Rugby Expo

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Rugby Expo News

'First Rugby Expo a Success' says the International Rugby Board

20 Nov 2008

"It's the first time that rugby as an industry has had a business-to-business conference and exhibition and I think that was lacking," said IRB Head o …more

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International Rugby News

All Blacks to play France in November

06 Jan 2009

PARIS - France will play the All Blacks and Springboks in test matches in November it was announced today.The French will play South Africa on Novembe …more

Conference Programme

Programme Sponsors

AON Pacsmail Imago

DAY 1 – RUGBY EXPO PROGRAMME

Monday 17th November WHITTLE ROOM Panelists GUILD ROOM Panelists
Time Topic   Topic  
09:30 – 10:15 Rugby as a growing global business – Aligning sport and business interests Dan Jones, Head of Sports Business Group, Deloitte; Professor Simon Lee, Vice Chancellor, Leeds Metropolitan University; Paul Kimberley, Commercial Director, Rugby Football League; Dan Lyle, Tournament Director, USA 7's. Rugby League Licensing Rod Findlay, CEO Gateshead Thunder.
10:15 Networking Break
11:00 - 11:45 Stadium Development – Right place, right time Michael Cunnah, Ex CEO, Wembley Stadium; Lea Adams, CEO Slick Systems; James Earl, Associate, Clarke Willmott; John Roberts, Sports Director, AFL Architects;

Sponsor: Clarke Willmott
Rugby's place in the Community, Charities & CSR Andy Berry, Chief Executive, Touraid; John Oates, MD, Prostream; Terry Burwell, RFU Community Rugby and Operations Director; John Allan, CEO South African Rugby Legends Association; Dr David Hammond, former RFU and WRU council member.

Sponsor: TourAid
12:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:15 Migration of players – Good or bad? Peter Wheeler, CEO, Leicester Tigers Plc; Abi Ekoku, former RLPA Chairman; Jon Harris-Gibbins, Partner, Willans Solicitors.

Sponsor: WIM
Sport and Medicine Dr Mick Molloy, Medical Officer, IRB; Dr Simon Kemp, Head of Sports Medicine, RFU; Mike Antoniades, Performance & Rehabilitation Director; Professor John Davies, former WRU Medical Officer and IRB Medical Committee Member.

Sponsor: Sybermedica
14:15 Networking Break
14:45 – 15:30 Player welfare – Life during and after rugby Niall Woods, CEO, Irish Rugby Union Players Association; Ian McGeechan, Director of Rugby, London Wasps and Head Coach, British & Irish Lions; Damian Hopley, Chief Executive, PRA & Chairman, IRPA; Robert Sharp, Managing Director, Herald Sports & Entertainment; Tony Simpson, Principal, Odgers Ray and Berndtson.

Sponsor: AON
Ticket to the future Mark Ellis, Managing Director, ts.com Limited; Richard Wray, Head of Business Integration, Altair Financial Services; Richard Pinnick, Global Business Development, Fortress GB Limited.
15:30 Networking Break
16:00 – 16:45 What does Rugby need to do to become an Olympic Sport? Hugh Robertson, MP Faversham and Mid Kent, Shadow Minister for Sport & the Olympics; Greg Thomas, Head of Communications, International Rugby Board; Charles Wijeratna, Director of Commercial Negotiations, London Olympics Organising Committee 2012; Nick Bunting, Head of Planning, Funding and Resources for the Rugby Football Union and Chair of the Finance Committee of 'sports coach UK'; Rugby clubs and fans – How can Rugby broaden its global appeal? Peter Oliver, Director, Green 4 Solutions; John Oates, MD, Prostream; James Rule, Hull FC; Ian Riddoch, Glasgow Warriors/ex Aberdeen FC; Dave Hutchinson, Director Commercial Development, Warrington Wolves.

Sponsor: Green 4 Solutions
MONDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT – RUGBY EXPO GALA DINNER WITH GUEST SPEAKERS

DAY 2 – RUGBY EXPO PROGRAMME

Tuesday 18th November WHITTLE ROOM Panelists
Time Topic  
09:30 – 10:15 What makes a successful sponsorship? Mark Evans, Chief Executive, Harlequins; Richard Callaway, Team Sports Marketing Manager, Puma UK; Lee Bailey, Sponsorship Manager, Guinness; Jeremy Summers, SK Sport and Entertainment.
10:30 Networking Break
11:00 – 11:45 Developing the Emerging Nations Mark Egan, Head of Development and Performance, International Rugby Board; Howard Thomas, Russia Rugby; Ian Bremmer; CEO Singapore Rugby Union; Nigel Melville, Chief Executive, USA Rugby.
12:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:15 Building a Brand Profile – How to Market your Organisation David Butler, Marketing Director Honda Racing F1; Edward Freedman, Sports Marketing & Merchandising Consultant; Clifford Bloxham, Vice-President, Octagon; Jon Varney, Commercial Director, Premier Rugby; Patrick Baglee, Director of Creative Strategy, Navy Blue (Brand expression experts).

Sponsor: Imago Group
Networking