PLENARY CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Wednesday, 10 April 2024 – 09:30-16:30
Thursday, 11 April 2024 – 09:30-12:15
ICC HALL 1, LEVEL 4
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
09:30-09:40 OPENING REMARKS (10min)
Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair, UK Sport
09:40-10:20 INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT: HOW GAMING IS CHANGING OUR MEDIA, OUR WORLD AND OUR SPORTS (40 min)
Mark Rein is a Gaming fanatic. He is Vice-President of Epic Games, one of the world’s leading interactive entertainment companies, which created Fortnite, the most successful online video and game platform globally. Mark is also the co-owner of the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team, and has a deep love of equestrian sport, twice named ‘Horse Owner of the Year’ by Equestrian Canada. Once described as ‘famously effusive, opinionated – and smart’ Mark talks candidly with David Eades about the opportunities as well as limitations his industry can bring to the sports world in their quest for a significant role in gaming and esports.
Mark Rein, Vice President, and Co-Founder, Epic Games, in a Keynote Conversation with Moderator David Eades
10:20-11:05 GAMING AND ESPORTS: A REAL OPPORTUNITY OR PASSING FAD FOR SPORTS RIGHTS HOLDERS? (45 min)
What is the potential value of the intellectual property held by different rights holders and federations in the gaming and esports sphere, and for all but a minority of sports is this really going to make a difference?
Moderator: David Dellea, Director, Sports Practice, Altman Solon
- Alice Dearing, Olympic open water swimmer and gamer
- Alban Dechelotte, CEO, G2, and IOC Esports Commission
- Paul Foster, CEO, Global Esports Federation
- Alex Inglot, Commissioner, ESL Pro League
11:05-12:05 TOUCHDOWNS, HOME RUNS AND SLAM DUNKS (60 min)
The Superbowl 2024 has shown the potential for growing your fanbase in some unexpected ways and building on opportunities that arise. This panel considers lessons from North America about creative approaches to build their brands and invest in their fan engagement over the long-term.
Moderator: Sarah Mulkerrins, Presenter, BBC
- Rob Alberino, VP of Content and Production, Kansas City Chiefs
- Marc Ciampa, VP Content, New Jersey Devils
- Brett Gosper, Head of Europe & Asia-Pacific, NFL
- Scott Kegley, VP Digital Strategy, Atlanta Falcons
12:05-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-14:05 INTRODUCTION (5 min)
David Eades, MC and Moderator
14:05-14:35 SPORT’S PERFECT STORM (30 min)
Roger Mitchell, author of the newly released ‘Sport’s Perfect Storm’, explores some of the serious structural challenges federations and sports rights holders are facing, including the fragility of the financial structures supporting the sports ecosystem.
Moderator David Eades in conversation with…
- Roger Mitchell, Corporate financier, founding CEO of the Scottish Professional Football League and author of ‘Sport’s Perfect Storm’
14:35-15:20 FACING THE CHALLENGES (45 min)
With geo-political instability, increasing levels of complexity in putting on major events, changing patterns of fan behaviour and financial challenges, how can sport hold its own?
Moderator: Sarah Mulkerrins, Presenter, BBC
- Chris Argyle-Robinson, Research & Strategy Director, Co-founder, Redtorch
- Alan Gilpin, CEO, World Rugby
- Chris Jenkins OBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation
- Simon Kuper, Author and Journalist, Financial Times
- Zena Wooldridge OBE, President, World Squash
15:20-16:20 FUTURE PROOFING SPORT: THE MAJOR TECHNOLOGY TRENDS SHAPING THE SECTOR (60 min)
Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.” It’s a quote to capture today’s and tomorrow’s technology potential, and the challenges that can pose for the most fleet footed of sports organizations. Professor Andy Miah lays out the technology pathways ahead of us, from creative AI to spatial computing, before leading a discussion on how sport can ensure it not only keeps pace, but accelerates towards a hi-tech future.
Presenter and Moderator: Andy Miah, Chair in Science Comms & Future Media, University of Salford, Manchester
- David Fowler, Co-Founder, Sports Tech Match
- Beth Johnson, Managing Director, Umbrella
- Sulabh Soral, Head of AI, Deloitte UK, Advisory Board Member, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence
16:20-16:30 CLOSING REMARKS (10 min)
David Eades, MC and Moderator
Thursday, 11 April 2024
09:30-09:40 OPENING REMARKS (10 min)
David Eades, MC and Moderator
09:40-09:55 TACKLING ONLINE ABUSE IN SPORT (15 min)
Wayne Barnes refereed 111 international rugby matches in an outstanding career, which culminated in the Rugby World Cup Final of 2023 in Paris. But that final match also represented the peak of the online abuse he suffered at the hands of angry, and usually anonymous, fans. Threats to his house, his family and his life were part of the slew of invective he received. We talk about these experiences and how they affected a man described as ‘the most accomplished and vilified referee in world rugby’
Wayne Barnes, Former World Cup Referee, in a Keynote Conversation with David Eades
09:55-10:10 SOLUTIONS IN ACTION (15 min)
A look at the state-of-play in terms of online abuse in sport, sharing insights and learnings gathered from some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, and showing how technology, sports bodies and law enforcement are working together to create a safer online environment for athletes and officials.
- Jonathan Hirshler, CEO, Signify
10:10-10:55 WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? (45 min)
Overcoming rising levels of abuse received by players, officials and fans.
Moderator: David Eades, MC and Moderator
- Wayne Barnes, Former World Cup Referee
- Sanjay Bhandari, Chair, Kick It Out
- Janie Frampton OBE, Vice President, International Federation of Sports Officials
- Sarah Gregorius, Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations, Women’s Football, FIFPRO
- Jonathan Hirshler, CEO, Signify
10:55-11:25 BREAKING THROUGH THE LINE: THE FUTURE OF SPORTS INJURY DATA AND SCIENCE (30 min)
A ground-breaking, data-led approach to injury reduction across all sports, presented by Podium Analytics.
- Professor Constantin Coussios OBE FREng, Director, The Podium Institute for Sports Medicine and Technology, The University of Oxford
- Andy Hunt, CEO, Podium Analytics
11:25-12:10 INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY IN ACTION – HARNESSING THE SOFT POWER OF SPORT (45 min)
Sport’s influence in the world has never been more keenly examined. From global politics, to community action, ethical and moral challenges. This panel will consider how to make the most of that potential at a time of heightened global tension and accelerated social pressures.
Moderator: Dr J Simon Rofe, Reader/Associate Professor in Diplomatic and International Studies, University of Leeds
- Liz Nicholl DBE, President, World Netball and former CEO, UK Sport
- Neil Rami, Chief Executive, West Midlands Growth Company
- Jason Williams, CEO, Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago
12:10-12:15 CLOSING REMARKS (5 min)
HealthAccord Programme
Monday, 8 April 2024 – 14:00-17:00
ICC HALL 1, LEVEL 4
Promoting Performance through Health
Monday, 8 April 2024
14:00-14:10 Welcome, Introductions (10 min)
Professor Margo Mountjoy, IOC Medical Commission Games Group, WADA Deputy Foundation Board Member
MENTAL FITNESS
14:10-14:30 CASE STUDY: Mental Health for Elite Athlete Support (20 min)
Few topics have moved faster up the agenda than the mental health of athletes competing in elite sport. This panel addresses our preparedness for addressing the anxieties and complexities facing the athlete, officials and coaches. And it includes an exclusive insight into the lengths professional golf is going – on the DP World Tour – to aid its stars.
- Dr Will Wynter-Bee, European Tour Golf Group
14:30-15:15 ROUND TABLE: Mental Health for Elite Athlete Support (45 min)
Moderator: David Eades, Moderator and MC
- Dr Stuart Miller, Senior Executive Director, Integrity & Legal, ITF
- Dr Will Wynter-Bee, European Tour Golf Group
- Gregor Swinney, Current Scottish National Champion and recordholder in the 50m Butterfly, Commonwealth Games medallist
KEEPING FEMALE ATHLETES HEALTHY
15:15-16:30 ROUND TABLE: Enhancing Sport Performance of Female Athletes (75 min)
Part 1: Sporting activity for the athlete must be as much about health and fitness as is it about results in a world where the goals are so high and the pressure often so acute. From ACLs to REDs, we consider the big issues facing women in sport, the dilemmas they must face, but also the progress being made in making health and performance part of the same equation.
Part 2: An opportunity to shine the light on reproductive health issues for women athletes, addressing the spectrum from ‘menstrual myth busting’ to reproductive choices and returning to sport post pregnancy. As we reach parity for sport participation for women, how are we adapting to accommodate women in sport?
(With scene setter from Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise, Manchester Metropolitan University)
Moderator: Professor Margo Mountjoy, IOC Medical Commission Games Group, WADA Deputy Foundation Board Member
- Dr Niall Elliott, MBE Chief Medical Officer, British Olympic Association
- Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise, Manchester Metropolitan University
- Annamarie Phelps CBE OLY, British Olympic Association, European Rowing, European Olympic Committees
- Gillian Sanders, Triple Olympian triathlete for South Africa, Integrity Manager, World Sailing
- Evert Verhagen, Medical Research Adviser, UEFA, and Professor, UMC University
- Pippa Woolven, Founder, Project RED-S
16:45-17:00 Closing remarks (15 min)
LawAccord Programme
Tuesday, 9 April 2024 – 09:30-16:20
Location: ICC – Hall 9
09:30-09:35 Opening Remarks (5 min)
David Casserly SC, Barrister, Head of Sports Law, Kellerhals Carrard
09:35-10:25 ROUNDTABLE 1: Benefits and challenges of independent integrity units in international sport (50 min)
Moderator: Louise Reilly BL, Barrister, Kellerhals Carrard
- Simon Geinoz, Case Manager, Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF)
- Tanja Haug, Board Member, Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU)
- Julia Lowis, Legal Counsel, International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)
- Huw Roberts, Head of Case Management, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)
10:25-11:05 Practical consequences for international sport of the recent decisions of the European Court of Justice: legal update from Kellerhals Carrard (40 min)
Moderator: Jean-Pierre Morand, Partner, Kellerhals Carrard
- Vincent Jäggi, Partner, Kellerhals Carrard
- Christophe Rapin, Partner, Kellerhals Carrard
11:05-11:30 COFFEE
11:30-12:10 Court of Arbitration for Sport – Annual Report (40 min)
Moderator: Sean Cottrell, Founder and CEO, LawInSport
Annual presentation and Q&A with Matthieu Reeb, Director General, CAS
12:10-13:10 LUNCH – Exhibition Hall
13:10-13:50 World Anti-Doping Agency – Annual Report (40 min)
Moderator: Dr Leanne O’Leary, CAS Arbitrator
Annual presentation and Q&A with Ross Wenzel, General Counsel, WADA
13:50-14:50 ROUNDTABLE 2: Examining the implementation and development of rules for transgender athletes in International Federations (60 min)
Moderator: James Drake KC, 7 King’s Bench Walk
- Brent Nowicki, Executive Director, World Aquatics
- Dr Seema Patel, Nottingham Law School; author of Inclusion and Exclusion in Competitive Sport, Socio-Legal and Regulatory Perspectives
- Prof Yannis Pitsiladis, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, IOC Medical and Scientific Commission Member
- Jonathan Taylor KC, Partner, Bird & Bird
14:50-15:15 COFFEE
15:15-16:15 ROUNDTABLE 3: Integrating the athlete’s voice in sports governance – exploring internal and external models of athlete representation (60 min)
Moderator: Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General, FIBA
- Emilio Garcia, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, FIFA
- Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud, Senior Legal Counsel, FIFPRO
- Áine Power, Deputy Legal Director, FEI
- Florian Yelin, Head of Policy and Research Coordinator, World Players Association
16:15-16:20 Closing Remarks (5 min)
David Casserly SC, Barrister, Head of Sports Law, Kellerhals Carrard
The conference will be followed by a drinks reception from 17:00 – 18:30 in Hall 3
CityAccord Programme
Tuesday, 9 April 2024 – 09:30-12:00
09:30-09:35 Opening Remarks (5 min)
Melanie Duparc, Secretary General, World Union of Olympic Cities
Sport can play a powerful role in contributing to some of the biggest public policy challenges like improving health and wellbeing, civic pride and social cohesion, enhancing skills and jobs, promoting sustainability and active travel. What have we learned and how do we continue to make the case for investment in an increasingly complex world.
09:35-10:30 CASE STUDIES IN CITY DEVELOPMENT AND REGENERATION (55 min)
Active Travel, Sport and Making Cities More Civilised, More Prosperous and Healthier
Chris Boardman had a highly successful professional cycling career and then went on to take up the challenge of leading both Active Travel England’s mission to get more people walking and cycling and Sport England’s work to make sport and physical activity a normal part of everyday life. We explore with him what’s worked, what hasn’t, the importance of political will at the city level and what cities can learn from each other in this sphere.
David Eades in conversation with…
- Chris Boardman, MBE, Commissioner, Active Travel England, Chair, Sport England, Olympic Gold Medallist, Tour de France stage winner and yellow jersey holder, Hour Record Holder
…joined by
- Tine Eriksen Green, Head of Major Events, City of Copenhagen
Transforming a City With Investment Centred Around Reviving a Football Club
When Tom Wagner and his partner, the NFL legend Tom Brady, bought a controlling stake in Birmingham City Football Club in 2023 it was as part of broader city transformation project. As he said “we invested in Blues because of the of the opportunity to not only to transform a football club but also to be a catalyst for a change in the city itself” We talk with him about the lure of a club in the heart of a major city, and why he believes this is the start of a new era for Birmingham’s city centre.
David Eades in conversation with…
- Tom Wagner Chairman of the Board, Birmingham City Football Club and Co-founder, Knighthead Capital, an investment company with over US$10 billion under management.
10:30-11:15 ROUNDTABLE: More than just sport – Creating a more engaging, inclusive event which appeals to fans, residents and athletes alike. Just how far can ‘Festivalisation’ go? (45 min)
Moderator: Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director, Host City
- Kris Gemmell, Head of Marketing and Commercial, World Triathlon
- Georg Spazier, CEO, ITS GmbH, Innsbruck World Masters Games
- Nicola Turner MBE, CEO, United By 2022
- Alana Vought, Program Manager, Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032, City of Gold Coast
11:15-12:00 ROUNDTABLE: The Road Ahead Across Continents (45 min)
Exploring new event models, successes and innovation in an increasingly challenging environment for host cities, regional and national governments.
Moderator: Susan Sawbridge, Managing Partner, Daylight Ltd, New Zealand
- Esther Britten, Head of Major Events, UK Sport
- James Bulley, CEO, Trivandi
- Perttu Pesa Chair, International Association of Event Hosts
- Katie Sadleir, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation
12:00-12:30 Scotland the Perfect Stage (30 min)
Paul Bush, OBE, CEO of EventScotland reflects on 21 years of experience of the transformational power of sport, including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2018 European Championships and 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
….in conversation with David Eades
MediaAccord Programme
Thursday, 11 April 2024 – 14:00-16:15
ICC HALL 1, LEVEL 4
Thursday, 11 April 2024
14:00-14:15 Opening Remarks (15 min)
14:15-15:00 PARIS THROUGH THE MEDIA LENS (45 min)
A look ahead at what promises to be the most technologically complex and visually stunning Olympic spectacle ever. Enjoy a sneak peek on what to expect when Paris opens its doors to the world, while setting new standards for broadcast and production creativity.
Moderator: James Pearce, Communications consultant and media trainer
- Pierre Galy, Head of Sports, Agence France-Presse
- Yannis Exarchos, Chief Executive Officer, OBS, and Executive Director, Olympic Channel
15:00-15:30 TOWARDS A WORLD OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE (30 min)
Professor Andy Miah outlines how the worlds of immersive technologies are converging with artificial intelligence to create new audience experiences, which are transforming the landscape of the sports world, from stadium architecture to remote experiences. The implications of these transformations for how media content is designed, delivered, and what legacy it leaves as part of humanity’s sports heritage outline critical insights for how events must rethink their media strategy for the future.
- Andy Miah, Chair in Science Comms & Future Media, University of Salford, Manchester
15:30-16:15 DATA, AI, OTT: NAVIGATING DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES (45 min)
Disruption & Opportunity: As new technologies proliferate, the expectations of sports audiences are continuously rising. Rights owners and broadcasters are under more pressure to deliver better content, in greater volume, faster than ever before, often without a clear path to monetization. This session will bring together thought leaders with an innovation mindset to offer practical insights on how federations and their partners can make the most of AI, fan data and new types of distribution to enable them to flourish now and in the future.
Moderator: James Pearce, Communications consultant and media trainer
- Joe Edwards, Head of Marketing, British Basketball League
- Melissa Lawton, Chief Content Officer, SailGP
- Ellie Roach, Digital and Data Services Lead, InCrowd Sports
- Ross Tanner, Senior Vice President – EMEA , Magnifi
Workshops programme
Monday, 8 April 2024
10:00-12:00 ARISF Sustainability Workshop
Presented by Alibaba Cloud & Green
Hall 9 – ICC Level 2
14:30-16:30 ARISF/WADA – Clean Sport Workshop
Presented by WADA
Hall 9 – ICC Level 2
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
12:00-13:15 Media Workshop – How to use Disruptive Technology now
Presented by iSportConnect
- Jay Stuart, Head of Content at iSportConnect
- Alex Gough, CEO, Professional Squash Association
- Tom Hardstaff, Co-Founder, Capital Block
Hall 10 B – ICC Level 2
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
08:00-09:30 Sustainability Workshop – From Vision to Victory: Glasgow 2024 World Indoor Championships – Accelerating Sustainable Event Success Through World Athletics’ 2030 Sustainability Strategy
Presented by thinkBeyond
- Stuart Campbell – World Athletics Indoor Championships Director
- Matt Wookey – Social Impact Lead Major Events at UK Sport
- Dr Susie Tomson – Sustainability Partner at thinkBeyond
Hall 10 B – ICC Level 2
10:00-12:00 ARISF / IPACS – Good Governance Workshop
Presented by IPACS
Hall 9 – ICC Level 2
12:00-13:15 Media Workshop – Optimising Federations Operations
Presented by iSportConnect
- Jay Stuart, Head of Content at iSportConnect
- Kevin Perrin, Global Head of Commercial for Sports at ATPI
Hall 10 B – ICC Level 2
Thursday, 11 April 2024
08:00-09:30 IPACS Workshop
Hall 10 B – ICC Level 2
Monday, 8 April 2024
12:00-12:30 Thailand: Your Utmost Sports Destination,
Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, Governor of Sports Authority of Thailand
14:00-14:30 Why Event Readiness Matters
James Tibbetts, Director of Operations & Delivery, Trivandi
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
10:30-11:00 Joe Cusdin, CEO & Founder, Iventis
11:30-12:00 Revolutionizing your event and venue planning with OnePlan, Official Supporter of GIS Mapping and Digital Twin Software for Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Paul McCrudden, OnePlan
13:30-14:00 Yutang Sports
14:00-14:30 The exponential growth of women’s sports. Janelle Janis, Executive Director, Event & Business Development, Explore Edmonton. Moderator: Lars Pederson, BCW
14:30-15:00 Clarence Perez Diaz, Director and Sport Scientist, Healthy Sports Organisations
15:00-15:30 Adam Kosa, President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), in conversation with David Eades, MC and Moderator
16:00-16:30 We need to talk about: Professionalising the Industry. James Bulley, CEO and Co-founder, Trivandi, in conversation with David Eades, MC and Moderator
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
11:30-12:00 Jen Falding, Strategic Lead for Major Sports Events, Sport Liverpool
