2020 Agenda

• Sector health check – where do we go from here?
• What strengths have carried our sector through the storm?
• Lessons from 2020 – could a crisis like Covid-19 recur and will be we be better prepared?

Opportunities Ahead

• Which events are going to reach new highs, and what opportunities are there to get involved?
• When and where is the events sector recovering fastest?
• Events as economic stimulus

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?
• Best practice on health protocols

Challenges to overcome

• Crowded calendars – can the supply chain fulfil demand?
• Appetite for bidding – when are cities looking to host international events?
• Maintaining funding for the entertainment industry

Everything happens for a reason

• Why do events need a defining purpose?
• Tips on how to identify and communicate your event’s raison d’être
• How event organisers can better understand and reflect public priorities

Inclusion and diversity in the boardroom and on the playing field

• Why Black Lives Matter for major events
• Gender: how to break the glass ceiling
• Maximising the contribution of people with disability

Aligning major events with public health

• How cities and venues can be better planned to safeguard public health
• Stories of successful sports development through event hosting
• The growing role of leisure in society

The convergence of digital and real-world events

• Hybrid / digital twins of events
• Gamifying the Games: integrating eSports, VR and AR into event strategies
• Next generation content and the future of broadcasting

How to build audiences online

• Get Set for Gen Z!
• Social media: use your algorithm
• Influencers as content creators

Event hosting technology

• Futureproof venues
• Investing in tech: what to procure or subscribe to
• Access Control and crowd dynamics

Intelligence and analytics

• The role of technology in measuring and understanding ROI
• Applying the measurability of digital events to the real world
• Applications of AI in major events

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

The format of events to come

• Managing the size of mega events
• Co-hosting and diversification
• Digitalisation and sustainability

The circular economy

• Embedding sustainability at the bid stage
• Sustainable procurement
• Event products, services and infrastructure in the circular economy

The role of cities in the post-Covid digital age

• Urbanisation – on pause or rising inexorably?
• How cities can sustain their position as societal focal points
• The role of events in building resilient communities

Smart cities, smart events

• Major events as smart cities
• Aligning event strategies with smart city plans
• Intelligent transport solutions

Cities as melting pots for events

• Citizens as content creators, fans and active participants
• How business and scientific events can develop local talent
• How to develop a sense of place, belonging and welcome

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
• Risk management: is your security strategy set for the unexpected?
• What new business models are emerging how IFs are modernising

Share your experiences and reflect on how to apply learnings from Host City 2020: The Big Restart
Workshops will be curated and focused on content streams: Technology, Infrastructure, Security, Development, Entertainment, and Conferences