Last Friday, World Football Summit presented its novelties for the 2017 edition. Spain’s leading international event for the Football Industry, which will take place on October 16th and 17th 2017, will bring together the main actors of the global football scene.
The official presentation of WFS17 took place at the Club Financiero Génova with the presence of Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, High Commissioner for Marca España; Javier Gómez, Corporate General Manager of LaLiga; Julio Senn, Partner Director of Senn Ferrero y Asociados; César Vallecillo, Sales Director Global Industries and Strategic Alliances at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Spain and Portugal, and Marian Otamendi, Director of World Football Summit. Each one shared, from their point of view, WFS17 news and the impressive program which includes Governance, Finances and Commercialization, Technology and CSR.
The collaboration agreement between Marca España and WFS was officialised during the presentation. Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, High Commissioner for Marca España noted:
“Spanish Football is recognized, admired and respected all over the world. In many countries, football is the first word associated with Spain. Therefore, football is a social phenomenon of great repercussion that promotes our image internationally. Accordingly, one third of the news from Spain, reported in the international press, is related to sports, mainly football. The industry and the clubs represent the most important attributes and values of the country´s brand: innovation, competitiveness, improvement, modernism, team work, solidarity… Football is, essentially, a key ambassador for Marca España.”
César Vallecillo highlighted how the latest technologies and innovations can help clubs open up more lines of business, how they can complement the fan’s experience, and therefore increase the club’s income. “During WFS we will discover how football is using technology to reach a whole new level.” said César Vallecillo.
Julio Senn pointed out that “70% of the entertainment industry in Spain is concentrated in football” and how “WFS serves as a forum of knowledge and as a meeting point for the executives within the football industry with clubs, federations, players and other stakeholders who participate in this industry.”
Meanwhile, Javier Gómez noted: “We’re delighted to participate this year as Global Partners which will allow us to share our knowledge and debate about the football industry, but also to foster the growth of this important industry.”
WFS Industry Awards and StartCup Competition
One of the novelties of this year´s edition are the WFS Industry Awards, a pioneering initiative where the best professionals of the international football industry will be recognized and rewarded for their career. This year, the categories are: Executive of the Year, Best Marketing Initiative, Best Football Industry Supplier, CSR Activity of the Year and Venue of the Year.
Likewise, WFS will once again be the ideal platform for sports and football related startups. 38 startups signed up for the first edition showcasing their technological solutions applied to the football world. The StartCup Competition organised with the Global Sport Innovation Center will once again demonstrate how the “king sport” is transforming and evolving by applying these new solutions and technologies offered by these startups.
“Last year we accomplished to create a unique international platform around the football industry. For this second edition, we are sure Madrid will once again become the center of this passionate industry by bringing together the main actors of the global football scene and by showcasing worldwide football initiatives and innovative projects.” emphasized Marian Otamendi.
More than 450 organizations have confirmed their participation in this important event, making Madrid the capital of the football industry on October 16th and 17th. During these two days, organizations, suppliers, government authorities, football icons and other football industry stakeholders will gather to drive business around this thriving industry.
WFS17 counts with the institutional support of Marca España and the Comunidad de Madrid, as well as sponsorships from LaLiga, Mediapro, Senn Ferrero y Asociados, Aruba, WWP and Johan Cruyff Institute.
