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Show Preview: Soccerex scores more goals in 2004 - June 2004

Soccer world governing body FIFA and its major sponsors, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), 45 Asian Football Associations, English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Arsenal FC, 2010 FIFA World Cup Host South Africa, Nike and many more are making their way to Dubai this November for a reunion at Soccerex 2004. Duncan Revie, CEO of Soccerex, gave Sport and Technology an insight on what to expect.

Jumeirah International's spectacular new Madinat Jumeirah, the venue for Soccerex 2004 (foreground)

On 29-30 November 2004, the world of soccer will once again congregate at Soccerex, the business convention for the soccer industry. The venue for this year's get-together of soccer's decision-makers is the stunning new Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai right next to the world famous Burj Al Arab.
Having spoken with Duncan Revie, CEO of Soccerex, it seems that Soccerex, in its seventh year, is setting a new standard for business opportunities and network potential in the soccer industry. Revie revealed to Sport and Technology some of the developments so far in the build-up to Soccerex 2004.
Following the successful Soccerex 2003, the exhibition size has almost doubled and segregated into confederation areas to accommodate all soccer business interests from around the world. Since the event's brochure launch in May and the recent breaking news on AFC and FIFA signing up to attend, further bookings have been taken so that 70% of the exhibition area is currently already occupied at the time of writing.
FIFA is planning to fly in all its major sponsors to Soccerex 2004 - from Adidas to MasterCard - for a get-together followed by a presentation on worldwide sponsorship opportunities under the FIFA banner. "After last year's success we are very much looking forward to participating at Soccerex 2004 in November in Dubai," confirms Markus Siegler, director of communications at FIFA.

FIFA president Joseph Blatter and AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam on Asian Champion Al Ain's stand at Soccerex 2003

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also plans to celebrate this year. In honour of its 50th anniversary, the AFC will fly in representatives from all 45 National Football Associations in Asia. A special two-day media workshop has been arranged by the AFC as part of 'Vision Asia'.
AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam will join FIFA President Sepp Blatter in opening Soccerex 2004.
AFC president Bin Hammam comments: "We welcome Soccerex back to our continent and look forward to this year's event. Any forum, which is developed with the objective of developing soccer, is very positive, not only for Asia, but for soccer around the world. Soccerex will facilitate exchange between Asian and international entities to increase the exposure of soccer in Asia, and our awareness of the soccer business in the rest of the world."

The booming Gulf region

The continuous boom and importance of professional sport and sport infrastructure in the Gulf region is documented by the large presence of sports-related companies at Soccerex 2004. The world's biggest sport city - Dubai Sports City featuring a Manchester United training academy - along with sport cities from Bahrain, Jordan and Libya - will all exhibit with the objective of finding suitable commercial partners and raising awareness.
Soccerex 2004 will be under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which underlines the credibility Soccerex has achieved in the Gulf region over the last four years.

World of soccer media

HRH The Duke of York in discussion with Brian Phillpotts, commercial director of the English FA Premier League in the Premier League VIP lounge at Soccerex 2003

Soccerex 2004 also continues to be a trade platform for various media rights which promises further interesting negotiations such as last year's decisive meeting between the FA English Premier League and ESPN Star Sports at Soccerex 2003. ART Television, Dubai Sports Channel, CNBC Arabia, MBC, Sky Sports, BBC World Service, Eurosport, ESPN Star Sports and a range of other Asian broadcasters are looking forward to meet various rights holders at this year's event.

Masterclass workshops

Besides developing networks and bringing business partners together, Soccerex has always valued the educational opportunities of such a convention.
Conference delegates will get the opportunity to interact with one of the world gurus in marketing - Ian Todd, global vice president of sports marketing at Nike.
Another specially invited guest speaker is Trevor Birch, who will give a fascinating insight into the amazing feat of restructuring and selling two English Premier League clubs in the last 12 months. Birch was instrumental in the sale of Chelsea FC to Roman Abramovich and followed that up by helping Leeds United FC out of difficulty selling the club to a Leeds-based consortium of businessmen. Birch has just been appointed as chief executive of Everton FC. A remarkable story to be told at Soccerex 2004.
A full workshop programme will be announced in due course.

2010 FIFA World Cup host

Danny Jordaan, head of the successful South African World Cup bid, confirmed South Africa's delight at returning for its seventh year at Soccerex, this time as World Cup Host Nation. South African will have an area where all those wishing to take advantage of the opportunities of the rainbow nation's success will be able to congregate. "As one of the first associations to support Soccerex it will be a really proud moment when we return this year as the host of the World Cup 2010," says Jordaan.

Soccer clubs from around the globe

A meeting of minds (from left to right): Emilio Butragueno, VP of Real Madrid; Prince Abdullah, president of Al Hilal FC; St John Lewis, digital strategist, EHS Brann; Matt Lorenzo, Sky Sports; Freddy Shepherd, chairman of Newcastle United; Jeff Slack, commercial director of Inter Milan; Andrew Croker, consultant for Sportfive.

The list of soccer clubs attending Soccerex 2004 promises to be as diverse as the rest of participants and is increasing constantly. The likes of Europe's finest such as Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Inter Milan and Real Madrid are joined by clubs from all over the world including Flamengo CF, Kaizer Chiefs, Grasshopper Zurich, Locomotiv Moscow, Shenzen Jianlibao, Kingfisher East Bengal, Al Ain Sporting Club, Colorado Rapids, Yokohama Marinos, Wadi Degla Sporting Club, Al Wahda Club and many more. "Anyone with an interest in the soccer industry has every reason to be at Soccerex 2004," concludes Soccerex's Revie.

For further information or a Soccerex 2004 brochure please contact the Soccerex head office on tel: +44 208 566 5100, fax: +44 208 566 5200 or e-mail: enquiry@soccerex.com

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