Sports business sector takes to the field for IFB
THE transformational impact sport can have on communities will be debated at a business of sport event in Liverpool and Manchester next week, part of the International Festival for Business.
The International Sport Business Congress on July 17 and 18 features experts from London 2012, the NBA, London School of Economics, plus former French rugby union star Serge Betsen and the chief executives of both Everton and Liverpool FC.
Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council will speak about how the excellent relationship between the council and the owners of Manchester City FC, Abu Dhabi United Group, has transcended investment in football, but is becoming a cornerstone of the economic revival of east Manchester.
The event features a panel discussion entitled Social Change in Cities – How can sport impact urban communities?
Speakers include: Chris Grant, vice chairman of the London 2012 legacy programme International Inspiration, and now CEO of Sported, a programme that supports sports clubs across the country; Sandra Jovchelovitch, a Professor at London School of Economics, whose work on the favelas in Brazil and studies on the impact the World Cup has had on the country’s socio-economic fabric caused a stir in the media in the run up to Brazil 2014.
Jene Elzie, vice president of marketing and communications, NBA in Europe will speak about how the NBA’s world-renowned community engagement programmes are helping the league expand the sport across the world. She’ll share where the NBA is headed and the importance of social engagement in that strategy.
Other speakers include Joe Anderson, the Mayor of Liverpool; Ian Ayre, MD of Liverpool Football Club; Robert Elstone, CEO of Everton FC; and Alistair Kirkwood, MD of NFL UK.
The Liverpool event is being held at the BT Convention Centre, while in Manchester the venue is the Etihad Stadium.
