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Details and speakers for the 2015 Sports Fan Summit have now all been finalised, with the conference returning to the Sydney Cricket Ground - the venue for the 2011 edition of the Summit.

After two years in Melbourne, the event has reverted to Sydney again – reducing travel costs for Sydney and NSW-based delegates while also providing an opportunity for international delegates to visit the event through Australia’s international tourism gateway.

Conference organiser Simon Arkwright of the Sport Research Group has already experienced a very positive reaction to the choice of Sydney as the host city for the 2015 Summit.

He explains “registration take up has already been strong and the conference is on track for a delegate count of close to 300.

“A major factor for this strong take-up is that NSW organisations have always been aware of the quality of the Sports Fan Summit but in the past have not been able to send as many delegates as they wanted due to the travel costs involved.

“With the 2015 Summit being in Sydney, these organisations are now taking the opportunity to send staff along who would not be able to attend if it was held away from Sydney.”

The selection of the Sydney Cricket Ground as the conference venue has been received extremely well – with organisations and governing bodies based within the Moore Park precinct clearly delighted by the 60 second commute!

Arkwright adds “the iconic status of the SCG makes it an ideal location for an international sport marketing conference.

“The constant view of the SCG playing surface and grandstands will serve as a focusing point for delegates and speakers alike.

“In addition, the venue itself contains many examples of what will be spoken about onstage - much more so that in a conference hall.”

The Sports Fan Summit’s mission remains the same as in previous years, with the event’s focus being more about best practice than discussing the ‘big issues’ or looking too far into the future.

Arkwright adds “it is all about helping delegates do their jobs better now; to help the clubs and teams meet their immediate business objectives.

“We want delegates to leave with ideas they can apply in three days’ time; not in three years.”

Being held on 23rd and 24th June, the 2015 Sports Fan Summit will present over a dozen international speakers; a greater number than at most other sport business conferences.

Michael McCullough from the Miami Heat and Seth Rabinowitz from the New York Jets will provide great insights as will Blain Skinner from the LA Lakers. Roger Curtis from NASCAR’s Michigan International Speedway will explain how he and his team attended the Disney Institute and subsequently developed the ‘creating lasting memories’ philosophy.

A delegate favourite from the 2011 Summit, the Seattle Sounders’ Bart Wiley returns with updates on why the Sounders are regarded as perhaps the best in fan engagement of all the 150 teams across the five US Major Leagues leagues (NFL/NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS).

Arkwright concludes “Summit delegates tend to be already aware of what is happening within Australia but not necessarily totally up with what is working successfully overseas.

“The Summit is all about bringing the world’s best sport marketers and the best ideas down to Australia”

The Summit will feature five sessions focus on fan engagement, four on fan experience, three reviewing digital, two considering commercial aspects, and one each focusing on ticketing and merchandise respectively.

In addition to these 16 sessions within the Sports Fan Summit, there is a pre-conference Leaders Lunch on Monday 22nd June and a Conference Dinner on Tuesday 23rd June. 

For more information, click here to view event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images show the SCG (middle) and Melbourne Victory fans (below).

28th January 2015 - 10 INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS CONFIRMED FOR 2015 SPORTS FAN SUMMIT

25th October 2013 - BRANDS BOOSTED BY CONNECTION WITH SPORT FANS

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