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  • British Cycling joins line-up of speakers at 2019 National Events Conference

    British Cycling joins line-up of speakers at 2019 National Events Conference

    Can Scotland go Dutch? That’s the question British Cycling Policy Manager, Nick Chamberlin, will put to delegates when he speaks at this year’s National Events Conference on 9th September at Gleneagles Hotel.
    Joining a stellar line-up of internationally renowned speakers and presenters, Nick’s presentation, “Let’s change the way we move – Can Scotland go Dutch?” will highlight the unique opportunity available to Scotland in hosting the biggest ever festival of cycle sport: the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. Will this ground-breaking major event create the chance for Scotland to follow in the footsteps of Holland and become a cycling nation?
    Nick said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at this year’s National Events Conference. In 2023 Scotland will once again welcome the world and deliver another ground-breaking major event, the UCI Cycling World Championships, but does the event offer more than just a great spectator experience? I look forward to discussing with delegates the opportunity for Scotland to follow the example of the Dutch and embrace cycling for everyone and to adopt transport polices to allow short car journeys to be replaced with bikes instead.”
    With just under a month to go, Nick is the latest speaker to confirm his attendance at the flagship industry conference for the Scottish events & festivals sector, which will address the theme Embracing Innovation, Delivering Change. Other confirmed keynote speakers include:

    Bruce Dewar, CEO & President Lift Philanthropy Partners
    Dr Beatriz Garcia, Director, Impacts 18 / European Capital of Culture Research Programme
    Helen Marriage MBE, Director, Artichoke
    Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs,
    Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events

    There is also a range of breakout sessions with sector experts covering up-to-the-minute topics relevant to the industry, including:

    Events and Sustainability with Jonathan Smith, GEO Foundation Founder & Executive Director and consultant to The Solheim Cup, Dan Withall, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Property Manager, and Lachlan Kirk, Resource Efficient Scotland Implementation Advisor.
    Visitor & Audience Trends with Chris Greenwood, VisitScotland Senior Tourism Insight Manager, and Cimeon Ellerton, The Audience Agency Chief Product Officer
    Broadcast Innovation with Jason Wessely, Sky Sports Golf Executive Producer, Jack McGill, CEO QTV, and Ali Russell, Formula E Director of Media & New Business
    Data Drive Innovation with Joshua Ryan-Saha, University of Edinburgh’s Data Driven Innovation Lead for Tourism & Festivals, Lyndsey Jackson, Deputy CEO Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Oliver Davis, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Head of Marketing & Development, and James McVeigh, Festivals Edinburgh Head of Marketing and Innovation

    With the conference taking place alongside the 2019 Solheim Cup – the biggest women’s golf event in the world – conference delegates will have the unique opportunity to go on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour and hear from some of the key people delivering this major international event.
    The conference will provide delegates with a first-class opportunity to hear from experts, network with industry peers and share their event experiences, plus enjoy the fabulous surrounds of the Gleneagles resort. As part of the delegate pass, there are free courtesy coaches from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.
    Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “I’m delighted to have Nick join us at this year’s National Events Conference to share his insights into how Scotland can capitalise on the amazing opportunity the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships presents beyond just delivering a world-class event.
    “This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the best yet and to have the opportunity to host it within a major international event is something truly special. With places selling fast, I urge anyone in Scotland’s events and festivals sector who is yet to sign up to do so now. It promises to be a great day filled with lots of helpful information and insight as well as a great opportunity to network with industry peers in the amazing surrounds of Gleneagles Hotel.”
    Delegate places cost £145 + VAT and can be paid online or by invoice. With only a few weeks left before registration closes, remaining places are selling fast so make sure you BOOK NOW to secure your spot and preferred breakout choices. Visit www.nationaleventsconference.scot

  • EXCLUSIVE: “Very exciting times ahead” for Super League Triathlon

    EXCLUSIVE: “Very exciting times ahead” for Super League Triathlon

    Host City: The sports events market is crowded with a busy calendar – what were the challenges in launching Super League Triathlon and what is it that makes Super League Triathlon stand out?
    Michael D’hulst: We have developed a unique product, a game changing reinvention of triathlon, and Super League appeals to the modern-day consumer in that it is very action packed, entertaining, accessible, green and sustainable, so we tick a lot of boxes.
    We are also less disruptive than many other triathlons because of our small footprint.
    All we need to operate an event is an 800-metre loop and that can be done in the middle of a city or even using bike ways because we need so little in the way of road closures.
    We have a proven concept which we have won awards for and we can deliver these amazing entertainment and sporting events while showcasing our host cities. We always integrate with them and ensure we are not disruptive.
    Though we are always mindful of a busy sporting calendar, because of our unique product we don’t consider it too much beyond arranging around the availability of our athletes and broadcast schedules.
     
    Host City: How many visitors and participants do you typically get at Super League Triathlon events – what’s the demographic?
    Michael D’hulst: Our demographic is the typical one of triathlon in terms of ABC1 – but there is one very important difference in that our audience is younger.
    There is already a clear trend that fans of Super League Triathlon are a lot younger than, for example, Ironman. We see that in our social media too and help to drive that through our innovative presentation.
    Our demographic is very valuable to an event host as they have a higher propensity to spend.
    We are also engaging a good percentage of the population of our hosts.
    On Jersey, an island of 100,000 people, we get 20,000 people coming to the events.
    In 2020 we are looking to grow into bigger cities and we see attendance growing exponentially as a result.
     
    Host City: How is the action shared to viewers that aren’t able to attend in person – what are the viewing figures and on which platforms?
    Michael D’hulst: One of the major drawing cards for Super League Triathlon is that we invest a lot in creating free content, live broadcasting, streaming and on our social media platforms.
    The biggest audience is in France but there is significant growth around continental Europe.
    Our social media numbers have also grown exponentially event by event. If we continue the growth trends we have seen so far we expect a reach of 42 million across Facebook and Instagram for our next event.
    In terms of impressions combined across those platforms, we are estimating 65 million plus.
    We work with 104 broadcasters to reach 1.16 billion households and our last event in Singapore had 520 hours of broadcast time. We have seen these numbers grow event by event.
     
    Host City: How else do destinations benefit from hosting Super League Triathlon?
    Michael D’hulst: We focus on several elements.
    Having a direct economic impact is always important to a destination.
    Then the media value we drive and the emphasis we have on leveraging television and social media, distributing behind the scenes and destination content in the build-up to a race, pushing out news features, live streaming, highlights, post-produced documentary etc.
    But, arguably, the intangible factors are even more important. We are speaking about a very interesting demographic, whose lives and priorities are aligned with the host cities we are targeting.
    We have our professional athletes under contract and that means we can utilise them as we create a whole outreach programme that builds into communities and we customise to what the host venue wants.
    For example, they may want to showcase their sustainability efforts to the world and promote healthy living – perhaps like Jersey’s ocean culture – or maybe like Singapore leveraging our expertise to help create a high-performance culture because they have Olympic medal dreams.
    We will also take our athletes into schools, local communities and businesses.
    We customise how we leverage what we bring to the table with our athletes and brand, to make that work for our hosts and also ensure there is a legacy that continues year-round.
    At the event itself, it’s more than just the professional racing as we build out corporate hospitality with direct access to pros, participation events for amateurs of all abilities to encourage people to participate in our wonderful sport and a Fan Zone with an emphasis on being family friendly.
     
    Host City: What are the main criteria you look for in a host destination?
    Michael D’hulst: There needs to be shared values and an alignment with the demographic and the sport. For example, an emphasis on an outdoor and healthy lifestyle, a focus on sustainability, and also innovation.
    Television is a big part of what we do so we look for scenic and iconic spots that people see on television and think ‘wow’, and our venues only require an 800-metre loop.
     
    Host City: I am sure many destinations would jump at the chance to host Super League Triathlon – what’s the process of bidding to host an event?
    Michael D’hulst: We are arranging a calendar typically a minimum of 12 months in advance.
    We are looking at our 2021 calendar at the moment and we have a Championship Series that runs August-November.
    We need to be responsible as well and to look after the athletes and their movements around the world.
    It typically all starts with an expression of interest from a host city and then we have a conversation as to how we make that work. The formal selection decisions for 2021 will be made in summer 2020.
     
    Host City: How would you sum up 2019 for Super League Triathlon so far and what are your expectations of 2020?
    Michael D’hulst: It was always the case that 2019 was going to be a challenging season because of the upcoming Olympics. Triathlon is an Olympic sport and, understandably, a key goal for many of our athletes, and we fully respect that.
    We consulted with them and decided to run two Championship Series events in 2019 but to use this ‘Olympic pause’ to prepare and work closely with our host venues to deliver what will be by far our biggest and best season yet with many more events in 2020.
    We have some very exciting times ahead.
     
    Super League Triathlon CEO Michael D’hulst is speaking at Host City 2019 in Glasgow on 26-27 November

  • Can Bolton and Bury survive no-deal EFL exit shock?

    Can Bolton and Bury survive no-deal EFL exit shock?

    Communities in the North West of England have been taking a bit of a hammering of late. Over a scorching bank holiday weekend, a high magnitude tremor from Cuadrilla’s fracking operations shook the Lancashire city of Preston.
    The English Football League (EFL)’s office in Preston might have been closed at the time, but EFL Executive Chair Debbie Jevans CBE* has been working tirelessly over the bank holiday to deal with a different kind of shock – the possible departure of two clubs from the nearby towns of Bolton and Bury from League One due to crises in their ownership.
    Jevans has granted both Bolton Wanderers and Bury FC an extension of until 5PM on Tuesday to finalise their takeovers. Both teams have had to cancel or postpone matches due to their financial crises.
    While the EFL will not want to lose teams from the league, neither does it want to postpone any more matches. It is hoped that both clubs will manage to complete their sales by close of business today, despite the fact that Bolton’s negotiations with Football Ventures collapsed over the weekend.
    Meanwhile, a potential buyer for Bury has emerged in the shape of C&N Sporting Risk.
    Jevans told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday Morning that the company has “demonstrated to us enough source of funding.
    “There was enough credible information before the board to allow this extension till Tuesday, but in doing that, no more games have to be postponed.”
    Responding to C&N Sporting Risk’s reported disappointment that the extension was not longer as its legal adviser was unavailable until Wednesday, Jevans suggested he could “give advice on the phone and by email.”
    “There is enough time, if all parties want to do a deal by then,” she said.  “We’ve got many examples where clubs have changed hands in a very short period of time and we see no reason why this can’t happen by Tuesday.
    In a country where power and opportunities continue to be drawn towards major cities, towns like Bolton and Bury need focal points like football clubs.
    Lisa Nandy is MP of nearby Wigan and co-founder of Centre for Towns. “Sport is basically the glue that holds the community together,” she told Politico. “If you go to any part of the borough you’ll find grassroots community sports clubs. You’ve got every single generation there — grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles, kids, the works… It’s a big source of pride. It’s part of our history, part of our culture, part of our identity.”
    Bolton, Bury, Wigan and Preston all voted for Brexit. Perhaps for towns like these to have the future they deserve, they need more leaders like Debbie Jevans who are prepared to forsake their holidays, address audiences and help to conclude negotiations successfully – before the tremors get any worse.
    *Debbie Jevans CBE is speaking at Host City 2019 in Glasgow on 26-27 November. 

  • Aggreko to power Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan

    Aggreko to power Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan

    [Source: Aggreko, March 2019] Aggreko is proud to announce it will be providing critical power and distribution for the ninth Rugby World Cup, which takes place from 20 September to 2 November, in Japan. This will be the first time the tournament is to be held in Asia, providing a great showcase for the sport in the region and across the world.
    The global leader in mobile, modular power, heating, cooling and energy services will supply the power to 12 venues spread across Japan, as well as the International Broadcast Centre that is responsible for providing the television coverage to millions of fans across the world.
    Aggreko is tasked with all critical power systems and distribution for all broadcast activities, and Field of Play Backup Systems too. Venues are spread around the country, providing a logistical challenge, so Aggreko will ensure around 80 engineers will be on site to support the operations and logistics. 
    World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to welcome Aggreko as a supplier for Rugby World Cup 2019. The appointment of company with a proven track record in major events delivery to the tournament commercial family will further broaden the reach and profile of what is shaping-up to be the most popular Rugby World Cup ever with record ticket demand and the biggest-ever broadcast and digital media footprint.”
    “Aggreko are proud to be chosen to provide our critical services to such a global and prestigious event as Rugby World Cup 2019. We have ample experience handling the worlds’ biggest events, and the 2019 Rugby World Cup certainly falls under that category.” said Robert Wells, Managing Director, Aggreko Events Services.
    Aggreko have been involved in some of the biggest events in the world, providing their services to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Ryder Cup in Parisamong many.
    Rugby World Cup 2019 is on track to be the event to attend in 2019 with unprecedented ticketing demand during the priority and public phases to date. Fans interested in attending Asia’s first Rugby World Cup can find out more via the official website at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets, where tickets are currently on sale. The site also contains details of the official supporter tour and hospitality programmes.

  • Organising Committee leaders and IOC Members join Host City 2019’s stellar line up

    Organising Committee leaders and IOC Members join Host City 2019’s stellar line up

    More organisers and owners of the greatest events in the world are joining the world class speaker line up of Host City 2019, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events.
    They tackle a hard-hitting agenda with topics including sustainability, disruption, gender equality, creating impact, procurement, readiness, fan engagement, titanic disasters and herculean achievements.
    New speaker confirmations include IOC Members:
    Marisol Casado, President, International Triathlon Union (ITU) and IOC Member
    Sir Craig Reedie GBE, President, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and IOC Member
    organising/bid committee leaders:
    Claude Atcher, CEO, Rugby World Cup France 2023
    Markus Stenger, Managing Director, DFB EURO 2024
    Roberto Daneo, Coordinator of Milan-Cortina 2026 Candidature File and Games Operations Expert
    rights holders of sports, esports, business and cultural events:  
    Debbie Jevans CBE, Executive Chair, English Football League
    Russell Samuel, VP, Marketing and Creative, Viacom Velocity
    Alban Dechelotte, Head of Sponsorships and Business Development EU Esports, Riot Games
    Kate Sadleir, General Manager, Women’s Rugby, World Rugby
    Michael D’hulst, co-founder and CEO, Super League Triathlon
    Signe Lopdrup, CEO, Roskilde Festival Group (or representative)
    in addition to world leading experts and service providers:
    David de Behr, Head of Sales, Aggreko Event Services
    Ken Scott, Head of Inspectorate, Sports Ground Safety Authority
    Jonathan Gray, Senior Partner, Global Head of Sport and Major Events, Control Risks
    David Tunnicliffe, Commercial Director, GL events UK
    They join a line-up of great speakers already announced including leaders of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Expo 2020 Dubai, several International Federations and event hosts, with more organising committees to be announced.
    Host City is delivered with support from EventScotland, its primary Supporting Partner.
    Exhibition stands and delegate passes are selling fast, so register today!
    To sponsor or exhibit contact adam.soroka@hostcity.com
    For speaking and other enquiries contact ben.avison@hostcity.com
     
    About Host City
    Host City Expo & Conference brings together cities and sports, business and cultural events for two full days of unrivalled insight, networking, workshops and business on 26-27 November at the Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
    This is where representatives of host destinations, federations and other rights holders, organisers, event suppliers and services from all over the world meet to discover opportunities and discuss the challenges of major event hosting. Participants are encouraged to use Host City as a platform to develop, workshop and announce new events, partnerships and formats.
    This year’s Strategic Partners include the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH), the Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES), the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) and European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA).
    Host City is delivered with support from EventScotland, its primary Supporting Partner.
    www.hostcity.com

  • Plastic tactics: how to keep infill out of the environment

    Plastic tactics: how to keep infill out of the environment

    As awareness of plastic pollution grows, it is more important than ever to handle machines that install, maintain and care for synthetic turf correctly to avoid discharge of filling granules into the environment.
     
    Installation
    Exact and precise installation is crucial, using machines with orbital oscillating brush systems that erect the artificial turf fibre while incorporating filling material, which can be dosed via outlet systems in the required kg/m2.
    This procedure ensures the infill material is filled to an even level, to support and stabilise artificial turf fibre while preventing any incorrectly applied filling material being discharged by environmental influences or during play.
    When installed correctly, there is no need to refill the system later, with the risk of overfilling that brings.
     
    Regular Maintenance
    SMG recommends a weekly and demand-based removal of coarse dirt, such as stones and leaves. This should be done using a rotary brush with an adjustable vibrating screen to receive overlying coarse dirt and the top layer of the filling material. Simultaneously, dirt and filling material should be separated, followed by metered return of the filling material on the artificial turf.
    A constant amount of infill material in the sieve is a decisive factor for returning it to areas that have become depleted by game activity.
    Regularly following our guidelines and the corresponding driving tactics ensures artificial turf fibre is supported at a uniform height by filling material, lengthens the service life of the artificial turf system and prevents discharge of filling granules into the environment.
     
    Advanced Maintenance: Decompaction
    Filling material should be loosened and levelled monthly using tow-behind devices with flexible and adjustable prongs to stabilise artificial turf fibres, keep them upright and prevent infill from being discharged into the environment. This also prevents compaction and drastically reduces or eliminates the amount of material for refilling.
    SMG guarantees a care process that ensures eroded polymer filling granules can be extracted and properly disposed of. Annual deep cleaning is carried out by with a rotary brush with a sieve function to clean even deeper layers of the filling material.
    The collected litter material is spread evenly after being separated from fine dust, microparticles, worn fibres and other contaminants using a filter element with a separation efficiency of more than 98 per cent at 4 micrometres.
     
    Repatriation
    Filling material can reach the side of the pitch through play operation, incorrect care or adverse weather. To prevent it from being carried into the environment, the filling material must be returned to the pitch using rotary brushes with a sieve function.
    A constant amount of infill material in the sieve insert is the deciding factor in returning infill material into the areas “unfilled” by the game activity. The sieve insert acts as a material reservoir during this care process. Alternatively, sweeping brushes can be used, but only if they are adjustable in their working width.
     
    For more information on our guidelines please contact SMG – we are looking forward to assisting you with details
    https://www.smg-gmbh.de/en/

  • Olympians to deliver key insights at athlete-focused International Federation (IF) Forum 2019

    [Source: SportAccord] Olympians Danka Barteková and Virginie Faivre will bring the vital perspectives of athletes to the International Federation (IF) Forum 2019 after being announced as speakers at the annual three-day gathering in Lausanne.
    The pair will offer valuable insights into the lives of elite athletes under the IF Forum 2019’s umbrella theme of ‘Athlete Centred Sport’ at the event, which will take place from 28-30 October 2019 and is organised by SportAccord for GAISF members and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
    Slovak skeet shooter Barteková is the IOC Athletes’ Commission Vice Chair, while Swiss freestyle skier Faivre is the President of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee.
    Faivre, a three-time FIS (International Ski Federation) world champion in halfpipe, will give the Keynote Address on the opening day of the IF Forum 2019 on Monday, 28 October. The opening day’s Welcome Session will also include input from IOC President Thomas Bach and Philippe Leuba, State Councillor, Department of Economy & Sport, Canton of Vaud. Raffaele Chiulli, President, SportAccord and GAISF, will deliver the Opening Address.
    Barteková, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has recorded some impressive results in 2019, will take part in a Fireside Chat entitled ‘The Athlete’s Perspective’ on Tuesday, 29 October.
    With ‘Athlete Centred Sport’ as the event’s focus, safeguarding athletes, athlete welfare, future financial wellbeing, protecting clean athletes and strengthening athletes’ voices will be among the topics under discussion during the Sessions, Workshops, Keynotes, Scene Setters and Fireside Chats.
    Faivre said: “It is so important to involve athletes in strategic discussions and I applaud all IFs and administrators who are getting athletes involved and including their feedback in the heart of their long-term strategies.”
    “I look forward to discussing my experiences as an athlete, providing insights from my days of competitions and particularly highlighting areas which are crucial to athletes, from scheduling, communications and facilities as well as life after competition. In addition, I will also reflect on how we at Lausanne 2020 are looking to put the athlete at the centre of our plans for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020.”
    Barteková said: “Good organisation that is focused on athlete welfare makes for better sport and a more entertaining and enticing proposition for fans and other partners.”
    The IF Forum 2019 will bring together more than 200 leaders from over 100 International Sports Federations at the Hotel Royal Savoy in Lausanne.
    The gathering is limited to a small number of Partners, giving them exclusive access to an authoritative networking environment and recognition as a supporter of the Sports Movement. Presentation slots have been scheduled as part of exclusive rights and benefits available to Partners of the invitation-only event, with numerous other opportunities to engage directly with sport’s decision-makers, including VIP functions and social activities.
    With attendance strictly limited to the International Sports Federations and the event’s Partners, delegates will discuss best practice in an intimate and inspirational environment, strengthening links within the global sports family as they gain a greater understanding of their role in supporting athletes and how they can benefit from ‘Athlete Centred Sport’.
    To discuss partnership opportunities and take advantage of exclusive access to the IF Forum, contact the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 21 612 3070.
    For further information about the IF Forum, please download the brochure here or visit: https://www.sportaccord.sport/if-forum.

  • Aarhus confirmed as Host City for The Ocean Race 2021-22

    Aarhus confirmed as Host City for The Ocean Race 2021-22

    [Source: Sport Event Denmark] The Ocean Race will come to Aarhus, Denmark during the spring of 2022, following a popular ‘Fly-By’ of the city during the final leg of the 2017-18 edition of the Race.
    The success of the Fly-By, where the fleet raced into the inner harbour of Aarhus port and around a turning mark in front of tens of thousands of fans, cemented the popularity of The Ocean Race in Denmark and made Aarhus a natural choice as the first ever Danish Host City for the next race.
    Watch the video here
    Richard Brisius and Johan Salén, co-owners of The Ocean Race, see long-term opportunities for all stakeholders with the selection of Aarhus as a Host City.
    “The Ocean Race has long had significant ties to Denmark, with sailors, race and team partners and sponsors and of course, the successful Fly-By in the last race,” said Richard Brisius. “We now have an opportunity to strengthen those bonds even further going forward. The passion of the people of Aarhus, combined with the city’s experience of organising international events, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best sailors in the world.
    “Aarhus is a modern, innovative city, with strong historical ties to the ocean and to sailing – as we saw when this same facility hosted the Sailing World Championships last year. Through the talent of great young sailors like Nicolai Sehested and Jena Mai Hansen, who competed in the last edition of the Race, plus veterans such as Jens Dolmer and Stig Westergaard, Denmark has long played an important role in the Race.”
    “As the partnership with The Ocean Race demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt, Aarhus has achieved an absolutely unique position as a world-class arena for international sailing events,” said Jacob Bundsgaard, the Mayor of Aarhus. “When The Ocean Race docks in Aarhus in 2022, we can look forward to an epic sporting event for maritime Denmark and a fantastic celebration on the waterfront in Aarhus for everyone.”
    The Mayor of Sports, Culture and Citizens’ Services, Rabih Azad-Ahmad, said: “It is absolutely amazing that The Ocean Race is coming to Aarhus. It is an event that is followed worldwide and is a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful city and bay. I am sure that The Ocean Race in Aarhus will set the stage for a huge maritime celebration with exciting experiences for the city’s citizens and guests. We will use the opportunity to focus on sustainability and increase awareness of this important matter.”
    Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark, the national sporting event organisation that partners with major events across Denmark, added: “Aarhus has marked itself as Denmark’s leading Host City for major international sailing events. Last summer, the very successful World Sailing Championships for all Olympic classes were held here, and now we look forward to The Ocean Race in 2021-22, where we will continue to focus on sustainability.”
    For The Ocean Race, sustainability has long been a core value and has become an even bigger focus for the event looking forward. In 2017-18, the Race helped to spark a global movement against plastic waste, and a comprehensive sustainability initiative aims to educate and inspire millions around the world to make positive changes.
    “In the last edition of the Race, our groundbreaking and award-winning Sustainability Programme set new standards for how a sporting event can engage its fans and stakeholders in attacking the problem of plastic pollution and restoring ocean health,” said The Ocean Race’s Johan Salén.
    “I believe that by working in partnership with our Host Cities like Aarhus, as well as all of our stakeholders, we will be able to raise the bar even higher to ensure that our sport retains a leadership role in this critical area.”
    Aarhus joins the Start Port of Alicante, Spain as confirmed Host Cities of The Ocean Race 2021-22, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.

  • IOC President singles out ITU President for good governance

    IOC President singles out ITU President for good governance

    At the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland on 29th August, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach showed his admiration for the modern, values-based direction of ITU under the leadership of Marisol Casado.
    “ITU is maybe the International Federation that has most embraced the Olympic Agenda 2020,” said Thomas Bach in his address to the Congress.
    “The IOC is proud of the close cooperation it has with the ITU in respect of good governance as well as gender equality, which is in the interests of every organisation. So, I thank Marisol Casado for all she is doing with ITU.”
    The ITU President thanked Bach for his commitment and guidance, and for his admiration for the sport of triathlon and its athletes.
    “The athletes are at the heart of every decision we make as an organisation and their commitment to the sport is incredible, so I am very proud of the support Thomas Bach has shown to ITU,” she said.
    The 2019 ITU Congress brought together 73 member Federations and other stakeholders including the IOC.
    Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at the IOC gave a presentation on sustainability in sport, while IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell also followed Thomas Bach onto the stage to reflect on the success of the Tokyo Test Event and look ahead to next year’s Olympic Games.
    Other activities at the Congress included the announcement of the new World Cup and Paratriathlon calendars for 2020, in-depth reports from the 2019 Tokyo Test Events, a new mentorship programme and the approval of American Samoa as the 172nd member of the International Triathlon Union.
    Brook Sport Consulting – led by Norman Brook, who has worked with Olympic coaches and received an MBE for his services to social development through sport – was chosen at the Congress to deliver the ITU mentorship programme across all areas of the sport, from coaches to Technical Officials, including a specific focus on women in the sport.
    The organising committee of the Edmonton 2020 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final also gave a preview of their plans for next year, before the ITU Grand Final took place in Lausanne on 30 August – 1 September 2019.
    Marisol Casado is speaking at Host City 2019, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, on 26-27 November in Glasgow.
     

  • Yutang Sports and Host City 2019 join hands

    Yutang Sports and Host City 2019 join hands

    [Source: Yutang Sports] The Chinese sports marketing online media Yutang Sports and Host City, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, have signed a media partnership for the 2019 Host City event to be held in Glasgow, Scotland on Nov. 26-27.
    The partnership is the latest development after two years of friendly collaboration between the two parties on the Chinese market. Under the partnership, Yutang Sports will help promote the Host City 2019 to its Chinese and global audiences. Chinese citizens or companies who register for Host City 2019 through Yutang Sports may also get a discount.
    Host City focuses on sharing knowledge, insights and best-practice around the organization of sports, business and cultural events globally. It welcomes leaders of International Federations, organising committees, businesses and government authorities to share opportunities and socialize with each other.
    This year’s event features high-profile speakers from IOC, International Triathlon Union, Rugby World Cup France 2023, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Expo 2020 Dubai, UEFA EURO Germany 2024, English Football League, Riot Games, Aggreko Event Services, just to name a few.
     
    About Yutang Sports
    Yutang Sports delivers editorial and interviews on sports marketing and general sports business news. It is a leading vertical sports business media in China published in both Chinese and English, with influence in both China and around the world. In the meanwhile, Yutang Sports also provide sponsorship sales services to sports rights holders and brands. http://en.ytsports.cn/
     
    About Host City
    Host City Expo & Conference brings together cities and sports, business and cultural events for two full days of unrivalled insight, networking, workshops and business on 26-27 November at the Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
    This is where representatives of host destinations, federations and other rights holders, organisers, event suppliers and services from all over the world meet to discover opportunities and discuss the challenges of major event hosting. Participants are encouraged to use Host City as a platform to develop, workshop and announce new events, partnerships and formats.
    www.hostcity.com