I am writing in regard to SportAccord 2020, to provide an update on the status of our upcoming event in Beijing, China given the current Coronavirus outbreak.

Our thoughts are with the people of China and families affected by the outbreak. SportAccord is monitoring the situation and we are following the recommendations provided by the Chinese Authorities, the World Health Organisation, and other leading health authorities around the world. We are also fully aware of the recommendations on travel and restrictions imposed by airline companies and governments. 

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share any developments regarding SportAccord 2020. Please rest assured SportAccord will continue to do what is in the best interests and safety of all our delegates.

Sincerest regards,

Raffaele Chiulli
President
SportAccord and GAISF

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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[Source: SportAccord] Raffaele Chiulli, the President of SportAccord and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), has hailed preparations for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2020 on a visit to the event’s host city of Beijing, China.

Chiulli has travelled to Beijing along with Stephan Fox, President, AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport) and Vice President, GAISF; and Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord.

The visiting delegation has held meetings with various key figures behind SportAccord 2020 and the broader development of sport in China, including Zhang Jiandong, Vice-Mayor, City of Beijing; Xiaohui Fu, Secretary General, Beijing Olympic City Development Association; and Gou Zhongwen, Minister of the State General Administration of Sports and President, Chinese Olympic Committee.

With registration open for the 18th annual SportAccord event from 19-24 April 2020, discussions in Beijing have focused on the build-up to the highly anticipated global gathering at the China National Convention Center from 19-24 April 2020.

Chiulli said: “After being briefed on the impressive preparations by various stakeholders, we have been left in no doubt that plans are on track to deliver a truly memorable SportAccord next year. With six months to go, this trip has given us the ideal opportunity to gauge the level of excitement that is building ahead of what promises to be an unmissable event.”

Beijing will become only the second city, after Lausanne in Switzerland, to have welcomed back SportAccord for a second time, having staged the 2007 edition of sport’s most influential annual gathering a year before the city hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With Beijing set to become the first city to have hosted the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2022, when the Winter multi-sport showcase arrives in the Chinese capital, SportAccord 2020 will provide a timely signpost for the international sporting community.

Chiulli added: “The organisers and supporters of the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2020 have made no secret of the fact that the event is part of the long-term strategy of Beijing and China at large to promote and accelerate sports development. In our meeting with Minister of the State General Administration of Sports and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Gou Zhongwen, we spoke at length about the positive role SportAccord can play in driving further progress in sport within China and worldwide.”

On a similar note, the Summit conference programme at SportAccord 2020 will focus on the theme of ‘Breaking Down Barriers in the Ever-Expanding World of Sport’, offering organisations that are seeking to expand their footprint in Asia a chance to learn from the sector’s most influential figures.

Numerous big-name speakers from the host country are being lined up to provide insights on the Summit conference programme, including John Sun, the CEO of Alibaba Group-owned AGTech.

The annual World Sport & Business Summit is a six-day event attended by leaders of the global sports community. It is the only global sports business event attended by all the international sport federations and their stakeholders, who host their Annual General Assemblies during SportAccord.

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.

Organisations can become an official partner or exhibitor and discuss these investment opportunities with sales@sportaccord.sport.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #SA2020, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook. For media enquiries, email media@sportaccord.sport.

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord is delighted to announce Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China, as Host City for the 18^th edition of SportAccord which is set to take place from 19 – 24 April 2020. One of the six ancient cities in China, Beijing is the nation’s economic, political and cultural centre. It serves as the main transportation hub for Northern China with frequent flights and an excellent infrastructure, making it easy for delegates to reach Beijing.

Mr. Chen Jining, Mayor of Beijing and Executive President of Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games said: “Hosting the 2020 SportAccord Convention will promote the sports development in Beijing and China at large, further Beijing’s exchanges and cooperation with the international sports community, boost the preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and contribute to the development of world sports.

“SportAccord shows its trust for my city by hosting 2020 SportAccord Convention in Beijing. We will fully explore the strengths of the city and deepen cooperation with the SportAccord and International Sports Federations to ensure the Convention is a fruitful event.”

With many high-profile events on the horizon such as the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Beijing is the perfect host city for SportAccord at this time.

Returning to China, Francesco Ricci Bitti, Executive Committee Member of SportAccord commented: “Coming back to Beijing after a period of 12 years is a very exciting prospect for SportAccord and the international sports federations. The global sports landscape has experienced extraordinary change since 2007. Technologies and social media have helped to transform the business of sport and it has never been easier to reach billions of fans – in seconds.”

According to a recent Mintel Report (4 July 2018), China’s sports participation market is fast-growing and estimated to have reached RMB 109.8 billion in 2017, with a year-on-year growth rate of 14.2%. The market is forecast to reach RMB 207.5 billion in 2022.

Ricci Bitti went on to say: “Consumer interest for sport in China continues to grow rapidly. Needless to say, the commercial opportunities in every channel are vast – for stakeholders, fan engagement, media and much more. Hosting SportAccord 2020 in Beijing could not come at a better time.”

A 6-day event, the World Sport & Business Summit is the leading platform for key decision-makers in sport and industry to meet, network and strategically shape global, regional and national agendas.

SportAccord is also host to annual general meetings of key governing bodies including ASOIF, AOIWF, ARISF, AIMS, and GAISF providing unique opportunities for delegates.

SportAccord comprises: a 3-day exhibition; a varied conference programme to include the Summit, CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord; a Sports Festival; and over 20 key social events, which form part of the SportAccord Official Programme.