Conference Program
Yacht Racing and Sailing has long been considered an elitist sport but today is attracting some of the biggest names in corporate sponsorship as the sport has begun to reach new global audiences.
The World Yacht Racing Forum (WYRF) offers strategies, case studies and best practices in sailing sponsorship and major yacht racing events around the world to help grow the sport globally and increase its value and appeal to new investors. Leading speakers from inside and outside the sport will present case studies and challenge some of the sports most current issues including the value of sailing sponsorship, cost cutting measures for major events and developing new audiences and fan-bases for the sport.
This Forum is your opportunity to meet and network with new contacts, and forge new business relationships. Be informed, contribute and benefit from the annual meeting for the business of sailing and yacht racing – you will not be disappointed!
The Forum programme is as follows:
Tuesday 8 December, 2009
18.30- 20.30 Welcome Cocktail Reception at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Transport will be provided from the Meridien Hotel from 1800.
Wednesday 9 December, 2009 – Day 1
08.00 Registration, Welcome and Exhibition Viewing
09.00 Welcome and Opening Comments
Peter Gilmour Event Promoter & Pro Sailor
WYRF Chairman
09.15 Keynote Opening Address
Tom Whidden, President North Marine Group
09.40 Panel Session / Debate
The Commercial Case for Sailing Sponsorship
Panelists will discuss and debate the critical issues of the commercial case for sailing sponsorship, and the audience has the opportunity to shape debate and ask questions to our industry experts. Topics will include;
- Does yacht racing deliver economic returns to sponsors?
- How does sailing compare to other major sports?
- What do sponsors look for in sailing?
Panelists include:
Richard Moore, CEO, Capitalize
Richard Brisius, CEO, Atlant Racing
Karin Bäcklund, Director, Global Sponsorship and Brand Partnership, Volvo Car Corporation
Mark Turner, CEO, OC Group
10.30 Networking Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
11.15 Panel Session/Debate
How Can Sailing deliver Economic, Financial and Branding Benefits for Host Cities and Ports?
Nautical tourism in the new buzz word in sailing sponsorship. More and more cities and ports are enjoying the financial, economic and branding success of hosting major sailing events. Panelists will discuss and debate the critical issues of how to maximise the benefits and mitigate the risks of hosting sailing events. The audience has the opportunity to shape debate and ask questions to our industry experts. Topics will include;
-Realising the growth of ‘nautical tourism’
-Building new audiences
-Creating sustainable tourism
Panelists include
Maria Moynihan Lee, Festival Director City of Galway
Christian Feichtinger, CEO, PROFS
Daniel Calero, Manager, Puerto Calero – Canaries
Jose Antonio Muñoz, Manager of the Andalucia Sports Bureau, Ministry for Tourism, Trade & Sports of Andalucia
William Ward, CEO, Clipper Ventures
12.20 Networking Lunch and Exhibition Viewing Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
14.00 Plenary Address
Measuring Success – Using Practical tools to evaluate and measure Event and Sponsorship Returns
Evaluating the impact and value of a sponsorship or event is crucial to determining success and returns. This presentation will highlight how the yachting industry can evaluate the success of events and sponsorships and better understand how to improve returns. Issues to be discussed include;
-How do you determine the strengths and weaknesses of an event?
-How to select the right sponsorship and media platforms?
-Measuring the return of your event or sponsorship initiatives
Ulrich Lacher, Managing Director, IFM Sports
14.30 Panel Session/Debate
Leveraging the Sponsorship Deal – How to maximise the Investment
Sailing offers so much more than just a branding opportunity for sponsors. Panelists will discuss and debate the critical issues of how to leverage sponsorship for maximum returns and the audience has the opportunity to shape, debate and ask questions to our industry experts. Topics will include;
-Marketing beyond the brand
-Creating effective hospitality programmes
-Engaging and maximizing exposure to a wider audience
Panelists include
Daniel Miles, Group Head Marketing, Puma
Henrik Sund, Managing Director, Grow AB
Michael Rasmussen, Chief Marketing Officer, Velux
Nathalie Quéré, Head of Global Sponsorship, BT Global Services
15.30 Networking Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
16.15 Panel Session/Debate
Tapping into new Media audiences - The Future of Sailing on the Web, in Gaming and Television
Today's internet and television technology is changing the way in which we follow the sport of sailing. An entirely new audience is being attracted to sailing through real time animations to global online gaming and live television. Panelists will discuss and debate the critical issues of new media and the audience can shape debate and ask questions to our industry experts. Topics will include;
-Growing the appeal of sailing in new media
-Where does the future lie for virtual gaming in sailing?
-Can Yacht Racing break into the big league of Playstation, X Box, PC and Nintendo?
-The power of broadband - discussing the opportunities
Panelists include
Ian Taylor, CEO, Virtual Eye
Richard Simmonds, Managing Director, Sunset & Vine
Marijn Harinck, Founder, United Games
Jean-Dominique Lauwereins CEO, Be Tomorrow
Philippe Guigné, CEO, Many Players
17.00 Chairman’s Closing Remarks
17.15 Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
18.30 ‘Track & Ocean’ Cocktail Reception
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum, the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium and the Motorsport Business Forum
Le Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel
Thursday 10 December, 2009 – Day 2
08.00 Registration and Welcome
09.00 Welcome and Opening Comments
Peter Gilmour Event Promoter & Pro Sailor
WYRF Chairman
09.15 Keynote Opening Address
Michel Desjoyeaux, Multi Vendee Globe Winner
09.45 Panel Session/Debate
Cutting Racing Costs – How to reduce costs to meet the challenges of today's economic climate?
2009 has been a challenging year for sports sponsorship around the world as a result of the growing global financial crisis. Sponsorship budgets have been cut, and organisations are looking to reduce costs but at the same time increase branding awareness. Panelists will discuss and debate the critical issues of how to reduce costs and analyse the implications. The audience has the opportunity to shape debate and ask questions to our industry experts. Topics will include;
-Developing ways to reduce event costs and maintain event quality
-Streamlining the cost of professional sailing teams
-Managing the expenditure of well funded teams
Panelists include
Knut Frostad, CEO, Volvo Ocean Race
Ignacio Triay, Director, Audi MedCup Circuit
Josh Hall, CEO, Portimao Global Race
Dominique Wavre, President, IMOCA
Riccardo Simoneschi, CEO, B Plan Marketing
10.30 Networking Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
11.15 Panel Session/Debate
Governing the Sport of Yacht Racing - What Can Sailing Learn from other Sports in improving its commercial offering?
The commercial success of any major sport ultimately comes from the way in which the sport is managed to maintain its value and appeal to a global audience. Panelists, with audience interaction, will discuss the current organisation and management of the commercial side of Yacht racing and debate concerns and alternative strategies.
Panelists include
Scott Macleod, Senior Vice President New Business Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
Jerome Pels, Secretary General, ISAF (International Sailing Federation)
Nick Fry, Chief Executive, Brawn GP
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman, Clipper Ventures
12.20 Networking Lunch Sponsored by the World Match Racing Tour
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
14.00 Panel Session / Debate
What is the Future of Multihull Racing?
Multihull racing is becoming much more of a spectator sport with its fast action and impressive 'flying hulls'. Are multihulls taking over from their single hull counterparts, and are they really the future of yacht racing for the masses? Panelists will discuss the case for 21st centuary and the audience has the opportunity to shape debate and ask questions to our industry experts.
Panelists include
Cam Lewis, Professional Sailor
Franck David, Project Manager, MOD 70
Mitch Booth, Tornado Olympic Gold Medallist
Michel Desjoyeaux, Multi Vendee Globe Winner
Herbert Dercksen, CEO, Extreme
15.00 Networking Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
15.30 America's Cup Presentation by BMW ORACLE Racing
Russell Coutts, CEO and Skipper
15.45 America's Cup Presentation by Team Alinghi
Brad Butterworth, Skipper and Vice-President
16.00 Panel Session / Debate
The America’s Cup, what is the future for the Challengers?
An international panel of America's Cup experts will answer questions facing the current America's Cup situation, and discuss solutions for the future of the world's oldest sporting trophy and Sailing's most coveted prize.
Panelists include
Russell Coutts, CEO and Skipper, BMW ORACLE Racing
Brad Butterworth, Skipper and Vice-President, Team Alinghi
Paul Cayard, Professional Sailor
Stephan Kandler, CEO, K Challenge
Magnus Holmberg, Skipper, Victory Challenge
Sotoris Buseas, CEO, Greek Challenge
Marcus Hutchinson, Director, Team Origin
Nicolo Bastianini, Vice Chairman and legal advisor of Green Comm Challenge
17.00 Chairman’s Closing Remarks
17.15 Closing Networking Cocktail Refreshments and Exhibition Viewing
Attended by all participants of the World Yacht Racing Forum and the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium
NB * = Invited but not yet Confirmed
