Host City: Recent Episodes
Host City
HOST CITY is the annual conference and exhibition for leaders in event hosting.
This is where city representatives, destination marketers, event owners and suppliers from all over the world meet to network and learn from each other.
Adam Soroka, CEO, Cavendish Ltd
Ben Avison, Editorial & Conference Director, Cavendish Group
Speakers:
Marie-Josee Adam, VP - Managing Director Events & Experiences, Cirque du Soleil
Bobby Hare, Director, Host City Partnerships and Hospitality, ESL Pro League
Jonathan Coates, Communications Director, UIPM
Joel Lavery, Strategic Lead Major Sporting Events, West Midlands Growth Company
Mike Golub, President of Business, SlamBall League
Joe Dougan, Promoter, Shine
Moderator: Chris Barrett, Editor, Access All Areas
Giulio Alessandrini, Director of Venues & Infrastructure, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
with Q&A with Ben Avison, Conference Director
Speakers:
Toni Jorba, Head of Event Operations, World Athletics
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
Birgitte Nestande, Senior Advisor Sport and Cultural Events, Innovation Norway
Martin Boyle, CEO, IAPCO
Moderator: Iain Edmondson, Founder, Legacy Delivery and Honorary Member, International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH)
Speakers:
Petra Sörling, IOC Member and President, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
Dr Beatriz Garcia, Member, Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission, International Olympic Committee
Damien Combredet-Blassel, Director of Impact & Heritage Deputy of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee
Chair: Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism & Events, Glasgow Life
Christina McKelvie MSP, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Scotland
Jeremiah Yolkut, Vice-President, Global Events, Major League Baseball
Stuart Snowden, Founder and Managing Director, IPSEM Squared
Trudy Lindblade, CEO, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Moderator: Daniel Cordey, Chairman, Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES)
Liese Abili, Vice President of Sports Development, Florida Sports Foundation
Mathew Ratner, Director, Sports & Entertainment Tourism, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Consuelo Sanchez, Tourism Assistant Director, Pasco County
Speakers:
Jimena Saldaña, CEO / Secretary General, PanamSports Organization
David de Behr, Head of Sales, Major Events, Aggreko
David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Innovation and Partnerships, Centre for Sports and Human Rights
Annamarie Phelps CBE, Vice-Chair, British Olympic Association and Executive Committee Member, European Olympic Committees
Moderator: Sarah Lewis, Global Sports Leader, Sustainable Mountain Alliance
Simone Hawkins, International Relations Manager, Air Race X
Desmond Barry, Project Manager, Air Race X
Speakers:
Andrew Ryan, Managing Director, FIBA Media
Jack McGill, CEO, QTV
Tanya Heimlich-Ng Yuen, Director of Client Services, Two Circles
Moderator: Martin Ross, Global News Editor, SportBusiness
Speakers:
Jana Wacht, Conference Manager, European Society of Human Genetics
Jason Ferguson, Chairman, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
Brett Williams, Senior Sponsorship Manager, NatWest Group
Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General, AIPH – International Association of Horticultural Producers
Moderator: Jonathan Coates, Marketing, Communications and Events Manager, ESA (European Sponsorship Association)
Hilary Ash, Vice President, Games Delivery & Infrastructure, LA28
in conversation with Ben Avison, Editorial & Conference Director, Cavendish Group
Speakers:
Carole Colin Kjaer, Director of Digital, DATA and CRM, Paris 2024 Organising Committee of the 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games
Gerdine Lindhout, Head of Marketing Operations & Event Promotion, FIFA
Tim Kasper, Account Manager, Sport & Culture, Explore Edmonton Corporation
Paul Foster, Founder, OnePlan and VenueTwin
Moderator: Siân Jenkins, Director, Major Events & Campaigns, The Sports Consultancy
Speakers:
Abi Ijasanmi, Chief Operations Officer, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)
John Langford, COO, AEG Europe
Hill Carrow, Chairman & CEO, 2029 FISU World University Games
Susan Deighan, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
Chair: Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
Creating organisational systems of power for good. How can we attract young people to the events industry, and deal with the shortage of skills and labour?
Speakers:
Martin Boyle, CEO, The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO)
Jason Ferguson, Chairman, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
Gayle Shepherd, Director of People, Projects and Technology, Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
Moderator: Chris Barrett, Editor, Access All Areas
What kind of impacts and benefits do events bring and are we demonstrating them all? Why are social benefits becoming more important to prove? How can events help governments to achieve multiple policy goals?
Speakers:
Toni Jorba, Head of Event Operations, World Athletics
Perttu Pesä, Director, Major Events, City of Tampere
Jack Nixon, Strategy Director, Nielsen Sports
Moderator: Iain Edmondson, Founder, Legacy Delivery and Honorary Member, IAEH
What can major event stakeholders do to further tap into female audiences and talent?
Speakers:
Jennifer Arnold, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Sarah Lewis OBE OLY, Managing Director, Global Sports Leader
Claire Nelson, CEO, Netball Scotland and Sirens Netball Superleague Club
Moderator: Duncan Mackay, Founding Editor, insidethegames.biz
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Vice President, Badminton World Federation and IOC Member
There are many tools available to make events more sustainable, but how can we incentivise their deployment? How can events account for carbon? And how should we design and adapt events with social sustainability in mind?
Speakers:
Georgina Grenon, Director of Environmental Excellence, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
David Stubbs, Independent Sustainability Expert
David De Behr, Head of Sales, Major Events, Aggreko
Richard Bate, Chief Safety & Sustainability Officer, EBK Grand Prix, Cube International
Moderator: Daniel Cordey, Chairman, Association of Global Event Suppliers
Sponsored by Aggreko
Speakers:
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
David Lappartient, President, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
Moderator: Martin Ross, Global News Editor, SportBusiness
How can cities use events, sports, horticulture and creativity to achieve development goals? How can urban design impact health and wellbeing? What kind of leisure facilities are needed for a changing economy and habits? How can events bring economic diversification and increase participation?
Speakers:
Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General, AIPH – International Association of Horticultural Producers
Maxwell de Silva, Secretary General, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka
Sandra Wall, Creative industries, Event and Meetings, Norrköping Municipality – UNESCO City of Music & Creative Cities Network
Moderator: Andrew Dixon, Director, Culture, Creativity, Place
Speakers (L-R):
Debra Gawrych, Secretary General, International Federation of Sport Climbing
David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Innovation and Partnerships Officer, Centre for Sports and Human Rights (moderator)
Liese Abili, Vice President of Sports Development at the Florida Sports Foundation
Mathew Ratner, Associate Director, Sports & Entertainment Tourism, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Miami
Jennifer Arnold, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Events are generating ever more sophisticated data about their audiences, but how can they capitalise on this knowledge? How do we convert data to growth? And how should we give fans access to content? What opportunities and challenges do digital twins, the metaverse, VR and AR present for major events and host cities?
Yiannis Exarchos, CEO, Olympic Broadcasting Services and Executive Director, Olympic Channel Services
John Tweardy, Managing Partner - Olympic, Paralympic & Major Events Practice, Deloitte
Catherine Chapman, Senior Programme Manager, Wiz-Team
Jack McGill, CEO, QTV
Moderator: Martin Fitchie, Director, Motion Technology Services
Stefano Manelli, Director, Citec Italy; Transportation Supervisor, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026
Good relationships between rights holders, hosts, organisers, suppliers and sponsors are essential to deliver positive events. How are these relationships being fostered and nurtured?
Speakers include:
Hilary Atkinson, Director, FIH Pro League & Olympic Games, International Hockey Federation (FIH)
Julia Amour, Director, Festivals Edinburgh
Helen Marriage, Director, Artichoke
Joel Lavery, Strategic Lead Major Sporting Events, Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau; West Midlands Growth Company
Moderator: Jonny Gray, Senior Managing Director, Ankura
Who is the future fan? What do they want? Are they online, ethical, busier, younger or older? What can we learn from other industries who have embraced the customer journey?
Speakers:
Brendan Williams, Chair of the Athletes Advisory Commission, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)
Alice John, Head of Economic Growth and Development Advisory, Deloitte’s Sports Business Group
Mate Bor, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President, FITEQ and Gergely Murányi, Head of Diplomatic Relations, FITEQ
Jonny Murch, CEO / Founder, Redtorch
Jonathan Coates, Marketing, Communications and Events Manager, ESA (European Sponsorship Association) and Communications Manager, UIPM
Moderator: Mike Laflin, CEO & Founder, Global Sustainable Sport
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games review
Ian Ward, Leader, Birmingham City Council
with questions from Ben Avison, Conference Director, Host City
Antony Warren, Head of Business Development, World Supercross Championship (WSX) & Founder, Supersize Live
Will new event concepts like the Commonwealth Esports Games, festivals in the metaverse and hybrid conferences continue to emerge, or are we seeing a post-covid return to traditionalism?
Where are the synergies between rights holders and event hosts, and how can they support each other’s development?
Speakers:
Beng Choo Low, Secretary General, World Baseball-Softball Confederation
Tine Eriksen Green, Head of Major Events, City of Copenhagen
Prof. Andy Miah, Metaverse Council & Commission Member, Global Esports Federation
Moderator: Robbie Clyde, Head of EventScotland, VisitScotland
What forces are driving the world of major events today? Where will the events industry be in five years’ time? What have we learned from the pandemic and COP? Do in-person major events have perennial value, or do we need to find a different model? How can we respond to inflation and cost constraints? Where will the balance lie between global and local audiences? And what role can events play in progressing diversity, equity and inclusion?
Speakers:
Ivo Ferriani, President, GAISF, SportAccord, AWOIF and IBSF
Sam Ramsamy, Honorary Member, IOC and Vice President, FINA
David De Behr, Head of Sales, Major Events, Aggreko
Susan Deighan, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
Chair: Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
Matthew Astill, Chief Executive Officer, Cavendish Group
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
Ivo Ferriani, President, GAISF, SportAccord, AWOIF and IBSF
Ben Avison, Conference Director, Cavendish Group
- The art of being yourself to attract visitors
- Case studies of how destinations have used events to create a destination brand
- What can cities learn from other sectors about building a marketable brand?
- Placemaking: how to integrate the design and management of public spaces into major event strategy
Speakers:
- Chloe Targett-Adams, Global Director of Promoters and Business Relations, Formula 1
- Georgina Warren, Head of City Events and Experience, London & Partners
- Susan Sawbridge, Manager, New Zealand Major Events
- Andrew Dixon, Director, Culture, Creativity, Place
- Moderator: James Paterson, Principal, MI Associates
- Is it possible to create a common language for measuring the impact of events?
- What kind of effects should be measured and how?
- Which of impacts are the most challenging to measure and how can this be overcome?
- Can local benefits be considered alongside more global concerns?
- Can hosting events create happier, healthier citizens?
Speakers:
- Frank Leenders, Director General, FIBA Media and Marketing Services
- Rebecca Edser, Senior Major Events Consultant, UK Sport
- Georg Spazier, CEO, innsbruck-tirol sports
- Asahi Takano, Partner, Portas Consulting
- Moderator: Iain Edmondson, Director: Legacy Delivery Ltd; International Association of Event Hosts
- Can broadcasters sustain their reach or will they be further disrupted by technology companies?
- Immersive media and its role in event experience, both at the event and for fans at home
- Enhancing live event reach in the digital, catch-up world
- How can eSports contribute to the values and development of sports?
Speakers:
- Stefan Kuerten, Executive Director of Sport, European Broadcasting Union
- Andy Edwards, President, Nitro Circus
- Erich Wolf, Managing Director, Red Bull Air Race
- Moderator: Fiona Green, Director, Winners FDD Ltd
- How major events can drive transport innovation
- What will urban transport look like in 10 years and what role will major events play in these changes?
- How technology is transforming the event transport and logistics sector
Speakers:
Panos Protopsaltis, CEO, Global Event Mobility & Management Solutions (GEMMS)
Rutger Alferink, President, Saan Trucking
Stefano Manelli, Director, CITEC
Moderator: Ben Avison, Conference Director, Host City
- How to design venues that stand the test of time
- Successful venue operators share experiences of how they maximise footfall and impact
- How innovations in venues can drive revenue
- Achieving economic and environmental sustainability
With a keynote introduction by: Peter van der Veer, CEO, Rotterdam Ahoy and President, European Arenas Association
Speakers:
- Barry Fleeting, Head of Centre, National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde
- Alexander Hahner, Head of Key Account Management, Party Rent
- Moderator: Adam Nelson, Deputy Editor, SportBusiness Professional
Jean-Francois Martins, Deputy Mayor in charge of Tourism, Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, City of Paris tells the story of Paris Olympic journey
Diogo Taddei, Head of Sports and Events, Egis contributes Paris case study
- Shared experiences of major event security strategies
- The future of access control
- At what stage should a host city develop a security strategy?
Speakers:
- Patrick Vajda, Senior Consultant, SIACI ST HONORE - S2H
- Ken Scott, Head of Inspectorate at Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA)
- Billy Garrett, Director of Sports and Events, Glasgow Life
- Moderator: Daniel Cordey, Chairman, Association of Global Event Suppliers
- Aside from sport, what kind of event content holds the greatest appeal for cities to host and why?
- What do hosts need to bear in mind when designing venues for multiple potential future uses?
- What does the future hold for the live music and festivals sector and how can cities maximise opportunities?
- How can cultural development be integrated into civic regeneration strategies?
SPEAKERS: * Marcel Ridyard, Senior Associate - Sports and Leisure, AFL Architects * Nick Prichard, Global Alliances, Cirque du Soleil * Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Coventry City Council * Geoff Ellis, CEO, DF Concerts & Events * Moderator: Adam Nelson, Deputy Editor, SportBusiness Professional
- Why do some hosts deliver better events than others and how can the sharing of knowledge between past and future hosts be increased?
- How far up the supply chain can outsourcing go? Is a turnkey, “pop-up” organising committee a viable solution for mega event hosts?
- Which functional areas require the most specialist expertise from international experts?
- What might major event delivery look like in 2022 and beyond?
SPEAKERS: * Neil Carney, Project Director for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham City Council * Nadja Burkhardt, Event Supervisor, Eurovision Song Contest, EBU * David Tunnicliffe, Commercial Director, GL events UK * David de Behr, Head of Sales Major Events, Aggreko Event Services * Kevin Menk, Head of Sales, Sport & Event, Röder * Moderator: Robert Datnow, Managing Director, The Sports Consultancy
- Which events are more appealing to host cities and why – sports, business or entertainment events? Mega, major or small?
- How are geopolitical trends and concerns over event governance impacting the distribution of future major events? Where in the world will future investment be strongest? What impact might Brexit have?
- Why are some populations cynical while others are supportive of major events, and what does this mean for hosts and event owners?
- How can the aims of global events and local development be better aligned?
- How to provide best conditions for host cities to succeed
Speakers:
- Robbie Clyde, Head of EventScotland
- Niels Nygaard, President, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark and Vice President, European Olympic Committees
- Stuart Turner, Head of Major Events, Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development
- Guillaume Poisson, Head of EURO 2020 Host Country Projects, UEFA
- Debra Mountford, Project Manager, OECD
- Moderator: Mark Cooper, Senior Consultant, JTA
Dr. Ugur Erdener, Vice President, International Olympic Committee; President, World Archery; President, National Olympic Committee of Turkey
- What are the biggest issues the major events sector faces right now and how will these impact its future?
- How are major sports, business and entertainment events evolving through the fourth industrial revolution?
- What are current trends telling us about the kind of content and formats that will be in demand in the future?
- What can event owners, organisers and hosts do to ensure major events become more financially and environmentally sustainable?
Speakers:
- Dr. Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
- Dimitri Kerkentzes, Deputy Secretary General, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)
- Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, Rugby League World Cup 2021
- Alban Dechelotte, Head of Sponsorships & Business Development EU Esport, Riot Games
- Ansley O’Neal, Olympic Programme Commission Manager, International Olympic Committee
- Moderator: Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland
Hosting Opportunities: How to Make Your City and Event Stand Out Delivery and Legacy: How to Maximise Sustainability, Security and Revenues Moderators: Robert Datnow, Managing Director, The Sports Consultancy and Rick Traer, CEO, Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance
How to build a reputation as a leading event destination Which events have the biggest impact? Integrating conventions into wider events strategy Developing urban economy through science and business events
Panel: Opening Remarks: Adriaan Visser, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam and Alderman for Sports Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO, Messe Munich Michael Nagy, Commercial Director, Rio Convention and Visitors Bureau Andrew Bacchus, Head of Sports Economy, UK Department for International Trade François Moreau , Head of Innovation and Enterprise, City of Paris Moderator: Aileen Crawford, Head of Conventions, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
New, existing or temporary venues – how to decide Architectural transformations for sustainable mega events Powering the temporary infrastructure revolution How to work with organisers and destinations to enable sustainable events Sooad Islam, Associate, Populous Mark Breitenmoser, Head of Strategy, Nüssli David de Behr, Head of Global Events, Aggreko Moderator: Daniel Cordey, Chairman, Association of Global Event Suppliers
Which events offer good - or poor - customer experiences? How cities build a cultural profile to attract visitors The convergence of entertainment and sports City spaces for urban festivals John Langford, Vice President and General Manager, The O2, AEG Facilities Devorah Blumberg, Manager of New Zealand Major Events Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events, London & Partners Moderator: Rachael Church, Director of Editorial and Communications, World Academy of Sport
Knowing the risks: how dangerous are cities today? What event organisers and venues can do to ensure health and safety The threat of terror in entertainment venues – is anywhere safe? The importance of strong partnerships in delivering safe events
Panel: Karen Eyre-White, Chief Executive, Sports Ground Safety Authority Patrick Vajda, Sports and Events Consultant, Marsh Bernie Higgins, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland Dr Musa Gumesa, Deputy City Manager: Community and Emergency Services, City of Durban Moderator: Mike Lee, Chairman, Vero Communications
New multi-city and multi-sport formats: the European Championships in 2018 and beyond The transformation of the Commonwealth Games Which events are leading the way on transforming accessibility and integration? How disruptive innovation and digital transformation are impacting events Can sponsor-led content add value? Panel: David Grevemberg CBE, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation Kulveer Ranger, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications, Atos UK Itay Ingber, Chief Operating Officer, Matchvision Julian Ternisien, Head of Sports Rights, European Broadcasting Union Moderator: Marc Webber, Head of Sport, audioBoom
Prof. Dr. Ugur Erdener, President, World Archery and NOC of Turkey and Vice President, IOC
How Asian economies are developing through events Introducing the new owners and creators of event content Understanding China’s strategy of building an $850bn sports sector by 2025 The rise of city branding and the growing role of event experiences
Panel: Wang Dong, Vice President, Alisports Claire Ballard, Regional Marketing Director, Feld Entertainment Erich Wolf, Managing Director, Red Bull Air Race Dr. Keith Harris, Board Member, Everton Football Club; Chairman, Keith Harris & Associates Moderator: Ben Cronin, Editor, SportBusiness International
Can the world’s biggest sports renew their image? Do cities have faith in bidding procedures? How rights holders can rebuild trust in audiences Are business and cultural events immune to issues of integrity?
Panel: Dr Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life Yves Le Lostecque, Head of Sport, European Commission Adam Pengilly, IOC Member, VP of International Affairs, International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) Risto Nieminen, President, Finnish Olympic Committee Ignacio Packer, Secretary General, Terre Des Hommes Moderator: Callum Murray, Editorial Director, Sportcal
Sir Craig Reedie CBE, Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, Visit Scotland Dimitri Kerkentzes, deputy Secretary General, BIE (World Expos) Sarah Lewis, Secretary General, FIS and AIOWF (Association of Winter Olympic Sports Federations) Francesco Ricci Bitti, President, ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic Sports Federations) Simon Clegg CBE, Chief Operating Officer, World Expo Dubai 2020 Moderator: Robert Datnow, Managing Director, The Sports Consultancy
Hosted by Matthew Astill, CEO, Cavendish Group and Ben Avison, Editorial Director, Host City with a welcome from Sir Jim McDonald, Principal, Strathclyde University. This is followed by Sir Craig Reedie CBE, President, World Anti-Doping Agency's Keynote Speech
How to bid for and benefit from the European Capital of Culture
How cities can develop a programme of cultural events
How to create cultural events that benefit society and attract visitors
Chair: Karel Bartak, Head of Culture Unit, European Commission (EU Capital of Culture)