London wins bid to stage 2011 SportAccord Convention

London received a filip to the economy ahead of next month's general elections beating off tough global competition to host the 2011 International SportAccord Convention.

SportAccord will see over 1,500 of the world's top sporting officials and business people from more than 60 countries come to the UK capital. The six-day gathering from April 3 to April 8 will be the first time the convention has been hosted in the UK. It will take place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

The bid to bring this prestigious sports convention was co-ordinated by the Events for London team at Visit London and has been heavily supported and funded by a number of the UK's sporting and business bodies. The convention will initially contribute over £3m to the London economy.

The convention is a unique annual event organised by the International Sports Movement. It will be attended by the top officials from the Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations of sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board, rights holders of major sports events, media, sponsors and other commercial businesses in the global sports industry.

Hein Verbruggen, Chairman of SportAccord Convention commented: "With London preparing to welcome the world for the 2012 Games, there is no better time for the SportAccord Convention to come here and witness the final preparations taking place in your city."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "This is a truly fantastic opportunity for the city. Delivering a legacy for London after the Games is crucially important and SportAccord will now play a significant role in helping us achieve this. Sport is at the heart of this great city and I am looking forward to welcoming all sports leaders, IOC members and Olympic bidding cities to London in 2011 to give them a taste of what's in store for 2012 and after."

Meanwhile, the eighth edition of this sporting convention hosted by the Dubai Sports Council is being held in the Middle East for first time at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah from April 25 to April 30. It will be chaired by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, who is also the President of the International Equestrian Federation and Member of the International Olympic Committee.

This year's topics range from 'The Autonomy of Sport' and 'Making Sport Sponsorships Work Over the Long-Term', to 'Sport's Role as a Leader in Sustainable Development' and 'Sport in the Middle East'.

Day one of the sessions programme commences with an opening of the conference and introductions made by the SportAccord President. The focus of the day is on global and regional perspectives such as: 'The changing geography of sport' – an examination of the 'big picture' issues for sport in some of the newest and largest global markets – with an introduction from Mayor Eduardo Paes of Brazil, which is hosting the 2016 Olympics.

'Sport in the Middle East' – a discussion on the dynamic and fast-growing market for sports in the Middle East – moderated by Rebecca McLaughlin (TV Presenter, Dubai One Television) will be followed by a round table discussion on 'Making the sponsorship relationship work long-term' – an examination of the issues that impact the value sports events – with International Sports Consultant and Special Advisor to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Michael R Payne, being moderator.