The English city of Birmingham, which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has landed another big event: the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
Taking place at the International Convention Centre from 7-11 April 2024, the 18th edition of the sports business event will welcome more than 1,500 global sports leaders to “Brum”, including sport-related associations and companies, members from the International Olympic Committee, all the International Federations, and organisers of future Olympic and Paralympic Games and major events.
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit will be held in the UK for the second time in its history after London hosted the summit in 2011.
In an announcement, SportAccord said that Birmingham and the West Midlands secured its host city bid thanks to economic development agency West Midlands Growth Company, whose business and tourism programme 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”.
What the organisers said
Ivo Ferriani, president of SportAccord: “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.”
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company: “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.”
Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands: “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.”
Image: The ICC Birmingham/Facebook