SportAccord Convention announced today that the general theme of the 2013 conference will be “The State of Our Industry – Examining the Health of Sport.” In two days of debate and discussion, clinic industry leaders will take the pulse of sport as it continues to grow rapidly as a business and a force in society. The first SportAccord Convention in Russia will be held at the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex in Saint-Petersburg from May 26-31, arthritis 2013. 

In a groundbreaking session, ampoule the 11^th annual Convention will tackle the controversial subject of “The Advent of the Blade Runner – Bionic Sport of the Future,” examining how technology and the demand for entertainment will change the boundaries of sport in the coming decades. As Russia prepares to host the Winter Olympic Games for the first time in 2014, another session will put “Sochi in the Spotlight,” and business leaders will debate the ongoing challenges of “Sport in the Global Economy.” More conference topics and exclusive interviews of world figures in sport will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“We are planning some exciting innovations for this year’s conference, which is going to have a very powerful list of speakers from Russia and around the world,” said Nis Hatt, SportAccord Convention Managing Director. “Our aim is to facilitate strategic discussion on the direction of the global industry.” 

A discounted rate is in effect for delegates booking their places early via the website www.sportaccordconvention.com. 

Held in a different city every year, SportAccord Convention is a unique opportunity for international sporting leaders to engage with business, featuring a dynamic exhibition as well as the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.

Contact jonny.murch@sportaccordconvention.com to learn about promotional opportunities at SportAccord Convention 2013 or for more information, visit www.sportaccordconvention.com.

Leyton Orient’s attempt to secure a judicial review into the process which gave West Ham tenancy of the Olympic Stadium has been rejected by a court.

West Ham were last month given a 99-year lease to the arena to the dismay of Orient chairman Barry Hearn, who fears the move could threaten his club’s existence.

Orient called for a review on the grounds that the London Legacy Development Corporation – the company in charge of the process – had breached its own rules by failing to fully explore the possibility of a groundshare.

Hearn has fought Orient’s corner throughout a long-running saga, but he said last month: “If I lose the judicial review, I have got to walk (away).

“That’s it. It must stop – I can’t do anything else. I have fought a really good fight. I’ve cost people a lot of money and spent a lot of money myself but I don’t regret it because I think I am in the right.”

Orient and Tottenham successfully sought a judicial review of the initial process which awarded West Ham the stadium early in 2011.

Delays caused by that challenge contributed to the decision, taken in October 2011, to keep the stadium in public ownership and instead install a tenant.

Head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), discount Wei Di, cialis has reportedly been dismissed from his position.

Wei, asthma who had previously been an executive in aquatic sports, assumed his role at CFA in early 2010 and made positive contributions to reducing corruption in Chinese football.

Wei was also responsible for replacing former national team coach Gao Hongbo with ex-Spain and Real Madrid manager, Jose Antonio Camacho.

China’s new President, Xi Jinping, is a keen football fan and there is speculation that he may have been involved in the decision to remove Wei from his position.

Wei will be replaced by Zhang Jian, who served as the Head of the General Administration of Sports’ Policy and Regulations Department.

Zhang has said he will “set straight” the internal politics of the CFA and try to bring about “revolution” in Chinese football.{jcomments on}

Rugby Expo 2012 is delighted to confirm the final list of speakers for this year’s event.

The full list includes full representation from the sport with contributors from the IRB, RFU, Premiership Rugby, Russian RFU, Hong Kong RFU, United States, professional clubs, brands and sponsors, financiers and marketers alongside thought leaders and entrepreneurs leading global sports including golf, boxing and baseball.

The full list of speakers is as follows:

• Bill Beaumont – Chairman, RFU
• Lawrence Dallaglio – Founder, Dallaglio Foundation and former England international & captain,
• George O’Grady – Chief Executive, PGA European Tour
• Barry Hearn – Founder and Chairman, Matchroom Sport
• Giles Morgan – Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, HSBC
• John Taylor – talkSPORT
• Mark Egan – Head of development and performance, IRB
• Howard Thomas – VP, Rugby Union of Russia and deputy managing director, RWC Sevens 2013 Russia
• Mark McCafferty – CEO, Premiership Rugby
• Nick Mullins – Chief Commentator, ESPN
• Paul Morgan – Communications Director, Premiership Rugby
• Phil Vickery – Founder, Raging Bull and former England international & captain
• Steve Grainger – Rugby Development Director, RFU
• Steve Griffiths – Head of Technical Services, IRB
• Tony Rowe OBE – Chief Executive and Chairman, Exeter Chiefs
• Charlie McEwen – Director of Sales and Marketing, British & Irish Lions
• Beth Coalter – Sevens Manager, IRB
• Alastair Marks – Head of Rugby Growth, RFU
• Andy McKenzie – Director, LiveWire Sport
• Andy Perkins – Business Development Director EMEA, Tickets.com
• Angus McNab – Head of professional rugby, Opta
• Brendan Guilfoyle – Partner, P&A Partnership
• Carol Thelwall – Jones – Volunteer Manager, RFU
• Colm Hannon – Managing director, eSocialMedia
• Dan Jones – Partner, Sports Business Group, Deloitte
• Dan Lyle – Executive VP, tournament director, USA Sevens
• David Barnes – Rugby Manager, The Rugby Players’ Association
• David Ingmire – Tax Consultant, RFU
• Derek Palmer – MD and Executive VP International, Tickets.com
• Dru Morton – Sustainability Manager, RFU
• Gary Hetherington – Chief Executive, Leeds Rugby
• Geoff Irvine – Chairman, Bedford Blues & Board Director, ER2015
• Helen Clayton – Hitz Project Manager, Premiership Rugby
• Ian McMahon – CEO, Hong Kong RFU
• Jeffrey Eglen – VP – Strategy, Digonex
• Jon Reay – Digital Strategy Director, Aqueduct
• Ken Moulton – Operations director, Teamer
• Kevin Roberts – Editorial director, SportBusiness Group
• Leigh Castergine – VP, Ticket Sales and Services, New York Mets
• Mark Cameron – Brand Experience Director, Land Rover
• Nick Shaw – Head of digital, RFU
• Nick White – Partner, Couchmans LLP
• Omar Hassanein – Chief Executive, Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association
• Robert Norster – Director, Engagesport LLP and ex-CEO, Cardiff Blues
• Rod O’Callaghan – Director, Sports Risk Management Services, Paddy Power
• Roger Blitz – Leisure Industries Correspondent, Financial Times
• Ross Baxter – Facilities investment manager, RFU
• Ross McClelland – Coach development manager, R4UK
• Simon Gillham – Vice President, Brive RC
• Simon Marjoram – Managing director, Bamboo
• Simon Winman – Head of Funding and Facilities, RFU
• Trevor Watkins – Partner, Pinsent Masons

To view the content schedule for the event click here.

With a sold out exhibition floor for the second year running, attendance can now only be secured by purchasing the remaining few delegate passes.

Please contact Rugby Expo sales manager Jason McMahon on 0845 0740752 or purchase your tickets online.

The head of Pyeongchang’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics pledged Thursday to respect the IOC’s rules after being warned following a conflict-of-interest investigation into sponsorship contracts tied to the South Korean candidacy.

Cho Yang-ho, who is chief executive of Korean Air and head of the Pyeongchang committee, said in an e-mailed letter to the IOC Ethics Commission that the bid group and all related organizations “will strictly respect the IOC Code of Ethics, the Rules of Conduct and all proper implementing provisions.”

His comments came a day after the International Olympic Committee issued a warning to Pyeongchang and reminded the bid to “fully respect the rules of conduct.” Two South Korean companies signed sponsorship deals with international sports federations headed by senior IOC members.

Korean Air signed a two-year, $1 million sponsorship deal with the International Skating Union (ISU) in October. The IOC said both sides agreed to postpone the start of the deal until after the 2018 host-city vote in July.

Ottavio Cinquanta is an IOC executive board member who heads the ISU.

The IOC said Wednesday a separate sponsorship deal between South Korean electronics giant Samsung and the international rowing federation, known as FISA, did not break the rules. Samsung is one of the IOC’s global sponsors.

“We appreciate the logic of this decision at this time, which has also been conveyed to the International Olympic Committee,” the Pyeongchang bid group said Thursday in a statement. “We believe that this matter is now closed and we can all move forward into the next phase of the 2018 bid campaign.

“PyeongChang 2018 has always been and continues to remain committed to complying with all IOC rules and regulations.”

Korean Air said it remains committed to sports sponsorship but decided to delay the ISU deal to avoid any “misunderstanding.”

“This decision clears up any current concerns that may have arisen,” the airline said in a statement Thursday.

Cinquanta insisted he did nothing wrong.

“I wasn’t acting as an IOC member for this deal, I was acting as the ISU president,” Cinquanta told The Associated Press from his office in Milan. “The commercial rights we granted are property of the ISU, not Mr. Cinquanta. If I thought I had done something wrong maybe I would have acted differently, but I don’t know because that’s not the case.”

Pyeongchang is competing against Munich and the French town of Annecy to host the 2018 Winter Games. The IOC will select the host by secret ballot next July 6 in Durban, South Africa.

The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has signed a deal with Japan’s Synca Creations Inc, to televise its World Championships and World Cup series in 2014 in Japan.

The deal opens a new era in IFSC event exposure and in the marketing area. IFSC has partnered with newly-established local agency Synca Creations to distribute IFSC events for broadcast on Japan’s Sky A network, amongst other platforms.

Marco Scolaris, IFSC President, commented, “This television contract marks a significant step forward for IFSC. It also helps our National Federation, the JMA: now, in Japan, they will gain regular exposure on television for each international event during the IFSC climbing season, being able to celebrate their athletes, bringing them to a larger audience.”

Tazu Mori, Producer at Synca Creations, said, “Sport climbing is a booming sport in Japan. With the success of our Japanese climbers and Japan’s strong outdoor clothing and equipment market, we expect to help grow the sport exponentially in the coming years.”

Earlier this year, IFSC signed a 4 year agreement with marketing agency Broadreach, to assist IFSC in centralizing and distributing its television and new media rights outside of Europe.

Kate Hardcastle, an award-winning businesswoman has become the first female director at a Super League club by joining Bradford Bulls.

Hardcastle, a lifelong fan of the rugby club, joins owner Omar Khan on the board.

Bradford’s honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe said: “We are delighted that Kate is joining us and is a welcome, knowledgeable and successful asset to the new team at the Bulls.

“Her results, drive and innovation are known and respected worldwide.”

Hardcastle is regarded as one of the country’s foremost commercial and marketing experts. She will focus on developing the Bulls brand and building the fan base among families and children as well as creating new opportunities for women.

“I have grown up with the team and the sport and I would only ever want to add value, to focus the team and get the Bulls back to a position of strength,” she said.

“I look forward to having the support of the club and fans as we venture into new and exciting territories.”

David Grevemberg, stomach CEO, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, attended the International Sports Event Management Conference in London today, commenting on the progress of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and outlining the legacy plans which have been in place since the bid was conceived.

Grevemberg said, “We have hung our aspirations on three pillars. Infrastructure, how the public and private sector can work together and the power and world-wide reputation Glasgow has as a major sports capital.”

Sustainable transport is a key focus for Glasgow with the concept of a ‘live city’ which will make it easy for people to travel around Glasgow.  “We have park and ride solutions, new bicycle routes and we are looking into hybrid and electric transport.  As London, we will be offering free transport with a ticket to the Games which we promised in our bid.  The M74 ring road will also provide more convenient and reliable access to the city,” said Grevemberg.

For further information on the International Sports Event Management Conference 2012 go to www.sportseventmanagement.co.uk and follow #ISEM2012 on Twitter.