Show Preview: SportAccord 2008 looks at the future of sport - February 2008  

The question of how sport can best harness new technology and appeal to today’s technically-savvy youth will feature strongly in the discussions when this year’s SportAccord looks at ‘The Future Of Sport’ during the sixth annual convention of the sports movement, taking place in Athens, Greece from 2-6 June 2008.

The organisers of SportAccord, are pleased to be welcoming several companies with strong ties to the technology sector to this year’s event, including featured speakers from My Space.com and ESPN XGames. In addition to Technology Partner Sportcentric and Media Partner, Sport and Technology, Meteksan Events and SKIDATA/Cisco Systems will also be exhibiting during the five-day event.
Alongside the exhibition and networking activities, the 2008 conference programme will feature leading figures from sport and business speaking on key topics, including the Future Business Models For Sport, Staying Relevant In Changing Times, Connecting With Today’s Global Consumer and What Do Today’s Youth Want From Sport?
SportAccord in Athens will also be centre stage for the world’s sport media as it plays host to the announcement by the International Olympic Committee of the names of Candidate Cities successfully making it to official ‘candidate’ status’ in the race to become the host of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Register now!

Hundreds of delegates have already registered at www.sportaccord.com for this year’s gathering of international federations and their commercial partners, taking place at the Athens Hilton. Organisers are initially restricting passes to three individuals per organisation (not applicable to sponsors and exhibitors) in order to embrace as many organisations as possible after having to turn delegates away from the event in Beijing.  This time, the Greek hosts are working with organisers to deliver a memorable programme of social and cultural events in Athens, enhancing SportAccord’s already well-known platform for networking opportunities.
Remarking on the preparations, the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Agency said: “A brand new Athens celebrates the privilege of hosting the distinguished SportAccord event in 2008.  As a city steeped in sporting tradition, we look forward to offering a unique and very special experience to all delegates attending the 6th edition of the event.”

Who usually attends?

SportAccord annually brings representatives from the 100 international sports federations affiliated to GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, games organising committees, rights holders and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry. 
Owned by GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, SportAccord encompasses the annual  Congress and General Assembly of each association, while offering the sports community a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas. Attendance is capped at 1,500 in order to ensure a congenial and cohesive networking environment for all participants.

For further information visit www.sportaccord.com

To find out about all remaining marketing opportunities (including a limited number of sponsorship packages and the opportunity to advertise in the brand new SportAccord Yearbook) visit www.sportaccord.com or contact Fiona Lunnon (Fiona.lunnon@sportaccord.com)  or Polly Hammond (polly.hammond@sportaccord.com) on +44 (0)207 963 7890 / 7905. 

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