Following the acquisition from IMG of the UK Challenge Event by Marco Polo Events, it has been announced that United Airlines will continue as lead sponsor for the annual corporate team-building event.

Marco Polo Events is a new company dedicated to providing outdoor team-building opportunities.

The UK Challenge takes place over three days, taking over 400 company executives through a challenging mix of physical and mental team challenges in some of the most beautiful areas of the country. From running, mountain biking and canoeing to anagram and riddle solving, seventy teams of six colleagues test their endurance, leadership and problem solving skills over the course of the event.

The UK Challenge has been held for twenty-five years, providing hundreds of teams from SMEs to some of the world's largest corporations with a unique team-building experience. 97% of participants from the 2016 event felt that their team-working skills had been significantly improved and 87% stated that their ability to problem solve had dramatically increased through taking part in the United Airlines UK Challenge.

Dave Moran, CEO of Marco Polo said: "I am delighted that we have been able to make this deal happen and ensure continuity. It is, however, more than an event, and there are thousands of people in the business community who can attest to the value and learning that companies take into the work environment.

"I am also pleased to announce that we have secured Stirling as the location for the 2017 event that will take place from 6th – 9th July".

Commenting on its decision to continue sponsorship, United Airlines Managing Director Sales, UK & Ireland, Bob Schumacher, said: "United Airlines, the leading US carrier serving more UK departure cities than any other carrier, is very pleased to support the UK Challenge once again for 2017.

"As a global airline with over 85,000 employees worldwide, we fully appreciate the importance of team work, co-ordination, and developing strong business relationships, in making any organization a success".