LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord, the annual global gathering for sporting business leaders who take part in the World Sport & Business Summit, today confirmed the latest details for its CityAccord conference programme: Mindful Event Hosting, Respecting the Past with a View to the Future, taking place on Tuesday 7 May 2019 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

CityAccord is always a popular conference with SportAccord delegates and this year will be no exception. The World Sport & Business Summit will welcome over 160 cities and regions to the Gold Coast edition of SportAccord. 

CityAccord will be opened by Co-Chairs Mélanie Duparc, Secretary General, World Union of Olympic Cities and David Simon, Senior Advisor, Los Angeles Sports Council who said:

“CityAccord is a unique opportunity for cities, regions and sport commissions to expand their horizons by hearing from some of the world's foremost experts on various aspects of hosting major events. This is especially true of this year's program, whose theme is 'Mindful Event Hosting: Respecting the Past with a View to the Future."'

Following the Host City Welcome given by Honourable Kate Jones, Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister, Paul Yeomans, Managing Director, PMY Group, an independent technology strategy, investment and management company will give the Keynote Address: Rise of the Smart Stadium.

“SportAccord is bringing the world of sport, entertainment and technology to the Gold Coast in 2019.

“Come along to hear from global experts in their field, build relationships and share insights across this exciting sector.

“I will be involved in chatting about how digital and technology investments are transforming the stadia environment and look forward to catching up!

“See you on the Goldy!”

To hear Paul Yeomans in person and take part in the Audience Q&A following his Keynote Address, delegates can register for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.

CityAccord delegates will also hear from leading experts in four Tool Box Sessions: Innovative City/Event Ticketing Approaches moderated by David Eades, Journalist & Anchor, BBC World. Case study presenters will include: Brian Nourse, Former Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games; Essar Gabriel, World Urban Games 2019 – Budapest, Consultant, GAISF; Marne Fechner, CEO, Netball Australia; Maria O’Connor, Managing Director, Ticketmaster Australia and New Zealand; and an international sports federation.

A mid-afternoon panel session: Major Event Fan Safety in Arenas, Cities, Fan Zones will discuss what cities and event organisers are doing to protect their fans and their reputation, followed by an Audience Q&A. Panellists will include: Susanne Schödel, Secretary General, World Air Sports Federation (FAI); Craig Sheridan APM, Managing Director, Sheridan Consulting Group; Ian Stuart APM, Commissioner, Queensland Police Service; a city regional representative and an international federation (IF).

The final CityAccord panel session followed by an Audience Q&A will cover: Sport Destination Cities Branding – What Works. Delegates will hear insights from leading experts in the field to include: Damien de Bohun, General Manager Major Events, Visit Victoria; Carol Hudson, VP Sports Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, EventScotland, also a Silver Partner and exhibitor (Stand 50) at SportAccord.

Cities, regions, national events organisers, sports commissions, host cities, bidding cities, local event organising committees, and development authorities will also be able to attend City-to-City ahead of CItyAccord.

This year’s City-to-City will take an unusual step and focus, and discuss why ‘hosting non-conventional events’ broadens the potential, opportunities and horizon for cities and bidders with four experiences being interactively discussed during the morning sessions.

In addition to CityAccord, a full conference programme will take place across the week with 4 additional conference streams: SportAccord Summit, LawAccord, HealthAccord and MediaAccord.

Future events and host cities for the SportAccord organisation include Regional SportAccord Pan America which is set to take place in Fort Lauderdale (10-12 December 2019), and SportAccord 2020 in Beijing, China (19-24 April 2020).

Organisations can register for SportAccord and attend conference sessions as well as the many networking opportunities on offer within the Official Schedule during this year’s edition in Gold Coast.

Organisations can take further action and raise the visibility of their organisations and brand by investing as an Exhibitor or Partner. Contact the sales team sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 21 612 3070.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #SA2019, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook. 

For media enquiries, email the Media Relations Officer: jenny.edmondson@sportaccord.com

EDITORS NOTES

SportAccord

SportAccord brings together international sports federations and organisations involved in the business of sport. The annual World Sport & Business Summit is a six-day event attended by leaders of the global sports community. It engages international sports federations, athletes, industry, rights holders, organising committees, cities, government, agencies, media, technology, legal teams, medical professionals, inventors, and subject matter experts – represented at the highest levels.

SportAccord is the only global sports business event attended by all the international sports federations and their stakeholders, who host their Annual General Assemblies during SportAccord.

These stakeholders include: ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and Associate Members. SportAccord receives the full support of the International Olympic Committee.

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PMY Group

Paul is the founder and Managing Director of PMY Group (PMY), an independent technology strategy, investment and management company with high profile clients in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus.

As Managing Director, Paul leads the company’s global expansion and investment agenda, and is the driving force behind many venue and precinct technology strategies being delivered around the world. Some of PMY’s major project achievements have been delivered for the following clients: Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, the Australian Turf Club, Galaxy Entertainment, Etihad Stadium, Optus Stadium, Croke Park, Melco Resorts, and the English and Wales Cricket Board.