LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord has confirmed that esports, governance and rebranding strategies, protecting athletes and social responsibility will be among the key topics on the Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 conference programme.

In announcing the theme of ‘A United Approach to the International Sport Landscape in the Americas’, SportAccord has also revealed several influential decision-makers as speakers at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, from 10-12 December 2019.

More leading sports administrators, business executives and iconic names from the sporting world will be unveiled over the coming weeks as participants in panel sessions, keynote addresses, fireside chats and workshops, ready to offer unique perspectives of the opportunities and challenges in relation to the Pan American region.

The tone of Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 will be set by an opening Keynote Address on The Changing Landscape of the International Sports World by Francesco Ricci Bitti, President, ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations). 

A Panel Session on The Future of International Sports Governance will then feature Raffaele Chiulli, President, SportAccord and GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations); Stephan Fox, President, AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), Vice President, GAISF; Sarah Lewis OBE, Secretary General, AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations); and Andrew Ryan, Executive Director, ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations)  

With the topics of anti-doping and protecting athletes set to be tackled in separate sessions, esports will also come under the spotlight, during a Esports 101 Scene Setter delivered by Vlad Marinescu, Vice President, IESF (International Esport Federation), President, UESF (United States eSports Federation) followed by his participation in a panel session with Philippe Gueisbuhler, Director, GAISF and other industry representatives.

International Sports Federation viewpoints will also be provided by the likes of Marius L. Vizer, President, International Judo Federation (IJF), and Ivo Ferriani, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and Executive Board Member, International Olympic Committee. Representatives of sports organisations and governing bodies in the Americas will focus on how ‘win-win’ relationships can be nurtured with athletes.

A Panel Session on Social Responsibility in Sport will focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and will be joined by Jason Jenkins, VP Community Relations, Miami Dolphins.

The industry’s sharpest commercial brains will also be on hand to offer advice about rebranding opportunities joined by Jim Scherr, CEO, World Lacrosse, while a workshop will provide ‘Panam Tools for International Federations’.

Raffaele Chiulli, President, SportAccord and GAISF, said: “As a gateway to the Americas, Regional SportAccord will equip International Sports Federations and sports entities with the knowhow and connections required to engage the region.

“The conference programme theme underlines the importance of the international sports movement working collaboratively to explore new horizons.”

Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord, said: “The conference programme is at the heart of the drive to connect sport’s key decision-makers and exchange knowledge in the context of Pan America and its vast and varied population of one billion people.

“The theme reflects the inspiration behind the creation of Regional SportAccord and we are thrilled to have secured so many first-class speakers already, with many more to be unveiled in the coming weeks.”

Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 will bring together the Pan American, Olympic and non-Olympic communities in one location, with the inaugural event set to attract sports commissions, regional, national and international governing bodies, sports ministries, rights-holders, cities and regions, commercial entities and agencies.

Registration is open for the event, hosted by SportAccord in partnership with Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sports Foundation, International Sports & Health Associates and MGO. 

For information about becoming an Exhibitor or Partner, request a brochure or contact the sales team via info@regionalsportaccord.sport or +1 954 204 3081.

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