[Source: Global Sports Week] The French Development Agency has become the first non-commercial Olympic Games partner with rights to the Olympic Rings. The unprecedented announcement was made at the opening of the first Global Sports Week Paris at the Carrousel du Louvre. The partnership will provide for a concrete financing programme to support projects aimed at fostering development through sport around the world.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, said: “Sport can change everything. And we want this ambition to go beyond the French borders through this new strong cooperation between Paris 2024 and the French Development Agency.”
Remi Rioux, Executive Director of AFD, also commented: “This partnership is unique. We have never connected the power of sport and the power of development projects funding. The Olympic and Paralympic Movements are a universal initiative and it is only natural to unite them with the international development programmes.”
Flash quotes from the Global Sports Week Arena Stage
In the Opening Session, Tony Estanguet, Roxana Maracineanu, Andrew Parsons, and Nadia Nadim were challenged by four young international leaders about the role of sport around key social issues.
Andrew Parsons, International Paralympic Committee President, said: “The first thing the international sport movement has to do is stop sweeping issues like doping or abuse under the carpet. We need to face them, otherwise young people don’t buy it, they don’t have trust to engage with us.”
He added: “Yes, international sport has joined the party too late on climate change. But the strength we have is the athletes. It’s important they understand their power to drive change with the right messages.”
Roxana Maracineanu, French Minister of Sports, said: “Athlete welfare has been at the heart of my mandate as a Minister from the very start. This is one of the key reasons why the Sports Ministry wants to take place in the debates happening here this week.”
“There is never one day, in my conversations with other government ministers, when I don’t see a way for sport to help provide solutions for other policy issues, such as health, environment or education.”
Nadia Nadim, professional football player, PSG, and Champion for girls’ and women’s education, UNESCO, said: “Access is the biggest barrier for young people to get in sport. It’s easy for young people to be on their digital platforms at home, but to play sports they have to drive an extra mile.”
Guillaume de Monplanet, SVP, General Manager, adidas France, said: “adidas saw the sport evolve and we evolved and changed with it. We noticed that our business impacted a lot of people around the world. Our core belief is that through sport WE can change lives (not only see sport change lives). This is a real mind shift.”
He added: “Textile industry is one of the 5 worst industries in terms of the environmental impact. We have a big responsibility. By 2024 we will be at 0 virgin plastic in our products. Today we are at 50%, it is a long way to go, but we are moving in this direction.”
Danone announced on stage at Global Sports Week that the company-run sport event Danone Nations Cup will be the first international competition to join Common Goal, an organisation putting the good at the heart of sport. 1% of the Danone Nations Cup revenues will be given to Common Goal.
Mathias Vicherat, SVP, General Secretary, Danone, said: “Kids represent 30% of the population and 100% of the future. For 20 years we at Danone have been organising a competition for kids to play soccer in 30 countries. By joining the Common Goal, we will be able to further promote the Sustainable Development Goals such as diversity and gender equality around the world.”
Tag: Business Events
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Paris 2024 announces first-of-its-kind partnership at Global Sports Week Paris
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Climate conversation set to dominate first Global Sports Week Paris
[Source: Global Sports Week] The role of sport in the climate emergency is set to dominate discussions at the first Global Sports Week Paris taking place tomorrow and Friday at the Carrousel du Louvre.
The new annual gathering of the world sports economy is organised under the patronage of UNESCO and the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The event will bring together 1,500 delegates and more than 100 international media around an agenda focussed on the future of sport at the intersection of business and society.
On the programme are issues ranging from sport’s role in driving gender equality to the impact of digital transformation on the industry’s core business model. Sports tech and social business also feature strongly.
But climate considerations dominate the agenda for the first edition, with keynote contributions expected on the subject from F1 Executive Chairman and CEO Chase Carey, Ocean Race Director Richard Brisius and incoming Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton, alongside athlete activists including big-wave surfing star Justine Dupont.
Major sponsor brands including Dow, adidas and EDF are also expected to share their vision of a sustainable future, alongside media executives including Yannick Bollore, Chairman of the Havas Group and the Vivendi Supervisory Board.
On Friday, Global Sports Week will be the stage for key carbon policy announcements from the All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon) and the French Football Federation in partnership with the French ministry of sport.
French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu will host a meeting of her international counterparts on the sidelines of the summit.
The agenda for Global Sports Week Paris has been significantly shaped by a group of 50 under-25s, drawn from 22 countries, and billed as representatives of a new global generation.
Global Sports Week Chairman Lucien Boyer explained: “We believe it is crucial to understand the interests and expectations of the emerging consumer generation if sport is to continue to grow its influence and impact in the world.
“On climate, we hear very clearly the young generation’s clamour for change. Sport itself faces tangible impacts, but it also has a great potential to contribute to solutions.
“We hope Global Sports Week can be a place to put some new ideas into action.”
Global Sports Week organisers confirmed details of the event’s own sustainability practices, which include no single-use plastics; zero waste; and the use of 100% recycled materials in the site build and overlay.
Host City’s Editorial Director Ben Avison is attending and reporting on Global Sports Week – contact ben.avison@hostcity.com to arrange a meeting there -
Lausanne, the Olympic Capital to Host SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2020
[Source: SportAccord] Returning to the Canton of Vaud and the Home of International Sport, SportAccord will take place from 19-24 April 2020 at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre.
Now in its 18th edition, SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli remarked: “We are delighted that Lausanne will be hosting SportAccord once again, as a major event in the international sporting calendar, Lausanne provides a favourable location for sport and business leaders to meet, given its strong commitment to sport and industry.
When SportAccord was last in the Olympic Capital and Home of International Sport in 2016, visitors and delegates were welcomed with open arms and we are already feeling this again. We truly look forward to delivering another successful SportAccord in this dynamic city and within this short period of time.”
On becoming Host City to the next SportAccord, Mayor of Lausanne, Grégoire Junod commented: “As the Olympic Capital, Lausanne is proud to be hosting the 2020 SportAccord and looks forward to supporting the organisers in making this major event successful. Once again, it is with great pleasure that we open our doors to the international sports family.”
With State Councillor, Department of Economy, Innovation & Sport, Philippe Leuba commenting that: “After the Lausanne2020 Youth Olympic Games and before the World Hockey, Petanque and Road Cycling Championships, the Canton of Vaud is pleased to welcome, still in 2020, the largest sports convention in the world.”
Attending SportAccord enables delegates to network with sporting leaders at the highest levels, access an extensive conference programme, and experience the many opportunities on offer in one location, at the world’s leading global sports business event.
The conference programme will feature five streams – CityAccord, HealthAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord, and the SportAccord Summit – with numerous influential speakers already lined up to offer unmissable insights into a variety of vital areas in sport.
Partners, exhibitors and delegates who have registered to attend the event in Beijing will be contacted shortly with registration re-opening for SportAccord 2020 in Lausanne as of Monday, 24 February. For general enquiries, please email info@sportaccord.sport. -
ACC Liverpool becomes ABPCO preferred partner to increase engagement with PCO members
[Source: ABPCO] Upgrading to an ABPCO Preferred Partner has placed ACC Liverpool among some of the top conference and meetings venues in the country.
ABPCO’s Association Director, Heather Lishman commented on their new partnership: “We at ABPCO are delighted to have upgraded ACC Liverpool to a Preferred Partner. ABPCO are truly looking forward to working more closely with ACC Liverpool and its team, to share knowledge and excellence within the association conference and events industry.”
ACC Liverpool Account Manager, Heather Bonner comments on their decision to upgrade: “We are proud to have been members of ABPCO for many years and are pleased that we have the team’s continued support by becoming a preferred partner. The association provides a great platform for networking, sharing knowledge and the opportunity to collaborate with fellow industry members with the combined objective of hosting world class events in the UK. We at ACC Liverpool look forward to continuing to explore the opportunities that being a member of ABPCO and working closely with PCOs brings us as we continue to deliver major conferences.”
Heather Lishman concludes: “The upgrading of ACC Liverpool truly highlights our commitment to collaborating with outstanding and high-profile industry leaders. I look forward to seeing this partnership bear fruit for all involved, particularly as they benefit from our focus on excellence, learning and belonging.” -
Global campaign to support events through coronavirus outbreak
[Source: UFI] Paris based UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and Atlanta based SISO, The Society of Independent Show Organizers, today launch a new campaign, called “This Show Is Open”
– “This Show is open” / “This Expo is open” campaign made available to exhibition organisers around the world
– Campaign highlights the critical role exhibitions and events play in times of crisis
– Both associations pledge to make campaign available to meeting industry associations serving other types of events
It supports exhibition and event organisers around the world as they put the industry’s full experience to the task of keeping events going wherever possible, in line with the guidance of health authorities and the interests of their customers.
The campaign launches as the global outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus is challenging societies around the world. As health systems and governments deal with the outbreak, exhibitions and events around the world are being postponed or cancelled where deemed necessary.
At the same time, exhibitions and events are one of the core elements to both keep industries and economies going – they are both among the most responsive and resilient economical tools.
“Exhibitions and events are essential to millions of businesses around the world. They exist to provide platforms for people and industries to meet, to trade, and to collaborate. Small and medium businesses in all industries in particular depend on exhibitions. And, like all types of events, they support the economy worldwide“, says Mary Larkin, UFI President.
“Exhibitions and events are especially important in times of disruption. We stand to fulfil our obligation to maintain opportunities for people to meet wherever possible. As part of the exhibitions industry, we are committed to keep our exhibitions and events going around the world wherever we can do so“, says Greg Topalian, SISO Chair.
The “This Show is Open” campaign consists of material that UFI and SISO are making available to their respective memberships – covering all the global leading companies in exhibition management as well as regional and national heavyweights. They can add the visuals and text material to their ongoing communications around upcoming exhibitions – highlighting the fact that, while numerous exhibitions around the world are being postponed or cancelled due to COVID19, many shows are taking place successfully around the world.
“We have one simple message here”, say Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO and David Audrain, SISO ED. “As an industry, we strive to make it possible for every company to come to the show floor, to seek to meet with industry peers, to drive the exchange about how and to what degree their respective industries are impacted by COVID-19, and to secure the successful future for their business.“
Industry leaders are welcoming the campaign:
“I have been a strong supporter of this campaign ever since I heard of it. At Tarsus Group, we will use the material provided to help get the word out loud and clear that our industry is open and resilient”, says Douglas Emslie, CEO of London based global organizer Tarsus Group.
Both UFI and SISO are as well inviting other associations serving the wider meetings industry to join the campaign, to help to grow awareness.
“As the current president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, I will invite all the member associations of this global framework to join this campaign. We will also be happy to offer other networks like the ‘Events Industry Council’ to share the campaign – this issue is one that calls for the whole meetings industry to come together and collaborate”, says Kai Hattendorf.
The campaign materials are available for download here: www.supportingevents.org -
How isolation can make us even better connected
As sponsorship professionals, we put relationships, be they brand-to-brand or with our audiences, at the heart of everything we do. Central to these relationships is humanity: knowing what people need, why they need it and how to fulfil that need in a genuine way.
With mass sport and entertainment event cancellations and businesses across Europe moving to work from home, now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected and do what human beings do best: adapt.
Over the last week, we’ve seen wholesale changes from automotive manufacturers working with the government to repurpose factories and tool up to produce ventilators to LVMH’s perfume arm using their skills to make hand sanitisers.
We’ve seen sports brands changing to fit the new needs of their customers, as Peloton and the Nike Training Club extend free trials and add at-home workouts to their apps or Borussia Dortmund livestreamed ‘digital fan viewing party’ allowing them and their partners to keep in touch with fans.
We’ve also seen media tastemakers like The Drum, shifting with impressive agility, as their usual SXSW commentary from the Soho-based Drum Arms shifted to a web-based festival on the apposite topic of digital transformation. In true Drum style, they also managed to recreate their intimate, almost conspiratorial, heard-it-here-first vibe, despite only being connected to their audience through a screen: https://www.thedrum.com/digital-transformation-festival
In times like these, in work as in life, relationships come first, so influencers not brands are the likely first port of call for consumers (also known as people, including me) to seek advice, find solace and relatability, so to survive we, as organisations, more than ever need to humanise the way we communicate.
My particular interest this week has been how small, medium and even large multinational organisations are changing the way they communicate with one another, starting with LinkedIn. There’s a big shift from me to we, which, to my mind, is good news exactly when we need it!
My bet is that those who cooperate with, support and talk to one another will thrive. Now is a time for community building and collaboration, not putting your arm round your homework or selling on toilet rolls to the elderly at a mind-blowing mark up (shame on you!)
Below are some examples I enjoyed over the course of last week.
1. Make confident moves, your way. Independent Record label Defected Records, known for bringing people together through music in their own unique way, stayed true to form and didn’t wait for government mandates. They regrouped, worked out what was best for their long-term business, culture and staff and took positive action postponing all events and sending their team to work from home. Not only did they take this bold move, they proudly announced their decision and reasons to shut up shop in a public statement: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jameskirkham_defected-have-called-it-early-were-taking-activity-6644201765761888256-pM4x
They even showed their team set up and ready for business as usual in their new settings (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jameskirkham_the-defected-records-insta-stories-right-activity-6644321106369097728-6yQe) before launching their Defected Virtual Festival: https://www.nme.com/news/music/defected-records-announces-virtual-music-festival-in-wake-of-coronavirus-outbreak-2627828
2. Support and inspire through new communities. Start-up skincare brand By Sarah whose purpose is “to empower conscious living” were straight out of the starting blocks sharing a link to a WhatsApp community that anyone could join that would provide constant company, tips for your new home-based lifestyle and stability at this time of change: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lauren-murrell_covid19-community-helpeachother-activity-6645285039691182080-9UEY
3. Embrace the blank slate. With no live football taking place, League Two football club Leyton Orient FC seized the chance to be on a level playing field with the largest clubs in the land and kicked off a global call to join an inter-club, inter-league FIFA tournament: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/josh-stephens-b940855a_leyton-orient-on-twitter-activity-6645294744324845568-qHMm
With well over 100 teams signing up, 3.9k retweets and 17.7k likes on Twitter (when they regularly get only one or two) they even used the popularity to call for new partners on LinkedIn and in the last week have announced both a renewal and a new deal! Go the Os.
4. Put a human face on it. Energy giant BP isn’t known for being the most accessible organisation and takes its share of flak (not always fairly), but their new CEO (who is also active on Instagram @bernardlooney_bp) has put his head above the parapet and not only to highlight the good deeds BP is doing.
He’s been discussing the current situation in the first-person, showing his personal set up, casual work gear and even used an emoji! A shout-out to both the BP workers who can’t decamp home and the wider everyday heroes in society – doctors, nurses, police, teachers shows a human quality and awareness that we should all keep front of mind: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bernardlooneybp_last-week-i-explained-that-everyone-at-bp-activity-6645634611365982209-KgQc
5. Help us understand. A personal favourite when it comes to comms thought leadership for their Trust Barometer, Earned Brands report and crystal ball amongst others, is always global PR leader Edelman. Finger on the pulse, they started releasing easily digestible blogs week ago to handle crisis comms, specifically relating to the COVID-19 situation.
However, they surpassed themselves in my eyes two days ago when they released their 10-country Trust Barometer Special Report, acknowledging that the annual thought leadership piece they release at the start of each calendar year and dine out on for the next twelve months may no longer be accurate in these unprecedented times, yet now more than ever we need to know how to build trust among uncertainty:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edelman_edelman-trust-barometer-special-report-on-activity-6646049798766108672-S04z
As the global situation continues to evolve, it’ll be interesting to see how they stay on top of the crisis, but I’ve no doubt that with their insight and experience they’ll help us all to make better informed choices as it unfolds.
Needless to say, WeAreFearless are doing everything we can to ensure business as (or better than) usual, as well as cultural and commercial continuity, all of which can be followed here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearefearless/. If you have other examples, share them in the comments section, or with katie@wearefearless.com
European Sponsorship Association is a Strategic Partner of Host City -
AIPH announces a Virtual International Horticultural Expo Conference on 30 September
[Source: AIPH] The AIPH Virtual Expo Conference on 30 September presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with an International Horticultural Expo and to network with expo organisers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations and suppliers to major events.
Billions are spent on developing these international spectacles that can have the ability to stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each exhibition attracts many international participants and millions of visitors, lasts up to six months, with sites ranging from 25 to 500 hectares in size. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.
The period from 2021 until 2027 already includes AIPH approved expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea and Japan with more to be approved in upcoming meetings.
These Expos will be submitting their progress reports on the 30 September. Rather than a physical international conference, AIPH is using a unique 3D system to host a virtual online meeting of delegates from around the world.
We are very grateful to PERA Event for their Headline Sponsorship of the conference. The company is also an AIPH preferred partner specialising in event management for International Horticultural Expos.
The registration price is just 55 GBP. Participants receive a link to create an avatar to enter this virtual environment. In this interactive form, they will be able to talk to other delegates starting from 8am (Central European Summer Time), and all from the safety of their device.
AIPH extends its thanks to AGES (Association of Global Event Suppliers), the UK’s Department for International Trade, ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), IAEH (International Association of Event Hosts), ULI (Urban Land Institute) and media partners HOST CITY and FloraCulture International magazine.
AIPH Secretary General, Mr Tim Briercliffe, comments, “We are delighted to welcome our Expo organisers and all delegates to the AIPH Expo Conference. AIPH approved expos are beautiful events, which are enjoyed by millions of visitors wherever they are staged. Cities around the world are looking more than ever to further develop their green credentials and urban spaces, as well as driving the appreciation and benefits of plants and flowers in the built environment. In addition to seeing the interesting progress of our approved Expos, attendees will be able to network with delegates and learn more about how staging an International Horticultural Expos can bring great benefits to the host city, not just during the Expo itself, but for years to come.”
For more information on this event, visit the International Virtual Expo page. -
SportAccord opens Host City Application Process for World Sport & Business Summit and Regional SportAccord
[Source: SportAccord] Cities interested in hosting the global sports industry’s most influential annual gathering in 2022 or subsequent editions have been invited to submit a Bid City Application Form for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
The inaugural edition of Regional SportAccord Pan America took place in December last year in Fort Lauderdale, USA, and those interested in hosting future editions in any year through to 2023 can complete a Bid City Application Form. Applications will be considered to host a dedicated Regional SportAccord for Europe, Asia, Africa or Oceania, as well as Pan America.
Each Bid City Application Form should be submitted along with a formal Letter of Commitment that has been signed on behalf of the prospective host city.
Information about who attends both events, as well as hotel accommodation requirements, short- and long-term hosting benefits, the financial commitments and hosting terms, and the bidding and selection processes can be found by accessing the City Application Information Packages for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit here and Regional SportAccord here.
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit, first held in 2003, is the only global sports business gathering attended by all international sport federations and their affiliated umbrella organisations, as well as organising committees, hosting cities and regions, governments and administrations, rights-holders, agencies and athletes, plus experts and organisations from the sports media, technology, investment, medical and legal sectors.
With more than 1,500 key decision-makers representing at least 1,000 different organisations and over 150 cities and regions in attendance, the six-day event in March, April or May each year features high-level meetings, a conference programme split into multiple sector-specific ‘streams’, a bustling exhibition and numerous social events for delegates.
Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord, says: “We have already received numerous expressions of interest regarding future editions of both of these industry-leading events from prospective host cities from across the globe. We are focusing on the future with great optimism, with the highly anticipated World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg serving as a significant signpost, and we look forward to receiving formal applications in the coming weeks and months for events that will support a bright new chapter for the international sports movement.”
Regional SportAccord was launched in order to bring together international sport federations and organisations involved in the business of sport for a specific region, with the 2019 Regional SportAccord Pan America event attended by international sport federations, cities and ministries, rights-holders and industry experts. Designed to welcome more than 500 delegates from over 50 countries representing at least 200 different organisations, Regional SportAccord, held over three days, also showcases a two-day conference programme and an extensive sports industry exhibition.
Every Bid City Application will be presented to the SportAccord Executive Committee for review, and each city will receive feedback in due course.
Click here to check out the City Application Information Package and here to access the Bid City Application Form for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
For Regional SportAccord, the City Application Information Package can be accessed here and the Bid City Application Form can be found here.
For any questions regarding the Bid City Application Process, please contact SportAccord Managing Director Nis Hatt by email at nis.hatt@sportaccord.sport or by phone at +41 79 126 62 28.
For organisations interested in experiencing the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg, Russia can contact SportAccord to discuss by emailing sales@sportaccord.sport.
You can also follow SportAccord’s portfolio of events via Twitter @sportaccord or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. -
Host City 2020 drives event industry’s “Big Restart” on 8-9 December
On 8-9 December, Host City Conference and Exhibition goes virtual with the continued support of hosts EventScotland and Glasgow Life, tackling the 2020 conference theme “The Big Restart: Recovery with a Purpose for the Digital Age.”
Now in its 7th year, Host City is firmly established as the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events. The new virtual platform, hosted in Glasgow, brings together 1,000 event owners, hosts and organisers for two full days of unrivalled insight, exhibition, workshops, networking and business.
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland said:
“I’m delighted that Host City is set to transfer the ethos and core values of its well established event into a new virtual format, enabling attendees from across the globe the chance to learn, share knowledge, and reflect on both the challenges and opportunities which the pandemic has brought with it.”
“There is no doubt these are hugely challenging times with uncertainty still on the horizon, however our industry has shown on many occasions that it is resilient and has great capacity and capability to adapt to any situation. This year’s conference, hosted once again from Glasgow in Scotland, will be more important than ever and will play a key role in keeping us all connected as we navigate through the new normal.”
Dr Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life said:
“This has been a year like no other for the industries working with cities to deliver events which support their communities, economic growth and tourism. The Host City conference is always a vital opportunity to learn and to grow and to share recent experience and best practice and this year will be vital for those industries and the recovery plans of cities everywhere. Glasgow is proud that Host City has chosen us as its base for the sixth time and look forward to the conference in December.”
Other speakers confirmed to speak at Host City 2020 include: Sir Craig Reedie GBE, Member, International Olympic Committee (IOC); Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk, Minister of Sports and Tourism, Poland; Fanta Diallo, Director of Sports, Youth and Community, City of Dakar; Ian Reid, CEO, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee; Emily Blitz, President Director, Conferences, International AIDS Society; Sven Bossu, CEO, International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC); Federico Addiechi, Head of Sustainability and Environment, FIFA and many more to be announced over the coming 2-3 weeks.
The 2020 conference theme covers 5 pillars: Covid Recovery; Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance; Digital Acceleration; Future Cities; and Partnerships.
Host City’s Conference Director Ben Avison said: “As this most challenging of years reaches a close, we are making Host City even greater and more accessible than ever for the international community of all stakeholders in major events. We look forward to sharing world-leading views on how to build a better future for the events sector.”
1,000 attendees can access main stage content and an exhibition area for free. Paying delegates will also be able to gain access to meetings, structured networking and interactive workshops focused on the key functional areas of event hosting, such as: infrastructure, mobility, security and safety, culture and ceremonies, technology, impact, sponsorship, games services, procurement, sustainability and engagement.
Host City is where representatives of host destinations, federations and rights holders, organisers, event suppliers and services from all over the world connect to discover opportunities and discuss major event hosting at this uniquely challenging moment in history.
Host City 2020 Conference and Exhibition is being supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, and Glasgow Life.
Host City also works in strategic partnership with the International Association of Event Hosts, the Association of Global Event Suppliers, the International Association of Convention Centres and European Sponsorship Association.
To view the latest agenda, speaker biographies and sponsor information, go to www.hostcity.com
Register today for free!
For sponsorship enquires contact adam.soroka@cavendishgroup.co.uk
For speaking opportunities contact ben.avison@hostcity.com
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IF Forum 2020 to Adopt Fully Virtual Format
The International Federation (IF) Forum, the annual event that brings together leaders from across the global sporting community, will be hosted by SportAccord in a fully virtual format next month.
In light of the challenges in relation to international travel and in-person gatherings in the context of the pandemic, the decision to switch to a fully virtual format was taken in order to give delegates sufficient time to adjust their plans ahead of the event in November.
With preparations having already focused on optimising the experience for virtual attendees as part of what was initially planned to be a ‘hybrid’ gathering, SportAccord is committed to delivering an outstanding experience for all participants, connecting the sporting world via technology, with all of the sessions streamed live online.
SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli said: “The SportAccord team has worked incredibly hard to facilitate a solution that would allow the IF Forum to be held in a hybrid format as intended but, due to the evolving situation, this is no longer appropriate.”
“While we will not gather together in-person this year, the strong programme and line-up of contributors means that the IF Forum will be a vital signpost for the global sports movement as the dust settles on a turbulent 2020 and thoughts turn to a brighter future.”
“All of sport’s custodians and decision-makers have an important part to play in coming together to inspire positive change whilst safeguarding against future challenges, and the IF Forum 2020 will serve as an essential starting point.”
Experts will discuss strategies to drive the recovery of sport following the Covid-19 pandemic whilst establishing game plans that sports leaders can put in place to mitigate challenges that may arise from possible unforeseen disruptions in the future.
Topics that will be debated will include crisis management, scenario planning, how to limit risk from a legal and financial perspective, law-related commercial considerations for IFs and how to stay connected and reassure athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of adversity.
The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 will bring together more than 200 leaders from over 100 International Sport Federations, with delegates, speakers and exclusive Official IF Forum Partners discussing best practices.
For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.
For media enquiries, please contact: media@sportaccord.sport.