The dedicated channel will deliver content “live from SportAccord” to video screens at the convention in Athens and to broadband homes worldwide through a partnership with WCSN, the largest broadband service dedicated to international sport. SportAccord TV is lining up interviews with top executives and personalities among the 1500 delegates expected to attend the sixth edition of SportAccord at the Athens Hilton from June 2-6, 2008.

 

“WCSN is pleased to be working with SportAccord to help deliver for them the complete video and content documentation of the event, offering all the participants the ability to see, hear and read, on a VOD (video on demand) basis, all the major presentations from the event,” said Claude Ruibal, Chief Executive of WCSN (World Championship Sports Network). “We hope this, together with a number of planned interviews, provides everyone associated with SportAccord the ability to capture the full value of the rich and diverse offerings on the program.”

 

The principal viewer platform for SportAccord TV will be www.sportaccord.com with the significant bonus of www.wcsn.com. 

 

SportAccord General Manager Anna Hellman said, "A key development strategy for SportAccord is to add value to the delegate experience - not just during SportAccord Week but all year round. Developing this video service together with WCSN will not only provide more valuable content for the SportAccord website and the SportAccord community, but will also allow participants greater flexibility across the week.”

 

At this year’s SportAccord the International Olympic Committee will announce the names of the  cities successfully making it to official candidate status in the race to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Representatives from the cities will be invited to appear on SportAccord TV.

 

Interviews on SportAccord TV will be conducted in the Aggreko Suite of the Athens Hilton,  which energy company Aggreko, a Silver sponsor of SportAccord, is making available for the production. SportAccord TV will also be available for viewers to access after the event.

 

“SportAccord is a unique event, bringing together the key players in the business of events, from the international sports organisations and committees through host cities to the suppliers of critical services,” said Julian Ford, Aggreko International’s Director of Marketing & Business Development. “Attending SportAccord is a highly effective way of event networking, getting to make new relationships, renewing existing acquaintances and catching up on all the latest news.”

 

With an estimated 500 organisations from around the world in attendance, SportAccord Week will feature a dynamic exhibition, numerous networking receptions and top-level conference sessions as well as the annual general meetings of the Sports Governing Bodies.

 

SportAccord is also launching the SportAccord Yearbook this year as a reference tool after the event. All delegations will receive a complimentary copy of the book, which will contain valuable information on sports organisations and cities as well as reports of the proceedings in Athens.

 

For all marketing opportunities (including a limited number of sponsorship packages and the opportunity to advertise in the SportAccord Yearbook) visit www.sportaccord.com or contact Fiona Lunnon (Fiona.lunnon@sportaccord.com)  or Polly Hammond (polly.hammond@sportaccord.com) on +44 (0)207 963 7890 / 7905. 

 

For more information, visit www.sportaccord.com.

SportAccord annually brings representatives from the 100 international sports federations affiliated to GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, games organising committees, rights holders and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry. 

Owned by GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, SportAccord encompasses the annual Congress and General Assembly of each association, while offering the sports community a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas.

IEC in Sports has signed up again as a gold sponsor for SportAccord 2008 in Athens this summer in a two-year agreement. GL Events and Contemporary Group have also renewed their gold sponsorships for two years, starting with the event at the Athens Hilton from June 2-6, 2008

IEC in Sports, SportAccord’s longest-serving sponsor, has now supported all six editions of the event since its launch. “SportAccord has proven to be a very valuable tool for IEC in Sports to promote our services and showcase our media expertise to many of the world’s leading sports federations and rights owners,” said Jonas Persson, the company’s CEO. “We are proud to have been a top sponsor for Sportaccord since the very first convention in Madrid.”

GL Events Chairman Olivier Ginon said: “SportAccord is the best networking opportunity of the year in the sports industry for us to meet and discuss projects with our potential partners.”

SportAccord has also enlisted two new gold sponsors this year in the Organising Committee of Pescara 2009 Mediterranean Games and the Macau Sport Development Board. “The Mediterranean Games Pescara 2009 are delighted to become a Gold Sponsor of SportAccord 2008,” said Professor Mario Di Marco, Director General of the Games. “With the governing bodies of the International Sports Federations as its stakeholders, we believe SportAccord will play a pivotal role in raising the profile of our games and connecting us with the leading individuals and businesses in sport.”

The 2008 edition of SportAccord is expected to attract 1500 delegates from 500 organisations from around the world. SportAccord Week will feature a dynamic exhibition, numerous networking receptions and top-level conference sessions as well as the annual general meetings of the Sports Governing Bodies. Numerous media organisations will be on hand to report on the International Olympic Committee’s announcement of cities successfully making it to official candidate status in the race to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

For all marketing opportunities (including a limited number of sponsorship packages and the opportunity to advertise in the brand new SportAccord Yearbook) visit www.sportaccord.com or contact Fiona Lunnon (Fiona.lunnon@sportaccord.com)  or Polly Hammond (polly.hammond@sportaccord.com) on +44 (0)207 963 7890 / 7905. 

For more information, visit www.sportaccord.com.

SportAccord annually brings representatives from the 100 international sports federations affiliated to GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, games organising committees, rights holders and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry. 

Owned by GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, SportAccord encompasses the annual Congress and General Assembly of each association, while offering the sports community a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas.