With the crisis in the Ukraine deepening, SportAccord will no longer be taking place in 2022 in Russia as planned.
A statement sent to Host City, signed by SportAccord and GAISF President Ivo Ferriani, read: “The SportAccord Executive Committee met today and unanimously decided to cancel the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit, 15-20 May 2022 in Ekaterinburg, Russia”.
The statement reached Host City shortly after the IOC Executive Board urged all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus.
“They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority. The IOC itself has no events planned in Russia or Belarus,” the IOC statement said.
“In addition, the IOC EB urges that no Russian or Belarussian national flag be displayed and no Russian or Belarussian anthem be played in international sports events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions for Russia.
“At the same time, the IOC EB expresses its full support to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
“The IOC EB expresses its deep concerns about the safety of the members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine and stands in full solidarity. It notes that the special IOC task force is in contact with the Olympic Community in the country to coordinate humanitarian assistance where possible.
“The IOC EB asks the task force to continue to closely monitor the situation and to keep the IOC EB informed and updated, also with regard to potential amendments of today’s resolution.”
The Centre for Sport and Human Rights also contacted Host City with a statement, in which it said, “We welcome decisions to relocate events from Russia at this time, believe that discussions on sporting sanctions are appropriate, and salute the bravery of athletes from both Russia and Ukraine in taking a stand for peace and human rights.”
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SportAccord cancels World Sport & Business Summit
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Beijing 2022 breaks Winter Games engagement records
Beijing 2022 has been hailed for setting new standards in engagement by Ivo Ferriani, President of GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations).
“Following 19 days of exciting winter sports action, I would like to congratulate the IOC, Beijing 2022, athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers for delivering a successful Olympic Winter Games and inspiring millions of people in China and around the world to engage in winter sports,” he said.
“I understand that the Opening Ceremony was the most watched broadcast in China in a decade; this is fantastic news for the future of ice and snow sports in China.”
Worldwide, the Opening Ceremony attracted achieved more viewers than any previous Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony.
Throughout the Games, more hours of broadcast coverage were made available than at any previous Olympic Winter Games edition. In China, broadcast coverage of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 reached over 600 million people through TV alone.
The IOC said the Games also achieved record coverage through digital platforms, with “billions of engagements across digital platforms, including Olympic and Rights-Holding Broadcasters’ properties”.
Ferriani said: “With more than 2.7 billion comments about the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on the IOC’s social media platforms, I have no doubt that millions more people will participate in winter sports activities as a result.”
More than a thousand journalists were accredited for the Games, in addition to close to a thousand other accredited members of the press from 520 organisations, plus 3,607 accreditations granted to representatives of rights-holding broadcasters.
The Games was delivered in the most challenging of circumstances amid the Covid 19 pandemic.
“I can speak from experience and say that the closed-loop system was very successful and there was a fantastic Olympic spirit throughout the Games,” said Ferriani. “This would of course not have been possible if it wasn’t for all the hard work behind-the-scenes and everyone coming together to deliver a safe and secure Olympic Winter Games.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the GAISF Members of Olympic winter sports for your hard work and efforts to provide the best possible support for your athletes.”
At an thank-you event organised at the Big Air venue in Shougang Park in Beijing, the IOC’s Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission Chair, Juan Antonio Samaranch, thanked the thousands of Beijing 2022 workforce and volunteers.
“You and all your teams have done incredible work to tackle the different challenges. You have always been responsible, responsive and efficient to all our requests,” he said.
“Thanks for your strong commitment and dedication. You ensured that these Olympic Winter Games were memorable.”
With 45 per cent of athletes being female and 55 per cent male, Beijing 2022 also set a new standard as the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games.
Cai Qi, president of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee, said: “As the first city to host both summer and winter Olympic Games, Beijing 2022 will go down in history. We will continue to work with the IOC to spread the Olympic spirit, enhance inclusiveness and mutual understanding, promote friendship and solidarity, and jointly shape a better future.” -
Three major titles unveiled for inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships
[Source: Commonwealth Sport] The Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation have today unveiled three major titles for the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships that will take place in Birmingham this summer.
DOTA 2 (Valve), eFootball™ series (KONAMI) and Rocket League (Psyonix) will be featured at the event at the International Convention Centre (ICC) this August 6-7, with all three titles featuring a Women Category and an Open Category.
Showcasing the excitement of the upcoming Commonwealth Esports Championships, students from across the UK played Rocket League during today’s CGF Executive Board Meeting in Birmingham. The demonstration was attended by President of the CGF, Dame Louise Martin DBE and CGF Chief Executive Officer, Katie Sadleir; the President of the GEF Chris Chan and Chair of GEF’s Coordination Commission for the CEC2022, Chester King.?
“We are proud to feature some of the world’s leading esports titles on stage in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) over the weekend of August 6-7. We look forward to creating the opportunity for players and athletes from across the Commonwealth to shine on a truly global stage at this historic inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships,” said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF.
“Alongside the GEF, we are delighted to unveil three major titles for the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham this summer. There is no doubt this innovative and exciting event will create new learnings and opportunities for us to further explore esports. The Commonwealth has a combined population of more than 2.4 billion with over 60% of them under the age of 30. This is a vital group for the Commonwealth Sport Movement to engage with, and esports can be an important part of this work due to its huge popularity and reach with young people across the world,” expressed Katie Sadleir, CEO of the CGF.
Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Esports has connected millions of young people across the Commonwealth, providing entertainment and a vital sense of community.
“The Commonwealth Esports Championships is a major vote of confidence in the West Midlands’ and UK’s thriving esports industry and an exciting chance to look at how this can be brought into the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
The Commonwealth Esports Championships will feature exciting demonstrations showcasing Active Esports and the powerful technologies that support the convergence of sport and esports. The Commonwealth Esports Forum – a global convention of diverse thought leaders and idea creators – will be held at the same venue on Friday, August 5, 2022.
The event today comes after first Team Preparation Guide (TPG) meeting for the event was staged last month. The meeting led by the GEF was joined by leaders from the GEF, CGF and British Esports Association. It was attended by representatives from over 60 Commonwealth nations and territories, including the GEF’s Member Federations who are set to compete in Birmingham. The organising team briefed the delegations on arrangements for participants and have since commenced team selections and preparations.
About the Global Esports Federation
The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of esports. We convene athletes, players, the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform. We encourage and support the connection between esports, sport and technology. Our mission calls for the development of visible initiatives that are in service to the world’s esports community. We are grateful for a collective of strategic partnerships that bring to life this mission. www.globalesports.org
About the Commonwealth Games Federation
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.
About the Business and Tourism Programme (BATP)
The Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) aims to leverage the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to embed positive perceptions of the West Midlands into the international imagination, driving long-term economic benefits across the region, fostering civic pride. Focusing on tourism, trade and investment, the three-year programme will catalyse the West Midlands’ growth strategy, cementing the region, and wider UK, as a globally sought-after location to visit, invest and live in. Its work will focus on nations and territories across the Commonwealth. -
Ottawa to host 28th IAVSD Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicle on Roads and on Tracks in August 2023
The International Association for Vehicle System Dynamics (IAVSD) has chosen Ottawa to host the 28th IAVSD Symposium on Dynamics of Vehicle on Roads and on Tracks from 21 to 25 August, 2023 at the Shaw Centre.
The IAVSD’s biannual conference brings together international researchers, scientists and engineers from government, academia and industry, in the field of ground vehicle dynamics, to exchange the latest ideas and research results. It offers an opportunity to promote the development of the science of vehicle dynamics, a discipline that is based upon the theory of motion of ground-based vehicle systems, and to encourage engineering applications in this field of science.
To develop the event, the Ottawa IAVSD organising committee, including the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Carleton University and Ottawa Tourism, has been working closely with Invest Ottawa and the Shaw Centre as well as several key local partners. This includes Invest Ottawa’s Area XO, a research and development complex that helps accelerate the commercial adoption of next-generation technology. Specifically, Area XO includes a world leading CAV (connected and autonomous vehicle) test track, which will be built into the delegate experience and conference program. https://areaxo.com/
Theresa Gatto, Senior Manager-Business Events at Ottawa Tourism commented: “Invest Ottawa, The Shaw Centre and Ottawa Tourism launched a combined Think Ottawa programme to inspire key sectors and create ambassadors that would drive leading Association Congresses to the City. This win is a perfect example of the three stakeholders working in partnership to create an inspiring solution for the client. Roll on August 2023, when we will have a chance to see the delegates make the most of our city as they deliver an estimated $850,000 in economic impact to Ottawa.”
The last time the Symposium was hosted in Canada was in 1989 at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Previously it has taken place in different countries around the world.
Further information on the IAVSD is available here: https://iavsd.org/ -
Scotland welcomes UCI delegation ahead of 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds
[Source: 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships] A senior delegation from cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, has visited Scotland to check in on plans to stage the world’s biggest cycling event in Glasgow and across the country in August 2023.
UCI President David Lappartient and Director General, Amina Lanaya, received a warm Scottish welcome during their two-day visit as they reviewed a number of venues for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and met key partners and stakeholders associated with the delivery of the historic event.
It was their first official visit since it was announced the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships would be held in Glasgow and across Scotland, bringing together 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time.
The group visited the Glasgow BMX Centre in Knightswood, where fans will see the world’s best compete in high-speed sprint races across a purpose-built racetrack, while also taking in the city’s iconic George Square, which will provide a stunning backdrop for the road race finishes in August 2023.
They also met with key partners including Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson, who chairs the Scottish Government’s 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Cabinet Group, Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council as host city for the Championships as well as representatives from British Cycling and UK Sport.
David Lappartient, UCI President, said: “The inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships are less than 18 months away, and I am delighted to see the work that has been carried out so far to ensure the success of this historic event. The rainbow jersey battles will take place in spectacular venues in Glasgow and across Scotland, and it has been fantastic to visit some of the sites this week. Our discussions with the organisers have been positive and exciting, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the lead-up to this ground-breaking mega event for cycling.”
Paul Bush, Chair of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome David and Amina to Scotland for the first time since the historic decision was made to host the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland.
“We are proud the UCI has entrusted us to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and having David and Amina here to see and hear about our progress is a great milestone. Alongside our partners at Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, British Cycling and UK Sport we are committed to delivering a Championships that will be truly ground-breaking for cycling.”
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will welcome more than 8,000 amateur and elite cyclists from more than 120 countries with more than 190 UCI World Champions crowned.
More than one million spectators are expected to attend the Championships, with a global TV audience of around one billion making it one of the Top 10 watched sporting events on the planet.
The 13 UCI World Championships included in the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are: BMX Freestyle Flatland; BMX Freestyle Park; BMX Racing; Gran Fondo; Indoor Cycling; Mountain Bike Cross-country; Mountain Bike Downhill; Mountain Bike Marathon; Para-cycling Road; Para-cycling Track; Road; Track; Trials.
To date, five venues have been announced in Glasgow, with Dumfries & Galloway (para-cycling road) and Stirling (time trial) also hosting events across Scotland. Additional venues and locations elsewhere in the country will be confirmed in the coming weeks and months to ensure a pan-Scotland delivery and to capture the imagination of the entire country.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships were confirmed for Glasgow and across Scotland as a result of significant previous experience hosting high-profile sporting events. Glasgow and Scotland have become a sporting hotspot by welcoming unforgettable competitions such as UEFA EURO 2020 matches, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the multi-sport Glasgow 2018 European Championships as well as cultural events including the world-renowned Edinburgh Festivals.
Since the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, participation sessions at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome have experienced positive uptake and cycling numbers have risen across Scotland. It is hoped the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships can continue the increase of pedal power in Scotland, inspiring the next generation of riders across a variety of cycling disciplines.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are being delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, UK Sport, British Cycling, Glasgow Life and VisitScotland. The partnership aims to create a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.
The UCI, cycling’s world governing body, currently stages annual World Championships in each of its disciplines across the year in different host cities around the world. The UCI Cycling World Championships will bring these championships together every four years, the year prior to the Olympics, starting with the inaugural event in 2023.
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
From 3-13 August 2023, the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships will be hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will be the single biggest cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual UCI Cycling World Championships into one mega event.
This historic and innovative event will welcome 2,600 elite cyclists, including para-cyclists, from more than 120 countries and crown over 190 UCI World Champions. It will be a must see, must attend, much watch event as all these cyclists vie for the iconic rainbow jersey.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than just an event. It will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland by giving everyone the opportunity to experience the freedom riding a bike can bring to their lives. By working in collaboration with cycling and wider partners, it will amplify and unify existing work and activity across health, transport, tourism and participation.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, UK Sport, British Cycling, Glasgow Life and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team through 2023 Cycling World Championships Ltd, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive. www.cyclingworldchamps.com
About the UCI
Founded on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms and for all people: as a competitive sport, a healthy recreational activity, a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the nine cycling disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials, indoor cycling and cycling esports. Five of these are featured on the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle), two in the Paralympic Games (road and track) and four in the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle). For more information: www.uci.org
VisitScotland
VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. The organisation’s key objective is to contribute to Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy ambition of pursuing a sustainable and responsible tourism agenda. This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement. Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/. Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh). For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com For information about business tourism in Scotland go to businessevents.visitscotland.com. Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
Glasgow Life
Glasgow Life is a charity working for the benefit of the people of Glasgow. We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and we find innovative ways to make this happen across the city’s diverse communities. Our programmes, experiences and events range from grassroots community activities to large-scale cultural, artistic and sporting events which present Glasgow on an international stage. Our work is designed to promote inclusion, happiness and health, as well as support the city’s visitor economy, in order to enhance Glasgow’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing. For more information on our work, see http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk
UK Sport
UK Sport’s Major Events Programme is projected to invest almost £40 million of National Lottery funding through to 2025 to support the bidding and staging of major events on home soil, as well as providing specialist support to organisers. Events are supported not only for their likely performance impact on British athletes, but also to maximise wider sporting, social, cultural, and economic benefits. In addition, UK Sport also invests major event funding on behalf of Government including £9m into the 2019 UCI World Road Cycling Championships and £15m into the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling as recognised by the UCI – the international federation for the sport. Based in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport (BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway), from providing the support and encouragement people need to get riding their bikes for the first time, to being home to the hugely successful Great Britain Cycling Team. Continued success at the highest level is inspiring a boom in participation across the nation. There have never been more opportunities to ride a bike, be it for fun or sport, and British Cycling is at the heart of this growth. British Cycling also works hard to represent cyclists’ interests at all levels, including campaigning on important issues including road safety. As a membership organisation, British Cycling provides a suite of benefits and support to its members who currently number over 150,000. All membership revenue is invested back into cycling. -
Host City 2022 set for Glasgow, Scotland on 15-16 November
Host City 2022 builds on the phenomenal success of recent digital editions and anticipates a welcome return to face-to-face content, exhibition and networking in the Technology and Innovation Centre, where Host City was staged from 2015 to 2019.
By 2019, Host City attracted 350 delegates and 35 exhibitors to Glasgow. Host City’s growth continued online through the pandemic, reaching 500 to 1000 attendees in 2020 and 2021. The brand is also expanding globally, with the second Host City Americas taking place online on 29 June.
Host City 2022 is supported by EventScotland, Glasgow Life and Glasgow Convention Bureau Scotland and Glasgow for the eighth consecutive year.
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “EventScotland has a strong partnership with Host City and we are delighted to be continuing our support of the conference as we welcome it back to Scotland and Glasgow in 2022.
“Over the last 22 months the global events industry has shown its ability to adapt, respond and innovate and as we move forward with optimism, Host City 2022 will once again provide the ideal platform for cities and sport event businesses to come together and share new ideas and best practice.
“We look forward to seeing everyone in person this November.”
Dr. Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Host City back to Glasgow for the eighth time, and for the first in-person event since 2019.
“Like all other cities across the world, Glasgow is intensely focussed on our recovery from the pandemic and a key factor in that recovery is hosting major international events. We’ve got a strong track record in that regard and that’s why we’re, once again, the ideal hosts for the 2022 conference.
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming all delegates and organisations to the city later this year.”
In his opening address to Host City 2021, Ivo Ferriani, President of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) and SportAccord said:
“After this invitation I am very much looking forward to come to Scotland. I will come to meet my great maestro Craig Reedie but also my great friend Kate Caithness, President of the World Curling Federation. For sure I cannot wait to visit you in Glasgow, because you are role models for all of us.”
Host City’s owner, Cavendish Group is also staging its second Host City Americas event online on 29 June, under the tagline Where Events and Tech Meet.
Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director of Host City said “Since its move to Glasgow in 2015, Host City has grown immensely, in both physical and online formats. Two Asian editions and our recent expansion into the Americas have also helped to increase our reach.
“There is immense pent-up demand for the events industry to meet face-to-face in 2022, and there is no better forum than Host City in Glasgow on Scotland’s perfect stage.
“We anticipate an extremely lively gathering on 15-16 November 2022. And with many pressing global issues on the agenda, we can look forward to important exchanges that shape the course of major events for good.”
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About Host City
Host City is the event and media brand that connects the owners, hosts and organisers of major events.
Through its conference, exhibition and online publishing platforms, Host City shares best practice within the international community of international sports, business and cultural events.
Host City events are renowned for the highest level of speakers, content and networking.
For more information visit www.hostcity.com or email ben.avison@hostcity.com -
Houston 2026 President promises “a truly global festival of soccer”
With a decision due soon on which cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I am confident that if Houston has the honor of being selected as a host city, we are 100% ready to provide a world-class experience for players, officials and fans. Why? Because we’ve hosted more major sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004, including two Super Bowls, two NCAA Final Fours and multiple NBA, MLB, and MLS All-Star Games.
Our state-of-the-art venues and facilities, including the 70,000-plus seat NRG Stadium, which boasts a retractable roof, have successfully hosted some of the biggest teams in soccer. FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Manchester United, have all come through Houston and praised the incredible noise and passion from the soccer community here – including legendary soccer manager Sir Alex Ferguson who, when speaking about the 2010 MLS All-Star Game at Houston’s NRG Stadium, said, “Houston was an amazing venue; to my mind the 70,000 supporters inside the stadium had an electrifying effect on all of us.”
The NRG Stadium has averaged 60,000 attendees for over 20 international events featuring national soccer teams since 2003 – so I have no doubt that a World Cup in Houston in 2026 would be a truly global festival of soccer for the whole family to enjoy. In fact, hosting the most prestigious sporting event in the world will not only grow the game in Houston, but it will also serve as a catalyst for the significant growth of soccer across the region. It would also generate significant and lasting benefits for the community.
Recently ranked as the third-fastest growing tech ecosystem for early-stage companies in the US, according to a study, we’re bringing things to the table that only Houston can deliver to help advance the game of soccer.
Houston is home to some of the brightest and most industrious minds in the world. And we don’t do anything halfway, from being home to the world’s largest medical center, to planning large scale missions to outer space, we can accomplish anything here. That’s why we’ve harnessed the unique Spirit of Houston and its vast innovation resources to create a non-profit institution called the Soccer Innovation Institute.
The Soccer Innovation Institute will carry out the city’s legacy vision around the 2026 FIFA World Cup and serve to advance the game globally. It’s our way of saying that not only are we invested and committed to hosting an incredible series of games for fans all over the world for 32 days, but we’re here to leave a lasting impact in the community that will be recognized for generations to come.
As the fourth largest city in the US, with more than 145 languages spoken, over 20 ethnic and racial groups represented, we hope to have the opportunity to invite the world to join us in what would be a truly global celebration of soccer. -
AIPH approves Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026
[Source: AIPH, 8th March) The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) gave its approval for a Category B International Horticultural Exhibition in the city of Udon Thani, Thailand for 2026.
The approval took place at the AIPH General Meeting on 8 March in accordance with the AIPH Regulations for International Horticultural Exhibitions.
Thrilled to gain approval
The Governor of Udon Thani, Mr Siam Sirimongkol, is thrilled to learn that their city has gained full support.
Mr Sirimongkol says: “As the agricultural business and trading centre of the Greater Mekong Region, Udon Thani is exceptionally proud to bring AIPH’s International Horticultural Expo back to Thailand. The event will be called ‘The Garden of Mekong’ to celebrate the abundance of the Mekong wetland, where people are blessed with biodiversity and harmony. This prestigious global event with the central theme “Diversity of Life: People, Water and Plants” will bring well-deserved attention to our fertile but fragile land on the great international river where our ancestors have learnt co-living for millennia.
“We are aiming to achieve at least 13 out of 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals, with this Expo. Udon Thani will be delighted to welcome our friends of the Mekong, the ASEAN community and the people across the globe to visit the Expo.
“The 164.8-hectares expo site encompasses a small lake to showcase the mesmerising Mekong wetland. We hope the world will get to know the diversity along the Mekong and be inspired by our sustainable way of living.”
A world stage to promote the relationship between people and plants
AIPH Secretary General, Mr Tim Briercliffe, says: “Expo 2026 will introduce Udon Thani and the horticulture of this region to the global stage. The event will create opportunities to exchange knowledge and technological advancement as well as promoting city greening and the importance of the relationship between people and plants.”
The approval for Udon-Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 comes after a successful site inspection in February and an excellent presentation by the Udon Thani Expo organising team at the AIPH Expo Conference on 7 March.
A commitment to sustainable living
AIPH approved the Thai proposal for the International Horticultural Expo 2026 will be hosted in Udon Thani province from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. The inspiration for the Expo’s theme “Diversity of Life: Connecting Water, Plants, and People” reflects the unique wetland area and the people living here. Their connection with the water and natural resources and the need to promote sustainable living will be the Expo’s main goal.
Presenting Udon Thani Expo’s proposal to host an International Horticultural Expo at the AIPH Spring Meeting was H.E. Dr Chalermchai Sree-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He is head of the Thai delegation.
He expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Thai government to the AIPH members for the trust and support given to Thailand and cited the success upon a fruitful collaboration among various government agencies and private organisations, led by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
According to Dr Chalermchai, Thailand is committed to contributing to global food security through the Three Sustainable ‘3S’ farming and food policy, which brings attention to Food Safety, Food Security, and Sustainability. This declaration is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while adhering to the climate aspiration of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Such commitment can serve the theme and presentation of the Expo in Udon Thani and will help shed light on sustainability innovations, and, inspire and ignite collaboration on global actionable measures towards sustainability living with minimal cost to the ecosystem.
Guaranteeing a diverse display of cultures and floras
Mr Sirimongkol reaffirmed the city’s readiness to ensure the success of the Expo. He says: “The Udon Thani Expo 2026 will be the first International Horticultural Expo ever held in a wetland area. Furthermore, the province’s status as the gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion and a transportation and economic hub of the area will guarantee a diverse display of cultures and floras befitting the theme.”
Mr Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), who represented Thailand in the official bid for the Expo, expressed Thailand’s confidence in hosting the landmark global event, portraying the success of the past two horticultural expos hosted by Thailand in Chiang Mai province.
He also emphasised the government’s development strategy and national agenda to promote the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) as a new development model that seeks to drive socio-economic growth while minimizing and even reversing the negative impacts on the environment. The strategy will be of great contribution to Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026.
The Udon Thani Expo 2026 is expected to cost 2,500 million baht in investment and attract 3.6 million visitors over 134 days during the expo.
For more information about Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, and future forthcoming AIPH approved International Horticultural Expos visit www.aiph.org/expos.
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Nitro Rallycross announces first global series
[Source: Nitro Rallycross] Today Nitro Rallycross, a disruptive new force in motorsports, announced its inaugural global season. The expanded Nitro RX series kicks off June 18-19, 2022 at England’s legendary Lydden Hill Race Circuit for the first of ten races staged in six countries, including Sweden, Finland, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Nitro RX will then bridge the calendar year to culminate in March 2023 with a championship event held in the U.S. A full schedule is listed below.
In 2022-23, Nitro RX is taking its groundbreaking tracks, with huge jumps and steep banked turns, to a host of new settings worldwide. Nitro RX will grow beyond its roots in outdoor dirt tracks, with drivers also set to battle on tarmac, inside stadiums, through street circuits and over snow and ice for a diverse range of race environments.
Travis Pastrana, Nitro RX mastermind and 2021 series champion says, “I’m so excited to see Nitro Rallycross expand into a full worldwide series. This is the action-packed, no limits racing that teams, drivers and fans have been looking for, and going global has been our goal from the beginning. We also have the fantastic opportunity to get things started at historic Lydden Hill, an iconic track that is the birthplace of rallycross and home to some of its biggest moments. We are going back to the beginning and making the changes we think are needed to take the sport to the next level.”
The 2022-23 Nitro RX season will also feature an expanded racing lineup led by the competition debut of the FC1-X, the most powerful vehicle in rallycross. Created by First Corner, LLC, in collaboration with QEV Technologies and Nitro RX, the FC1-X delivers the electric equivalent of 1,070 peak horsepower (800 kW) and accelerates from 0-60 in just 1.4 seconds, launching faster off the line than an F1 car.
Andreas Bakkerud, a highly decorated driver who got an early taste of what the new vehicle is capable of in demo sessions at Race of Champions, says, “The FC1-X blew my mind straight out the box, not only from a performance point of view but also with its toughness given the amount of laps we could do on a frozen lake up north in Sweden. The car itself is very promising to drive, loads of power – just like us rallycross drivers like it. It’s going be a blast going head to head with this new car and to see which team can first find that little detail in performance gain for the first few races.”
The FC1-X will flex its muscles in Nitro RX’s new top Group E division. Just as the legendary Group B cars set the rallycross world ablaze in the 1980s, Nitro RX’s new Group E class is set to make another quantum leap. That inspiration, supercharged by Nitro Circus’ limit-pushing DNA, will show the massive performance potential of electric vehicles unleashed by the fastest rallycross cars ever seen.
Pastrana adds, “I can’t wait to get on the starting line in the FC1-X and see what it can do in the heat of competition. With the car’s game-changing power, Group E will more than live up to the legacy of the Group B’s as it sets a new standard for the sport. This is what Nitro Rallycross is all about: getting the best cars in the hands of the best drivers so they can throw down on the best tracks, anywhere in the world.”
The FC1-X will serve as the A SHOC Energy #GoNitro star car, which returns for 2022-23. Last year, two NASCAR Cup Series champions – Kyle Busch and A SHOC Energy athlete Chase Elliott – put in strong performances in the #GoNitro driver’s seat, with Busch nearly making the podium. As fan engagement spiked, more stars from across the racing world took notice and now a growing lineup is eager to participate, including stars from F1, NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP and more.
In addition to the competition debuts of the FC1-X and Group E, Nitro RX 2022-23 will feature an expanded offering of high-impact racing. The iconic Supercar class will return, giving fans a double dose of elite rallycross competition while the developmental NRX Next division is back as well, providing a pathway for the next generation of drivers. Each series stop will also include additional special disciplines offering fans even more wide-open action.
On sale information will be announced shortly, and enthusiasts will also be able to watch the action away from the track through a robust slate of broadcast partners. In 2021, Nitro RX was available in over 200 territories on more than 14 platforms, including an exclusive U.S. partnership with NBCU featuring live coverage on Peacock. Look for more details on Nitro RX’s 2022-23 broadcast plans very soon.
Leading Nitro RX’s roster of commercial partners is innovative energy drink brand A SHOC Energy, who earlier this year announced a strategic alliance with Nitro RX’s parent company, Thrill One Sports & Entertainment. Foundational Nitro RX series partner Yokohama Tire is also set to return with more additions to the sponsorship roster to be announced.
Joe Carr, CEO of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment – Nitro RX’s parent company – says, “We’re thrilled to see Nitro Rallycross step onto the world stage and become a global motorsports property. Expanding to six countries, doubling the event calendar and running through the winter months shows the rising demand for this brand of high-adrenaline, fast-paced racing. We have exciting plans with broadcast and commercial partners that we look forward to sharing as anticipation builds for the 2022-23 season.”
2022–23 NITRO RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE*
June 18-19, 2022 // England (Lydden Hill Race Circuit)
July 30-31, 2022 // Sweden
August 27-28, 2022 // Finland
October 1-2, 2022 // Minneapolis, USA
October 29-30, 2022 // Los Angeles, USA
November 12-13, 2022 // Phoenix, USA
December 10-11, 2022 // Saudi Arabia
January 21-22, 2023 // Quebec, Canada
February 4-5, 2023 // Alberta, Canada
March TBA, 2023 // Nitro RX 2022-23 Series Finale // TBA, USA
(*Subject to change) -
Aggreko commits to mandatory greener fuels switch
[Source: Aggreko] Aggreko has further confirmed its commitment to reaching net zero emissions by beginning the transition from diesel to greener fuel sources in its fuel management services.
The organisation’s ongoing phaseout is part of its pledge to cut the amount of the fossil fuel used by the organisation by 50% before 2030 and reduce local air quality emissions from its fleet by a similar figure. Specifically, Aggreko intends to phase out offering diesel with its fuel management services from April, instead solely providing hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).
The move is part of the global temporary equipment supplier’s ‘Greener Upgrades’ initiative, which also includes a multi-million-pound investment in new products and technologies, alongside alternative fuels.
Speaking on the switch, Chris Rason, Managing Director Aggreko Northern Europe, said: “The need to be sustainable has long shifted from a vague preference to an absolute priority for all businesses, and this sentiment continues to be reinforced through action.
“For example, at COP26, proposals have been floated to force UK firms how they will reach net zero targets set for 2050. However, despite this shift to a ‘prove it’ culture when it comes to decarbonisation, complacency and greenwashing sadly still remains at a time when organisations need to begin taking steps toward a greener future.
“It is for this reason why we have put great effort into developing efficient and sustainable technologies that can replace existing, polluting energy sources without disruption. This continued investment has allowed us to begin the transition from diesel to HVO for our fuel management systems, passing decarbonisation gains onto our customers while maintaining or improving equipment performance.”
Aggreko has previously trialled HVO as a ‘drop-in’ fuel in controlled conditions using its own generator fleet – a rarity in testing conditions – and demonstrated significant emissions benefits. Further scientific studies have also shown the fuel produces up to 90% less greenhouse emissions, including 33% lower levels of fine particulates compared to diesel. Alongside this, 30% less hydrocarbons and up to 9% fewer nitrogen oxides are produced, and the amount of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons produced was also reduced.
“It cannot be doubted that the transition to net zero will be difficult for all organisations, regardless of their place in the supply chain, and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution,” Chris concludes. “However, this does not mean that businesses can stand still – far from it, in fact.
“By identifying areas in which pragmatic choices may be made for quick and effective sustainability gains, organisations can reduce the size of the challenge ahead. Opting for greener fuels is an excellent example of this, which is yet another reason why we have made this choice to transition our fuel management services onto HVO.”
To find out more about Aggreko’s new sustainability initiative, Greener Upgrades, click here.