete against European competition and experience new cultures that broaden young players horizons. ISL’s travel management team also provide services to partners or clients aiding in logistical headaches that come with large scale trips. We can help if you manage large scale trips.
Check out some of the event highlights tracked through social media during the event!
Get in contact with someone from our travel management team at Experience@islagency-old.nntesting.com for more information on how we can help mange your next major travel plans.
When ISL Foundation had the opportunity to work alongside Sil Ganzó (Founder and Executive Director) and ourBRIDGE for KIDS (Charlotte, NC) we jumped at the chance.
ourBRIDGE for KIDS is a not-for-profit organization that supports refugee and immigrant communities in Charlotte by offering a one-of-a-kind enrichment program for newly arrived and 1st generation American children. They advocate for the success, happiness and fair treatment of all immigrant families as they acculturate to the United States.
As a family ourselves, ISL is made up of a team of people with ties to different parts of the world, including Brazil, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, United Kingdom, etc… so being able to partner up with ourBRIDGE has always been a privilege for us to be a part of.
Recently we had the opportunity, in conjunction with our partnership with Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona) and toc ball to spend an afternoon with the kids, as part of a better health initiative for juveniles that involves getting them off the couch and away from any electronic devices, to be more active outdoors.
We were beyond grateful to Xavi and toc ball for their generous contribution of 50 trainers for each of the kids to go home with and begin learning new skills, which will be both beneficial to their health and when getting out on the field to play.
To learn more about ourBRIDGE for KIDS and how you can get involved please follow this link https://www.joinourbridge.org/
This past November, Ivan Rakitic made a special appearance during one of the International ISL Experience Events. ISL are lucky to have strong relationships with talented individuals around the world, and were equally lucky to host Ivan Rakitic during his appearance.
Hosting big name athletes is always a special occasion for ISL and its Travel Management team. ISL would like to thank Ivan, he helped make it a day to remember for hundreds of young, aspiring athletes!
Get in contact with someone from our travel management team at Experience@islagency-old.nntesting.com for more information on how we can help mange your next major travel plans.
