Host City, the world’s largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, took another major step forward this week, recording its greatest participation yet and with the announcement that the event will be returning to Glasgow in 2018 with a greatly increased exhibition.

More cities, event owners and organisers than ever joined the fourth Host City conference and exhibition in Glasgow to hear VIP speakers from international sports federations, cultural events, large scale congresses and mega event organising committees speak on the theme of “High Impact Events in the Current Climate”.

Attendees included more than 50 city representatives, 30 event owners, 20 organising committees, 15 media and two hundred delegates.

Around the two-day conference, Host City’s sponsors presented the event’s biggest exhibition yet, with a 500 square metre exhibition area filled with 10 large stands from organising committees, sports federations, architects and suppliers.

Host City 2017 was opened by the event’s Chairmen, Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland and Sir Craig Reedie CBE, IOC Member and President of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Paul Bush OBE said: “It is great to see so many city representatives, event owners, organising committees and events practitioners in Glasgow for this fantastic conference. While it is an exciting time for the industry with all the technological advancements and the rise in social media allowing events and audiences to be more engaged, it is also a very challenging time. The current security climate, the transparency and governance around the bid process, as well doping and corruption in sport, are all adversely affecting the confidence the public has in bidding for and delivering of major events. This year’s Host City programme has provided the ideal opportunity to tackle these challenges head on and ensure we maintain public support for high impact events around the world.

“That said, I’m delighted Host City will be returning to Glasgow in 2018 and shows the continued positive impact hosting high impact events can have when you have a strong legacy plan in place to build on the success. The return of Host City for a fourth consecutive year is a real endorsement and clearly shows the legacy that’s been built from hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the work Glasgow has done to re-positioned itself as an events and tourism city.”

Sir Craig Reedie said: “Host City 2017’s debate on High Impact Events, with panels and discussions on practically every aspect – the size of the city, safety, technology, entertainment and others – is interesting in the extreme.

“When Host City comes back to Glasgow in 2018 we can expect even more interest and attendance than this year, which is this best attended yet.”

Participants in Host City 2017 included: Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director, International Olympic Committee; Patrick Baumann, President, General Association of International Sports Federations; Sarah Lewis, Secretary General, Association of International Olympic Winter Federations; David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation; Hiromi Kawamura, Public Relations Secretary, Tokyo 2020; Jooho Kim, Executive Vice President of Games Planning and Operations, PyeongChang 2018; Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Mayor of Budapest and senior figures from non-sports events including Cirque du Soleil and World Expos.

Conference Director Ben Avison said “We are delighted to be returning next November to Glasgow and Scotland, where Host City has developed so rapidly over the last three years. With the incredibly high standard of participation this year, we look forward to a great flourishing of the exhibition space in 2018 around this peerless, world class conference of cities and cross-sector events.”

For further information on the panel sessions and other world class speakers for Host City 2017, please visit: www.hostcity.com

How important is the legacy of large economic investment in cities for major events, and what role can architects play?

This is a fundamental issue for any city that is interested in hosting major events. For such a large investment to secure local support and take advantage of focused global attention, a lasting legacy must be priority number one. Unfortunately, it is all too often an afterthought.

Brought in at the ground level, architects can effectively communicate a long-term vision for cities and local organising committees (LOCs). Through the built form, and through innovative design decisions, both the one-off event and the future legacy can be realised as one coherent journey.

Architects can help develop the best solutions for long-term infrastructure reuse and economic outcomes for a city. Even a sport cluster that is intended to be used for its original purpose can leave a practical legacy if the surrounding support infrastructure improves the wider city region. Likewise, enhancements to the built environment that support a City of Culture event need long-term business planning to make sure that the running of a new collection of large public buildings is self-sustaining.

AFL Architects is putting together a major events whitepaper for just this reason. We want to help LOCs plan wisely for a sustainable legacy when bidding for major events. After all, the single largest cost in most events is the built form. Getting this right – while at the same time preparing for the long-term use post-event – can make or break a city for years to come.

Why should sports, residential, healthcare and other building types be considered together when masterplanning?

Masterplans are the bedrock of any major city development. It goes without saying that the most successful masterplans incorporate appropriate mixes of many building use types around generous public open spaces and good transport links.

AFL’s multi-sector design studio positions us very well for large scale development sites where residential development, for example, may be necessary to underpin the financial viability of a stadium or arena development. Likewise, a community health and wellbeing centre could form a hub for a sustainable masterplan mixed with a new or improved educational facility to provide the long-term community facilities that a city region requires to maintain family life.

How will the Hull Venue help the UK City of Culture to attract cross-sector events and visitors beyond 2017?

The story of Hull Venue’s development is an interesting case study for how architects can influence a long-term legacy. When we were first approached by Hull City Council to design a new multi-purpose events arena as part of its tenure of UK City of Culture, our first question to the council was – why do you want to build a 10,000-seat arena? From a pure business standpoint, we were talking our way out of a larger job! However, our overriding feeling was that the building had to be designed with a solid business plan underpinning the legacy use.

Our second question was – what did multi-purpose truly mean? We wanted to break away from the traditional approach of designing a sports arena that was a second-class venue for alternative uses, so we decided to dig down and create something that was truly multi-purpose.

We brought in experts in venue business planning to create a truly three-dimensional brief. This would take in the appropriate scale of the venue and the ideal mix of event types that Hull would benefit from long term. Essentially, we all agreed that the venue needed to be sized based on the regional catchment and facilities provided that were lacking in the city and wider region.

The outcome of this process was a venue sited right in the city centre with a maximum capacity of 3,500. This would be perfect for its primary use as a live music venue, with the ability to scale down for entertainment shows and smaller events. At the same time, functions such as conferences, exhibitions and banquets requiring only 800 attendees would benefit from the large floor plate that the building would provide.

The design process was a delicate balancing act which we believe has played out well in the final design. Now being constructed and due to open next year, Hull Venue will continue the legacy of Hull 2017, attracting thousands of visitors right into the centre of Hull for years to come.

How do you think your work at the AIMAG will contribute to the ongoing development of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan?

Although the stadium was built to host the opening and closing ceremonies for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2017, it needed to also be designed for a sporting legacy as part of the wider Olympic Complex in Ashgabat.

The brief was to be both IAAF and FIFA compliant while being able to host ceremonies and concerts. As these are not directly compatible we took the approach to design for athletics first while optimising for football use and then incorporating other events into the design modes.

Configuring the stadium seating bowl and sports facilities for all these events was a challenging exercise, with conflicting sight lines, c-values and program. The final design optimises all the requirements while minimising seat loss in football, which is a common issue with this type of multipurpose venue. This means that with only minor modifications, this venue could feasibly host a future FIFA Football World Cup group game on top of its existing capabilities to host tournaments such as the IAAF World Athletics Championships.

What are your further ambitions for the major events sector internationally?

As world leaders in delivering truly flexible and adaptable stadiums, arenas and masterplans, we want to create closer collaborations with our clients at the very start of their major event journeys. It is only in this way that cities can realise their visions for a sustainable future.

Above all, we want to create legacies that improve the places where we live and work, optimise costs and above all – deliver a world-class experience.

Marcel Ridyard is speaking at Host City 2017 in Glasgow on 28 and 29 November

[Source: SportAccord Convention] Global sports sponsorship is set to achieve $44 billion in 2017 with strong growth projected to continue in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as well as other parts of the world, including Europe and the USA. On top of this, the global spending power of Millennials is $2.5 trillion annually with 95% saying they will switch to a brand with a good cause.[1]

Influencer marketing, social responsibility, social activism, data rights, virtual reality, live streaming channels, brand purpose and brand co-creation, as well as attracting millennials who no longer watch television or visit websites – are some of the biggest challenges facing organisations today involved in the business of sport.

Activations on and off the field of play, content engagement, connected experiences and much more, will all be addressed at SportAccord Convention 2018, the only global sports gathering attended by every international sports federation as well as many of the key stakeholders in sport.

Set to take place from 15 – 20 April 2018 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand, the plenary conference will focus on the theme: Uniting a Global Audience – Marketing and Sponsorship for the Future. As part of the full conference programme, additional conference streams - CityAccord, MediaAccord, LawAccord and HealthAccord, will also examine the challenges that lie ahead when it comes to sponsorship and marketing.

As a result, SportAccord Convention registrations have soared (compared to this time last year), and record numbers of international sports federations have committed to exhibition booths. Many partners are re-signing having experienced the intrinsic value the Convention brings, while Malaysia Major Events has moved up a tier (to Gold).

Other partners to re-sign include Sport Event Denmark, (Gold Partner and Co-Host of last year’s Convention in Aarhus, Denmark) and DB Schenker (Delivery Partner), both of whom have been closely involved with the Convention since its inception in 2003, and Host City has become a Delivery Partner for the first time. Silver Partners Edmonton Events and Event Scotland, and Bronze Partners FIBA and Visit Victoria, as well as many media partners, have already confirmed their commitment to return and will be in Bangkok.

Not wanting to miss out, newcomers from the APAC region such as MI Associates will experience the world sport and business summit for the first time. Other organisations are taking advantage of their global presence to send C-level teams from Asia-Pacific such as Lagardère Sports Australia, while Great Big Events is bringing its largest delegation to date from both Australia and the United Kingdom.

Regarded as the sports business hub for collaboration and discovery, Greg Bowman, Managing and Creative Director commented:

“Great Big Events has been attending SportAccord Convention since its inaugural event in 2003. Our team is very excited to be involved once again, as we always find it a great event for discussing innovation and progress in sport and discovering ways to continue to push our industry forward into new and exciting territory.”

With so much to address and so many opportunities to be gained from taking part in one of the most important summits in 2018, organisations are encouraged to register and take part in the SportAccord Convention. Currently priced at CHF 2,000 and due to rise by CHF 500 on 6 November 2017, a delegate pass provides access to the most exclusive network of key decision-makers, stakeholders and experts in the world of sport.

Delegates have access to the full conference programme, 3-day exhibition, the Thai Pavilion, and numerous networking opportunities, including social events, the Opening Ceremony and Closing Event, luncheons, evening cocktails, the After Hours Bar, and much more. Follow developments and updates via Twitter @saconvention using #SAC2018, as well as LinkedIn and Facebook.

[Source: Glasgow 2018] The SSE Hydro will once again take centre stage next summer when it hosts the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships as part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

When some of the best gymnasts in the world step up to show their remarkable talents as they aim to strike gold, this city landmark will continue its reputation for attracting the finest competitors and most exciting competitions in the sport.

As a venue for the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the stunning SSE Hydro has witnessed plenty of special sporting moments over the years and will be the place to be for gymnastics fans when the Championships are in full swing. You can make sure you’re there to see champions crowned by getting your tickets here.

Aside from its record of holding unforgettable sporting events, the SSE Hydro, which has provided a stage for some of the biggest stars of music, has also been recognised by Pollstar as the second busiest live entertainment arena in the world.

But, soon enough, the spotlight will be back on athletes’ show-stopping routines.

Glasgow 2018 sporting ambassador Max Whitlock will be looking to continue a fine record when he returns to Glasgow, after clinching first place in the pommel horse two years ago and a medal haul including three golds at 2014’s Commonwealth Games.

The same event also brought success for Brit Claudia Fragapane, who became the first Englishwoman to win four golds at a single Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And Scotland's Dan Keatings was also on the podium, securing a gold and two silvers in front of a home crowd.

Away from the GB stars, the SSE Hydro has also been the location for incredible performances from athletes coming from further afield.

At the Worlds in 2015, Greece’s Eleftherios Petrounias wowed to come out on top in the men’s rings, while, among the other highlights, Romanian favourite Marian Dragulescu, a four-time world champion, took silver on the vault.

With just months to go until Glasgow 2018 gets underway, many of those hoping to write their name in the history books have already had their say on competing somewhere that those in the sport know so well.

Sporting ambassador Max said: “I’m really excited about Glasgow 2018 – it is always great to compete at a multi-sport event and I have always loved it here in Glasgow. The crowd is always amazing and give you that extra lift. It can make such a difference to your performance out there on the podium.

“I witnessed that first-hand during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and again at the World Championships the following year. So I have no doubt that Glasgow 2018 will be a huge success.”

Claudia also can’t wait to return to a venue that holds special memories.

She said: “The atmosphere was just breath-taking. There was a lot of pressure because everyone wanted us to do well. We wanted to do well and we knew we could do it so to get that massive roar from the crowd helped us with each performance. It will be amazing to go back to Glasgow – the city has such a special place in my heart.”

And Nile Wilson, who won team silver in the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, added: “The SSE Hydro has hosted some of the greatest moments of my career. The home support really, really does make a difference. And obviously we’re now looking forward to next year’s European Championships and I’m really excited at the prospect of competing once again in Glasgow.”

Commenting on the importance of the partnership, Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director of Host City said:

“Host City is delighted to have become SportAccord Convention’s Delivery Partner. We see this as the natural evolution of an increasingly powerful relationship between two crucial platforms supporting the community of stakeholders in major international events.

“SportAccord Convention and Host City have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for many years through media partnerships and conference activities.

“Host City particularly values opportunities to reinforce and forge new connections with leading people and organisations involved in major events.

“As well as being a focus for Host City’s high quality editorial coverage, SAC2018 in Bangkok will also provide a welcome opportunity for us to build engagement in Host City’s own events – including Host City Asia, which will bring the world of international event hosting to Beijing at the end of May 2018, and our annual global conference and exhibition in Glasgow in November 2017.”

SportAccord Convention is also a Silver Sponsor to Host City 2017 taking place in Glasgow from 28-29 November 2017.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “As an Official Delivery Partner, we’re delighted to have Host City onboard, given the importance and complexities of hosting major sports events. Host City has provided first-class support and media coverage for SportAccord Convention, and in recent years, with Ben Avison involved as a moderator for our CityAccord conference. We value their expertise and encourage delegates to draw on their experience in the lead-up to and during the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok.”

To network and connect with delegates ahead of the SportAccord Convention 2018 including international sports federations, cities, regions, organising committees, rights holders and suppliers, organisations involved in the business of sport can register for the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok as a delegate, or become involved as a partner and/or exhibitor.

The annual SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit runs for 6 days and features an extensive Conference programme including CityAccord, a sell-out 3-day exhibition, and hosts the stakeholder General Assemblies attended by their Members. The Convention also offers many social and networking opportunities as part of its Official Schedule.