Mel Young, social entrepreneur and sportscotland chair, has joined a list of high-profile speakers in the line-up for the inaugural Via Sponsorship conference, to be held in Glasgow in March 2019.
Mel, who is president and co-founder of the Homeless World Cup and has won global acclaim for his work in promoting the power and social benefits of sport, will share his thoughts on how sportscotland can support Scottish sport to harness the myriad benefits of sponsorship.
The conference, which takes place on 5-6 March, aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of the benefits of sports sponsorship and provide a networking platform for those new to and experienced in the industry.
Changing lives
A figurehead for the sport for change movement, Mel has grown the Homeless World Cup from a small Scottish social enterprise into a global brand and has brought that expertise to his role at sportscotland.
The sports sector, like many others, is facing budgetary challenges, but Mel firmly believes that challenges bring opportunities.
Mel said: “We have a real opportunity to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between sport and business. Lives can be changed through sport and the most successful sponsorships occur when companies can directly impact on the lives of local communities.
“As the national agency for sport, I believe that sportscotland has a key role to play in supporting sports as they explore their commercial potential. This conference is a fantastic way to start the conversation and that’s why we are delighted to be headline sponsor.”
A win-win situation
The conference organiser, Gordon Ritchie of Gordon Ritchie Marketing (GRM), welcomed Mel’s inclusion on the programme. He said: “GRM are delighted to have sportscotland as the conference’s headline sponsor. Mel’s experience and passion in the power of sport will be a real asset to the conference.
“This conference will bring together some of the best in the industry and will provide the catalyst to bring businesses and sport together in the benefits of sponsorship. Sponsorship, if presented properly, is a win-win situation for both sport and businesses alike.”
Sport is at the heart of Scottish society, making a positive impact on people and communities. Bringing together governing bodies of sport and Scotland’s business community has the potential to deliver more and better opportunities at every level within the world-class sporting system. The Via Sponsorship conference is just the start.
The conference is set to attract top-class speakers, sponsors, high-profile delegates in the industry and young athletes at the start of their careers. It will also feature unmissable presentations, informative case studies, panel discussions and valuable workshops with plenty of opportunities for networking.
Find out more
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