European Running Business Conference sign, photo by Larry Eder
RunBlogRun opines: The European Running Business Conference was held in Frankfurt Am Main from October 27-28, 2017. In the first year, 282 official attendees, from organizsers, media and federations attended. The meetings were well presented and attended. My favorite sessions were the Q&A to the key players, such as Bob Verbeeck, Golazo, Carlo Capalbo, RunCzech, Paco Borao, AIMS president, Ted Hayano, Tokyo Marathon race director, as well as Tracy Sundlun, one of founding members of RNR now Competitor Group. This is a first attempt and I have never seen a first year conference that is poised for success. Many notes from race directors who did not know about it and would liked to have come. That is a good thing. The event will be held every two years. It should be on your convention list (also for North Americans, as nothing like this in US).
Inspiring conference
FRANKFURT (GER): European Athletics informs that some of the near-400 delegates to the first edition of the European Running Business Conference in Frankfurt were interviewed for TV at the end of the second day and the word that used most often in their replies to the question “What do you think of the conference?” was “Inspiring!” A full day’s programme of keynote speeches, breakout groups and Q&A sessions helped galvanise the various stakeholders – international federations, national federations, race organisers, sponsors and running industry suppliers – from almost 40 countries about how running in Europe can be changed, reshaped and improved. The day got underway with a welcome from the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon race director Jo Schindler, who reflected briefly on his career and his innovations to make the race one of the most prestigious in the world. Analytics and digital technology and media were the themes addressed in the presentation Know your Runners and Make Sure You Reach Them, with a quartet of different speakers approaching the subject from four different angles. Golazo CEO Bob Verbeeck, London Marathon CEO Nick Bitel, Tokyo Marathon race director Tad Hayano and AIMS President and Valencia Half Marathon race director Paco Borao providing insights into the way that they manage and stage their races.