IF Forum Will Miss a Mainstay -- Conferences & Conventions

(ATR)There is sure to be a somber atmosphere surrounding the 12th IF Forum next week in Lausanne.

The annual gathering of federation leaders in the Olympic capital will be without GAISF and SportAccord president Patrick Baumann, who died last month at age 51 while attending the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. A memorial service will be held on Friday in Lausanne.

GAISF first vice president Raffaele Chiulli is assuming Baumann’s duties, which include presiding over the IF Forum. Chiulli tells Around the Rings he will serve as GAISF’s interim leader until a president is chosen at next year’s General Assembly during SportAccord next May.

SportAccord organizes the IF Forum with support from the IOC. This year’s event runs from November 5 to 7.

The 2018 headline is Open Doors and Open Minds - New Tools for IFs. The Forum will provide attendees with new technological strategies to predict trends.

Sessions bring in experts on cryptocurrencies, 5G networks, and ticket pricing models. All topics emphasize taking advantage of the latest technology to increase media and market participation.

GAISF is also hosting an esports workshop during the event and an update on the effect of GDPR compliance.

Thomas Bach Appears at Smart Cities and Sport Summit

IOC President Thomas Bach held an interactive session with city representatives from around the world on Tuesday.

His appearance was part of the fifth edition of the Smart Cities and Sport Summit in Lausanne. Among the topics he addressed were Olympic Agenda 2020, esports, the IOC's efforts to promote sustainability across the Olympic Movement andthe growing importance of cities in driving social change through sport.

Afterward, Bachawarded the Olympic Cup to the World Union of Olympic Cities – an association of former and future Olympic host cities – in recognition of its work to ensure the long-term legacy of the Olympic Games.

"The World Union keeps the Olympic flame alive across the globe by bringing together past and future Olympic host cities," said Bach. "In doing so, you are playing an essential role in ensuring the enduring legacy of the Olympic Games. You provide inspiring ideas and practical tools, and facilitate a permanent dialogue that supports all Olympic cities in preserving and promoting their unique legacy."

The Smart Cities and Sport Summit is an initiative of the World Union of Olympic Cities.

Forum on Refugees and Sport

Sport and Citizenship, and Football Unites Us are two of the latest partners for the RESPONSIBALL Forum on Sport and Refugees.

The one-day event, to be held in Lausanne on November 8, will include discussions on how sports organizations can contribute to the integration of refugees though sport in Europe, good practice in integrating refugees through sport and more.

Different themes under the three key topics — Governance, Community and Environment — will also be explored. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and open discussions, under the overarching theme of Refugees and Sport.

At the end of the forum,all participants will be asked to sign a Call to Action, affirming their commitment to use the social value of sport for refugees. RESPONSIBALL says the Call to Action will be the first step in building an impactful and meaningful legacy from the Forum.

Registration is still open. Click here to sign up.

Soccerex and SIGA Joining Forces

A new partnership between Soccerex and the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) will be launched at Soccerex USA 2018 in Miami later this month.

A multi-year agreement between the two was reached this week, with SIGA committing their institutional support to Soccerex.

"Soccerex allows the key players in the soccer industry to network and discuss how to move this industry forward," said Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright in a statement. "SIGA are an important new voice in global sport and we wholly support their commitment to fostering a culture of improved governance and integrity within the game."

Soccer business professionals will gather at Marlins Park on November 15-16 to hear from speakers including former Portugal international Deco, who is now CEO of D20 Sports. Other featured speakers include former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, who is currently the Head of Global Football for Red Bull.

The conference has an American focus, as US Soccer, Concacaf, and MLS senior members lead the advisory board. Growth of American soccer and connections between the Mexican and United States markets will be discussed.

More than 80 exhibitors and 40 expert speakers will discuss other topics including youth development, performance technology, fan engagement, esports, and stadium design.

Networking opportunities will be plentiful, with more than 1400 delegates from 40 countries planning to attend.

New Format for Host City 2018

Host City 2018 reveals an interactive agenda featuring novel formats such as talk shows, debates, live voting and storytelling.

The new format is designed to boost engagement, outcomes and learning for delegates.

The largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, Host City 2018 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland on November 20-21. The title for this year is "The Future of Major Events".

David Luckes, Head of Summer Sports and IF Relations, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Niels Nygaard, President, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark and Vice President, European Olympic Committees, are among the latest speakers to be added to a lineup that includesFrancesco Ricci Bitti, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF); Jean-Francois Martins, Deputy Paris Mayor in charge of Tourism, Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games; and Nadja Burkhardt, EBU Event Supervisor, Eurovision Song Contest.

Play the Game 2019 Coming to the USA

The 11th edition of the international Play the Game conference will be the first held outside Europe.

Colorado Springs will be the host city for Play the Game 2019 from October 13 to 16 of next year.

The city is home to the United States Olympic Committee, the US Anti-Doping Agency , more than 25 national sports federations and the main US Olympic Training Center.

Jens Sejer Andersen, international director of Play the Game, believes bringing the conference to Colorado is a just reward for the US.

"In the two decades that have passed since we started Play the Game, American public authorities and corporate sponsors have made the difference over and over again when international sport was paralyzed by self-inflicted scandal and moral crisis. From the Salt Lake City case in 1998 to the recent FIFA and athletics scandals, US authorities have led the action and pushed for solutions while many others have been passive bystanders."

The international conference will be hosted by the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Details for the conference will be released over the coming months.

Written by Gerard Farek

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