CityAccord Will Highlight The Smart Stadium

April 3, 2019

SportAccord, the annual global gathering for sporting business leaders who take part in the World Sport & Business Summit, has confirmed the latest details for its CityAccord conference programme: Mindful Event Hosting, Respecting the Past with a View to the Future, taking place on Tuesday May 7, 2019 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

CityAccord is always a popular conference with SportAccord delegates and this year will be no exception. The World Sport & Business Summit will welcome over 160 cities and regions to the Gold Coast edition of SportAccord.

CityAccord will be opened by Co-Chairs Mélanie Duparc, Secretary General, World Union of Olympic Cities and David Simon, Senior Advisor, Los Angeles Sports Council who said:

“CityAccord is a unique opportunity for cities, regions and sport commissions to expand their horizons by hearing from some of the world’s foremost experts on various aspects of hosting major events. This is especially true of this year’s program, whose theme is ‘Mindful Event Hosting: Respecting the Past with a View to the Future.”‘

Following the Host City Welcome given by Honourable Kate Jones, Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister, Paul Yeomans (photo above), Managing Director, PMY Group, an independent technology strategy, investment and management company will give the Keynote Address: Rise of the Smart Stadium.

“SportAccord is bringing the world of sport, entertainment and technology to the Gold Coast in 2019.”

“Come along to hear from global experts in their field, build relationships and share insights across this exciting sector.”

“I will be involved in chatting about how digital and technology investments are transforming the stadia environment and look forward to catching up!”

“See you on the Goldy!”

To hear Paul Yeomans in person and take part in the Audience Q&A following his Keynote Address, delegates can register for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.

CityAccord delegates will also hear from leading experts in four Tool Box Sessions: Innovative City/Event Ticketing Approaches moderated by David Eades, Journalist & Anchor, BBC World.

Case study presenters will include: Brian Nourse, Former Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games; Essar Gabriel, World Urban Games 2019 – Budapest, Consultant, GAISF; Marne Fechner, CEO, Netball Australia; Maria O’Connor, Managing Director, Ticketmaster Australia and New Zealand; and an international sports federation.

A mid-afternoon panel session: Major Event Fan Safety in Arenas, Cities, Fan Zones will discuss what cities and event organisers are doing to protect their fans and their reputation, followed by an Audience Q&A.

Panellists will include: Susanne Schödel, Secretary General, World Air Sports Federation (FAI); Craig Sheridan APM, Managing Director, Sheridan Consulting Group; Ian Stuart APM, Commissioner, Queensland Police Service; a city regional representative and an international federation (IF).

The final CityAccord panel session followed by an Audience Q&A will cover: Sport Destination Cities Branding – What Works.

Delegates will hear insights from leading experts in the field to include: Damien de Bohun, General Manager Major Events, Visit Victoria; Carol Hudson, VP Sports Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, EventScotland, also a Silver Partner and exhibitor (Stand 50) at SportAccord.