Olympic Bid and Organising Committees to Converge on HOST CITY 2015

Organising and bidding committees for some of the biggest upcoming sports events are due to attend HOST CITY 2015. The leading EU-based meeting of cities, rights holders, event owners and suppliers will see senior committee members from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games and 2024 Olympic bidding cities come together in Glasgow on 9 and 10 November.

Under the theme ‘Creative Innovation Connecting Cities with Sports, Business and Culture Events’ HOST CITY 2015 will provide participants with a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and benefits of bidding for major global events as well as offering a chance to meet, influence and network with an influential collection of city leaders, organisers and cross-sector rights holders.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Director of Communications Mario Andrada, said of last year’s inaugural event in London:

"I was very pleased with the [Host City 2014] conference because the people who I spoke with were very focussed and professional. It was a pleasure and I learned a lot."

Confirmed speakers for HOST CITY 2015 include:

· Sir Craig Reedie CBE, Vice President, International Olympic Committee;

· Louise Martin CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation;

· David Grevemberg, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation;

· Brian Cookson OBE, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI);

· Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Association of Winter Olympic Sports Federations (AIOWF);

· Alexander Koch, Corporate Communications Manager for FIFA,

· Hidetoshi Fujisawa, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement, Tokyo 2020

Matthew Astill, Chief Executive of Cavendish Group, owner of HOST CITY 2015, said:

"Bidding and hosting cities are competing for a voice in a highly challenging global market place. We are delighted that they recognise HOST CITY as an event that is conducive to their needs and addresses the issues that are directly relevant to their business objectives.

"HOST CITY 2015 aims to foster new working partnerships in order to attract, build and host the greatest events in the world and we invite all participants to take part in open and frank discussions on the important issues facing major event bidding and hosting."

Note to editors:

Host City 2015 is the leading EU-based meeting of Cities and Sports, Business and Cultural Events. Under the theme of "Creative Innovation connecting Cities with Sports, Business and Culture Events" the conference is attracting the world’s leading cities, rights holders and suppliers.

More than 200 delegates have already confirmed their attendance at Host City 2015.

Topics to be covered include:

§ How Events and Cities Innovate to Thrive

§ The Changing Face of Sports Governance

§ Creative Marketing through Events, Brands and Media

§ Tokyo 2020: Olympic and Paralympic Games Update

§ The Power of People: Engaging Citizens in Events

§ Multi-City Events: Solution to the Sustainability Problem

§ Transport and Security Strategies for Long Term Gains

§ Innovations in Event Infrastructure

For further information on the panel sessions and other top class speakers confirmed for Host City 2015, please visit: http://www.bidtowin-hostcity.net

During the conference, Host City 2015 will be working with audioBoom, a sound sharing platform that will allow media to access audio recordings of all keynote addresses and plenary sessions at the event. The recordings can then be used in news articles and on social media relating to the event. Further information will be available on the Host City website closer to the event.

Join the conversation on social media by using the #HostCity2015 hashtag.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sujit Jasani

VERO Communications

sjasani@verocom.co.uk

m: +44 (0)7940 375282

t: +44 (0)20 7812 6589

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