In just a months’ time, the global sport business industry will descend on the Middle East for the Leaders Sport Business Summit Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The first speakers to feature at the Summit have now been revealed. These industry leaders will be speaking across two days of content at the world-renowned Yas Marina Circuit on 16 – 17 March 2022. They’ll explore the new dynamics of global sport across four core topic areas: Leadership, Technology, Creativity and Experience.
In a momentous move that indicated a new era in golf, the prestigious European Tour was renamed to the DP World Tour in a ground-breaking announcement. The renaming has enabled the Tour to invest in strategic growth that will grow the game globally, elevate the tour and drive long-term success.
One of the most respected and authoritative figures in the world of golf, Guy Kinnings, has been the Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Ryder Cup Director for the DP World Tour since 2018. Kinnings is responsible for not only driving the commercial success of the Ryder Cup, but also overseeing the vision of the DP World Tour which is underpinned by the Tour’s guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global.
Guy will be discussing the new partnership agreement between the Tour and DP World with Daniel van Otterdijk, the Chief Communications Officer of Group Communications at DP World. Guy and Daniel will discuss the growth of golf in the MENA region, golf as a vehicle for building a brand, the supporting of new talent and focusing on grassroots golf.
Leaders’ Managing Director, Laura McQueen, commented: “We are delighted to reveal the first confirmed speakers for the Leaders Business Summit Abu Dhabi. We’re very much looking forward to bringing together a local and international audience to hear from those at the heart of decision making, gaining insight into how they perceive the new dynamics of global sport.”
Another interesting conversation will see Laura George, Secretary General of the French Football Federation, and James Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Football Australia. With Laura’s unique perspective of offering insight as both as a former player and a current senior executive, they will both look to explore the development of football globally, including visions for both the men’s and women’s games from grassroots to professional levels.
A host of other influential figures will also share their thoughts on stage, including : Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour’s Chief Executive Officer, Simon Corkhill, Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic’s Executive Tournament Director, Adrian Filby, Celtic Football Club’s Commercial Director, Navin Singh, The Football Association’s Commercial Director and Ronald Drake, Ain Dubai’s General Manager.
Commenting on the first-class international speaker line-up, his Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The world-class talent coming to speak at the Leaders Business Summit Abu Dhabi is incredibly exciting. Abu Dhabi has seen a number of ground-breaking new partnerships in global sport, and those joining us will have the opportunity to hear insights from those at the heart of these. With the UAE being home to more international tournaments, there is no better place than Abu Dhabi to connect global sport industry executives who are responsible for delivering the world’s biggest sporting events.”
Leader Sport Business Summit Abu Dhabi is taking place at the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit on March 16 – 17, 2022.
Source: Abu Dhabi Sports Council