Host Cities 2015 in Dubai to open this week

Events experts are counting down to this week’s Host Cities 2015 summit in Dubai.

Presented by Emirates Airline, the event from 18-19 November at Fairmont the Palm will bring together leading industry figures to explore how different hosting strategies are shaping the futures of cities across the world. An expert line-up of speakers will identify trends in strategies for bids, sponsorship, funding and engagement. 

Other topics on the agenda include women in sport, innovation, emerging sports and markets, the importance of homegrown events – with examples from Dubai itself – and how host cities can leverage events to drive tourism.

There is also a keynote address on Expo 2020 by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, Board Representative of Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and Director General, Bureau Expo 2020 Dubai. It is now five years until the United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomes one of the largest and most enduring events in the global calendar in a first for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region.

Organisers are also set to unveil a report into what the next generation wants for, and from, the future of events. It will draw on international research into the attitudes and behaviours of young people worldwide.

Another keynote speaker is Lord Sebastian Coe, former LOCOG & London 2012 Bid Chair, now President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Chairman of the British Olympic Association. 

Also joining the line-up are senior representatives from Facebook, Tokyo 2020, Barclays, the Los Angeles Sports Council, PGA European Tour and the International Olympic Committee (IOC); prominent local figures from the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce; and sports personalities.

To register and for information about Host Cities 2015 visit www.host-cities.com 

Host Cities 2015 speakers include:

• Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL, former Olympic Minister, London 2012
• Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates Airline
• David Simon, President, Los Angeles Sports Council
• Masanori Takaya, Communications Director, Tokyo 2020
• Terry Kane, Head of Travel and Auto for the MENA region, Facebook
• Debbie Jevans, former CEO of England Rugby 2015 and Director of Sport at London 2012
• David McLaren, Director, PGA European Tour
• Nathan Homer, Head of Global Sponsorship and Partnership, Barclays
• Susanne Schödel, Secretary General, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
• Poul-Erik Høyer, President, Badminton World Federation and IOC member
• Charmaine Crooks, C.M. Member of the Order of Canada, five-time Olympian, Silver Medalist, former IOC Member, IOC Ethics Commission & Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
• Brian Murgatroyd, writer, broadcaster and media manager for the Australian Cricket Board, former head of media and communications for the International Cricket Council
• Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events, London & Partners.

Sportsmen and women:

• Darren Clarke OBE, 2016 Ryder Cup Captain
• Kelly Smith, Captain of Arsenal Ladies
• Alex Hua Tian, Chinese Olympic Equestrian
• Emma Carbrera-Bello, Ladies European Tour golfer.

Prominent local figures:

• His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council
• Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim, CEO, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce
• Yvette Judge, Assistant Director, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
• Salah Tahlak, ‎Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications at Dubai Duty Free and Tournament Director, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
• Rawan Kashkoush, Creative Director of Abwab, Dubai Design Week 2015
• Jasper Hope, Chief Executive, Dubai Opera.