Top Speakers Join Line-up for HOST CITY 2015

HOST CITY 2015 Conference and Exhibition continues to attract top experts and key decision makers to speak at its event with Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg, Baku 2015 European Games Chief Operating Officer Simon Clegg CBE and Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events for VisitScotland, the latest big names to join the line-up.

In only its second year, HOST CITY, which will take place at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow on 9 – 10 November, is set to bring together cities, rights holders, event owners and suppliers to explore the challenges and benefits of bidding for major global events.

Under the theme "Creative Innovation Connecting Cities with Sports, Business and Culture Events", David Grevemberg, Simon Clegg and Paul Bush will join other influential stakeholders such as Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Mike Lee OBE, Chairman, Vero Communications, and one of the world’s leading sports architects, Christopher Lee, Senior Principal at Populous to examine issues concerning the bidding for and hosting of large-scale, multi-sport and cultural events.

Other notable names already announced include:

- Sir Craig Reedie, CBE, Vice-President, International Olympic Committee;

- Louise Martin, CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation;

- Marisol Casado, IOC Member and President, International Triathlon Union;

- Dimitri Kerkentzes, Chief of Staff, Bureau International des Expositions (World Expos);

- Mário Andrada, Executive Director of Communications, Rio 2016;

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation, who attended the inaugural HOST CITY event in 2014, said:

"I found HOST CITY: Bid to Win enlightening. The calibre of people that attended and spoke was excellent; it was excellent to meet so many experts with a shared perspective and passion and belief that the hosting of major events is a force for good."

Matthew Astill, Chief Executive of Cavendish Group, owner of HOST CITY 2015, said:

"In an increasingly competitive and highly scrutinised global market, cities are hosting a wider range of events to attract a greater share of global trade and investment from mega events such as the Olympic Games and World Expos to major business, scientific and cultural events.

"HOST CITY 2015 aims to provide the platform for them to work together to attract, build and host the greatest events in the world, which is why we are delighted to be able to announce speakers of such a high standing in the world of major event hosting. We look forward to the expert insight and unique perspective they will add to the debate."

For more information, contact:

Sujit Jasani

VERO Communications

sjasani@verocom.co.uk

m: +44 (0)7940 375282

t: +44 (0)20 7812 6589

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