The internationally-recognised, invite-only sports business event, taking place at Stamford Bridge on the 10th and 11th October, brings together 1500 senior executives annually to debate critical industry issues and to share best practice.

Innovations include:

• An even more international panel of keynote speakers at Leaders in Football
• Expanded 2 day programme for Leaders in Digital Sport conference in 2011
• Simultaneous, streamed sessions in two separate rooms, split over the two days of the Leaders in performance conference
• An exclusive “Brands Forum” during Leaders in Sponsorship to provide the perfect environment for brands to share innovations
• A whole range of new and interactive sessions including roundtable discussions and workshops moderated by industry experts, to harness the shared experience of attendees and really dig deeper into the topics that matter
• Extended networking opportunities at a series of new dinners and drinks receptions to help attendees forge new relationships and build on existing ones
• An official Leaders party in Roman Abramovich’s new music venue “Under the Bridge” to continue the networking late into the night

The Leaders CEO, James Worrall, said “The changes we are making are a result of an extensive consultation process with delegates and will result in an enhanced experience and even better value for money for all delegates attending. I am sure demand will increase further, and we will no doubt reach capacity as a result, but that will ensure that we will be able to increase the quality and relevance of delegates even further to deliver a first class experience to those attending.”

About The Leaders Sports Summit
A global event for sport which hosts 5 international conferences – Leaders in Football, Leaders in Sponsorship, Leaders in Performance, Leaders in Digital Sport and Leaders in Racing which run concurrently over 2 days alongside a series of specific workshops and networking opportunities. Last year’s invite-only event drew a record 1500 CEO and director-level delegates from over 55 countries and 45 sports, including 600+ rights holders, 160 accredited media and 24 global TV networks, making Leaders the must attend international sporting event in the calendar.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

The invite-only event for 1500 Director level delegates from over 45 sports and across 55 countries will be staged on the 10th and 11th October 2012 and, with plans to expand the conference programme and networking opportunities, the event is predicted to be another sell-out.

Leaders CEO, James Worrall, said “We are delighted to announce use of the Stamford Bridge facilities exclusively over the 2 days of Leaders for the 5th year running. Simon Hunter and the team at Chelsea provide a first class service to Leaders and an amazing experience to delegates. All our research tells us that Stamford Bridge is the place to be; internationally recognised, conveniently located, superb facilities with extensive services surrounding the venue, all providing an exclusive feel to the event. Even though we sell-out every year, by capping the numbers we can focus all our efforts on increasing the quality of delegates, content and the customer experience which has always been our overriding goal.”

Simon Hunter, Head of Venue and Brand, Chelsea FC said “We are thrilled to welcome back the Leaders event which has established itself as the leading international platform for the business of sport. Over the last 4 years our respective teams have formed a fantastic working relationship and long may this continue in the future.”

About The Leaders Sports Summit
A global event for sport which hosts 5 international conferences – Leaders in Football, Leaders in Sponsorship, Leaders in Performance, Leaders in Digital Sport and Leaders in Racing which run concurrently over 2 days alongside a series of specific workshops and networking opportunities. Last year’s invite-only event drew a record 1500 CEO and director-level delegates from over 55 countries and 45 sports, including 600+ rights holders, 160 accredited media and 24 global TV networks, making Leaders the must attend international sporting event in the calendar.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

It is officially the most senior level gathering to date with CEOs from 15 different football clubs, 8 leagues and federations, and 10 Commercial Directors from a total of 70 different rights-holders spanning 12 countries. Completing the line-up are global brands with sponsorship agreements spanning 20 different sports, 50 different properties and with a combined annual spend of over £200m. In total there are director level delegates from 14 different sports including Football, Basketball, Baseball, Horse Racing, skiing, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Golf, Tennis, American Wrestling, Cricket and Athletics.

One of the previous delegates, Neil Doncaster, CEO, Scottish Premier League, who is returning in 2012 stated “The Leaders in Sport event is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships and do business in a relaxed environment with senior level executives and I’m really pleased to be returning in 2012”. Such is the reputation of the event amongst industry peers that Phil Beard, CEO, Premier League Club QPR, commented “I’ve heard great things about Leaders in Sport and I’m really excited at the prospect of meeting such a fantastic group of people to share ideas and build relationships.”

A number of leading service providers, including Sony, Compass, Sapient Nitro, Repucom, The Works, Supponor, Tickets.com and ISC, have been invited to attend and lead discussions on a variety of subjects including TV rights, sports technology, digital media, branding, hospitality, market research and ticket sales.

James Worrall, CEO, Leaders commented “We have seen a remarkable take up of places for the third Leaders in Sport and are absolutely delighted by the seniority of those attending. It is also so rewarding to see a number of our commercial partners returning, citing the unique opportunity to engage with decision makers and the expected return on investment as the key reasons for doing so.”

With only one category of sponsorship remaining, the organisers expect to wrap up the guest list and commercial programme for the event in a matter of days. To view the entire list of participants, contact one of the team on +44 (0) 20 7042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

About Leaders in Sport:
Leaders will be hosting its 3rd annual sports networking forum at the La Manga Club resort in Spain on the 25 -27 March 2012. 100 CEO’s and Director level executives across multiple sports will participate in a combination of social, business and sporting activities that guarantee genuine and lasting business relationships.

Dobson, who joins from outside sport, has made an enviable reputation driving the content and programme for some of the world’s biggest events across the technology, entertainment and finance sectors. The addition to the management team at Leaders is a move designed to strengthen the event’s hard-earned position as one of the world’s leading forums for the sports industry.

James Worrall, Leaders CEO, says, “It’s absolutely key for us to deliver new insights and learning to the 1500 Director-level delegates who attend the conferences within the Leaders Sports Summit. We are delighted with the appointment of Stephen as he brings with him a wealth of experience in designing cutting edge conference programmes by analysing trends, researching topics and reaching out to the very best speakers”.

Leaders in Football, Leaders in Sponsorship, Leaders in Performance, Leaders in Digital Sport & Leaders in Racing will run concurrently over the 2 days alongside a series of specific workshops and networking opportunities, making Leaders the must-attend international sporting event in the calendar.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

The event promises to be even bigger and better than 2011 which saw a record 1500 Director level delegates from over 45 countries and 40 sports attend the 5 leading edge conferences for Football, Performance, Sponsorship, Digital Sport and the business of Horseracing.

James Worrall, CEO, Leaders says “We are delighted to confirm the dates for our 2012 Leaders Sports Summit and are incredibly excited at what promises to be our most exciting event to date. The team are constantly striving to improve the event and, after a comprehensive consultation process with over 300 delegates and commercial partners, we have identified a number of exciting changes to keep Leaders fresh, relevant and of value to our clients.”

Leaders in Football, Leaders in Sponsorship, Leaders in Performance, Leaders in Digital Sport & Leaders in Racing will run concurrently over the 2 days alongside a series of specific workshops and networking opportunities, making Leaders the must attend international sporting event in the calendar.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com.

Prior to launch over 50 CEO’s and Directors from sports rights holders and brands have signed up to the event with representatives already confirmed from Hamburger SV, Norwegian Football Association, Inter Milan, Scottish Football Association, West Ham United FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Major League Baseball, RFU, Sale Sharks, Scottish Premier League, Rangers FC, SBOBET IOM, Queens Park Rangers FC, Chelsea FC, Nokia, Jobsite, Arsenal FC, Durham CCC, Racing UK, Football Association of Wales, and Fulham FC.

A combination of social, business and sporting activities guarantee genuine and lasting business relationships amongst 100 key decision makers in sport. And with demand for places at an all time high, Leaders expect to announce a full complement of guests within the coming weeks.

If you would like to know more, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 20 7042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com. Please note you must be a CEO/Director or equivalent to qualify.

Furthermore the minority shareholders, including CEO James Worrall, have always had Board control of the business and have always carried out their duties in a professional and responsible manner.
Leaders would like to ensure all partners, stakeholders and clients that business continues as normal, and the team look forward to exciting developments in 2012.

In an exclusive in depth interview, Al-Thawadi will address some highs and lows of running a World Cup campaign as well as the big challenges and opportunities facing Qatar as the first Gulf state to organise a World Cup in the history of the competition.

Al-Thawadi was instrumental in delivering a compelling campaign which focussed on Qatar’s potential to unite the world behind an accessible and safe tournament with impressive stadia and purpose built infrastructure.

Al-Thawadi is the latest in a list of world figures confirmed to speak at fourth edition of Leaders in Football making it the must attend event in the sports business calendar. These include FIFA Executive Committee members, HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Dr Michel D’Hooghe and Jim Boyce; UEFA General Secretary, Gianni Infantino; Chairman of Chelsea FC, Bruce Buck; the independent Chairman of The Football Association, David Bernstein; former Prime Minister of Belgium and now Chairman of the UEFA Financial Fair Play Panel, Jean-Luc Dehaene; Owner of Stoke City FC and Bet 365, Peter Coates; Chairman of Sunderland AFC, Niall Quinn; Jamie Carragher, Vice-Captain, Liverpool FC; PierluigiCollina, former World Cup Referee and Member, UEFA Referees Committee; and Chairman of the Football League Greg Clarke.

Leaders in Football in now very close to sell out and takes place within the Leaders Sports Summit, a coming together of 5 leading conferences including Sponsorship, Digital Sport, Performance and the business of Horse Racing, over 5th and 6th October at Chelsea FC. For more information visit www.leadersinevents.com, contact enquiry@leadersinevents.com or call +44 (0) 207 042 8666.

Prince Ali will join fellow FIFA Executive Committee Members, Jim Boyce and Michel D’Hooghe, in a panel on the role and relevance to be played by FIFA in the future development of the global game. With so many big issues facing the sport such as goal-line technology, the staging of major competitions, the international football calendar, the integrity of the sport, transparency in the game and its long term financial viability, it will be a fascinating insight into the minds of the men with a seat at the top table.

In 1999, Prince Ali became the President of the Jordan Football Association and succeeded in bringing the youth team to the FIFA World Cup in 2007 in Canada as well as three Jordanian national teams to the Asian finals in 2010 for the first time. Under his leadership, the Jordan National Women’s team has dramatically risen in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking. He is also Founder and President of the West Asian Football Federation, which has grown to 13 countries under his lead. On 6th January 2011, Prince Ali defeated Dr. Chung Mong Joon, who also spoke at Leaders in Football in 2010, for the role of FIFA Vice-President representing Asia at the AFC Congress held in Doha, Qatar. He is a person of immense stature in world affairs representing his country domestically and internationally where he has received a number of foreign decorations, including a British Knighthood, the French Légion d’honneur, and the Order of the Rising Sun of Japan.

Prince Ali, Jim Boyce and Michel D’Hooghe are all part of a very special line up of world figures in football addressing 1,000 director level delegates from Clubs, Leagues, federations and brands around from 45 countries and over 180 international media. These include the Chairman of Chelsea FC, Bruce Buck; the independent Chairman of The Football Association, David Bernstein; former Prime Minister of Belgium and now Chairman of the UEFA Financial Fair Play Panel, Jean-Luc Dehaene; Owner of Stoke City FC and Bet 365, Peter Coates; Chairman of Sunderland AFC, Niall Quinn; Jamie Carragher, Vice-Captain, Liverpool FC; Pierluigi Collina, former World Cup Referee and Member, UEFA Referees Committee; and Chairman of the Football League Greg Clarke.

Leaders in Football in now very close to sell out and takes place within the Leaders Sports Summit, a coming together of 5 leading conferences including Sponsorship, Digital Sport, Performance and the business of Horse Racing, over 5th and 6th October at Chelsea FC. For more information visit www.leadersinevents.com, contact enquiry@leadersinevents.com or call +44 (0) 207 042 8666.