Leaders in Football 2013 Conference Programme to be announced shortly…

Leaders in Football, now in its 6th consecutive year, is the world’s most exclusive football business conference, with 1000 invite-only senior executives from international Clubs, Leagues, Federations and Brands.

Through a series of Keynote Presentations, interviews and panel discussions featuring the biggest names in football, attendees can expect insight and debate into numerous areas.

To find out more about Leaders in Football 2012 please click here.

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Leaders in Football 2012 Conference Programme

DAY 1 – 10 OCTOBER 2012

08.45-9.00
Registration & Networking

09.00-9.45
Next Stop Brazil: Will the Carnival of Football Be On Time and On Budget?
Sponsored by ICSS
With time running out, Brazil accelerates its infrastructure plans to get ready for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. But with only 1 year to go until the Confederations Cup and with the daunting task of delivering an Olympics in 2016, can Brazil cope with the expectation, cost, complexity and pressure to deliver these world famous events?
Speakers:
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, Board Member, WC 2014 Local Organising Committee
Thierry Weil, Marketing Director, FIFA
Walter Di Gregorio, Communications Director, FIFA
Ricardo Trade, Executive Director, WC 2014 Local Organising Committee

10.30-11.15
Football in Asia: Win, Lose or Draw?
Sponsored by Levy Restaurants
With over half the world’s population, the FIFA World Cup returning in 2022 and the rapid development of competitions like the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League, Asia should be a force to be reckoned with in global football. But with allegations of corruption in some regions, a void in leadership and the ever increasing popularity of European football, what really is the future for this region? The timing of this session could not have been better as we ask the men at the top how they are going to turn potential into success.
Speakers:
Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, Vice President, FIFA
Kohzo Tashima, General Secretary, Japan Football Association
Winston Lee, General Secretary, Singapore FA

12.00-12.30
Viva España: How Do They Do It?
Sponsored by SIS
20 years ago Spain was an also ran in the world of football, failing to meet its people’s expectations, lacking direction with a team who always fell short when it mattered. Fast forward to 2012 and the nation’s trophy cabinet displays 2 European Championships, 1 FIFA World Cup and numerous Champions League finals, won in style and back to back. Was it a streak of luck sent down from the god of football? No, this unprecedented success was down to the leadership and vision of its long serving Federation President who will give his views on what it takes to achieve success on the global stage.
Speakers:
Angel María Villar Llona, President, Spanish Football Federation

12.30-13.00
Transparency Matters: How CONCACAF Plans To Change Its Image
Sponsored by SIS
In this exclusive interview we ask the newly appointed President of CONCACAF about the facts, the figures and the future of football in this new era of transparency. A moderniser who sees football as a force for good as well as a sport that needs to adapt to a changing world, Mr Webb will also give his views on leadership, governance and accountability in world football as the sport steps into an unprecedented era of change.
Speakers:
Jeffrey Webb, President, CONCACAF

14.15-14.45
Leaders Keynote: Broadcasting, Sport and Digital Media
Sponsored by SIS
Sky Sports are one of the world’s leading sports broadcasters with a track record of innovation and a history of adopting new technology. In this keynote session the man leading the company through the digital era discusses how the industry must continually evolve to keep meeting the needs of fans.
Speakers:
Barney Francis, Managing Director, Sky Sports

15.30-16.15
The Old Lady Sparkles Again: An exclusive interview with Andrea Agnelli
Sponsored by Nolan Partners
The name Agnelli is intimately tied to one of world football’s most recognisable, iconic and successful teams and one of the grandest footballing institutions in the world, Juventus FC. Andrea Agnelli is the latest member of this famous family to guide the club to success, winning a record 30th Scudetto last season and marking the team’s return to the top of the Italian game after 2006’s relegation to Serie B in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal. In this Leaders exclusive, we ask the President of the Turin-based club about the nature of ownership in the current era, delivering results during a recession and what he sees for the future.
Speakers:
Andrea Agnelli, President, Juventus FC

16.45-17.30
Pitch Perfect: Insight and Analysis From The People That Matter
Sponsored by Sports Interactive
It takes nerve, talent and mental strength to perform at the top of professional football. And in today’s world of relentless scrutiny, there’s no hiding. So what does it feel like to be at the sharp end of the game, responsible for the hopes and dreams of fans where you are measured week in and week out? What are the challenges, what do they fear, what do they love and what next for the game? Some of the most respected figures on the professional side of football will provide a unique insight into life at the top.
Speakers:
Michael Owen, Professional Football Player, Stoke City
Roberto Martinez, Manager, Wigan Athletic FC
Pierluigi Collina, Chief Refereeing Officer, UEFA

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DAY 2 – 11 OCTOBER 2012

09.30-10.15
Born in the USA and Ready To Travel: How The NFL Plan To Bring The Show To You
Sponsored by Nolan Partners
With NFL teams dominating the list of most valuable sports teams in the world, and with the organisation keen to extend its footprint internationally, this session will be a unique insight into the vision, plans and hopes of the NFL and its latest high profile franchise owner in an exclusive double act for Leaders.
Speakers:
Shahid Khan, Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Waller, Chief Marketing Officer, NFL

10.45-11.30
Governance: Are You Serious?
Sponsored by Nolan Partners
New Boards, new rules, greater accountability, same old story? At a time when the game is facing a leadership void, lurching from one crisis to the next, is it really going to change? We ask 3 highly respected figures in sport what has changed, what needs to change and how strong and clear governance can lead to a sustained period of success.
Speakers:
Karen Espelund, Executive Committee Member, UEFA
Heather Rabbatts, Non Executive Director, The FA
Neil Doncaster, CEO, Scottish Premier League

12.00-12.45
MLS Owners: Socialist Football in the Home of Capitalism
Sponsored by Levy Restaurants
Major League Soccer has undergone a number of significant changes in the last decade and drawn some of the US sports market’s greatest minds and innovators to its development. Led by the highly respected MLS Commissioner Don Garber and bringing the owners from two leading franchises, this panel highlights the challenges in an extremely competitive sports industry and their vision for the future of US soccer.
Speakers:
Merritt Paulson, Owner, Portland Timbers
Adrian Hanauer, Owner, Seattle Sounders
Robb Heineman, Owner and CEO, Sporting Kansas City
Don Garber, Commissioner, MLS

14.00-14.45
Football and the Middle East: Building a Legacy
Sponsored by Qatar 2022
Middle East influence in the global game is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. But the region is more than just about cash, with sport aiming to drive sustainable economic growth and a legacy for the world. Here we host a panel of leading figures to understand how far it has come but also how far to go for one of the most vibrant and exciting areas on the world’s sporting map.
Speakers:
Nasser Al-Khater, Communications and Marketing Director, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee
Colin Smith, Chief Executive Officer, UAE Pro League
Ronald de Boer, former Professional Footballer
James Montague, Award Winning Author and Journalist

15.30-16.15
The 10 Year Plan: Football 2022
Sponsored by Eurovision
One thing is certain in the world of football and that is the game is predictably unpredictable on and off the pitch. But if you had a crystal ball what would you see 10 years from now? More money for players? More clubs out of business? New leagues, new rules, new fans? Who knows? We ask some of the most respected people at the helm of some of the most recognised and respected European Clubs to gaze into the future for the answers to the big questions.
Speakers:
Jean-Claude Blanc, Director General, Paris St. Germain
Umberto Gandini, Organising Director, AC Milan
Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive Officer, Arsenal FC
Ian Ayre, Managing Director, Liverpool FC

16.45-17.30
Manage to Play: The drivers of behaviour for Manager and Player
Sponsored by Emirates
With enormous salaries, commercial endorsements and constant media attention, today’s players are bombarded with distractions that take them away from the simple game of football. Managers meanwhile work under intense pressure in a state of constant flux where they deal with a range of stakeholders, prepare teams, manage budgets, and buy and sell players. This unique panel session brings together top former players and current managers to share their views on how the game has changed, what it is really like at the sharp end of football, and how to get the best out of the modern generation of players.
Speakers:
David James, former England Goalkeeper
Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager, Molde FK
Paolo Di Canio, Manager, Swindon Town FC