The fifth Host City conference and exhibition, Host City 2018, takes place in Glasgow on 20 to 21 November.
The theme of Host City 2018, “The Future of Major Events” was announced and discussed at SportAccord 2018 by Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland and Sir Craig Reedie CBE, IOC member and President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
In conversation with Ben Avison, Host City’s Editorial and Conference Director, the VIP speakers discussed what lies ahead for major events sector and gave a taste of items on the agenda for Host City 2018: the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events.
The discussion took place at Speakers Corner at 12:00 on Tuesday 17 April.
Looking ahead to the discussion, Paul Bush OBE, who leads EventScotland as part of his role as VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We’re at an interesting juncture in the hosting and delivery of major events. The rapidly changing way audiences are engaging with events through the advancements in technology as well as the social and economic impacts on the host country makes the future of major events a hot topic for discussion.
“Major events can create an impact like no other. Articulating their special DNA and how they can provide a 360-degree perspective across sport, culture, health, education and tourism is something I look forward to discussing with the industry during the Speakers Corner session and in great depth at this year’s Host City conference in Glasgow. By continuing to evolve and innovate, the future of major events will continue to be a positive one.”
Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director said: “Host City always addresses the primary concerns of the major events hosting sector and this year’s theme, ‘The Future of Major Events’ is no exception.
“Across the world, demographics, economics and geopolitics are all changing in tandem with revolutions in technology that are transforming the landscape forever. Rights holders, hosts and organisers must all stay ahead of the game to ensure their major events are engaging and beneficial for future generations, and Host City conference and exhibition provides the ideal setting for this.”
After the VIP dialogue, attendees had the opportunity to share their thoughts and discuss how they can get involved in Host City 2018.
Host City speaker Sarah Lewis OBE, Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) also looked ahead to Host City 2018, saying: "Stakeholders of major events all have the same goal to have highly successful events and consequently it is essential to connect and collaborate to fulfil these to the best extent. The platform offered by Host City assists to facilitate the process and also learn more about each other's diverse needs".
About Host City
Host City is the media and event of choice for cities, rights holders, organising committees and suppliers in their quest for best practice on hosting major events of all kinds.
First launched in 2003 as a bilingual magazine for the organisers of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Host City now serves all stakeholders in international sports, business, cultural and events through magazines, website, conferences and exhibition.
Now in its fourth year of growth, Host City conference and exhibition is firmly established as the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, renowned for the highest level of speakers, content and networking. Host City 2017 recorded its greatest participation more than 50 city representatives, 30 event owners, 20 organising committees, 15 media and two hundred delegates. Host City will be returning to Glasgow in November 2018 with a greatly increased exhibition.
The first Host City Asia event takes place in Beijing at the end of May 2018, bringing international event owners and Asian hosts together for high level discussion and networking.
Host City is the Official Event Development Partner of SportAccord 2018.
For more information contact ben.avison@hostcity.com (+44 7876 682072)
For information and industry news, visit www.hostcity.com
Follow Host City on Twitter @Host_City
EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.
EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.
