SportAccord is delighted to confirm Birmingham as Host City for the 18th edition of SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit at a time when the global sports industry is re-focusing for growth, recognising that creating real connections and new partnerships with meaningful actions is now more important than ever.
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit is a unique event where sports business leaders, the International Olympic Committee, all the International Federations, organisers of future Olympic and Paralympic Games and other major events, as well as a multitude of sport-related associations and companies, come together over several days - in one location.
Birmingham’s award-winning International Convention Centre (ICC) will be the hub for this exceptional gathering of international sports leaders next April.
Welcoming the announcement, Ivo Ferriani, President of SportAccord, said:
“We are thrilled Birmingham is Host City for the next edition of SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in 2024. I can think of no better place than the West Midlands to build on the momentum of the brilliant Birmingham Commonwealth Games by hosting SportAccord.
“A city of inventions, iconic landmarks and firsts, Birmingham's rich tapestry of history, heritage and culture will provide a unique delegate experience.
“With superb facilities, as well as accommodation all highly accessible within a square mile sports leaders and decision makers can focus on what really matters in this new era for sport - unique networking and valuable insights from a dynamic line-up of world-class speakers.
“We look forward to bringing the magic of SportAccord to Birmingham in 2024.”
Commonwealth Games Legacy - catalyst for change
Birmingham and the West Midlands - the UK’s second most populous region - secured its Host City bid thanks to economic development agency West Midlands Growth Company, whose Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) aims to leverage the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, to embed positive international perceptions of the West Midlands, drive long-term economic benefits across the region and foster civic pride.
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said:
“Hosting the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in 2024 is a significant achievement for the West Midlands. On the back of the hugely successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we now have another major opportunity to showcase the region's venues, infrastructure and expertise in delivering international events which leave positive legacies for our communities and beyond.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, said:
"This time last year Birmingham showcased itself to the world with a record-breaking Commonwealth Games. It highlighted the UK's strong track record when it comes to hosting premier sporting events.
"As a part of this success, the Business and Tourism Programme contributed more than £17 million to the West Midlands economy. It has also created more than 2,500 jobs since its inception.
'We are determined to see that legacy continue and are investing another £70 million to boost jobs and skills, fund cultural and creative projects, and improve access to sports facilities for the next generation of stars."
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“We all know how incredible the Commonwealth Games was for the West Midlands, but last year’s spectacle must be the start of a new sporting journey for our region – not the end.
“If we want to keep hosting the world’s biggest sporting events then showcasing our region to sport’s global decision makers is mission critical. That’s why this SportAccord conference is so important - and why I’m delighted we’ve been able to pull it off.
“This is the first time the conference has been held in the UK for over a decade, and the last host – Australia’s Gold Coast – secured the 2032 Olympic Games. There is no question therefore just what a major coup this is for the West Midlands, and we now must ensure we make the most of the opportunity and use it as a springboard for our future.”
John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
“One year on from hosting the best Commonwealth Games that this country has ever seen, we have the opportunity to further market and promote our city, its venues and infrastructure to the international sporting community. We want Birmingham to have a pipeline of major sporting and business events over the decade and this summit has the potential to help us deliver this, maximising the impact of the Legacy Fund.”
Olympic support for 2024 summit
Sir Hugh Robertson, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, is an early supporter of the 2024 summit:
“As both Chair of the British Olympic Association and Birmingham Airport, I am absolutely delighted that SportAccord has selected Birmingham as its host city for 2024.
“SportAccord is the world’s foremost sports conference, and its arrival here will give Birmingham a further opportunity, both to showcase its ability to host major international events, and to build on its sports legacy after the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.”
SportAccord hosting benefits
Lars Lundov, Chief Executive of Sport Event Denmark, who headed the successful Host City bid for Aarhus in 2017, added:
“Today, Denmark is one of the leading countries in terms of hosting world-class sporting events - all thanks to key opportunities including being 2017 Host City for SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
“Sport Event Denmark - established and supported by the Danish Government - has been a partner of every SportAccord summit since the very first in 2003, before becoming a host.
“The summit is extremely important for uniting people from across the global sports landscape - I am very much looking forward to seeing Birmingham deliver another must-attend event.”
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit heads to the UK for the second time in its 20-year history after London hosted the summit in 2011.
The programme for the 2024 summit - presenting a distinctive opportunity for global sports leaders to strengthen connections and share fresh ideas - will start to be announced in September and registration for delegates will open soon.
Discussions are now underway with organisations who wish to renew or establish a partnership with SportAccord, or take part in the highly coveted exhibition located alongside the ever-popular SportAccord Café.