More than 600 participants from 25 countries, 340 companies & 65 speakers at Front Runners 5.0

Monday, December 18, 2023

Front Runners in Sports Management 5.0, the largest sports conference in Greece, successfully unfolded at Deree – The American College of Greece from December 7 to December 9, 2023. Organized for the fifth consecutive year by the Sports Management Program and Sports Management Student Society of Deree, in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism & Leisure, The American College of Greece, and ActiveMedia Group, the event garnered significant attention with over 600 participants from 25 countries, 340 companies, and 65 distinguished speakers.

Key Highlights:

Diverse Participation: The conference boasted a diverse participation of more than 65 eminent speakers, with 35% being women. Attendees, hailing from 25 different countries, included representatives from over 340 sports-related companies, contributing to a vibrant and globally informed discussion on various facets of the sports industry.

Official Greetings: The event commenced with a video message from the Greek Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni, emphasizing the significance of tourism and sports as global mobilizers. Officials, including the Secretary General of Sport, Mr. George Mavrotas, and the President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Mrs. Angela Gerekou, expressed their views on the broader impact of sports beyond medals and titles.

Women in Sports: The conference marked a milestone by featuring powerful women in sports, including Matina Kolokotronis, COO of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, and Yvonne Harrison, CEO of Women in Football. They discussed the challenges and opportunities for women in the sports industry, addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.

Olympians’ Insights: More than 7 Olympians and Paralympians shared their experiences, shedding light on their journeys and the significance of partnerships in sports.

Sports Tourism: The conference unveiled research on sports tourism in Greece, highlighting the extended duration of sports events beyond weekends. Key figures from sports tourism events, such as the CEO of ActiveMedia Group, Akis Tsolis, emphasized the positive impact on local economies.

Sustainability in Sports: A dedicated section on sports and sustainability featured discussions on environmental, social, and financial sustainability in the sports industry. The results presented by the Project Manager of WWF Hellas raised awareness about the environmental impact of plastics in the Mediterranean Sea.

Drive Change Speaker Contest: MOTODYNAMICS Group, the Platinum Sponsor, hosted the Drive Change Speaker Contest, providing an opportunity for a student to join the conference as a speaker.

Partnerships and Sponsorships: The conference received support from partners such as The North Face, Vikos, The Sports Footprint, and LiveOn, contributing to the success and sustainability of the event.

Education and Networking: With a commitment to education, the conference remained free for participants, fostering networking and knowledge-sharing among students and professionals in the sports industry.

Front Runners in Sports Management 5.0 showcased the evolving landscape of sports management, emphasizing diversity, sustainability, and the intersection of sports with tourism and social impact. The comprehensive insights and discussions provided a valuable platform for industry stakeholders to stay informed and collaborate towards a better future for sports management in Greece and beyond.

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