Host City: How is SAMBO spreading geographically today from its Soviet origins 80 years ago?

Vasily Shestakov: Nowadays SAMBO is a sport that is spread on five continents with 4.5 million passionate and engaged participants. The sport grew dramatically over the last two decades to encompass 88 full member federations and more than 30 candidate countries. This is the result of extensive interest in martial arts in general, but thanks foremost to the strong commitment of the International SAMBO Federation and its strategy and vision to become the Olympic recognised sport.  

Host City: What are your priorities when looking for a host city and how do you go about selecting/attracting a host?

Vasily Shestakov: More than 30 major SAMBO competitions are held annually at the international level under the auspices of FIAS. The FIAS Competition calendar is composed of traditional events, which are historically organised in the same city for a number of years, such as the World Cup in Moscow and the chain of the Presidents Cups, traditionally hosted in the UK.

Moreover, we organise annual World Championships in different age categories in collaboration with our member federations, through the official bidding process opening at least three years before the events. However, we see the importance of exploring further opportunities to engage with host cities directly, as this is an important change in organisation of events globally.

Host City: What are the main benefits of hosting the SAMBO championships?

Vasily Shestakov: International SAMBO events give host cities opportunities related to tourism. The average number of participants in the international events is about 1,000 people, which together with the fans gives us about 3,000 people attending the event. This provides the host city with opportunities to generate income for hotels, restaurants, transport, touristic attractions etc.

Moreover, FIAS is strongly engaged in promoting the sustainable management of its events, with opportunities to build legacy in three pillars: economical, environmental and social. So, for host cities that would like to organise sports events with these values, SAMBO events could be the option.

Host City: How does Sambo differ from other forms of (mixed) martial arts?

Vasily Shestakov: SAMBO is the unique synthesis of various techniques and martial arts from around the world. It is an original system of physical and spiritual education of person, in which many nations of the world recognize their sporting styles and traditions.

Host City: What does the future hold for SAMBO?

Vasily Shestakov: This year marks the 80^th anniversary of SAMBO and it is due to be another thrilling year for the sport. Most importantly, we are hoping to continue with the excellent growth we have seen in recent years: making SAMBO more accessible to people all over the world. While SAMBO is still not recognised by the International Olympic Committee, we are very much looking forward to working extensively on our recognition and believe that in a short period we can reach our goal.

Michal Buchel, CEO of FIAS is giving a presentation on “Building recognition and participation” at Host City 2018 in Glasgow on 20-21 November

Since its first race in 2003, the Red Bull Air Race has been on a tireless quest to bring its unique aerial action into the ranks of the world’s most advanced sporting events. Fifteen years later, that mission has been achieved, and the sport’s development keeps advancing by leaps and bounds.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship uses state-of-the-art technology not only to develop the sport itself – but also to provide an exceptional experience for spectators on the ground and viewers watching worldwide. Already, customization with the latest aviation technology has brought the powerful single-seat raceplanes to an unprecedented level of advancement, while high-tech timing and judging equipment, along with thoughtfully crafted revisions to the race format and rules, make the sport a can’t-look-away event. And the introduction of a second competition category, the Challenger Class, literally brings pilots up to speed, so that they inspire the best from the best when they join the top aviators at the World Championship level.

And then there are the technical innovations that take the sport even closer to the fans. At the forefront of technology, the Red Bull Air Race live TV product has helped the sport reach a massive audience and captivates a constantly expanding fan base around the globe, while mixed reality and virtual reality enable followers to share the experiences of their heroes.

Here are just a few examples of how the Red Bull Air Race has brought a new dimension to motorsport.

The unseen advantage: telemetry

One of the major factors in the technological progression of the Red Bull Air Race is telemetry data. What is telemetry? Very generally, the term refers to automated collection and transmission of data for monitoring purposes. Today, each of the raceplanes is equipped with more than 40 different sensors that report everything from airspeed and G force to critical engine measurements like RPM and fuel flow. This data allows teams to get insights on the best race lines and their own raceplane performance, which in turn inspire new training options and provide the basis for developing raceplane modifications and tactics through the racetrack. Telemetry data also makes judging more precise, enhances safety and, ultimately, improves the race performance of every team, for breathtakingly tight finishes in the riveting aerial showdowns.

Visibility on a major scale: live TV

Telemetry data is also an important contributor to the fascination of watching the race live on TV. Red Bull Air Race TV products reach a huge fan base around the world. Broadcast online and brought to 177 countries via broadcast partners, these TV productions open the motorsport to an ever-increasing base of dedicated fans, as well as new viewers who simultaneously discover the motorsport and the cities that host it from the comfort of their homes. In order to further enlarge these numbers and bring the action closer to audiences than ever, the TV production team utilizes state-of-the-art of technology and works with leading-edge collaborators to constantly develop and improve the viewing experience.

Perhaps the best example of how technology heightens audience engagement with the live TV shows is the Ghost Plane, a product based on telemetry data that has no equivalent in traditional sports broadcasting. While current conditions prohibit having raceplanes in the track simultaneously, the Red Bull Air Race can create that thrilling sensation through the use of a virtual plane – on live TV as well as on jumbo video screens onsite – that allows them to “see” two raceplanes flying head-to-head. The Ghost Plane is an augmented reality product that enhances the real camera picture with computer-generated content, developed specifically for the Red Bull Air Race. A positioning system, mounted in the fuselage of each raceplane, broadcasts the precise position of the aircraft to a ground base station, where an accurate graphic overlay of the flight is created in 3D. Then, when another competitor is racing in the track, the overlay is added, showing the position of the real raceplane and the virtual opponent in the track at any point during the run – in real time. The Ghost Plane was a hit with audiences when first introduced in 2015, and has evolved to be even more compelling in the seasons since.

A next-gen experience: holograms and virtual reality

In addition to developing its own technological prowess, Red Bull Air Race collaborates with leading technology companies, such as Microsoft and Google, to produce technical innovations that draw the fans right into the action to immerse themselves in the sport – even when they are at home. Two examples are the FlightDeck with HoloLens and the Red Bull Air Race LIVE VR experience on Daydream, both based on the live streaming of the data from the raceplanes. Each provides an exciting new viewing angle for understanding the sport, and each features the Red Bull Air Race host cities, meticulously incorporating the unique settings of these appealing global locations into the race environment. 

The Flight Deck allows fans to go right inside the race teams’ inner sanctum: This mixed reality app, developed in close collaboration with Microsoft and utilizing its HoloLens that brings holograms into the real world, gives users the chance to stand next to a virtual one-to-one scale Edge 540 raceplane as if they were in the hangar. Moreover, they can explore the rules of the sport in depth – from navigating a chicane to crossing the Finish Gate – and compare pilots in their head-to-head rounds.

The Red Bull Air Race LIVE VR experience uses real-time telemetry data straight from the pilot’s cockpit and re-creates the flight in a 360-degree virtual reality, so viewers can become fully immersed in a race from multiple angles and viewpoints, including the cockpit. Thanks to Google’s Daydream mobile platform for high-quality VR content, the combination of a Daydream View headset and any Daydream-ready smartphone transports viewers right into the racetrack. The VR experience is fuelled by live flight data like latitude, longitude, roll, pitch and airspeed to generate astounding perspectives and a real-dimensional, live visualization of the pilot’s view as the Air Gates and the local landmarks flash by at up to 370kmh, with users able to track the jaw-dropping speed and G Force. Marking a world first in data broadcasting on the platform, fans can dive into not just races that have already taken place (on demand), but also those happening live.

The future of motorsport today: with more to come

The ingenious, rapid-fire technology development of the Red Bull Air Race has brought the sport from audacious beginnings in 2003 to the official World Championship it is today, with 21 countries and an even larger number of cities featured as sensational hosts to its nearly 90 races so far. Whether fans are flocking to global destinations to see the Air Racing stars live, or engrossed by stunning scenes of the race via TV and augmented reality, technical wizardry brings them the future of motorsport today, piquing their interest in the race and everything that surrounds it. With more technical innovation in the works, that engagement is destined to become even broader and deeper with each season.

Erich Wolf, General Manager of Red Bull Air Race GmbH is speaking at Host City 2018 under the conference theme “The Future of Major Events”

Host City: 2018 has been a big year for Aggreko powering major events, starting with the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang – what were the biggest challenges there?

David de Behr: As with any winter event we do, the weather conditions are always the biggest challenge – and with the magnitude of the Olympics, the volume of equipment, processes and people needed to execute promptly are key.

We faced extreme cold temperatures and winds while building up the temporary power services requested to run the Games smoothly in PyeongChang – and this required a lot of endurance from our equipment and a lot of energy from our specialist engineers.

We adapted to meet these challenges head on. We modified all our fuel tanks by adding heat elements, generators were equipped to run in the cold climate and the project team had to plan all operations very tightly to meet the client deadlines.

The endurance level of our people deserves to be recognised; they never lost sight of the objective and their dedication in the face of some incredible obstacles was key to our success.

Host City: Your next project in 2018 was the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast – how did this compare as a project for Aggreko?

David de Behr: The Gold Coast Games were special as they were not located within one city but held in a region. Australia has always been very special to Aggreko as it is one of our oldest markets and so it was fantastic to see the synergy between Aggreko Australia and our experienced Major Events team putting together this project.

We worked with a very experienced organising committee (GOLDOC), which had a very clear view on how they wanted to deliver the Games, and the partnership with our experienced project team meant we had a very fluent build up towards the Games.

Using our design program to give financial transparency throughout the contract was appreciated by the organising committee and the rest is history: great Games in a beautiful region with enthusiastic engagement from the public – a job well done!

Host City: The European Championships in Glasgow was a new format of event, combining multiple sports – what were your perceptions of this and how did Aggreko contribute to its success?

David de Behr: Glasgow is and always will be special to Aggreko – our roots and our manufacturing plant are located in Glasgow.

This new format of event coming to our town, and being able to harness a lot of the infrastructure from the 2014 Commonwealth Games, made it a perfect match for us.

We were very impressed by the enthusiasm around the Championships and strongly believe it will grow as an event in the future.

For our teams on the ground it was a pleasant return to the venues we powered in 2014. Working very closely with the organising committee, we were able to tailor and deliver the event within everyone’s expectations.

Host City: After all those multi-sports projects, you also powered the Ryder Cup in France – what are the requirements there?

David de Behr: The difference with the other 2018 events is that the Ryder Cup is a massive single venue event.

It forms part of our long-term relationship with the European Tour. The exciting part this time, unlike our previous involvement with Ryder Cups, was that the 2018 incarnation was held outside of the UK, near Paris.

150 lorries packed full of equipment were delivered to install all temporary power and HVAC systems on the massive site. It was project managed by an English-French Aggreko project team with the first members of our team on the ground in May.

The beauty of such golf tournaments is also the main challenge – the players and public can walk almost everywhere – and so planning and design are key to the success of the event for us.

Another challenge is the seasonal weather – the climate could be very unpredictable and so we had to prepare for all temperature control eventualities. Our temperature control systems are designed to be able to cope with this changing environment.

The outcome was really impressive and the Ryder Cup week was one that many will not forget for a long time!

David de Behr is speaking at Host City 2018 on the topic of “Reimagining Major Event Delivery”. Host City 2018 takes place in Glasgow on 20-21 November

DB Schenker is proud to have been the official logistics provider for the host broadcaster of the Asian Games 2018. Held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, from 17 August to 2 September, the Asian Games 2018 is the second largest international sporting event after the Olympics. Some 45 nations participated in 463 events – covering 40 sports in various venues between the two cities.

Sports Events Logistics experts at DB Schenker from more around 16 countries worked hard behind the scenes to transport broadcasting and stationary equipment to Indonesia, so that audiences at home around the world could support their country’s athletes live on television during the 2018 Asian Games.

In early 2018, PT Schenker Petrolog Utama (DB Schenker Indonesia) and DB Schenker Sports Events Germany were appointed by the International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) to handle the temporary importation and re-exportation of broadcasting equipment for the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.

This meant nothing less than taking on the responsibility of ensuring millions of viewers worldwide would be able to enjoy Indonesia's largest international sports event to date.

The first time Indonesia hosted the event was in 1962, the country and the whole media environment was much different back then. The 2018 Asian Games were originally slated to be hosted by Hanoi, Vietnam, but the country backed out from the appointment after stating concerns over costs.

Our logistical tasks included bringing in all the technical equipment needed for an International Broadcast Centre set up at Jakarta Convention Centre in Senayan, Jakarta, from where the broadcasting signals of the Games were spread across the world – as well as handling the deliveries and pickups for the various broadcasters from each of the participating nations in the 43 venues where competitions were broadcast live.

IGBS were very careful in choosing a good partner to do this. This is equipment coming from four continents, it was more than 2.600 single pieces and cases, all very sensitive electronic appliances and we did the whole thing door-to-door: pick up in the origin country, importation into Indonesia, customs clearance duly and in time, delivery up to broadcasting compound and respectively backwards on the re-export after the Games are finished.

Without a dedicated team working around the clock for months in the preparation and then again months in the execution, this would not have been possible.

With fully chartered cargo airplanes and many other regular scheduled flights that successfully landed between early July and mid-August at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the DB Schenker Indonesia team carried several hundred tons of broadcasting equipment owned by IGBS and other independent broadcasting companies from all over the world. This included equipment that had been used for the FIFA World Cup in Russia earlier this year.

Several shipments were also delivered by ocean freight to the Jakarta International Container Terminal. In major international sports events such as the Asian Games, time constraints are a common challenge faced by logistics companies.

Indonesia was very enthusiastic about hosting this event and it was a great success in the end. However, getting there was a wild ride on a rollercoaster of arrangements and back and forth with authorities and regulating bodies. Never had so much broadcasting equipment been brought in and out of the country in such a short period of time, so there was no one with a track record or a blueprint of how to do it. As everyone that has been around in the country for a while can tell, sometimes the simplest endeavour can turn into a most adventurous undertaking and usually, certainties are not part of the equation. Organizing this logistics project went in pretty much the same style: until everything was set up, no one could really tell how it would work out in the end.

But the experience that often in this country, the last minute before a deadline is the most powerful leverage for many things to start moving into the right place, allowed us to maintain the typical faith and calmness that are hard to explain to outsiders.

Once again, Indonesia has proven to the world and each and every one of us that here, everything that is seasoned with the right portion of patience, creativity and endurance, can turn into a success.

DB Schenker is Silver Sponsor of Host City 2018, where Future City Mobility and Event Logistics is one of many exciting agenda topics

When the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) was formed on August 3, 1948, the majority of events at the Summer Olympic Games were taking place some 50 kilometres away in London.

At the time, a meeting of 15 national pentathlon federations at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst may not have seemed like the epicentre of the action, but the decision taken by that group sowed the seeds of a sporting organism that has been growing and flourishing ever since.

Today, after 70 years of heritage and innovation, the UIPM movement is in many ways unrecognisable from those early beginnings.

Today it is a sprawling sporting organisation with nearly 120 member federations, a 106-year-old core Olympic sport (Modern Pentathlon), five other multi-discipline UIPM Sports and a new urban phenomenon that is rapidly spreading across the cities in all six of the world’s populated continents.

That phenomenon is the UIPM Global Laser-Run City Tour (GLRCT), a concept that delivers an exciting, dynamic and fun competition to participants of all ages and offers them an entry point to UIPM Sports. Who knows, maybe some of the young athletes enjoying the unique combination of running and laser shooting might even become pentathletes one day and reach the Olympic Games.

The GLRCT took place in parks, stadiums and iconic urban venues in 60 cities around the world in 2017. It is currently in the process of visiting about 100 cities throughout 2018.

Laser-Run is the newest sport on the UIPM pyramid. It was conceived as a development sport, aimed at growing participation numbers in the core Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon, but its simplicity, popularity and marketability have seen it grow an identify of its own.

The growth of that brand has coincided with the evolution of UIPM’s wider visual identity, which aims to communicate the historic pentathlon family values aligned to the dynamic future of UIPM Sports.

A branding review in 2017 led to the creation of two new logos, one for institutional and internal use and the other for external promotional use. The new institutional logo features two original colours that represent the pentathlon environment: yellow (symbolizing dynamic development) and blue (standing for longevity and power). Gender equality is also reflected with the addition of two female pictograms.

Martin Dawe, UIPM Executive Board Member for Marketing, said: “The purpose of this branding review is to make sure our logos are more up to date. It is not a completely new logo but more of an evolution, and it’s about making it more applicable for today’s audience.”

UIPM has planned a series of events and commemorations in celebration of its 70th anniversary, culminating with a special edition of the UIPM Congress in November in Limassol, Cyprus, which will feature a gala dinner with VIP guests from across the Olympic movement.

The role played by those 15 federation delegates in England in 1948 will be fully acknowledged, as well as the work of the many people who have contributed across the past seven decades to the realisation of a dream.

This article first appeared in the Summer issue of Host City magazine. Read the full magazine here

Global youth entertainment brand Nitro Circus first rose to prominence fifteen years ago thanks to the unbelievably outrageous stunts Travis Pastrana and team captured on film from their home studio. Originally intended for DVD and then for television, it was only a matter of time before Nitro Circus’ must-see content went viral as the internet developed into a multimedia platform. With Travis and friends pushing the limits in the name of fun and adventure, fans inspired by their jaw-dropping exploits quickly began to spread the word about these daring feats on the newly interconnected digital networks coming online at the time.

Then after the Nitro Circus live show debuted in 2010 the phenomenon exploded globally as fans could now post photos and videos of their heroes in person, sharing their first-hand experiences worldwide. Nitro Circus’ Facebook Followers soon numbered in the millions as the tour rolled on across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and Africa. Currently over 20 million strong, this global community of engaged fans has established Nitro Circus as leaders in the digital space.

Now, as linear television rapidly converges with digital media, Nitro Circus is perfectly positioned at the forefront of this multiplatform, multiscreen future.

Nitro Circus took a bold step forward in this direction during the 2017 Nitro World Games: by innovatively pairing the live network TV broadcast of the action sports competition with a global Facebook livestream, fans everywhere could witness the game-changing world’s firsts on display from Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, all in real time and on any device (Facebook had shown the event overseas the year prior, but this was the first time that the livestream was available worldwide).

Fast-forward to the present day, with Nitro World Games expanding and announcing new disciplines held in multiple locations across the planet, and this global reach only continues to grow. Highlights from the recent FMX Best Trick contest alone have gone viral on Facebook, exceeding over two million views to date. So far, Nitro World Games 2018 has generated over 10 million views across six live broadcasts of contests held in Utah and Southern California with more than 44 million impressions in total. Viewership truly spans the globe, with content translated into five different languages. Now, having just announced a partnership with the UK’s Scootfest freestyle scooter festival and with more details about other Nitro World Games events still to come, look for these figures to continue to grow exponentially over the course of the year.

Beyond action sports competition, Nitro Circus Media Productions has created a diverse slate of compelling original content. After co-producing the record-breaking “Evel Live” TV special with HISTORY, Travis Pastrana’s tribute to Evel Knievel was later simultaneously broadcast and livestreamed in Brazil, South America’s largest media market.

Digital series such as “Off the Grid” and “Out and About with the Nitro Circus Crew” showcase the exciting adventures Nitro Circus athletes get into – everything from swimming with sharks in the waters outside South Africa to mountain biking through the badlands of Utah. Taking it a step further, by teaming with partners such as Whistle Sports and Junkin Media, Nitro Circus can maximize its extensive library and find new opportunities for growth and exposure.

From its inception, Nitro Circus has strived to break boundaries and redefine what is possible. With media consumption continuing to evolve, particularly among Millennials, look for the Nitro team to stay on the cutting edge by creating more groundbreaking events and engaging content.

Andy Edwards, President of Nitro Circus is speaking at Host City 2018 on the subject of "Integrated Content Offerings: Connecting audiences, host cities and content through major events"

A vibrant coastal city and recent host to the Commonwealth Games, SportAccord 2019 will take place at the world-class Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre with over 1,500 delegates expected to attend.

To register for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit and take advantage of the registration opening rate (CHF 1,500) available for a limited period only, visit www.sportaccord.sport.

Commenting on SportAccord 2019, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord said:

“We are delighted to be in Gold Coast, Queensland for the next edition of SportAccord. The World Sport & Business Summit brings important opportunities and unique networking experiences to any organisation involved in the business of sport, particularly as it is the only global event with all the key players from the Olympic and non-Olympic movement present.

“Following the recent SportAccord team visit to Gold Coast, strong commitment from the Local Organising Committee and the award-winning venue team is very apparent. Together, we are confident the next edition of SportAccord will be a great success and bring significant opportunities to delegates, the region and Australasia, as well as to the sports business community worldwide.”

Queensland’s Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said she was looking forward to welcoming delegates to the Gold Coast. “Hosting SportAccord is a great opportunity to show the world why the Gold Coast is now renowned as a hub for major events.

“While they’re here, delegates will enjoy the world-class tourism experiences on the Gold Coast – from our famous beaches and surf breaks, to our lush hinterland, food and wine experiences, theme parks and local hospitality.

“We’re working hard to make the most of the Commonwealth Games to ensure this event continues to deliver a great legacy for Queensland and we look forward to discussing new opportunities to secure international sporting events for Queensland.”

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) offers magnificent, state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and large spacious foyers showcasing 180-degree views of the Broadbeach skyline. However, it is the venue team’s ‘can-do’ approach, professional service and attention to detail that really sets the GCCEC apart and will help to make each and every delegate experience unique and memorable.

With an abundance of stunning exhibition space, businesses looking to raise their visibility and showcase their organisation, launch a new product or service during SportAccord, will be able to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity. For further details and to secure premium exhibition space, make early contact with sales@sportaccord.com as booths always sell out quickly.

SportAccord 2019 will host over 50 conference sessions with around 100 international speakers and panellists taking part. The five conference streams include: The Summit, CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord, and HealthAccord.

The World Sport and Business Summit will also offer a varied and exciting social programme to suit every delegate with plenty of opportunity to network outside formal surroundings. This includes the daily Exhibition Luncheons and Evening Cocktails, After Hours Bar, Opening Ceremony and Closing Event, bringing a sense of occasion and cultural flavour to the Gold Coast edition of SportAccord.

This year SportAccord is delighted to confirm oneworld® as the Official Airline Alliance partner enabling delegates to enjoy reduced airfares with thirteen carriers for flights to Brisbane (BNE)/Gold Coast (OOL).

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support SportAccord 2019 which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

To become an Exhibitor or Partner contact the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 21 612 3070. To register as a delegate and watch past SportAccord footage visit www.sportaccord.sport.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #SA2019, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook.

For media enquiries, email the Media Relations Officer: jenny.edmondson@sportaccord.com

Host City: The theme of Host City 2018 is “The Future of Major Events”. What do you think will be the single most important concern for event hosts and organisers in the next five to ten years?

Paul Bush: I believe the single most important concern for event hosts and organisers in the next five to ten years will be how major events contribute to government policy and help bring about long-term transformational change within society beyond just having an economic impact.

No longer can we hold events for events’ sake. They need to reflect the priorities of the wider community and ensure the benefit is felt across the board, not just amongst those immediately connected with the event.

It is about ensuring a 360-degree approach to the planning and delivery of events to ensure policy drivers such as health, education, transport and sustainability are reflected in the event’s overall aims and objectives.  

By taking this approach, it will in turn filter down into other key areas that will impact events going forward, including the integrity of the event, security and the role of technology in the viewing and delivery of events.

Host City: How are geopolitical trends and concerns over event governance impacting the distribution of future major events? Where in the world will future investment be strongest? What impact might Brexit have?

Paul Bush: As major events are often bid for and awarded years in advance, considerations of the ever-evolving geopolitical trends and event governance are part of the event planning and delivery process. It’s too early to say what the full impact of Brexit will be but as a global industry, events are well placed to respond to the changes that are likely to come given we are used to operating across national and international borders to deliver events, particularly around major sporting events.

Like everything, the funding landscape is also changing, with sponsorship and grants no longer simply about name rights and brand awareness. Therefore in the future, investment will be strongest where bids can successfully articulate the benefit of events that reflect the values and ambitions of rights holders and sponsors while aligning with government policies to deliver long-term transformational change.

Host City: What can event owners, organisers and hosts do to ensure major events become more financially and environmentally sustainable? How can hosting events create happier, healthier citizens?

Paul Bush: Again I think this comes back to taking a 360 degree approach to the planning and delivery of events. Aligning with government policy, particularly around, health, transport and infrastructure, will ensure major events are more financially and environmentally sustainable as well as helping create happier, healthier citizens.

As a society I think we are more aware of the impact of our carbon footprint so we’re looking for events to reflect value for money by minimise their environmental impact. Take for example the recent European Championships. There was limited capital infrastructure costs because we used existing venues from the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The only new venue built for the Championships was the BMX track, which is the first and only world championships and Olympic standard BMX track in Scotland and only the second in the UK, ensuring a legacy for the sport of BMX in Scotland.

We also want events to leave a lasting personal legacy on our citizens, whether that’s through signposting to activities that can improve both mental and physical health or providing opportunities to gain new skills and experiences through volunteering. So major events now have an important role to play within society beyond just providing an amazing spectacle for people to enjoy.

Host City: What are current trends telling us about the kind of content and formats that will be in demand in the future?

Paul Bush: Current trends are telling us we need to think about content and formats in quite a different way than we previously have. The old broadcast model is increasing becoming outdated and needs to evolve to ensure we continue to engage with fans. Fans want content that is personalised and accessible to them through a range of devices and mediums.

From an event delivery perspective, part of this trend means embracing and experimenting with new platforms – whether that be streaming live events, augmented reality or widening the fan engagement, on the platforms they are already using.

At the root, it is about moving away from thinking about digital as a channel and more as something that is core to the way we manage and run events.

Host City: What are your expectations of Host City 2018 and why should people attend?

Paul Bush: It is great to have Host City 2018 back in Glasgow and Scotland for the fourth consecutive year. I’m once again looking forward to the high calibre of speakers and delegates Host City attracts. This year’s agenda continues to push the industry to delve into the issues we’re facing and having meaningful debate round them.

It is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across the sporting, cultural and business events sector in a relaxed and friendly setting. So if you haven’t registered already, I highly recommend you do so now.

As Chairman of Host City 2018, Paul Bush OBE will be delivering the opening keynote address and speaking on the panel “Populations, politics and popularity stakes”. Register your attendance here

Host City: What are the main themes of this year’s Sportel Monaco?

Laurent Puons: The evolution of the international sports media and technology industry is happening faster than ever before, and our community is a fantastic representation of this.

Our members have been discussing some of the main themes for many years, but now these themes have turned from added value propositions to key aspects of global strategy.

A few of the exciting developments to keep an eye on include, but are not limited to, live broadcast across social media platforms and OTT direct to consumer models. Fans are engaging and consuming content very differently than they were just a few years ago and the entire industry needs to adapt to this fact.

Host City: Can you tell us a bit about this year’s conference programme?

Laurent Puons: This year our participants will have the opportunity to take part in a number of sponsored conference programme events, which include presentations by LaLiga, Feed Construct and more. 

Regarding SPORTEL’s conference programmes globally, this year marks an important strategical change for SPORTEL as it redefines the opportunities for all three of its SPORTEL events.

SPORTELMonaco will remain the global marketplace concentrating on maximising commercial opportunities for its members from across the world.

SPORTELAsia is the ideal environment for the SPORTEL community to come together to do business in the Far East and across Asia Pacific. It is a unique opportunity for SPORTEL participants to meet the leading sports business decision makers from Asia that do not attend any of SPORTEL's other events.

Regarding SPORTEL conference events, SPORTEL will provide our participants with the opportunity to participate in a new event, which will shape the future of the international sport business industry. The new event will include very high-level speakers and discuss the key issues that need to be addressed by the decision makers of global markets. An official announcement of the new concept will be done during SPORTELMonaco.

Host City: How does Sportel Monaco help rights holders to reach new audiences?

Laurent Puons: If you are looking to do global or national business with broadcasters, social media platforms, agencies or technology providers they are all at SPORTELMonaco. Three days at SPORTELMonaco 2018 can provide our participants with substantial opportunities for business development. The SPORTEL community cannot be found anywhere else but SPORTEL Events.    

Host City: Which markets are growing the fastest for you and how is this reflected in your three continental editions: Sportel Monaco, Asia and America?

Laurent Puons: Each of our events is unique and offers different business opportunities. SPORTELMonaco 2018 is our global convention with over 3,000 delegates, representing more than 1,000 companies from across the globe. 

SPORTELAsia 2019 will be held in exciting Macau, from 5-7 March and provide our international SPORTEL community with the opportunity to do business with key decision makers from the Far East and Across Asia Pacific. We have some new incentives for this edition of SPORTELAsia 2019, so watch this space!

[Source: SportAccord] The 12^th International Federation (IF) Forum organised by SportAccord today confirmed partnerships with Eurosport, JLT and Sports Nevada USA. The IF Forum is set to take place from 5-7 November 2018 when more than 100 international sports federations, associates and observer members from GAISF will gather at the Hotel Royal Savoy in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IF Forum provides a platform for GAISF members (both Olympic and non-Olympic) to tackle global matters related to the Sports Movement. The annual 3-day gathering is also limited to a small number of industry partners and gives them exclusive access to an authoritative networking environment and recognition as a supporter of the Sports Movement.

Eurosport is one of the top sport destination broadcasters and this includes the Olympics in Europe. Eurosport channels reach more than 242 million cumulative subscribers across 75 countries worldwide. Its online sports news website Eurosport.com sees around 42 million users per month and along with the Eurosport app, enables fans to watch Eurosport anytime, live or on demand, via its digital streaming service the Eurosport Player.

This year sees JLT as an IF Forum industry partner for the 8^th year running. They specialise in risk and insurance services to the sports industry and have worked with the international federations (IFs) since 1980. JLT offers a number of bespoke products specifically designed for IFs such as broad coverage, risk and insurance advice including arrangements, as well as liability claims for significant events.

Sports Nevada USA promotes the State of Nevada (USA) as an elite sports competition and event destination, and nurtures the Olympic Movement statewide. Sports Nevada USA hosts, facilitates, and supports such activities to further its mission, partnering with tourism agencies in Reno-Tahoe and Las Vegas including the Boyd Gaming resorts.

Commenting on the IF Forum partnerships, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord said: “We are delighted to have JLT and Sports Nevada USA with us again. Their commitment demonstrates the value a partnership brings by being involved in a high-profile event. We are also pleased to welcome Eurosport into the fold for the 2018 edition.

“This year’s IF Forum should be an extremely interesting three days of discussion, debate, and insights into what the future holds for international sports federations and the wider global sport community.”

Limited partnerships are available and partners have access to the official schedule which includes: entry to all conference and panel sessions, workshops; VIP functions and social events; and the opportunity to deliver a presentation as part of the conference programme.