Rugby Expo Scores Record-Breaking Attendance Figures

Rugby Expo cemented its position as the essential business event for one of the world’s fastest growing sports as the 2013 edition attracted a record number of delegates to Twickenham stadium for two days of presentations, panel discussions and master class summits, focusing on the major issues facing the game at professional and grass roots levels.

With over 800 pre-event delegate registrations and 400 from grass roots and community clubs, Rugby Expo 2013 deliberated subjects and issues affecting all levels of the game and with conference sessions set against the backdrop of a vibrant, sold out exhibition floor, the event delivered on its promise to create the ultimate meeting place for the key decision makers for all aspects of the sport.

Not only hosting over 100 representatives from the RFU, Premiership Rugby, England Rugby 2015, RaboDirect Pro12 and WRU, Rugby Expo welcomed staff from both commercial and community departments at every Aviva Premiership club for the first time.

Rugby Expo 2013’s wide ranging agenda reflected the opportunities facing a sport with the potential for unprecedented global growth; RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont CBE, Premiership Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty, Rugby World Cup 2015 CEO Debbie Jevans CBE, RFU rugby development director Steve Grainger MBE and SANZAR CEO Greg Peters were among the major figures from the world of rugby to feature in a speaker line-up packed with unparalleled expertise of the game.

They were joined by brand and commercial sector experts including chief commercial officer at Etihad Airways Peter Baumgartner, senior sponsorship & CR manager at Aviva Louisa Cheetham, managing director and executive VP, international at Tickets.com Derek Palmer, Tomos Grace of Google/YouTube and Steve Martin, CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment.

John Hockey, chairman of Rugby Ventures which owns and operates Rugby Expo said: “With Rugby World Cup 2015 ever nearer, a vibrant club professional game and Rugby Sevens set to make its debut at Rio 2016, the sport is entering a period of enormous opportunity to translate global exposure into both commercial success and success for the grass roots game.

“However, rugby union is still a young commercial sport which is in many ways finding its feet and discovering its true value. Our programme was designed to reflect and address some of the issues and to provide delegates with practical information and insight to help them take advantage of these opportunities as they arise.

“We are delighted with the number of delegates and exhibitors as well as the quality and commitment of our speakers and I would like to thank them all for their contribution in making Rugby Expo 2013 the most successful to date. The feedback from all stakeholders has been extremely positive and we will now focus on setting new standards at Rugby Expo 2014.”