[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord Convention today announced the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government will be a Gold Partner again for this year’s 15^th edition taking place from 2 – 7 April 2017 in the waterside city of Aarhus Convention Center in Denmark.

Commenting on its Gold Partnership, Mr Pun Weng Kun, President of Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government said, “We are honored to return again as one of the Gold Partners, as we look forward to enhancing Macau’s profile as an active sport city, making contributions to the positive growth and development in the global sport industry and being a significant part of the success of the SportAccord Convention.”

The Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government seeks to promote sport at all levels with athletes and citizens alike. It focuses on creating the necessary conditions for the development of sport and plays an active role between sports associations as well as encouraging citizens to lead a healthy lifestyle, promoting the positive message, “Let’s exercise for our health” as a good habit.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “We are pleased to welcome Macau for their tenth anniversary year as a Gold Partner. Their strategy and objectives for enabling people to participate in sport from grassroots to elite levels, as well as hosting international sport events, makes Macau a key contender as an international sports destination.” Hatt went on to say, “With interest high for this year’s Convention, as well as Aarhus being on the radar of many organisations around the world as European Capital of Culture for 2017, we’ve seen a sharp rise in registrations to take advantage of this halo.”

Held in a different city every year, the annual SportAccord Convention is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers from sport and industry to meet, network and strategically shape global, regional and national agendas. An exclusive 6-day event with 1500 delegates expected to attend in just under 6 weeks, organisations who want to take advantage of the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event and get involved in the business of sport, are registering as exhibitors or delegates daily at www.sportaccordconvention.com.

The SportAccord Convention is also host to annual general meetings of governing bodies, will welcome a delegation from the International Olympic Committee, and its 3-day conference programme focused on ‘Innovation In Action’ promises to share cutting edge business ideas and fire the imagination of delegates.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord Convention today provided an update on the Plenary Conference programme ‘Innovation in Action’ including speakers, additional sessions, and partners. SportAccord Convention will be held from 2 – 7 April 2017 at the Scandinavian Center in Aarhus, Denmark, this year’s European Capital of Culture.

With sport being the fastest growing sector in the entertainment industry, it also holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of supporters. Thanks to our Top Media Partner Dow Jones, Tom Glick, CCO of City Football Group will share his insights into how the club has opened the door to innovation, to build loyalty and grow support as well as commercial success, in a scene setter focused on ‘Innovation in the Business of Sport’.

Commenting on the Group’s strategy, Tom Glick said, “At Manchester City and all our City Football Group clubs, we have a passion for innovation and for connecting with our fans everywhere in the world; whether in stadium or wherever they follow our clubs. Our fans are increasingly global, increasingly digital and increasingly mobile and we are delighted to be working with world-class partners who are helping us to find new ways to engage them.”

Continuing the theme ‘Innovation in the Business of Sport’, a panel will consider the risks of moving too fast for fans, balanced against the dangers of getting caught up in the wake of other, faster moving clubs, sports, and competitions. The session will address how sponsor engagement, digital, data and in-stadium technology, enables sport disciplines to deliver even more to meet fan expectations and draw so much more in return.

The Panel lineup includes:

• Ishveen Anand, Founder & CEO, OpenSponsorship
• David de Behr, Head of Sales, Major Events Division, Aggreko
• Tom Glick, CCO, City Football Group
• Fiona Green, Director & Co-Founder, Winners

The Panel for the session focused on ‘Innovation – A permanent change revolution, or an opportunity to reset your sport?’ is now confirmed and will look at how sports are using innovative approaches within their specific disciplines to advance both the sport itself as well as expand who is able to participate.

Panel members includes:

• Mark Barfield, Technical Manager, UCI
• Johannes Holzmüller Head of Football Technology Innovation Department, FIFA 
• Angela Ruggeiro, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Sports Innovation Lab and Chair of IOC Athletes' Commission
• Chris Wells, Communication Manager, World Archery

David Eades, Journalist and Anchor for BBC World will moderate the sessions. Further details of the Plenary Conference as well as the LawAccord programme can be found at www.sportaccordconvention.com.

SportAccord Convention is the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event at the service of sport. It is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international sports federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport. The Convention is host to annual general meetings of governing bodies as well as bid cities, and once again, will welcome a delegation from the International Olympic Committee.

Knowing your customer is essential for any business, whether that’s a sports or entertainment organisation staying attuned to the feelings of fans or a media organisation understanding the mindset of its viewers, readers and listeners.

In the digital age, customer data has grown exponentially. But who owns the most data? The retailer is the first port of call for most customers, so online retailers are sitting on a massive digital resource that has the potential to expand the reach of any content-producing organisation – particularly when sports and entertainment is increasingly distributed globally via a single channel: the internet.

The agreement between the International Olympic Committee and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is a perfect example of a partnership between an organisation dedicated to world-class content and another dedicated to reaching customers, in the world’s biggest and fastest growing market.

The deal, announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos and negotiated by Shankai Sports and Michael Payne, who set up the IOC’s TOP sponsorship programme in the 1980s, is highly innovative. In joining as the latest TOP Sponsor, Alibaba is said to be providing around US$1bn of financial support to the IOC over the next six Olympic Games. Alibaba becomes the IOC’s official provider of Cloud and e-commerce services as well as partnering with the IOC’s online Olympic Channel.

The sponsorship deal is said to have been conducted independently of Alisports, which already partners with a number of other sports organisations to deliver sports directly to fans via Alibaba’s own online channels.

Retailers are traditionally not producers of content, but they are starting to occupying this space. Amazon is already distributing online television direct to its customers – and if the e-commerce giants do start to launch their own sports events, the pressure on traditional sports organisations to assert the authenticity and integrity of their own properties will get even more intense.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord Convention has announced first details of the Plenary Conference programme ‘Innovation in Action’ taking place in this year’s European Capital of Culture, Aarhus, Denmark from 2–7 April 2017.

SportAccord Convention is the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event at the service of sport. Held in a different city each year, the Convention takes place over six days and is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international sports federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, and organisations involved in the business of sport.

“We have a great event lined up for delegates at this special 15^th anniversary edition of the SportAccord Convention and we’ll see a number of speakers make their debut at the Plenary Conference,” said Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention. “Innovation is at the hub of any successful organisation and this year’s conference programme will enable delegates to explore and experience the innovative ways business leaders are making decisive decisions to keep their organisations ahead of the game and in the hearts and minds of fans.”

Day 1 will kick-off with a keynote to address why organisations must innovate to remain relevant. This will follow with a conference session examining whether innovation is a permanent change revolution or an opportunity for organisations to reset their sport. Other sessions will focus on the business of sport and includes how one English Premier League football club opened the door to innovation, to build loyalty and grow support, as well as commercial success. A panel will consider the risks of moving too fast for fans, balanced against the dangers of getting caught in the wake of other, faster moving clubs, sports and competitions. Delegates will also hear how some International Sports Federations have used innovation to great effect in their sport discipline.

Day 2 will begin with a presentation from Tokyo 2020 on their plans for hosting the next Games and why it will be the most futuristic sporting event to date. Panel sessions will examine whether technology is a friend or foe when it comes to dictating the direction of sport and how organisations can embrace beneficial technological change and meet generational expectations without losing the very essence of sport. A technology health-check for the sports movement will also provide updates on key developments in the areas of digital and social media, wearable devices, 3-D and VR content, drones, and more, with experts who can share the latest technology, best practice and answer questions.

The Convention provides organisations involved in the development and business of sport with a unique opportunity to meet and network on a global scale with over ninety percent (90%) of the delegation being key decision-makers and in a position to take action. The majority of delegates, partners and exhibitors return each year, ensuring the Convention is part of their business strategy. With over seventy percent (70%) of exhibitor space sold, and just under two weeks to go until the delegate pass is due to rise to CHF 2,500 on 6 February, organisations can become involved at SportAccord Convention as a delegate, exhibitor or sponsor and register at www.sportaccordconvention.com

Source: SportAccord Convention

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord Convention has announced its Silver Partners for the 15^th edition of the Convention taking place from 2 - 7 April 2017 in the Scandinavian Center Aarhus, Denmark. This year’s Silver Partners include:

• Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance – created through a partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission, CSTA has over 400 members including 142 municipalities and 200+ national and regional sport organisations, as well as product and service suppliers. One of its key objectives is to market Canada internationally as a preferred sport tourism destination.
• Edmonton Events – established as a strategic partnership between the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Tourism, is focused on attracting major events to the region. Edmonton Events provides a single point of contact, offering services and expertise from event inception, bidding and marketing, to operations and legacy.
• EventScotland – part of VisitScotland, and building on Scotland’s reputation as a major events destination, its refreshed vision is aimed at making Scotland ‘The Perfect Stage’ for events.
• Malaysia Major Events – a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, MME was established to promote, facilitate and stage international events as the venue of choice for the region.

Welcoming on-board this year’s Silver Partners, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “We’re delighted to welcome our Silver Partners to this year’s special edition. As regional event and hospitality experts and hosts, they are well aware of the benefits and exposure SportAccord Convention provides them as a host city.” Hatt went on to say, “With Aarhus being the European Capital of Culture for 2017, this setting enables all our partners and exhibitors to really shine and take advantage of the opportunities and interest surrounding our event and the Host City.”

Aarhus, the city that never sleeps, has a monumental year ahead with a cultural programme to keep everybody entertained. Filled with museums, and iconic buildings like ARoS offering panoramic ‘rainbow’ views, or the stunning new waterside library ‘Dokk1’, an ambitious project which successfully manages to marry two Danish cultural traditions - being accessible to all generations and social classes, as well as being functional within a beautiful design. The bustling streets are packed with independent shops, cafes and restaurants, where Aarhus (and the surrounding area) also hold the prestigious title of European Region of Gastronomy 2017.

Over one thousand organisations attend the SportAccord Convention to network and discuss the business of sport. With just under one week to go before the delegate pass rises to CHF 2,500, and the exhibition proving as popular as ever with 85% of booths now sold, organisations still considering whether to become involved should take action and register as a delegate or secure a booth at www.sportaccordconvention.com. For those who would like to go the extra mile and benefit from this unique opportunity, a couple of Bronze partnership opportunities remain.

SportAccord Convention is host to annual general meetings of governing bodies as well as bid cities, and once again, will welcome a delegation from the International Olympic Committee.

The SportAccord Convention official schedule will also include a plenary conference, City Forum, LawAccord and MediaAccord and this year’s overarching theme is ‘Innovation in Action’. These sessions are intended for International Federations and organisations who want to get up to speed with the latest thinking, as well as hear the news and views of sporting leaders from around the globe.

To become a delegate or exhibitor at SportAccord Convention register at: www.sportaccordconvention.com

Source: SportAccord Convention

[Source: SIGA] A series of high profile delegates, headed by European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen, today called for active and sustainable sports governance reform at the inaugural SIGA Sport Integrity Forum.

The Forum was held in the historic Chartered Accountants’ Hall – the headquarters of SIGA member, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Representatives from over 100 organisations from the international sports community attended, with high profile delegates from sport (international federations, clubs, leagues, national governing bodies and regional confederations), government, international and regional organisations, civil society and the commercial and professional services sectors.

Hansen began the high-profile Forum with a keynote address in which he described the corruption and doping scandals seen across a number of sports in recent years as “betrayals of sport’s values and of the trust of millions of people, young and old.”

Read Host City’s exclusive interview with Svein Arne Hansen here

He went on to highlight the significant progress that has been made both by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and European Athletics in integrity and good governance. Hansen concluded: “I see SIGA as being from the sport movement and that it and European Athletics have common interests. Therefore, I want to wish you all the best with your project and I hope to work with you in the future.”

Hansen also took advantage of his address to reveal that he is asking that in future “we will store the doping control sample for any European record for a minimum of 10 years to allow for retesting when technology improves.”

The Forum’s three panel discussions on good governance in sport, financial integrity and sports betting integrity featured prominent and influential leaders from the world of sport, united in their belief that all of sport’s stakeholders should work in partnership to bring about real and lasting reform.

The debate was geared towards identifying solutions to the problems sport currently faces and the role SIGA can play in supporting organisations implement reform. Speakers included Lars-Christer Olsson (Chairman, EPFL), Nick Bitel (Chair, Sport England), Kimberley Morris (General Manager, FIFA TMS) and Thierry Pujol (CEO, Française des Jeux) among others.

Speaking after the Forum, the SIGA Council said: “The first ever SIGA Sport Integrity Forum has been a great success and a significant step forward. We enjoyed three panels of very high quality with excellent interventions from the audience. But this Forum would not have been such a success without the contribution and efforts of everyone involved. SIGA as an organisation is completely reliant on the expertise and contribution of its members. We are built on the principles of collaboration and partnership as we recognise that real change is only possible if we work together.

“The panel discussions today highlighted the scale of the work that is ahead of us but they also reinforced the need for an organisation like SIGA to act as a bridge and bring together like-minded organisations from across the sports industry. SIGA is here to stay and we are committed to bringing about real change. Today we have shown that we can talk the talk but now we must walk the talk.”

The Forum was concluded by Chairman of the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) President Brian Lewis who expressed their support for SIGA and called on sports organisations to adopt SIGA’s Universal Standards.

Read Host City’s exclusive interview with Svein Arne Hansen here

• Glasgow’s preparations for the 2018 European Championships are “impressive”
• No programming overlaps between sports will be accepted in evenings
• Hopes for another outdoor athletics event in Glasgow in the future
• Russia “not missed” from athletics until it “follows the rules”
• IAAF expected to follow European Athletics’ lead in investigating the credibility of historical records
• Two or three potential host cities for 2022 European Championships to be shortlisted on 7th February
• Sports must bring top athletes to the 2018 European Championships to stay on the programme for 2022
• Further sports may be considered for 2022, particularly those popular in the host city

HOST CITY: The 2018 European Championships is taking place in two cities simultaneously, Berlin and Glasgow. How will live audiences in the cities how will they feel like they are at the same event?

Svein Arne Hansen: They will feel it very well. It is a really good programme that brings all the sports together and this is the same for Glasgow and Berlin.

I am very used to this; I come from a winter sports nation, Norway. Every weekend in the winter, different sports go on throughout the whole day in different places in Europe, but the guys sitting in front of the television don’t really care where it is.

My understanding is, and I feel from the meetings we have had, that Glasgow and Berlin are working very well together and hard together to make this a big success. 

HOST CITY: In terms of the European Championships brand, what is being done to make sure that it’s experienced as a single brand?

Svein Arne Hansen: That is what we are working on the final layout now, that is one of the things we will discuss on 7 February and for sure later this year. Because we have to look alike and be the same.

For example, we will have a medal table that will be combined between the two places. Victory ceremonies will be exactly the same in the two places. We are working to have it look as much as the same.

But we must not lose the characteristics of athletics. And I’m sure that the other sports don’t want to lose the characteristics of their sports. I will not be a very popular person if we sold away athletics!

In the future this championship will probably be in one place. But for the moment we are happy to have two such interesting host cities.

I am impressed by Glasgow and the way they are really taking all the sports on board. And of course Glasgow organised the Commonwealth Games in 2014, which was a huge success. Athletics will also come back to Glasgow with the European Indoor Athletics Championships in 2019.

For the moment we are working to try to integrate the two cities so it’s a lookalike for the people sitting in Switzerland, in Norway or here.

HOST CITY: How challenging is it to schedule without programming clashes?

Svein Arne Hansen: It is challenging in one way, but also we have gone into this because we don’t want anything to overlap over the afternoon/evening sessions. That’s a must from European Athletics; that we have no other interference from 6.15PM to 9PM from other sports in those days.

This is a 10-day event we are not accepting any overlap at those times from day one. We have to look after our sport. We are about to solve that now so I don’t think that will be a problem.

The scheduling is going very well. I don’t know how official this is yet, but we are coming out with a very good schedule for each sport and every sport should be recognised.

That’s what we are going to discuss the final layout of the timetable at our next meeting.

HOST CITY: What is your feeling about how the people of Glasgow reacted, responded and embraced the Commonwealth Games in 2014?

Svein Arne Hansen: You see now the fantastic interest there was for that Commonwealth Games. The athletics there was very good. There’s unbelievable interest for athletics in Great Britain.

I really hope in the future some time we can come back with an outdoor event in the summer in Glasgow. I am very impressed by Glasgow, the people, the city and the effort they are doing.

They are always willing to find solutions. They are innovative, are open for ideas, because we have to make changes to our sport.

As IOC President Thomas Bach said a year ago, “you have to change or somebody will change you”. Glasgow is really on to it and taking on this big job with several sports all together and it’s a really massive effort. We are very impressed.

HOST CITY: Athletics has clearly had a difficult time recently and you have been very vocal about the need to clean the sport and its administration.

Svein Arne Hansen: We have difficulties. We have the Russian problem with the state-sponsored doping, which is unbelievable, at least for me, that something like that can happen.

But we saw the fantastic championships in Amsterdam this summer, which sold out the five days and not a single person asked “why are the Russians not here?”. Not a single one asked me that.

It was the same with the Olympics in Rio. OK, they were not there, but nobody really missed them because they had not been following the rules that everybody else has to follow.

HOST CITY: What do you think Russian Athletics thinks about this?

Svein Arne Hansen: They are starting to think along the same lines because they know that they have to change otherwise they will not be coming back.

HOST CITY: And you have established a taskforce to look into the integrity of athletics by investigating European records.

Svein Arne Hansen: Yes, we have put on a group to work on that and it was amazing, the reaction on social media.

This is a very difficult task. The taskforce now has until September/October to come back with proposals we will bring forward to the IAAF.

It’s a challenge, of course. People will feel offended but if we don’t do that, people will say you can’t just let it go on. You have to look into it. Of course some people will be hurt by this, but you can’t make an omelette without breaking the eggs.

HOST CITY: Your suggestion is that the IAAF might follow your lead?

Svein Arne Hansen: I hope so. We will take this decision about European records, but I am sure the IAAF will follow. We have talked to them already and they have been very supportive of this and put one of their best people on the taskforce. So that’s a good sign.

HOST CITY: Another thing that put the IAAF under the spotlight is the host city process for the World Championships.

Svein Arne Hansen: I was not around [on the IAAF Council] then then so I don’t know too much about that. I have heard the same rumours.

HOST CITY: There is an ongoing host city selection process for the 2022 European Championships. Presumably that host will be announced at your board meeting in November?

Svein Arne Hansen: Yes. That’s what we hope.

HOST CITY: Remind me what bids you have on the table?

Svein Arne Hansen: We have a lot, but I can’t say any more. There will probably be a statement after our board meeting on February 7. We plan to come out with participants for the final round. We are looking for two or three cities to be shortlisted.

We also have made a very tough selection for the sports. If they don’t bring their best people to the Championships in 2018 in Glasgow they will not unfortunately be a part of 2022.

We know all the best athletes will be in Berlin. Swimming are saying the same and they know that all the best swimmers will be in Glasgow, all the sports in Glasgow must also come with their best. Glasgow is not investing so much money to have a second-class Championships.

HOST CITY: But all of the seven sports will remain for 2022?

Svein Arne Hansen: It looks like it. But as I said they must bring their best people. It’s also important that they include a sport that is popular for the host city.

HOST CITY: So that suggests there might be some changes?

Svein Arne Hansen: Yes, there might. But we will see. First we have to organise 2018.

[Source: EOC] The European Olympic Committees (EOC) on 26^th January held its first meeting of the year, with IOC President Thomas Bach in attendance. The meeting’s key outcome was the appointment of Spyros Capralos as Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the second edition of the European Games in 2019 in Minsk, Belarus.

EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič opened the day’s proceedings in Lausanne by welcoming President Bach and thanking him for his guidance of the Olympic Movement throughout 2016. President Bach then gave an update on the IOC’s latest activities, especially in the area of anti-doping, and answered questions from Executive Committee members.

EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič said: “It was a great honour to have IOC President Bach attend our first meeting of 2017 in the Olympic capital. President Bach provided a full update on all current key issues from across the Olympic Movement and, in response, the EOC Executive Committee expressed our unanimous support for the IOC’s handling of the completed McLaren Report concerning doping in Russia.

“The IOC’s approach on this matter – which was consistent with its approach towards Russia’s participation in the Olympic Games in Rio – respects the rule of law in a fair and objective way and the EOC fully supports this.”

Following President Bach’s departure, the Executive Committee received reports from Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi, Treasurer Kikis Lazarides, and European Games Senior Consultant Pierce O’Callaghan.

Capralos’s appointment as Coordination Commission Chair for Minsk 2019 was then confirmed by unanimous approval from Executive Committee members. Capralos, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, is taking on the same role he occupied from 2013-2015 for the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

On Capralos’s appointment, Kocijančič said: “Spyros’s chairing of the Baku 2015 Coordination Commission was very impressive and we are delighted that he is able to continue in this role for Minsk 2019. We are very excited that preparations for the second European Games are gathering speed in Minsk.”

The first Coordination Commission visit to Minsk is expected in the spring.

EOC Coordination Commission Chair for Minsk 2019, Spyros Capralos, said: “I am very happy to be taking on this responsibility once again. The Coordination Commission has a vital role to play in shaping the final concept of the European Games and my work starts with immediate effect. My commission members will make sure that the EOC’s experience of delivering Baku 2015 is passed on to the Minsk 2019 European Games Organising Committee in the best possible way.”

The Executive Committee also received positive progress updates about the upcoming Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Erzurum, Turkey, which is taking place from 11-18 February.

EOC Acting President Kocijančič praised the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Erzurum 2017 Organising Committee for their hard work in staging the event just two years after agreeing that Erzurum would host the event in 2017 rather than in 2019, as had been originally agreed.

[SOURCE: IOC] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Alibaba Group on 19^th January jointly announced a long-term partnership through 2028. Joining The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship programme, Alibaba will become the official “Cloud Services” and “E-Commerce Platform Services” Partner, as well as a Founding Partner of the Olympic Channel.

The partnership was announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with IOC President Thomas Bach, Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma and Alibaba Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang.

Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, said: “In this new digital world, Alibaba is uniquely positioned to help the IOC achieve a variety of key objectives outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020, while positively shaping the future of the Olympic Movement. This is a ground-breaking, innovative alliance, and will help drive efficiencies in the organisation of the Olympic Games through 2028, whilst also supporting the global development of digital opportunities including the Olympic Channel.”

“Alibaba’s partnership with the IOC is built on a foundation of shared values and a common vision for connecting the world and enriching people’s lives,” said Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group. “We are proud to support Olympic Agenda 2020, using our innovations and technologies to help evolve the Olympic Games for the digital era.”

Through this partnership, Alibaba’s contributions to the Olympic Movement will include:

Best-in-class cloud computing infrastructure and cloud services to help the Olympic Games operate more efficiently, effectively and securely, including supporting big data analytics requirements;

The creation of a global e-commerce platform for Olympic stakeholders to engage and connect with fans seeking official Olympic licensed products manufactured by the Olympic parties’ official licensees, and selected sports products, on a worldwide basis; and

Leveraging Alibaba’s leading digital media technologies and know-how to develop and customise the Olympic Channel for a Chinese audience.

“Alibaba is proud to empower the International Olympic Committee in a game-changing digital transformation, while moving another step closer toward our goal to serve 2 billion consumers,” said Daniel Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Group. “We will leverage our experience in serving a young user base to help connect more young people to the Olympic Movement, helping to strengthen our brand through this historic partnership.”

Tsunekazu Takeda, the IOC’s Marketing Commission Chair, said: “We are delighted to be working in the long term with Alibaba for the benefit of the Olympic Movement. This strategic partnership underlines the global appeal of the Olympic values and opens an exciting new chapter in this digital age.”

Alibaba is the first company to make a long-term commitment to the IOC through 2028 and the first Chinese company to commit to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

Alibaba will support the organisers of each edition of the Olympic Games, and the Olympic Movement around the world. These rights will include advertising and promotional use of Olympic marks and imagery from the Olympic Games as well as marks from the National Olympic Committees.

Alibaba’s global activation rights will include the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and the Olympic and Olympic Winter Games in 2024, 2026 and 2028 in cities yet to be selected by the IOC.

With a strong start to the new year, Smart City Networks, the leading event telecommunications and technology services provider for the convention industry, in the US, has announced a record number of contracts achieved at the close of 2016. Since early 2014, the company has been awarded 17 new contracts nationally, which are expected to generate a combined revenue of over US$285 million.

According to Martin A. Rubin, CEO of Smart City Holdings, the scope of the new venue contracts the company has added over the past three years encompasses 135 years of agreements, between initial terms and extension options.

“These contracts exemplify the sophistication and industry knowledge that Smart City brings is second to none,” said Rubin. “These numbers are a testament to the hard work and dedication the Smart City staff puts in every day to serve our local partners and community.”

The exclusive telecommunications and technology company for the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Smart City provides technology services to more than 3,000 conventions and meetings annually. Most recently Smart City served as the technology provider for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show—the world’s largest construction trade show—which was held in Orlando January 10-12, 2017, and is slated to return in 2018 as well. With new homes construction embracing the full impact of the Internet of Things, Smart City’s extensive wireless network infrastructure at the OCCC supported NAHB’s exhibitors in their demonstration of all things IoT in home of the future.

Founded over 30 years ago, Smart City Networks designs, installs and maintains data, voice, electrical and utility platforms, coupled with voice, video and data network engineering, security and monitoring for more than 35 convention and meeting facilities across the U.S., totalling over 17 million square feet of exhibit space.

SOURCE: Smart City Networks