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 * This draft agenda is subject to change at the organiser’s discretion

Agenda Topics
Hosting with a purpose in the digital, post-Covid era

  • Why is it more important than ever to define and communicate the purpose and value of hosting major events?
  • How are major event hosts rethinking the strategic aims of hosting major events?
  • How are rights holders reimagining the purpose of their properties?
Preparing to deliver the greatest shows on earth

  • Updates on event preparations amid Covid-19
  • How to balance the demands of “Games time” with long term needs
  • Stories of successful sports and community development through event hosting
The impact of the Black Lives Matter movement

  • Is BLM causing sports, business and cultural events industries to change for the better?
  • Is what is being done simply tokenistic?
  • How city and event leaders acknowledge the past and improve the future
Inclusion and diversity in the boardroom and on the playing field

  • Gender: how to break the glass ceiling
  • Maximising the contribution of people with disability
Future event delivery

  • Leaders’ perspectives on how to optimise information systems
  • Understanding and managing an event’s data ecosystem
  • Are major events a good showcase for technology innovation?
Hosting in the new normal

  • Growing regionalism and focus on domestic events – a short term trend?
  • How can rights holders, cities and other stakeholders share cost and risk?
  • How events and venues can be better planned to safeguard public health
How major events are contributing to environmental goals

  • Climate change – expectations of COP26 and the impact on major events
  • The role of events in creating a sustainable tourism sector
  • How to run a sustainable conference
Developing cities through events

  • Aligning event strategies with green city plans
  • How cities can sustain their position as societal focal points in the digital, post-Covid age
  • The role of events in developing creative industries
The road to recovery: a situation report on the global events sector

  • Sector health check – where do we go from here?
  • What strengths have carried our sector through the storm?
  • Is the industry and its supply chain being sufficiently supported?
The convergence of digital and real-world events

  • How Covid-19 has accelerated the digitalisation of events
  • Preparing for the reality of hybrid events
  • Integrating eSports, VR and AR into event strategies
  • Applying the measurability of digital events to the real world
Get Set for Gen Z!

  • Is your event in tune with new audiences?
  • How to harness social media with algorithms and influencers
The power of purpose

  • How to identify and communicate your event’s raison d’être
  • How event organisers can better understand and reflect public priorities
  • The role of events in building active, resilient communities
Rethinking venues & infrastructure

  • Permanent vs temporary: aligning infrastructure plans with legacy needs
  • Rethinking procurement and the supply chain
  • The festival experience: building a temporary city
Rewarding partnerships

  • Knowledge transfer & supportive partnerships
  • Where is international collaboration needed most right now?
  • How hosts, rights holders, sponsors and suppliers can share risk
What’s next for the events sector?

  • Future risks and opportunities
  • What will festivals and concerts look like in 2021 and beyond?
  • What new business models are emerging and how event owners are modernising