World Rugby has announced a strong line-up of speakers to participate in the Breaking new markets – delivering and sustaining a truly global and inclusive game panel at the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 (ConfEx) on 14-15 November at the Hilton London Metropole.
Global Head of Sponsorship and Events at HSBC, Giles Morgan, newly elected World Rugby Vice-Chairman and former Argentina captain, Agustín Pichot (pictured), the NFL’s Executive Vice-President of International, Mark Waller and Pro Rugby Chief Executive Doug Schoninger will lead the discussion on rugby’s position as a rapidly-growing global sport, while investigating the opportunities and challenges for the game over the next decade. Further speakers will be announced soon.
With more than 7.73 million men, women and children currently playing the game across 122 member unions, rugby is a sport that continues to reach, engage and inspire new audiences in record numbers worldwide.
Driven by the record-breaking success of Rugby World Cup 2015 as an investment and participation driver and with a ground-breaking first Rugby World Cup in Asia in 2019 and game-changing Olympic re-inclusion on the immediate horizon, the sport is perfectly positioned to break into and build its profile in new and emerging markets.
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper, said: “This panel will allow us to explore the opportunities for rugby as the game continues to grow globally and we are delighted to confirm a highly qualified line-up of speakers who will all bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives to what is sure to be a fascinating discussion. With rugby’s return to the Olympic programme and a hugely exciting Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan to come, we are presented with a fantastic opportunity to continue the amazing growth levels the sport has achieved in recent times.
“As World Rugby continues its transformation from game regulator to global inspirer, World Rugby ConfEx provides us with the perfect platform for senior figures working in and around rugby and international sport to come together and share their knowledge and experiences. We are confident that this year’s event will be a world-class conference on the issues that really matter to the rugby family and the wider sporting community.”
The World Rugby ConfEx offers a dynamic platform to discuss, learn and create partnerships that will project rugby’s values worldwide. Supporting World Rugby’s mission to reach out to new markets around the globe, the vision of World Rugby ConfEx is to empower the rugby community and build on the sport’s unparalleled recent success as the game continues its inspirational journey of development and global growth.