For the first time, MEI’s annual flagship Major Events Summit will be transformed into a virtual event, taking place throughout the week commencing 6 July. The event incorporates live streams, pre-recorded content and networking opportunities for the global sporting events community, as the industry look to adapt in a post-pandemic world.
Driven by leading edge event technology, 2020’s Summit will be held entirely online. The curated programme will offer a global audience a fresh take on how sporting venues, festival organisers and sports rights holders are adapting their business models in response to the impact of COVID-19, and how they are applying new health and safety procedures to their events.
Professional services organization, EY, will join as a sponsor, bringing their extensive experience in client service across the sports events landscape globally.
Andy Rice, COO of MEI, said, “This year’s event will challenge decision makers and influencers across the sports industry to be more creative and innovative than ever before. We are, therefore, honoured to have EY join the programme, whose work with rights holders around the world is helping maximise revenues and efficiencies at this time of challenge. This plays to the very DNA of the Major Events Summit, as the industry looks to grapple with an uncertain future.”
Tom Kingsley, EY EMEIA Sport Industry Group Leader, added, “The sports industry has been one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world contemplates a new normal, industry players need to determine how best to reframe their future as they look to what’s next and beyond. This year’s Major Events Summit offers a great forum to explore some of the biggest questions facing the industry.”
The Summit has already gained significant traction with registrations ranging from Lord’s to Baku F1 Circuit; British Swimming to Ukrainian Premier League; and the International Pentathlon Federation to the PGA Tour. Speaker confirmations include representatives from the Rugby League World Cup; the Milan/Torino Winter Games 2026; the FIFA World Cup 2026; the Euros; and many more.
There will be a range of interactive opportunities such as networking groups, workshops and the ability to ask questions directly to presenters: giving attendees the opportunity to be actively involved in the content and engage with the sports industry community.
The event registration can be accessed here: https://www.meisummits.com/.
Note to Editors
About MEI
MEI is a Business Development Consultancy who, for over 10 years has specialised in helping organisations succeed in the global sports events market: from commercial companies, rights holders, government agencies to host organisations. Having identified a huge gap in the market in the late 2000s for a single point of contact model for event organisers and experienced, trusted event suppliers, MEI was formed to provide that interface service. With experience from every summer Olympic Games since Athens 2004 through to Rio 2016 and relationships with future Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022, Winter Olympics in 2010, multiple Commonwealth Games and single sport World Cups, MEI is the only business of sport consultancy operating exclusively in major events planning, delivery and legacy.
For more information, contact: Andy Rice, Chief Operating Officer.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.