The event has grown in stature in that time and now hosts 1800 Director level delegates from over 45 countries and 40 sports attending, 52 per cent of which come from outside the UK. With 5 conferences covering Football, Performance, Sponsorship, Digital Sport and Racing, all running simultaneously in 2012, the programme hosted 100 speakers from all over the world.

James Worrall, CEO, Leaders says “After an extensive consultation period with all delegates, we are delighted to confirm a 3 day programme for the Leaders Sports Summit from 8-10 October in 2013. It will enable us to incorporate even more content into the programme and thereby provide additional value for delegates whilst also ensuring people have the time to attend what is important to them. We have also identified a number of exciting changes to keep Leaders fresh, relevant and of value to our clients which is what we strive to achieve each year.”

Leaders in Football, Leaders in Sponsorship, Leaders in Performance & Leaders in Digital Sport will run concurrently over the 9th & 10th October and Leaders in Racing will be held on the 8th October alongside a series of specific symposiums, workshops and networking opportunities, making Leaders the must attend international sporting event in the calendar.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2013, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

They were followed on stage by an elite group of betting industry leaders from across the world, including the Chairman of PMU in France, COO of Tabcorp in Australia, President of XBNet in the US and COO of SIS in the UK. This group was hand-picked to shed light on the evolving trends of internationalisation in racing and betting, covering important topics such as co-mingling, one hub vs multiple hubs and regulation. The international theme was continued by a group of top owners, breeders and coordinators including Alan Spence, Adrian Beaumont, Simon Crisford and Nick Smith, who addressed the global challenges and opportunities experienced by international racing operations.

Following this, and reflecting horseracing’s ongoing initiatives to better compete in the busy global sports market, one of the conference highlights was a unique session examining how the industry can promote its events and attract new partners and viewers. The organisers selected one of the world’s best-known and successful boxing promoters, Frank Warren, to share his thoughts alongside Channel 4 and the British Champions Series. The next major talking point was money and funding, with Jockey Club Chief Exec Simon Bazalgette, Betfair’s Chief Legal Officer Martin Cruddace, the President of the Racehorse Owners Association, Rachel Hood, and Dirk Vennix, CEO of the Association of British Bookmakers, all focussing on how racing and betting are evolving in uncertain economic times and how that will affect the future of the sport.

The final session was a fascinating one-on-one with one of the world’s top jockeys, Kieren Fallon, who talked about his life in racing, the changes over the years and his outlook for the sport.

The attendance of the conference was strictly limited to 250 with over 20 different countries, 19 Jockey Clubs and 30 different associations present. The feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive with over 78% declaring it the best forum for discussing the present and future of the racing industry.

The planning is already in place for 2013 with an expanded programme of high level and workshop sessions due to be announced in the coming months. For more information see www.leadersinracing.com.

The invite only sell-out international event saw over 1500 delegates and 100 speakers from over 45 countries, representing 50 different sports in attendance. 60% of the delegates were rights holders, 89% were Director-Level and 95 different sponsors in sport enjoyed the top quality content and networking. In fact 92% stated they were “extremely satisfied” with the quality of attendees.

Perhaps most pleasing of all was the fact that 48% of all attendees were from overseas, with significant director level delegations from Brazil working on the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Qatar 2022, Singapore Sports Council, Scandinavia, numerous Australian rights holders, and a major group representing the biggest sport franchises in the US, the events second biggest market.

Millions of people more from around the world followed the news stories as they happened live with 12 international TV networks covering the event (including BBC, Sky Sports News, ITV, Bloomberg, ESPN, MBC, CNN, CNBC, NHK ) and 150 international journalists in attendance. Recognising the growing importance of social media, the organisers had 15 people covering all 40 sessions and debates at the summit with the official hash-tag #Leaders2012 proving to be a huge success.

James Worrall, CEO, The Leaders Sport Summit said “The 5th Leaders Sports summit reached new heights on every level with the quality of delegates, relevance of content and media coverage it generated making it the premium event in the sports business calendar. I am so grateful to all the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates for travelling to London from all over the world and for all the supportive messages we have received in the days following the summit. Whilst we are delighted with the outcome for 2012 we are already working on the 2013 edition to ensure we continue to improve and deliver a first class experience for all concerned”

More Facts about the event:
Leaders in Football hosted more than 30 speakers over 12 sessions, with 92% of delegates “delighted” with the content and learning. Panels made up of players, referees, MLS owners, Brazil 2014, FIFA ExCo members and CEO’s from the biggest clubs in Europe, as well as interviews with Juventus president and owner, Andrea Agnelli, President of the Spanish Football Federation, Angel Maria Villar Llona and a panel with Qatar 2022 were spread throughout the two days.

Leaders in Performance hosted 21 world class speakers over 10 sessions with 90% of delegates “delighted” with the content and learning. Sessions concerning subjects such as talent identification, athlete development, sports science, technology, analysis, psychology and physiology, as well as what sport can learn from the business world, took place across the two days. The conference’s highlights included in depth interviews with Head Coach of the South African World Cricket Champions, Gary Kirsten, England Rugby National Team Coach, Stuart Lancaster and a fascinating panel on Innovation in Sport from NASA, UK Sport and McLaren F1.

Leaders in Sponsorship hosted 18 world class speakers over 7 sessions with 89% of delegates “delighted” with the content and learning. A world class roster of speakers were present for the Sponsorship conference on Wednesday and Thursday including speakers from the NFL, P&G, Hublot, FC Barcelona, ABInBev, Orange, SAB Miller, Investec, DHL, Western Union, Jacksonville Jaguars and GE. They spoke on a range of issues such as the latest trends in sponsorship from the US sports market, where global brands are spending their money, Olympic sponsorship, creating rights, the future of brands and how to harness the fans to activate sponsorships globally.

Leaders in Digital Sport hosted 20 world class speakers over 8 sessions with 94% of delegates delighted with the content and learning. A stellar line up of speakers were present for Wednesday’s and Thursday’s event, with the crowd addressed by prestigious representatives from companies such as Facebook, Sky Sports, Fox Sports, YouTube, NBC, BBC, Terra, Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment, Pittsburgh Penguins, MLS, Universal Music, Manchester City and more. Sessions concentrated on the major topics within the industry, including; Digital lessons outside sport, how fans will consume sport in the future, the digitalisation of the Olympics, Digital fan engagement, building new digital platforms and finally a session on how the music industry has coped with content rights issues.

Leaders in Racing hosted 17 world class speakers over 6 sessions with 91% of delegates delighted with the content and learning. Leading representatives from some of the racing and betting world’s most prestigious brands and rights holders gathered to speak at Thursday’s event, with sessions focusing on the business of racing, promotion of the sport, international racing and betting and the finance of racing.

For the 3rd year running Levy Restaurants provided world-class food and drink at the event with a superb menu created by a team of leading chefs and in house hospitality experts. Levy restaurants operate globally at prestigious venues including Chelsea FC, Cardiff City Stadium, The O2 Arena and the Dodger Stadium in LA and created a similar first class experience for delegates. Similarly SIS, the experts in host and outside broadcast production and facilities, returned as a Main Partner of the summit covering every conference session and beaming relevant footage all over the world.

if you would like to learn more about Leaders events or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2013, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

With a confirmed attendance of 50% delegates from overseas, it truly will be an international experience, and Leaders would like to ensure that industry professionals unable to attend the conference this year can still interact with the world-class audience and content via Twitter.

To keep up to date on the latest conference news, submit questions or to join the conversation, please follow the conference specific Twitter accounts below, or follow the general hash-tag that has been set up in order to follow the events in real time, wherever you are.

Conference specific accounts:
Leaders in Football – @LiFootball
Leaders in Performance – @LiPerformance
Leaders in Sponsorship – @LiSponsorship
Leaders in Digital Sport – @LiDigitalSport
Leaders in Racing – @LiHorseRacing

General account:
Leaders Sport Summit General Twitter account – @Leaders_Summit

Official hash tag:
Leaders Sport Summit 2012 – #Leaders2012

The final confirmed list of speakers is a who’s who of the world of racing with some of the most important figures ready to debate the big issues the industry faces. Apart from Nick, Adrian and Alan, these include Philippe Germond, Chairman and CEO, PMU; Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive, The Jockey Club; Paul Bittar, Chief Executive, British Horse Racing Authority; Brendan Parnell, Chief Operating Officer, Tabcorp; Simon Crisford, Racing Manager, Godolphin; Ron Luniewski, President, XB Net; Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horseracing Ireland; Frankie Dettori, Champion Jockey; Frank Warren, Boxing Promoter, Box Nation; Gary Smith, Chief Operating Officer, SIS; Rachel Hood, President, Racehorse Owners’ Association; Martin Cruddace, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Betfair and Rod Street, Chief Executive Officer, British Champions Series.

Leaders in Racing is an invite-only event launched in 2011 with a sell-out attendance of 250 director-level executives from over 25 countries, including representatives from 18 Jockey clubs, 33 associations and 40 betting operators. It is held as part of the world famous Leaders Sport Summit, which attracts the top 1,500 executives from world sport for 2 days of learning and networking.

Leaders in Racing has been designed by the industry for the industry and is supported by The UK Jockey Club, GBI Racing and SIS. The conference is now completely sold out to apply for the waiting list to attend, please e-mail racing@leadersinevents.com or contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666.

The final confirmed list of speakers is a who’s who of the world of racing with some of the most important figures ready to debate the big issues the industry faces. These include Philippe Germond, Chairman and CEO, PMU; Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive, The Jockey Club; Paul Bittar, Chief Executive, British Horse Racing Authority; Brendan Parnell, Chief Operating Officer, Tabcorp; Simon Crisford, Racing Manager, Godolphin; Ron Luniewski, President, XB Net; Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horseracing Ireland; Frankie Dettori, Champion Jockey; Frank Warren, Boxing Promoter, Box Nation; Gary Smith, Chief Operating Officer, SIS; Rachel Hood, President, Racehorse Owners’ Association; Martin Cruddace, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Betfair; Rod Street, Chief Executive Officer, British Champions Series and Neil Goulden, Chairman Designate, Association of British Bookmakers (ABB).

The agenda this year will build on 2011’s success, covering all the major challenges facing the sport and will welcome governing authorities, broadcasters, racecourses, betting operators, owners, jockeys, sponsors, government representatives and experts involved in racing. We have also built in content which draws on expertise outside of racing and plenty of time to network with the 15000 senior level executives attending from all over the world.

Leaders in Racing is an invite-only event launched in 2011 with a sell-out attendance of 250 director-level executives from over 25 countries, including representatives from 18 Jockey clubs, 33 associations and 40 betting operators. It is held as part of the world famous Leaders Sport Summit, which attracts the top 1,500 executives from world sport for 2 days of learning and networking.

Leaders in Racing has been designed by the industry for the industry and is supported by four founding partners: The UK Jockey Club, Tabcorp Holdings Ltd, GBI Racing and SIS. The conference is now completely sold out to apply for the waiting list to attend, please e-mail racing@leadersinevents.com or contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666.

As part of the agreement, Channel 4 will sponsor one of the main sessions, send a number of senior level executives, use clips from the conference and co-sponsor an exclusive drinks evening hosted by Frankie Dettorie in his own restaurant “Frankies” which is on site at Stamford Bridge.

James Worrall, CEO, Leaders, adds “We are delighted to be partnering with Channel 4 at this exciting time for the racing industry. The agreement confirms their involvement and commitment to the sport, and ensures that the event can boast one of the leading mainstream broadcasters as its partner for the conference”

Held at Chelsea FC, London on the 11th of October 2012, Leaders in Racing is for the governing authorities, broadcasters, betting operators, racecourses, owners, jockeys, sponsors and government representatives.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders in Racing or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email racing@leadersinevents.com.

They join a stellar line-up of speakers already announced for the event which includes Philippe Germond, Chairman and CEO, PMU, Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive, The Jockey Club, Paul Bittar, Chief Executive, British Horse Racing Authority,Brendan Parnell, Chief Operating Officer, Tabcorp, Simon Crisford, Racing Manager, Godolphin, Ron Luniewski, President, XB Net, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horseracing Ireland, Frankie Dettori, Champion Jockey, Frank Warren, Boxing Promoter, Box Nation, Gary Smith, Chief Operating Officer, SIS, Rachel Hood, President, Racehorse Owners’ Association and Martin Cruddace, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Betfair.

Rod Street is Chief Executive of Racing Enterprises Limited, Racing for Change and British Champions Series Limited. He was formerly Group Managing Director of Northern Racing PLC—helping to build the business until its flotation on AIM in 2003. Rod has served on the boards of broadcaster At the Races, the Racecourse Association, Racing Enterprises Limited and numerous racing industry bodies and was Chairman of the Professional Jockeys Association until April 2011.

Neil Goulden served as Group Managing Director of the Gala Coral Group for 3 years until he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2004 where he remained until his recent appointment in September 2010 at the Association of British Broadcasters. Prior to this Goulden held a number of senior roles at Allied Leisure PLC, Letheby and Christopher Ltd, and Ladbroke Group plc in a long, distinguished career.

Leaders in Racing is an invite-only event launched in 2011 with a sell-out attendance of 250 director-level executives from over 25 countries, including representatives from 18 Jockey clubs, 33 associations and 40 betting operators. It is held as part of the world famous Leaders Sport Summit, which attracts the top 1,500 executives from world sport for 2 days of learning and networking.

For a full list of attendees and confirmed speakers, or to register your interest in one of the few remaining passes, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email racing@leadersinevents.com.

They join a stellar line-up of speakers already announced for the event which includes Philippe Germond, Chairman and CEO, PMU, Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive, The Jockey Club, Paul Bittar, Chief Executive, British Horse Racing Authority,Brendan Parnell, Chief Operating Officer, Tabcorp, Simon Crisford, Racing Manager, Godolphin, Ron Luniewski, President, XB Net, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horseracing Ireland, Frankie Dettori, Champion Jockey, Frank Warren, Boxing Promoter, Box Nation, Gary Smith, Chief Operating Officer, SIS with still big name speakers to be announced.

Rachel has been the President of ROA for over a year, and is a key-stakeholder in racing representing owner’s needs at the top table of the industry. Apart from her engagements at the ROA, Rachel is a Director at the Horsemen’s Group and at the Racing Enterprises Limited. She was elected for the ROA council and has been an Executive Committee Member since. Also as part of her impressive career, Rachel is a Trustee at the National Horseracing Museum.

Martin is Betfair’s Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer and Company Secretary, positions he assumed in July 2004 and September 2004 respectively, giving him a truly unique vantage point over the operations and future of one of the world’s biggest betting firms. Previously he worked as a Partner in a private London law firm, with clients such as John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson and Piers Morgan, and was Head of the Legal Department for Mirror Group Newspapers.

Leaders in Racing is an invite-only event launched in 2011 with a sell-out attendance of 250 director-level executives from over 25 countries, including representatives from 18 Jockey clubs, 33 associations and 40 betting operators. It is held as part of the world famous Leaders Sport Summit, which attracts the top 1,500 executives from world sport for 2 days of learning and networking.

For a full list of attendees and confirmed speakers, or to register your interest in one of the few remaining passes, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or emailracing@leadersinevents.com.