Two conferences under one roof

German FA partners with Sports Turf Summit 2004

By Mark Bisson

Stadia's Sports Turf Summit 2004 (STS2004) has announced the German Football Association (DFB) as its latest event partner.

The two-day conference and exhibition - the largest dedicated event for the global natural and synthetic sports turf industry - is now 'Officially recognised by the DFB'. Stadia's Sports Turf Summit 2004 (STS2004) takes place at Berlin's Estrel Convention Centre, 2-3 November. The move comes amid recognition that next-generation turf surfaces will create a fundamental shift in the way football facilities - from parks and training grounds through to top-level clubs - are designed, built and operated.

Dr Hans-Georg Moldenhauer, vice president of the DFB will deliver the keynote address at the STS2004 conference. A DFB delegation, including members of the federation's 26 regional football associations, will attend the event.

Dr Wilfried Straub, chairman of the Bundesliga (DFL), will officially open the exhibition at 12 noon on Tuesday 2 November.

In addition to the DFB's input, the conference will include updates on turf research and standards from FIFA, UEFA and the English Football Association. The conference line-up is in place and includes more than 26 experts from the fields of stadium management, technical research and governing bodies. The event will explore the commercial aspects, technical development, best practice maintenance and performance of natural and synthetic surfaces. Representatives from FIFA and UEFA, national football associations, including the English FA, will offer updates on turf research and standards. Officials from Europe's top football clubs, together with stadium managers and Head Groundsmen, will also speak at the event.

• Running alongside STS2004 is Stadia's inaugural Stadium RevenueSummit - a two-day conference focusing on the latest revenue generation and operational aspects of football facilities, details are as follows.

Stadium Revenue Summit 2004 (SRS2004), Estrel Convention Centre, Berlin, 2-3 November

The countdown is on to the inaugural Stadium Revenue Summit 2004, hosted by Stadia magazine - Europe's first and only event dedicated solely to football facility revenue streams. SRS2004 is an intensive two-day conference and exhibition focusing on the latest revenue generation and operational aspects of football facilities.

The conference line-up is in place and includes more than 26 experts from the fields of stadium finance, utilisation and revenue generation.

Dr Erwin Staudt, president of Vfb Stuttgart, will open the proceedings with a unique insight into the development of the club's stadium and commercial assets. This keynote is followed by a round-table discussion designed to set the scene on stadium revenues. Joining Dr Staudt on the panel are Thomas Proeckl, CFO of Eintracht Frankfurt, Christian Müller,finance director of the DFL (Bundesliga) and Detlef Kornett, managing director of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) Europe.

Dr Wilfried Straub, chairman of the Bundesliga (DFL), will officially open the exhibition at 12 noon on Tuesday 2 November.

Other key speakers include:

Roger Maslin, director of finance at Wembley National Stadium Limited, on 'Funding the new 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium';

Stephen L Schechter, managing director, Schechter & Co Ltd, on 'Securitisation deals for UK and German football clubs';

Jeff Knapple, president and CEO, Envision, USA - a leading authority on venue naming rights - on 'Securing a sponsorship deal for Arsenal FC, which includes the second largest stadium naming rights deal in European football;

Paul Fletcher, chief executive of the Jaguar Arena (Coventry), on 'Financing a new combined stadium, arena and event facility - with the UK's largest casino';

Giuseppe Rizzello, COO, Inter Milan, on 'The successful addition of VIP and hospitality areas at the San Siro stadium, and introducing ideas from US venues'.

For further information please visit the stadia website www.stadiaexpo.com or contact Mark Bisson, editor of Stadia magazine. Tel: +44 (0)1273 601900. Email: mark@stadia.tv