IAEH Video Archive

Raj Pahuja, (Joint Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment at HCR Law), provided an insightful talk on the outsourcing challenges faced at sports events from a legal perspective. Topics covered included the following:

1) Event management and sub-contractors
2) Considerations for appointment
– Tender process
– Local suppliers
– Due diligence
– Sponsors- keeping them engaged
– Insurance
3) Contract issues
– Are obligations clear?
– Approval process
– KPIs
– Ensuring delivery
– Reporting mechanisms
– Intellectual property
4) Fee structures
5) Liability if issues arise
– Termination
– Confidentiality and sub-contractors
– What a contract should look like

Joel Lavery (Director, West Midlands Growth Company) reflects on the experience of hosting SportAccord. Martin Gibbs (CEO, SportAccord) also joins this talk. Topics covered are:

Budget to host SportAccord

Objectives of hosting the summit:

– Raising international awareness
– Boost region’s profile as a place to invest in
– Maximise national and international media interest
– Promotion of host venues
– Promotion of wider tourism

The discussion also covered an overview of participants, the heart of sport campaign, city branding and welcoming visitors. There was interesting insight into maximising opportunities from SportAccord, including the 200 events proposed following the summit for the region, as well the issue of  “return on influence”, which is often overlooked in the face of return on investment.

Dr Simon Rofe, considers the importance of sports diplomacy for event hosts. This short talk covers:

– Sports diplomacy concept
– Diplomacy’s core characteristics
– London 2012 structure and agency

The AGM of the IAEH took place on 8 April 2024. The meeting was held in Birmingham, UK, alongside SportAccord. The meeting was also made available online. In addition to the AGM proceedings, the programme included guest speakers and discussions.

This video is the recording of the AGM proceedings including plans for the year ahead, financial forecast, and appointment of new directors.

IAEH members Birgitte Nestande (Head of Events at Innovation Norway) and Patrik Tengwall (Head of Event Strategy at Visit Stockholm) shared on the recent success of hosting a regional meeting for event hosts from a Nordic perspective. This talk covers:

– Lessons learned from Nordic case studies
– Measuring the impact of events from a Nordic perspective
– Developing opportunities for closer collaboration between event hosts
– Feedback from organising a regional meeting
– Outcomes and benefits for event hosts
– Comparisons of national strategies for event hosting

Paul Fletcher, former Commercial Director (Wembley Stadium) and former CEO (Huddersfield Town FC, Bolton Wanderers FC, Burnley FC, Ricoh Arena) discusses the evolution of football stadia and how they can be utilised better. The talks covers:

– Previous mistakes with UK football stadia designs
– Design of future stadia
– The importance of location
– Addressing the fiction that stadia are single purpose buildings
– The problem of car parking and stadia
– Lessons from relocating stadia
– Replacing car parks in stadia with marketplaces
– Financial difficulties for football clubs in building new stadia

Florian Lamblin, Executive Director of UTMB International, explains how an event such as the UTMB World Series can be used to develop connections with populations and institutions. The talks covers:

– A timeline for the application of sustainability
– Strategies applied in different host territories
– Traditional strategies
– Sustainable tourism as a strategy
– Key initiatives in Slovenia: working with travel agencies and developing connections
– Working with Chianti consortium and Tuscany region to stimulate a maximum of local companies
– Key initiatives in Slovenia: working with travel agencies and developing connections
– Working with Chianti consortium and Tuscany region to stimulate a maximum of local companies
– Promoting alternative transport at UTMB Mont Blanc
– Building local bonds – Wales, Mexico and Switzerland

Gasper Pavli, Creative Director from SportsMediaFocus provides insight from Slovenia as to how and why this handball sports event was made sustainable, with useful practical examples. The talk covers:

– A timeline for the application of sustainability
– Partnership involvement for sustainability
– Youth involvement and sustainability education in a sports event
– CO2 emissions analysis
– Sustainability example: production of bracelets
– Meat consumption

Iain Edmondson, IAEH Honorary Member and Founder and Manager of Legacy Delivery, continues his insightful series on the Common Indicators for Measuring the Impact of Events, this time by considering their practical application:

– The importance of relativity and comparison in impact assessment guidance
– Using KPIs to plan and deliver, with before and after examples
– Choosing relevant common indicators for events
– Super League Triathlon exemplified- use of previous cases for future preparation
– Use of KPIs to consider who and how an event should impact
– Use of self-assessment scales
– Different frameworks for different purposes
– National wellbeing indicators framework case example

17 May 2023

Kati Kuusisto, CEO of Kuusisto & Sahlstedt, presents on:

– How an event industry confederation was built in Finland
– Event industry economic impact
– Event Industries Finland – a nationwide advocacy organisation
– The need to consider event sectors together (sports, culture, entertainment and business)
– Providing a common voice for the event sector
– Event industry value creation
– The importance of lobbying for European wide classification and functional legislation
– Key international objectives for the events industry
– The importance of creating job titles in events for graduate employment
– The need for events to be recognised by, for example, the OECD

– Event classification and its significance when considering the strategy of a city
– The desired impact of events are to improve quality of life, community building, positive publicity and growth in event-related businesses and the local economy
– A balanced overall impact being achieved when each event category is proportionately represented in Tampere’s event scene
– Events a city development- “events are not just events”- they are part of a development process to develop a new kind of city
– Development of stadium- construction over railroads, and how this changed the city centre
– The significance of the development of a tramway for logistics and population growth
– Success of volunteering bank for the Ice Hockey World Championships, with press release
– Responding to logistical challenges of flights
– The impact of COVID on particular sports, considering the Masters Games and hindrances to training

The AGM of the IAEH took place on 17th June 2023. The meeting was held in Tampere, Finland- after three years of online meetings. The meeting was also made available online. The meeting was chaired by Perttu Pess (IAEH Chair) and, in addition to the AGM proceedings, the programme included guest speakers and breakout rooms discussions.

This video is the recording of the AGM proceedings including plans for the year ahead, financial forecast, and appointment of new directors.

The AGM of the IAEH took place on 15th June 2022 with 25 participants, including 21 representatives of 16 member organisations from 15 nations in attendance.

The IAEH AGM was held online for a third year running. The meeting was chaired by Susan Sawbridge (IAEH Chair) and, in addition to the AGM proceedings, the programme included guest speakers and breakout rooms discussions.

This video is the recording of the AGM proceedings including plans for the year ahead, finance forecast, and appointment of new directors.

Sponsorship and event hosting

15 June 2022

Shashank Singh, Senior Director at Visa, has recently been involved as the corporation’s GCC lead for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Shashank was also instrumental in Visa’s involvement in the Arab Cup & Club World Cup recently. Shanshank reflects on how event hosts can work with sponsors. His presentation includes:

– Relationships between sponsors and event hosts
– Providing added value to event hosts
– Campaigns
– Brand activation
– Regional implications of event hosting
– Using a sponsor’s network

Mapping and monitoring major event contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

15 June 2022

As part of the 2022 IAEH AGM’s programme, Sustainability Consultant Benjamin Barrett was invited to present on the relevance of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Benjamin’s presentation included:

– Policy driven events
– Contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
– Key steps for UN SDG mapping
– Case study on ensuring healthy lives and well-being
– Monitoring SDG contributions
– Building an evaluation framework
– Sustainable procurement code

11th April 2022

Hosted by:
Rick Traer (IAEH Director and CEO Emeritus, Sport Tourism Canada)
Presented by:
Iain Edmondson (IAEH Honorary Member and Legacy Delivery Ltd. Founder & Managing Director)

The IAEH promoted this webinar in its commitment to support members in implementing the guidance on common indicators for measuring the impact of events.

The report is authored by Iain Edmondson commissioned by ASOIF to aggregate the perspectives of key players in the sporting event evaluation industry.

Link to the guidance

17th November 2021

Hosted by:
Peter Hunt (IAEH Director and Tourism and Events Queensland Events and Experiences Director)
Presented by:
Iain Edmondson (IAEH Honorary Member and Legacy Delivery Ltd. Founder & Managing Director)

The IAEH promoted this webinar in its commitment to support members in implementing the guidance on common indicators for measuring the impact of events.

The report is authored by Iain Edmondson commissioned by ASOIF to aggregate the perspectives of key players in the sporting event evaluation industry.

Link to the guidance

Major Events in the Pandemic – the experience of the 2021 America’s Cup
15th June  2021

As part of the 2021 IAEH AGM’s programme, New Zealand Major Events Manager Susan Sawbridge was invited to present on the experience of successfully hosting the 2021 America’s Cup amidst the pandemic.

Susan’s presentation included:
– New Zealand’s Covid-19 strategy
– America’s Cup event concept and challenges
– Event Covid-19 Management Plan
– Key takeaways for success

The Changing Landscape of Global Sport
15th June 2021

As part of the 2021 IAEH AGM’s programme, ASOIF Executive Director Andrew Ryan was invited to share insights on the landscape of IF events in the coming years.

The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) is the umbrella organisation for the 33 sports on the summer Olympic Games programme for Tokyo 2020.

Andrew’s presentation included the following content:
– Global Trends Impacting Sports
– Future of Global Sport
– Impacts of Covid-19
– Event Impact Studies

For the second year running, the IAEH Annual General Meeting had to be held virtually through Zoom due to restrictions caused by the ongoing pandemic.

Nonetheless, 30 representatives of 21 member organisations from 13 countries joined the virtual AGM on 15th June 2021.

This video is the recording of the AGM proceedings including plans for the year ahead, finance forecast, and appointment of new directors.

Hosted in partnership with Major Events International.

Members of the IAEH were invited to ask tech-related questions and point out key challenges facing event hosts and organisers in the current pandemic. Members of MEI’s Tech Sub Group, coordinated by Josh Philpot (PMY Group), have answered those questions and presented real-world examples of how specific technology can help address the points raised.

Key topics addressed:
• Engagement
• Operations
• Safety & Security

Hosted in partnership with Hurricane Group.

“Urban Sports: Hosting opportunities and specifications for 2021”

Key topics covered:
• Urban sports introduction including: BMX Freestyle, Skateboard, Roller, Scooter, Parkour, and Breaking presentation
• International Federations support and Olympic integration
• Hybrid events: hosting opportunities in 2021 including E-FISE World Series (digital and physical) and UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup (physical).
• Urban parks: building global projects with local initiatives

Hosted in partnership with IAEH member EventFlanders.

“CERM – COVID-19 Event Risk Model”

As multiple countries reopen their borders, VisitFlanders Convention Bureau worked hard on a framework to safely restart its congress, meetings and events industry. In collaboration with the Alliance of Belgian Event Federations, the Expertise Centre for Public Impact KdG and the Belgian Government, VisitFlanders and EventFlanders provide three practical tools that are available free of charge and in different languages to any organiser. This webinar focused on CERM – COVID-19 Event Risk Model, a tool that helps you organise a COVID-19-safe event.

CERM is available online and free to use.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 IAEH Annual General Meeting was held online, through Zoom, on 8th July. The recording of the 2020 IAEH virtual AGM is available here for members-only.

The programme included:
• AGM formalities: 2020-2021 board of directors and 2020-2021 budget
• Presentation on the post pandemic future of tourism and major events delivered by guest speaker Michel Julian – Senior Officer, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
• Breakout room discussions (not recorded)

35 individuals, representing 24 member organisations, from 15 countries joined the virtual AGM.

Hosted by the IAEH with members from around the globe.

“Covid-19 Response Strategies”

Panel discussion:
• Recovery plans/strategies
• Barriers to recovery
• Unexpected/unforeseen challenges

Moderator: Rick Traer (Sport Tourism Canada)
Panellists: Paul Bush (EventScotland); Susan Sawbridge (New Zealand Major Events); Munehiko Harada (Japan Sport Tourism Alliance); Terry Hasseltine (Maryland Sports)

Hosted by Earth to Ocean Sustainability Director Susie Tomson.

“Environmental sustainability for major events: identifying the opportunity”

Key topics covered by the webinar:
⋅ Understanding the environmental impact and opportunity from a major event
⋅ Prioritising actions
⋅ Scaling the positive impact
⋅ Real life examples: best practice cases

Hosted by FIBA 3×3 Development Manager Robert Rieblinger.

“FIBA 3×3 from the streets to the Olympics: Hosting opportunities and specifications.”

Key topics covered by the webinar:
⋅ Brief history/overview of 3×3
⋅ Connection to Olympics/Tokyo 2020
⋅ Competition categories
⋅ RFP/host city selection process and timelines
⋅ Hosting specifications
⋅ Draft hosting budget/template

Hosted by IAEH director Iain Edmondson

“Social and Economic Impacts measurement: Towards a common language based on KPIs and definitions”
Key topics covered by the webinar:
⋅ Guidance and key rules for measuring benefits
⋅ Demystifying economic impacts
⋅ Challenges and approaches to measuring social impacts