SportAccord will welcome both established and new partners to this year’s IF Forum, taking place from 21-23 October 2024 under the theme “Ensuring Your IF is Match Fit and Future Ready.” Marsh, Explore Edmonton, Sport Event Denmark and ISTAA, long-standing partners at SportAccord events, including multiple IF Forum editions and SportAccord Summits, will continue their involvement. They are joined by Dawson Andrews and Quality, who join as new partners.
SportAccord partnerships contribute to the IF Forum by bringing together key stakeholders from the sports industry. Martin Gibbs, Managing Director of SportAccord, commented: “The IF Forum thrives on the collaboration and support of our select partners, many of whom have been with us for several years. It’s always a pleasure to welcome them on board again, and to see new partnerships forming. We are grateful for their ongoing support and the value they bring to the event.
Marsh, a global leader in risk management and insurance solutions, is another established partner that continues to contribute strategic expertise to the IF Forum. Marsh continues to bring its expertise in risk management and safeguarding the integrity of sport. Their presence at the Forum aims to offer federations practical insights and strategies for navigating complex risk environments.
Richard Tolley, Managing Director at Marsh stated: “A long-term partnership with SportAccord provides us with a unique platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing with other sports organisations, fostering innovation and the exchange of best practices. By actively engaging in discussions and sharing our expertise, we contribute to the collective effort of shaping a sustainable and thriving sports industry.”
Explore Edmonton has been a partner of SportAccord for many years, and we always appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with international federations. As a destination marketing organisation, Explore Edmonton is committed to positioning the city as a premier venue for sports events, using global partnerships to drive tourism and stimulate economic growth
“It is crucial for a destination like Edmonton to not only showcase our strengths as a premier sport event host but also to highlight the importance of strong partnerships with international federations. These partnerships are essential to ensure they understand the value and appeal in collaborating with us—a city that goes above and beyond to create events that drive economic impact, enhance the well-being of our citizens, and leave a lasting legacy,” says Janelle Janis, Executive Director of Events & Business Development at Explore Edmonton.
Sport Event Denmark, a key partner of SportAccord for over a decade, has consistently demonstrated its commitment across both the summit and IF Forum. Supported by the Danish Government, Sport Event Denmark unites people by hosting world-class sporting events and congresses, including World and European Championships. Following their involvement as a Gold Partner in Birmingham, Sport Event Denmark will once again be a partner for the upcoming IF Forum.
Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark said: “As a longstanding partner of SportAccord, it is very valuable to meet with the leadership of the many International Federations and other important organisations. I look forward to catching up in beautiful Lausanne again.”
The International Sports Travel Agencies Association (ISTAA), again partnering with SportAccord for this year’s IF Forum, is a non-profit association created in 2009 as a partnership of Sports Travel Agencies. Gathering 107 members and partners in 6 continents, ISTAA is the only worldwide membership association of specialists in the arrangement of hospitality packages for sports events.
“As a returning partner to the IF International Forum, we confirm one more time the interest of ISTAA in adding value, supporting and improving business cooperation with our members. Sporting events are the main asset of all International Federations and our members contribute to the success of their events.” Notes Marco Mazzi, Vice President of ISTAA
One of the new partners joining the IF Forum, Dawson Andrews, specialises in product design, strategy, and software development. Dawson Andrews create meaningful impacts and move the needle for large organisations with complex digital problems.
Andrew Fulton, CEO of Dawson Andrews said: “As a new partner of the IF Forum, we’re thrilled to bring our expertise in helping National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Federations govern their sports more effectively through our governance software, membership management, payments, grant distribution, fixtures software, child safeguarding and vetting, and fundraising solutions. This partnership is an incredible opportunity to connect with the leaders of International Federations as they work to improve governance and resilience in an ever-changing digital landscape.”
Quality, joining the IF Forum for the first time this year, focuses on broadcast solutions that enhance the capabilities of International Federations through cost-effective remote production.
“The relevance of international federations being fit for purpose has never been more critical than it is today. In an era where transparency, safe sport, and integrity are paramount, federations must be both organizationally robust and morally sound to foster environments where competition and major events can thrive.” said Mr Pablo Reyes, President of Quality.
All partners will have a presence on-site, with Marsh and Explore Edmonton scheduled to deliver presentations tying in with the theme “Ensuring Your IF is Match Fit and Future-Ready”.
For the full programme, list of speakers, and more information about the IF Forum 2024, click here.
The IF Forum takes place annually and addresses the specific needs of Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations. Each year, it brings together over 300 leaders from International Federations, sports organisations, and IF Forum partners to share best practices and insights on critical industry topics. Organised by SportAccord, the three-day event, scheduled for 21-23 October 2024, will focus on the theme “Ensuring Your IF is Match Fit and Future-Ready”.
