FIFA Council Member Michel D’Hooghe, European Commission Head of Sport Yves Le Lostecque and Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg announced as panellists

Host City 2016 Conference and Exhibition continues to attract top experts and key decision makers to speak at its event, with Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg CBE, FIFA Council Member Baron Dr. Michel D’Hooghe and European Commission Head of Sport Yves Le Lostecque among the latest big names to join the lineup. 

Other recently confirmed highly influential speakers include: Red Bull Air Race Managing Director Erich Wolf; Finnish Olympic Committee President Risto Nieminen; Feld Entertainment Regional Marketing Manager Claire Ballard and Alisports Vice President Wang Dong.

Now in its third year of rapid growth, Host City 2016 will take place at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow on 21-22 November, bringing cities, rights holders, event owners and suppliers together to plan the future of major global events. 

Other notable names already announced to speak include:

Sir Craig Reedie CBE, President, WADA
Prof Dr Ugur Erdener, Vice President, IOC and President, NOC of Turkey and World Archery
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, Visit Scotland
Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
Sarah Lewis, Secretary General, FIS and AWOIF (Association of Winter Olympic Sports Federations)
Simon Clegg CBE, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai 2020 World Expo
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Deputy Secretary General, BIE (World Expos)
Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO, Messe Munich
Carine Saloff-Coste, Head of Economic Development, City of Paris
John Langford, VP and General Manager, The O2
Michael Nagy, Director, Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau
Adriaan Visser, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam and Alderman for Sports, Rotterdam
Devorah Blumberg, Manager of New Zealand Major Events
Ronnie Hansen, Director, Odense & Co.

Host City is the leading meeting of Cities and Sports, Business and Entertainment Events. Under the theme of “Creating Safe and Engaging Events,” the conference and exhibition is attracting the world’s leading cities, rights holders and suppliers.

David Grevemberg, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation, who attended the previous two Host City events, said: “The calibre of people that attended and spoke was excellent; it was excellent to meet so many experts with a shared perspective and passion and belief that the hosting of major events is a force for good.”

Robert Datnow, Managing Director of The Sports Consultancy, who will moderate the opening panel discussion and who attended Host City 2015 in Glasgow, said “I was really impressed by the quality of the event – the speakers, the delegates, the topics and the venue.”

Ben Avison, Editorial Director of Host City said: “Hosting sports, business and entertainment events is a booming sector, but our future direction depends on how well we engage with new global audiences. This requires cities, rights holders and brands to stage a more diverse range of events and to lead on critical issues such as public perception, security and digitisation.

“Host City provides the unique platform for them to work together to do this, which is why we are delighted to be able to announce such highly regarded speakers. We look forward to the expert insight and unique insights they will bring to this crucial debate.”

 Topics to be covered at Host City 2016 include:

• What Does the Future Hold for Major Events?
• Has Sport Lost Its Integrity And How Can It Win Confidence Back?
• Building Sports and Entertainment Brands; China’s Investment Strategy
• Transformations in Multi-City and Multi-Sports Events
• A Safe Pair of Hands: How Cities Can be Secure Hosts
• Creating Entertaining Experiences for Visitors
• Making Event Infrastructure More Sustainable
• Business Events and Economic Development

For further information on Host City 2016 and to register, please visit: www.hostcity.com

Join the conversation on social media by using the #HostCity2016 hashtag.

A very limited number of speaking opportunities remain. For opportunities please contact Ben Avison on [email protected]