Show Preview: Soccerex raises the bar - September 2006  

Soccerex will return to the magnificent Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai between 26-28 November this year. The 2006 event will be celebrating 10 years of bringing the world of soccer together to learn, network and conduct business. Soccerex has experienced unprecedented growth in 2006 with its exhibition area (which has doubled in size since 2005). At the time of writing, the exhibition area was 90% sold out and 3,000 senior executives from around the world had signed up to attend the overall event.

Technology to be addressed

Soccerex recognises the increasing need for soccer clubs and federations to use new technological advances to guarantee lucrative revenue streams. Meanwhile, technological improvements in new and existing sports stadia have never been more apparent. New technology is now impacting on all elements of the game ‘on and off the pitch’.
Technological innovations are being used to:
· improve coaching methods,
· monitor player performance,
· collate match analysis and statistical data,
· produce interactive broadcasting methods,
· introduce HD to enhance viewers experience,
· enhance gaming and interactive betting,
· distribute content via broadband, WIFI and 3G,
· improve perimeter advertising through LED screening.

Companies that will be demonstrating their new technologies at Soccerex this year include Sony, Microsoft, Arqiva, Fast Web Media, Global Sportnet, Markettiers 4DC, RE:Media, Sport Business, SportSync, Wige Media, Konami, Leading Independent Media Ltd, Yahoo!, Google, Premiere, Intel, Service Graphice, Servecast, Eurovision and Global Sportnet,

2006 delegates

With rapid changes in soccer’s media landscape, and the ever growing impact that technology has on the soccer industry, Soccerex 2006 is gathering together leading edge companies in this sector to showcase their services exclusively to clubs, federations and sponsors all over the world. Among attendees will be senior decision-makers from:

Federations: including FIFA, UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF, CAF, FFA, SAFA, OFC, CBF, FA, APF, UAE FA, FAS, TFF, NFF, SAFF, NFA, IRIFF, BFA

Leagues: including Lega Calcio, FAPL, Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional, Deutsche Fussball Liga GmbH (Bundesliga), Ligue de Football Professionnel, MLS, The Football League, The Football Conference, South African Premier Soccer League.

Clubs: including Internazionale Milano, Juventus FC, ACF Fiorentina, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Hannover 96, Hamburger SV, Olympique Marseille, AEK Athens, Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, Celtic FC, Chelsea FC, Everton FC, Athletic Club Bilbao, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Sevilla FC, Valencia CF, Villarreal CF, Fulham FC, Hearts FC, Hull City FC, Leeds United, Leicester City FC, Liverpool FC, Macclesfield Town FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United, MK Dons, Norwich City FC, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, Sheffield FC, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, West Ham United FC, Wycombe Wanderers, AS Roma, Apoel Nicosia, Besiktas JK, Dinamo Moscow, Drogheda Utd, FC Moscow, FC Olympic Baku, Red Bull Salzburg, CSKA Moscow, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Sion , FC Teplice, Galatasaray SK, Lech Poznan, Zenit St. Petersburg, Locomotiv Moscow, Panathinaikos FC, Panionios, Viborg FF, Partizan Belgrade, CAPS United, Sundowns, Jomo Cosmos, Kaizer Chiefs, Atletico Miniero, Villa Rio Esporte Clube, Corinthians, Al Ain Club, Al Shabab FC, Al Wahda, Al Hilal SA, Al Shabab, Hartlepool United, Wadi Degla Sporting Club, Alsaudi Club, Miami Dolphins, Aberdeen, FC Dnipro, Cork City, AS Racines, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Grasshopper Zurich, Busan I'Park, Chivas de Corazon, Chivas USA, Al Jazira, Al Qadisiah Club, Al Ittehad Club, Mohreq Club, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town FC, Newcastle United, Rangers FC, Zemalek and Saprissa.

Sponsors: including Visa, Microsoft, O2, Google, Sony, Vodafone, Siemens, Nike, Adidas, Intel, Coca-Cola, Virgin, Errea, Kelme, Umbro, Nationwide, Dubai Duty Free, Diageo, Oracle, Pepsi, Samsung, Betdaq, Opap, Betfair, Goalpoker, Bayer AG, Absolute Poker, Orange, Guinness, EMAAR, Etihad, Yahoo!, BenQ, Emirates, Masterfoods, General Motors, McDonalds, Bwin, Expekt.com, Barclays, Dove Energy Ltd, Konami, Coutts Bank von Ernst, Carlsberg, XTC and FedEx.

What’s new for Soccerex 2006?

Joseph S Blatter, FIFA President, has confirmed his intention to open Soccerex 2006 and to celebrate the event’s 10th year in business at the Soccerex Gala Dinner.
The 2006 Soccerex Global Conference will be the biggest yet, with influential figures from FIFA, National Governments, Federations, Clubs, Leagues, Sponsors, Broadcasters, New Media and Technology Companies all sharing expertise and discussing the key issues facing the soccer industry.
Alongside the world’s media, Sky Sports will be covering all three days of Soccerex, and will be broadcasting a half hour programme involving exclusive interviews with the most senior decision makers in the world of soccer.
The exhibition has doubled in size since 2005, making it a one stop shop for new product inventions, innovations and industry experts.
Soccer is organising sector specific networking events this year to ensure delegates meet the right buyers. These include one devoted to Broadcasting, New Media and Technology as well as one for Stadia encompassing Events and Suppliers.
The Soccerex Football Festival will include Manchester United, Liverpool FC and GCC All-Stars in a legends tournament as well as a Beach Soccer Worldwide exhibition and coaching master classes from world renowned Managers.
The Gala Awards Dinner will be a glittering hospitality event with 1,200 delegates enjoying fine dining and live music beneath the stars on the world famous Jumeirah Beach.

Soccerex 2006 Focus: South Africa World Cup 2010

South African participation in the exhibition has doubled in size this year and Soccerex is delighted to announce the latest Royalty and Ministers to join the ever growing delegation representing South Africa, home of the next FIFA World Cup 2010. These include:
· His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi, King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, North West Province
· Thabo Vincent Mokgatlha, CEO, Royal Bafokeng Administration
· Bruno Segopotso Seabela, Corporate Governance Executive, Royal Bafokeng Nation
· Minister K D Molusi, Member of the Executive Council Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, Northern Cape Province,
· Minister Bhekokwakhe Cele, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, eThekwini Municipality
· Julie-May Ellingson, Head of Strategic Projects, eThekwini Municipality
· Minister Ouneas Dikgetsi, MEC Finance & Economic Affairs, Northern Cape Province
· All nine host cities of South Africa’s World Cup 2010 have received VIP delegate passes to Soccerex 2006.

There will be a Conference Panel comprising of German and South African representatives to discuss the success of World Cup 2006 and the business opportunities for the Rainbow Nation for 2010.

For further information: visit www.soccerex.com, e-mail enquiry@soccerex.com or telephone +44 (0) 208 742 7100

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