October 5 - Delegates for the global sports summit SportAccord can register online from today.

The event, being held in London a year ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, is a key opportunity for international sporting leaders to engage with business and sport.

The ninth annual convention takes place from April 3-8, 2011, at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge Hotel.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has described SportAccord as a "fantastic opportunity" for London.

"Delivering a legacy from the 2012 Games is of the utmost importance and hosting the convention will play a significant role in showcasing London’s expertise in hosting international sporting events and positioning it as a long-term partner of the global sports movement," he said.

"I am looking forward to welcoming all sports leaders, IOC members and Olympic bidding cities to give them a taste of what’s in store for 2012 and after."

Held in a different city every year, the SportAccord convention features top-level conference sessions and a dynamic exhibition as well as the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.

It attracts more than 1,500 leading representatives of international sport.

Hein Verbruggen, chairman of SportAccord, said: "With London preparing to welcome the world for the Games in 2012, there is no better time for the SportAccord convention to come to London.

"Together with our colleagues in London, we look forward to creating an event which will show the world what a wonderful host city London will be for major sports events."

The event marks the first time the UK has ever hosted SportAccord and is a key milestone in delivering the UK capital’s long-term aim of positioning London as the world’s leading city in the business of sport.

With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games around the corner, the convention is a unique opportunity for the capital and the UK to showcase its expertise and increase its market share in the $111 billion (£96 billion) global sports business industry.

The organisation of the 2011 SportAccord convention is being 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 including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UKSport, the Greater London Authority, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, UK Trade & Investment and the London Development Agency and VisitBritain.

Previous events have sold out and delegates and press are encouraged to register early on the newly-relaunched SportAccord website by clicking here.


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