[Source: SportAccord] It is the first time SportAccord will take place in Thailand providing a prestigious platform, as well as easy-access for Thai organisations and those in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, to become involved in the business of sport and take advantage of the many opportunities the event has to offer.

SportAccord is the only annual sports business event attended by all the international sports federations within GAISF, and provides unique access to numerous networking events and high-profile attendees throughout the week. These include around 1,500 delegates representing industry, cities/regions, legal and health teams, inventors, sports sponsors, providers and rights holders, subject matter experts, as well as newsmakers, to name a few.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord said: “Final preparations are well underway ahead of SportAccord in April. We have just returned from another series of very successful coordination meetings with the Thai Ministry and their teams in Bangkok. There is a lot of focused and dedicated work going on behind the scenes to ensure that the next SportAccord will be an outstanding success for everyone involved.”

Hatt went on to say: “If you have not already done so, I would encourage anyone involved in the business of sport, to register and take part.”

Speaking of the great honour in hosting SportAccord, Col. Ruj of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) revealed to news channels: “Thailand has gained confidence from SportAccord. This also comes from the hard work undertaken by the Thai team over the last 6 months, with a bit left to do over the next 2 months to achieve where we would like to be.”

As part of the Official Schedule, SportAccord will host well over 20 networking events, a 3-day Exhibition as well as an extensive Conference programme to include: the Summit (Plenary), CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord.

Other key features include: Speakers’ Corner, the Thai Pavilion, the Opening Ceremony and Closing Event.

Organisations looking for opportunities to increase their visibility at the World Sport & Business Summit can become an Exhibitor or Partner by contacting the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 (0)79 126 08 42.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #sportaccord, as well as LinkedIn and on Facebook.

[Source: SportAccord Convention] With twelve weeks until the SportAccord Convention takes place at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand from 15 – 20 April 2018, 77% of exhibition floor space has already been snapped up for the upcoming event. The only annual sports business convention where all the international sport federations (IFs) are guaranteed to attend. Exhibitors include international sport federations, organising committees, cities and regions and make up over seventy-five percent of total exhibitors providing organisations involved in the business of sport ample opportunity to connect with these industries.

Joining SportAccord Convention 2018 as an exhibitor for the seventh time, Andrew Gettig, VP of International - Connor Sport Court said, “It is important for us to continue the momentum gained in Aarhus and previous editions, and position our company at the heart of the SportAccord Convention. We truly believe in its value and see the Convention as a unique platform that allows us to connect with the leaders of Olympic and non-Olympic sport movement, organising committees and host cities in one easy to navigate place.”

International sport federations, cities, and businesses interested in attending can book an exhibition booth online or discuss their requirements and options with the sales team.

The venue layout for SportAccord Convention 2018 has been designed to optimise networking opportunities for both exhibitors and delegates with access to the conference auditorium and official meeting rooms via the exhibition area which are all on one level. Exhibitors will also have access to the SAC networking mobile app to contact delegates, arrange meetings, and keep up-to-date with the latest news at the SportAccord Convention.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “The SportAccord Convention prides itself on providing an event that meets the needs of our partners, exhibitors, and delegates. This year’s exhibition promises to deliver that with dynamic feature area zones, a larger SAC Café including the Speakers Corner and an easy to access conference auditorium, only minutes away from the exhibition.”

The exhibition area will feature an all-new ‘Relaxing Zone’ for delegates which will incorporate a surprise element guaranteed to rejuvenate delegates. In addition, the exhibition area will also provide a touch of Thai culture with its special ‘Thai Pavilion’ which will include a variety of local Thai attractions.

Hatt went on to say: “Combine this opportunity to connect with sporting business leaders and the optimised exhibition layout, I am not surprised that our community has once again embraced the SportAccord Convention and that over 2/3’s of the exhibition floor space is already reserved.”

‘Enhanced’ booths remain the ‘go-to’ booth for SportAccord Convention with a variety of sizes and configurations still available. Entry-level booths will start at 6m² and include 4 delegate passes (increasing with booth size), graphics, TV, chairs, table, information counter, Wi-Fi, power, lights and carpet).

Registration for SportAccord Convention 2018 is in full-swing and organisations are encouraged to secure their delegate passes at CHF 2,500. Many delegates and organisations have already committed to attend the SportAccord Convention 2018 and passes are selling out.

The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit provides a unique platform for leaders from international federations, cities, and industry to meet and discuss the business of sport. The annual 6-day summit also includes an extensive Conference programme and is host to all the Stakeholder General Assemblies attended by their Members. The SportAccord Convention also offers many other social and networking opportunities as part of its Official Schedule.

[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord Convention confirms registration is open for the sixteenth edition of the Convention set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 15-20 April 2018. A city destination brimming with opportunities, #SAC2018 will be held at the five-star Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, a world-class conference complex in the heart of the capital.

The Official Signing Ceremony for #SAC2018 took place in the Host City Bangkok on 31 May 2017 and was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and the Minister of Tourism and Sports for Thailand, with well over 100 people in attendance from government, media and other organisations. Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said:

“SportAccord Convention is the biggest annual global gathering of the sporting community and is the only Convention worldwide with every International Federation present. Without doubt, the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok is going to present a myriad of opportunities for every organisation and delegate who attends. Hatt went on to say:

“The business of sport has grown enormously since the last Convention took place in the region and I would strongly recommend anyone who has a stake in sport, to take advantage of the unique networking opportunities SportAccord Convention offers and register for Bangkok.”

The multiplex venue provides a complete experience for delegates attending the Convention. Both the hotel and the convention centre connect seamlessly with CentralWorld, one of the largest lifestyle and shopping complexes in Southeast Asia. Organisations are encouraged to book their place early and take advantage of the early-bird rate of CHF1,500 (a discount of CHF1, 000 from the list price), available for a short period only.

The conference rooms and state-of-the-art exhibition hall offer outstanding facilities with natural day-lit rooms in a pillar-less environment. Exhibitor visibility will be second-to-none, and dedicated networking zones will help to showcase what organisations have to offer and how delegates connect.

The world’s premier annual event at the service of sport, SportAccord Convention is the place where sport meets whether it’s for International Federations, organising committees, cities and regions, marketing and sponsorship enterprises, legal teams, insurance companies, healthcare organisations, and many more. The Convention creates the occasion to build relationships, seed ideas and gain visibility on a world-stage, and many of these, play out as new business opportunities, or projects to further develop and support the sports movement.

As Deborah Jevans (CBE), former Tennis Player and the first woman to be appointed Director of Sport for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games (London 2012) told SportsPro during a podcast (08:05) at this year’s Convention in Aarhus, Denmark:

“SportAccord Convention is the place to be seen and is a really important event in the sporting calendar. The growth of sport has advanced as a business and is not just about the field of play. You don’t necessarily do a deal here but there is a lot of networking, a lot of conversations take place and relationships are created. Jevans went on to say, “Talking to companies during the Convention in Aarhus confirms this. SportAccord Convention provides the opportunity to meet any number of people from throughout the whole world.”

The Convention will include a 3-day exhibition as well as a full conference programme focused on sponsorship and marketing. Programme streams will include the Plenary, City Forum, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord.  The Convention also offers numerous social events giving delegates the opportunity to network outside more formal settings, including the daily Exhibition Cocktails, Opening Ceremony and After Hours Bar, and its cultural programme will also take advantage of all that Bangkok has to offer.

[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord Convention is delighted to confirm the official signing ceremony took place today with Host City ‘Bangkok’ for the sixteenth edition of the Convention to be held from 15 – 20 April 2018.

The signing event was carried out at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) building with Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention, H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

“Hosting the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok enables us to reach out to all the International Sport Federations and those organisations involved in the business of sport to share our sports tourism vision as well as enabling delegates to experience all that Thailand has to offer. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is a key driver in helping to promote Bangkok and Thailand as a sports dream destination and sports hub in Asean, and these are some of the reasons why the SportAccord Convention is an important event for us as the Host City.” said Mrs Kobkarn.

With state-of-the-art venues and a city brimming with opportunities and cultural gems, Bangkok is host to many world-class events, and in 2016 served as the gateway for over 30 million tourists who visited Thailand.

Commenting on Bangkok becoming the next Host City, Nis Hatt said, “SportAccord Convention is delighted for the Convention to come to Bangkok, Thailand, and our host should be commended for

their dedication and passion in bringing the Convention here, which in turn will support both the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in their future development goals. Hatt went on to say:

“We are already making good progress with preparations for next year’s Convention and I am confident we will be able to deliver a memorable event in Bangkok for our delegates.”

The overarching theme for the sixteenth edition of the SportAccord Convention will focus on marketing and sponsorship with further details being revealed once registration opens in June. The Convention will also see new initiatives including a 3-day sports festival where all International Federations along with their National Federations will be invited to take part. In addition, the event is being promoted as a ‘family affair’, thus making Thailand the vacation destination for delegates and their families in 2018.

Bangkok was announced as the next Host City during the spectacular SAC2017 Opening Ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark, this year’s European Capital of Culture.

SportAccord Convention has announced ‘Marketing and Sponsorship’ as the theme of the Plenary Conference following feedback from International Federations and delegates.

For sport and entertainment organisations, sponsors spend millions to build brand equity and it’s not just about eyeball exposure. The Plenary Conference will look at how to tap into the spirit of the sport by marketers who are sponsoring to leverage the enthusiasm and loyalty of sports fans, and transfer the fan’s passion to the brand as well as meet international sports federations expectations. Sessions will also focus on best practices to create and measure sponsorship activation. The 16th edition of the Convention in Bangkok, Thailand will take place from April 15-20, 2018.

SportAccord Convention is the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event at the service of sport. Held in a different city each year, the Convention takes place over six days and is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international sports federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, and organisations involved in the business of sport.

In addition to the two-day Plenary Conference, SportAccord Convention offers the ever popular City Forum which saw a packed conference hall at this year’s Convention in Aarhus, Denmark. The City Forum is designed to address the needs and concerns of cities and regions bidding for major international sporting events. It does this by bringing together cities, event organisers, sports commissions, host cities, development authorities, international sports federations, and commercial organisations to share their insights and proven advice as well as practical takeaways. The Forum’s aim is to help cities obtain and host world class sporting events.

“SportAccord Convention is flying again following its great success in Aarhus, Denmark. This included meetings with 15 cities interested in hosting future conventions from Asia, the USA, the Middle East and Europe. This confirms how relevant SportAccord Convention is for the international sports community.” said Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of SportAccord Convention.

The conference programme also includes LawAccord and offers the opportunity to examine the most pressing and relevant legal issues for the international sports movement and the cities that host them.

In addition, the MediaAccord conference enables international sports federations, media organisations and media experts to work together to share best practices and winning ways to capture fan engagement and build strong brands across all media platforms with the SAC2018 conference theme providing a strong focus.

Bangkok is the next destination and global sports gathering for SportAccord Convention 2018 and serves as an international hub for this region. A key opportunity for any organisation involved in the business of sport, Bangkok provides organisations with unique opportunities to deepen their relationships in this region, or use #SAC2018 as a springboard to kick-start their involvement and tap into the region with over 90% of the delegation being key decision-makers and in a position to take action. Organisations will have access to the Who’s Who in the world of sport and achieve many of their business goals in one location within days – the No. 1 key objective for delegates who attended SAC2017 in Aarhus, Denmark.

Bangkok to host SportAccord Convention 2018

[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord Convention is delighted to confirm that the ultra-modern city of Bangkok, Thailand will be Host City for the next edition of the SportAccord Convention in 2018 where Muaythai is the national sport. Known as the land of smiles, thanks to the welcoming nature of the people, the Convention is looking forward to returning to South East Asia where there are plans to make the 16^th edition of the SportAccord Convention a family event for delegates and their families.

SportAccord Convention is the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event at the service of sport. It is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport.

On becoming Host City to the next SportAccord Convention, H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand said, “We are delighted and honoured to be hosting the next edition of the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok, Thailand. We believe our city will provide a wonderful experience for delegates and the sports world who will be able to experience the culture and warm hospitality of the Thai people.”   

The city of Bangkok is served by many of the international airlines with most countries offering direct flights and is also the main hub for South East Asia. A dynamic city, Bangkok is a great city to explore with lots to offer in terms of culture, shopping, and delicious food, all at affordable prices.

For those who are bringing their families, the Convention are planning a strong cultural programme. Families will also have an opportunity to further enjoy their stay in Thailand with vacation packages on offer. For those who would like to experience culture and arts outside the city, delegates can immerse themselves in the north of Thailand, a one hour flight away. For those who would prefer some sea and relaxation, a one-hour flight South will transport you to the stunning beaches and islands. A two-hour drive east or west of Bangkok and you are within easy-reach of the sand and sea.

Commenting on the announcement of next year’s new Host City, Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of SportAccord Convention and ASOIF said:

“It will be a pleasure to bring the 2018 SportAccord Convention to Bangkok, Thailand and I would like to thank the government of Thailand for supporting the Convention which will be the 16^th edition.  I am sure it will embrace all the qualities and opportunities that city and country have to offer. I am confident our collaboration with Bangkok and the government of Thailand will provide an excellent platform for the international sport community to build on the excellent work achieved at past Conventions while more than meeting the needs of our Stakeholders and delegates.”