Denver is first North American city to host SportAccord conference
Metro Denver Sports Commission to host international sports conference for 2009
The Metro Denver Sports Commission (MDSC) announced on April 30, 2007 that Denver has been selected to host SportAccord 2009, the 7th annual International Sports Convention that brings together International Sports Federations, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic committees, bidding and host cities, event organizing committees and businesses. This is the first time SportAccord will be hosted in North America, and it will be held from March 23-27, 2009.
MDSC and SportAccord agreed in January that Denver would host the 2009 event. The Denver announcement followed the introduction of Athens, Greece as the host for SportAccord 2008.
“Denver is honored to be chosen as the host city of SportAccord 2009 and it is a special distinction to be chosen as the first North American city,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We look forward to sharing our ‘Mile High’ energy and sports enthusiasm with this international community.”
SportAccord typically draws nearly 1,200 decision makers from more than 60 countries worldwide to network and learn more about the international sports movement. The first four SportAccord events have been hosted by Madrid, Lausanne, Berlin and Seoul. The 2007 event is currently underway in Beijing, China, and the 2008 event is scheduled for Athens, Greece.
“Denver will be an exciting venue for SportAccord 2009,” said Anna Hellman, General Manager of SportAccord. “When I visited Denver, I was very impressed by the centralized location and quality of all venues. I am sure our delegates will be very pleased with the city.”
“Hosting this event will offer the community the opportunity to improve and enhance our reputation for developing and working with the world’s elite athletes and sport organizations,” said MDSC Executive Chairman and Founder Rob Cohen. “We look forward to welcoming these leaders of the sports movement, to share and learn from their knowledge and experience. SportAccord 2009 is a great win for our community.”
“Denver is well known as a sports town locally and regionally. We have also gained that reputation nationally with our world-class skiing and mountain sports venues, as well as boasting eight major league sports teams,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Denver is highly committed to sports and this is evident by the fact that we stand as one of the few U.S. cities with several new major sports venues under 10 years old including Coors Field, INVESCO Field at Mile High, Pepsi Center, and now in Commerce City, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. And this doesn’t include all the expansion and improvements going on at our nearby mountain resorts. Denver truly elevates sport to a higher level and it’s great to see that we are receiving more recognition internationally by hosting prestigious events such as SportAccord,” added Scharf.
“This is truly a great honor for Denver and all of Colorado and I applaud the efforts of the Metro Denver Sports Commission in achieving this win for our city, state and country,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. “It’s great to see Denver and Colorado on the international sports stage.”
The MDSC, which was established in 2001 to create a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports, has worked with SportAccord over the past year to win this opportunity. By continuing to attract major sporting events and elite athletes from around the globe, hosting SportAccord 2009 will help further build Denver’s reputation as a premier destination for sports, both nationally and internationally.
About SportAccord
Playing host to the General Assemblies of the International Sports Federations and the Executive Board Meeting of the International Olympic Committee, SportAccord draws bidding and host cities plus organizing committees from all over the world to participate in a week-long program consisting of an exhibition, conference and networking activities. Suppliers and consultants to the International Sports Events Industry are also strongly represented at the event that commands a global attendance of over 1,200 delegates.