INNOVATE • REFORMULATE • CO-CREATE
The need to work closer together to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving events industry was one of the key messages to emerge from the sixth Host City conference and exhibition. 300 delegates and 30 exhibitors from all around the world gathered in Glasgow over two days to hear a range of high-profile speakers from the fields of sport, culture, business and medicine deliver discussion and debate around the theme “Innovate; Reformulate; Co-Create”.
POST-CONFERENCE REPORT (PDF) Conference Presentations Image Gallery
The Big Restart:
Recovery with a Purpose for the Digital Age
Virtual Conference & Exhibition | 8-9 December 2020
Taking place at a pivotal moment for the event industry, Host City’s theme of “The Big Restart” explores how we can bring about “Recovery with a Purpose for the Digital Age”.
Whether you represent a city, a rights holder, event organiser or other stakeholder, Host City 2020 will present opportunities to get involved in staging upcoming major events.
With speakers of the very highest level, agenda topics include hosting in the new normal, Environmental and Social Governance, digital transformation and international collaboration. VIP keynotes, panels, Q&A, presentations and interactive workshops run alongside structured networking and exhibition activities.
Congratulations on running Host City 2020, an event that brought specialists from the events sector from all around the world. In these difficult times for the industry, it was great to see so many ideas and so much positivity from everyone. We are looking forward to 2021 now!
Benjamin Roux
Bidding Management Competitions & Events Department; World Athletics
I appreciated the opportunity to share our vision for Greater Orlando with such a tremendous international audience. The folks at Host City always do a great job, not only organizing events but bringing leaders of industry together for meaningful conversation
Jason Siegel
President & CEO, Greater Orlando Sports Commission
Another fantastic Host City Conference this year, despite the challenging times. It was a pleasure to be part of an outstanding event with some great speakers adding to the quality content. The discussions and networking opportunities this event provides will no doubt prove important as we work towards the recovery of the sector
Fiona Hyslop
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture
That Host City invited four Gen Z content creators to share their view on our purpose-driven digital future is testament to its innovative, culturally conscious outlook and relevance. Each panel offers unique perspectives and insight which inspire attendees from diverse organisations around the world
Katie Traxton
Chief Communications Officer, Formula E
Host City is always a great place for networking and building closer relationships with existing connections, It’s also inspirational to hear what is happening in the industry: last year’s event in Glasgow inspired the idea of the Arena Games which was a gamechanger for us in this pandemic year. Finally the team is always very helpful in providing information and helped us to best leverage our participation
Michael Dhulst
Co-Founder & CEO, Super League Triathlon
It was a great compliment to moderate at Host City 2020 – the event organisers had gathered such a great panel of industry experts, keen to share their knowledge. The audience were incredibly engaged – the questions started coming from the minute the microphones switched on until the click signalled the end of our session
Fiona Green
Director and Co-Founder, Winners FDD
An excellent opportunity to hear from a wide range of senior figures in the sport and events industry, with a balanced and interesting agenda
James Savage
Sports Business Group, Deloitte LLP
The host city conference constituted a highlight and ranks top of the list of many virtual conferences I attended in 2020. The topics were brought to life through some engaging and very competent speakers and provided practical insights for event organizers to build on 2021
Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi
Global Technology & Sustainability Director, Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions
These are challenging times, especially for the event industry. Therefore, it was very useful that Host City could take place as a digital exhibition, where leaders of the industry and key stakeholders could share their experiences, ideas and best practices regarding the challenges for events, suppliers, host cities etc. The digital platform was a good alternative for Host City Glasgow, where we got the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Nevertheless, we hope to see everyone next year again in Glasgow!
Rick Sleegers
Project Manager, Orange Sports Forum
Host City is unique for the very high quality level of the speakers and the transparency when it comes to describing challenges and solutions found. There is something to learn in every session and the vast majority of those learnings can be applied instantly
Sven Bossu
CEO, International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC)
Well done on an excellent event
Andy Westlake
Chairman, European Sponsorship Association
It was an awesome pleasure to work with Host City. The quality and insight of the speakers were immense. Raising awareness and bringing together committed advocates to ask the tough questions and agitate hard answers and conversations will contribute to fostering the needed change
Brian Lewis
President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC)
WHEN & WHERE
Host City 2019 takes place at the Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow on 26-27 November 2019
CONFERENCE VENUE: Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD
