Sport Surface Conference links with new ‘Power of Sport’ event
Following the success of the inaugural National Synthetic Surfaces Conference & Expo (NSSCE) last year, feedback from the delegates and industry has led to the expansion of the event in 2014, and its co-location with a partner event, the Power of Sport conference.
The focus of the combined event is about bringing together industry experts and sharing case studies that have worked with a focus on how recreation and sport can encourage more people in the community to become active, and/or involved in playing sport.
As Conference organiser Martin Sheppard of the Smart Connection Company, explains “once the community is more active, how can the use of synthetic technology for sport, recreation and play surfaces be used to meet the growing demand?”
Expected to attract more than 400 visitors and delegates, the combined event will be addressed by international keynote speakers from world football governing body FIFA, the International Rigby Board (IRB) and Labosport International who will share their international experiences to complement 30 Australian experts.
The Keynote Speakers are focused around three themes:
• People – how we can target groups and people to be more active. The key note speakers focus will include:
o Trends and Market Segmentation - Australian Sports Commission
o Key Target Audiences of Women, Indigenous and Children – including understanding their barriers and drivers for participation and what strategies can be used to engage and retain them
• Programs and Activities for Encouraging Participation – what programs are needed to drive the participation with speakers from:
o Community Recreation Focus - Geoff Lord – Chairman of Australia’s largest commercial leisure and sports operator, Belgravia Health and Leisure Group
o Sports & Health Programs – with the Western Bulldogs AFL team and their partners at Victoria University to provide health programs
o Sport Peak Body Programs – AFL, Hockey Australia, Tennis Australia, Cricket, and Rugby Union
• Synthetic Surfaces – what can local government, sport and education do to provide a solution for the increased demand in recreation and sports participation:
o World & Australian Governing Bodies of Sports to Talk about the New Standards – FIFA, IRB, Hockey Australia, AFL and more
o The Challenges Facing Synthetics - including latest research on heat, pollution and environment with solutions
o Case studies – latest thinking and innovations around synthetic technology including installing a large field over a rubbish tip
The dual conference aims to show delegates how to grow community participation in sport, recreational events and activities with innovative programs and marketing. International and nationally renowned speakers will discuss management of facilities, and how best to seek collaboration opportunities between health, recreation, government, commercial and community sectors to grow and retain members and participants.
The combined business-to-business Expo will be held adjacent to the conference and will be free to attend, with program and place providers, peak bodies, synthetic surface suppliers and commercial equipment suppliers, playground solutions, landscape services such as maintenance, design solutions, equipment and furniture to place around their new synthetic pitch, as well as sports equipment and services to showcase the latest developments in the sport and recreation industry
Following the success of the NSSCE in 2013, case studies and study tours will once again be held, giving delegates a hands-on experience to develop their learning from the conference in a practical setting for day 3.
The combined event has the support of the Australian Sports Commission, FIFA and the IRB, as well as Australian national sports organisations including Tennis Australia, the AFL, Hockey Australia, Skateboarding Australia and the Australian Rugby Union.
It is also backed by industry peak bodies including Parks and Leisure Australia, Community Sport Australia, New Zealand Recreation Association.
Looking forward once again to collaborating with Smart Connection Company, Simon Cooper, Managing Director of Interpoint Events states “the addition of a sports management conference will increase the profile and attendance of the National Synthetic Surfaces Conference & Expo and highlight people, programs, technology and the physical sports environment."
The National Synthetic Surfaces Conference & Expo, co-located with the Power of Sport Conference is being held on 3rd and 4th June 2014 (with a study tour on 5th June) at Rosehill Gardens in Western Sydney.
For more information contact 1300 789 845, E: info@nssce.com.au, www.nssce.com.au
10th December 2013 - NATIONAL SYNTHETIC SURFACES CONFERENCE & EXPO TO RETURN IN JUNE 2014
