Online registration has opened today for the 2011 SportAccord in London.
The ninth edition of the global sport summit, coming to London one year ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will provide an opportunity for international sporting leaders to engage with business and sport.
The SportAccord Convention will take place from April 3-8 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel.
Held in a different city every year, the SportAccord Convention features top-level conference sessions and a dynamic exhibition as well as the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.
The Convention attracts more than 1,500 leading representatives of international sport. Previous editions of the annual event have been sold out and delegates and press are encouraged to register early on the newly relaunched SportAccord Convention website at www.sportaccordconvention.com
Hein Verbruggen, Chairman of SportAccord Convention commented, “With London preparing to welcome the world for the Games in 2012, there is no better time for the SportAccord Convention to come to London. Together with our colleagues in London, we look forward to creating an event which will show the world what a wonderful host city London will be for major sports events.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Hosting SportAccord in 2011 is a fantastic opportunity for London. Delivering a legacy from the 2012 Games is of the utmost importance and hosting the convention will play a significant role in showcasing London’s expertise in hosting international sporting events and positioning it as a long-term partner of the global sports movement. I am looking forward to welcoming all sports leaders, IOC members and Olympic bidding cities to give them a taste of what’s in store for 2012 and after.”
2011 marks the first time the UK has ever hosted SportAccord and is a key milestone in delivering the UK capital’s long-term aim to position London as the world’s leading city in the business of sport. 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games around the corner, the convention is a unique opportunity for the capital and the UK to showcase its expertise and increase its market share in the US$111 billion global sports business industry.
The organisation of the 2011 SportAccord Convention is being co-ordinated by the Events for London team at Visit London and has been heavily supported and funded by a number of the UK’s sporting and business bodies including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UKSport, the Greater London Authority, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), UK Trade & Investment and the London Development Agency (LDA) and VisitBritain.
About the SportAccord Convention
The SportAccord Convention annually brings representatives from more than 100 international sports federations and organisations affiliated to SportAccord (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, games organising committees, rights holders and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry.
Owned by SportAccord, ASOIF and AIOWF, the SportAccord Convention encompasses the annual Congress and General Assembly of each association, while offering the sports community a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas.
Media contact
Jay Stuart
Head of Media Relations
SportAccord International Convention
Tel: +44 20 8340 5352
Mobile : +44 7747 805 075
E-mail: jay.stuart@sportaccord.com