Sensational SportAccord closes on the Gold Coast

The SportAccord convention has closed on the Gold Coast, following a week through which event hosts were announced, international federations convened, sporting partnerships were made and deals agreed for logistical and operational support for upcoming events around the world.

With an attendance of more than 1,700 stakeholders - including some of the world’s most high-powered sporting executives along with exhibitors and industry stakeholders - the event has been acclaimed as the best SportAccord ever.

SportAccord Managing Director Nis Hatt said it was clear how successful the event had been, stating “there is no doubt this has been the best SportAccord ever, with delegates from across the world extremely impressed not only by the facilities on offer in Queensland but the relaxed lifestyle and the beautiful scenery of the Gold Coast.

“Many delegates have left the Gold Coast with the strong impression that Queensland is capable of hosting their future events and I’m sure we’ll start seeing the outcomes of the conversations had here in the weeks, months and years to come.”

The event, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, including representatives from 500 different international businesses, sports federations and rights holders.

Attendees also included International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said having secured $60 million in major events through attending last year’s conference in the Thai capital of Bangkok, she hoped by hosting SportAccord2019, that Queensland could attract in the order of $100 million worth of future events for Queensland.

Minister Jones stated “we invest in major events because they pump millions of dollars into our economy and create local jobs.”

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin CBE said sporting federations were taking note of Queensland’s event hosting credentials, advising “last year’s Commonwealth Games certainly shone the spotlight on the whole of the state and the well-proven capabilities of Queenslanders to stage outstanding sporting and cultural events.”

Among numerous events held during the week, Raffaele Chiulli was elected, unopposed, for the Presidency of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) succeeding the late Patrick Baumann.

The GAISF meeting brought together GAISF’s 125 members, associate members and observers for a packed agenda with Chiulli, releasing his proposed work program to GAISF Members, outlining his vision for the Association.

The GAISF also provide an update on its plans for the future of multi-sports games, including a progress report on the highly anticipated World Urban Games Budapest 2019.

Ahead of the Games, which will take place from 13th to 15th September, Ivan Rózsa, Communications Director of the World Urban Games Budapest 2019, told media that preparations are progressing smoothly, advising "we are on track and now defining the narrative of the Games.

“We are working closely with the participating International Federations. We also have the great privilege of working with the GAISF team. They are very experienced and they have helped us a lot."

SportAccord was secured for the Gold Coast through a partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Gold Coast City Council and Destination Gold Coast.

The next SportAccord will be held in Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China, from 19th to 24th April 2020.

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Images: The opening of the Gold Coast Sports Festival 2019, powered by the GAISF (top), the SportAccord 2019 exhibition floor (middle) and the GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli (below).