Who

OUR DELEGATES

The Summit is designed to address the specific needs of project teams delivering next generation stadiums, arenas and major sports venue developments. Our delegate profile comprises:

• Owners, Operators and Investors in stadiums, arenas and major sports facilities;
• Project teams from major sports events and host nations (such as UEFA Euros, FIFA ™ World Cup and Olympic Games)
• City Councils/Municipalities/Regional Agencies (Mayors, Economic Development, Sports/Recreation/Leisure Departments);
• Sports Federations, Sports Clubs (professional and amateur), Governing Bodies, Sports Event Bid Committees, Sports Tourism Officials etc;
• Real Estate Owners/Developers;
• Cost Management Consultants;
• Project Managers and Delivery Experts;
• Architects and Designers;
• Engineering and Construction Firms;
• Consultants/Specifiers;
• Product & Service suppliers to the sports venue sector.

OUR PROJECTS

Every year, TheStadiumBusiness team hosts a carefully-selected group of project delegations from the next batch of stadium, arena and sports facility projects.

Take a look at the 50+ current projects.

We feature some of these in our Programme Preview as we countdown to the Summit.

OUR SPEAKERS

Each year, we assemble a stellar cast of design pioneers and industry leaders as we explore the next generation of stadium design, development and delivery. More info on this year’s speakers in the Programme Preview.

Download the Programme Preview

Our 2018 Speakers Include

• 

  Datuk Nalgunalingam

  General Manager, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad

  Beginning his career as a Project Engineer with Sime Darby, Datuk managed several large projects including the Boeing Aircraft Facility at Bukit Kayu Hitam. He was then appointed General Manager and Vice President of a Sime Darby’s subsidiary where he took the lead in steering the engineering services business unit.
  Datuk was the Project Director overseeing the project nominated for the “World Architectural Award 2017 in Berlin, Germany in November 2017.” Datuk completed the rejuvenation project for Kuala Lumpur Sports City for 2017 SEA Games which was named the “Stadium of the Year 2018” at Amsterdam in the World Stadium Congress.

• 

  Ryan Penny

  Senior Business Development Manager, Harman

  As a specialist in the large events arena and the venues designed to host them, Ryan Penny has first-hand knowledge of how audio visual technology can be used to enhance sports presentation and fan engagement. As Harman Professional Solutions ‘Business Development Manager’ for Large Venues in EMEA, Ryan supports a diverse range of end-clients, consultants and suppliers to deliver exceptional user experiences through the vast solutions designed and manufactured by HARMAN.

  Having previously worked with two of the UK’s leading consultancy firms and working on the implementation of both Rio 2016 and London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, Ryan is an advocate for the power of sound, lighting and video to heighten emotions at the heart of sport.

• 

  Rob March

  Head of Partnerships & Hospitality, ACC Liverpool

  Rob is an experienced senior level commercial professional with 20 years’ experience of B to B / B to C Commercial Sales, Sponsorship, Consumer Event Marketing and Corporate Hospitality sales. Rob is currently responsible for all Corporate Hospitality Sales at the Echo Arena Liverpool, management of all venue Sponsors for ACC Liverpool and all commercial advertising sales. Rob has worked in the major events sector for over 15 years, was part of the Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 delivery team, worked for Chester Race Company for 4 years and has been with ACC Liverpool Group for 5 years.

• 

  Peter Ayres

  Director, AECOM

  Peter has over 25 years’ experience in sports design across the world. He most recently led the team that delivered FC Spartak’s first stadium in Moscow, is part of the design team responsible for Al Wakrah Stadium – the first stadium revealed for Qatar 2022 FIFA World CupTM and, as part of the AECOM team, led the engineering design for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues. Passionate about design excellence and the winner of the ACE Engineering Professional of the Year, Peter has delivered highly technical projects including the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station, the world’s first relocatable, permanently manned Antarctic research station.

• 

  James Budd

  Director, KSS

  James has a broad range of master planning, design and technical skills, including extensive experience on large-scale sports projects, complex planning applications on sensitive sites and major works to existing buildings.

  He is responsible for a wide range of specialist consultancy services including strategic design, technical audit and project supervision.

  As a consequence, he plays a key role in helping KSS maintain its profile in the sports sector, and his skill, commitment and enthusiastic approach make him universally popular with KSS’ clients.

• 

  Robert Ebdon

  Head of Estates, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Lords

  Educated at Hurstpierpoint College, Robert studied Construction Management at South Bank University graduating with first class honours. Following a successful career working on several major projects, he worked with industry leaders such as James Longley & Company, WS Atkins and Synergy Construction Consultants.

  Having project managed the refurbishment and extension of the Pavilion at The Oval in the early 1990’s, Robert was invited by Maurice de Rohan to join the Estates committee at MCC in 2004. Elected a Member of the MCC in 1994, Robert was later appointed Assistant Secretary (Estates) in April 2014 leading million pound ground development projects.

• 

  Ramon Jesús González Márquez

  BIM Information Manager, FC Barcelona

  Ramon Jesús González Márquez

  BIM Information Manager

  FC Barcelona

• 

  Kirsten Lees

  Partner, Grimshaw

  Kirsten brings insight and experience in the development of high-profile sports venues and masterplans. Her work at Wimbledon includes the development of the long-term strategic framework and the redesign of No. 1 Court. Other projects include the new grandstand and masterplan for The Curragh Racecourse and Stadium for Bath with Bath Rugby Club.

  Shortlisted for AJ Woman Architect of the Year 2014, Kirsten’s work is acknowledged for its subtle response to place and unique expressive and material qualities. She has skills in physical planning and urban regeneration with strong focus on the role of the public realm in shaping solutions.

• 

  Patrik Meyer

  Chief Executive Officer, Commerzbank Arena

  Patrik boasts a wealth of knowledge and experience within the sports management and live event sector. With a degree in Business Administration, Patrik’s experience within the industry includes roles such as Director for the Financial department, Ticketing and Controlling for multiple concert promoters, Managing Director of the operation company for Commerzbank-Arena – the World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt and Managing Director of TSP – The Sports Promoters, a company of SPORTFIVE specialising in event-management and promotion. In 2010, Patrik was awarded “Executive of the Year” at TheStadiumBusiness Summit in Dublin. Commerzbank-Arena was awarded with the Live Entertainment Award 2016 in the category ‘Arena of the year’. Patrik has been consultant to many projects around the globe such as National Stadium Warsaw or Groupama Arena Budapest.

• 

  Adam Selvey

  Design Excellence Director, Ramboll

  Adam is a Chartered Building Service Engineer who leads a team of Building engineers with 26 years of experience in the design of Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health services. Adam’s experience in Building Services engineering and renewable energy systems was gained by working for both Contractors and Consultants. He has also had experience as a Project Director on various large high profile international projects in Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
  Adam has a passion and a keen interest in sustainability and design solutions, and is very enthusiastic about engineering & new technology.

• 

  Mohamed Zakaria Serageldin

  Board Member, Al Ahly Club

  Mohamed has been Vice Chairman of Al Arabia since 2013, and a Board Member for Al Ahly Sporting Club in Cairo since 2017. Mohamed, in his Master of Science thesis, developed a financial model of a multifuncational football stadium, investigating how to make it a more profitable project for the investor than traditional stadiums.

  He also developed a project for a non-profit organisation aiming to educate coaches and youth in Egypt on the value of sports ethics, and raise health awareness through learning centres in Egyptian sports clubs.

  Mohamed’s educational background includes three majors, in Construction Management, Sports Management and Construction Engineering.

• 

  Thad Sheely

  Chief Operating Officer, Philips Arena (ATL Hawks)

  Thad Sheely joined the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 as COO and oversees all aspects of team and arena business operations and real estate development. He is leading the $200 million transformation of the Hawks Arena and built the team’s the 90,000 SF new practice facility at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex. Sheely has over 20 years of experience at the intersection of sports and real estate, beginning with the development of AmericanAirlines Arena and then moving on to build MetLife Stadium for the NY Jets and Giants. Most recently, Sheely took a sojourn away from sports into pure real estate as COO of Hudson Yards, the $20 billion mixed-use development changing Manhattan’s skyline.

• 

  Don Szczepaniak

  CEO, Prismview

  Don Szczepaniak is President/CEO for Prismview, a Samsung Electronics Company. Prismview designs, engineers and manufactures large-format LED video displays in Logan, Utah, USA. Don joined in August 2017 and is transforming the company’s display business.

  Previously Don spent 31 years with Panasonic Corporation, leading both consumer and professional electronics divisions. He recently served as Executive Vice President overseeing the development of large-scale audio-visual and connectivity solutions for major Sports, Entertainment and Corporate clients.

  Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Economics from Illinois State University. He is originally from Chicago, and currently lives in Utah, USA.

• 

  Martin Willis

  Director, Ramboll

  Martin has an excellent track record in the sport and entertainment sector
  having worked on a number of national and international stadia and arena
  projects. Through delivering such projects, Martin understands how the
  requirements of different disciplines need to be integrated together driving a
  well-coordinated and high value solution. As a director, Martin is responsible
  for delivering multi-disciplinary projects and leading teams. He strives to
  understand in detail the client and stakeholder key drivers so he can use his
  experience to add value to projects where it matters most.

• 

  Bill Mannarrelli

  Director of Real Estate, Espai Barça, FC Barcelona

  William started his career working in the Sports & Entertainment Industry working for the Anschutz Entertainment Group as the Project Manager overseeing the successful completion of the O2 World Berlin in 2008. From there, William served as ICON Venue Group’s Vice President responsible for ICON’s European operations based in Berlin, Germany. While serving as ICON’s European Project Executive, William was responsible for all aspects of ICON’s engagements in Hamburg, Bern, Helsinki, Yekaterinburg, Geneva, Lausanne, Seoul, Barcelona, Fribourg and Dubai. Additionally, William spearheaded ICON’s efforts in Rome representing Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) in their efforts to secure the UEFA EURO 2016 for Italy. Finally, William was also in charge of consulting projects for the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF), Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (POPB) and Stadium Spartak in Moscow, Russia. In July 2014, William decided to take on new responsibilities and moved to Barcelona, Spain to work as FC Barcelona’s Project Director overseeing the Espai Barça Project.

• 

  Eduardo Plata

  Business Development Manager, Global Sports Innovation Centre

  Eduardo has senior experience in sports management, marketing and ticketing, including Eventim’s entradas.com and start-up companies. He is Business Development Manager at Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft, a collaborative initiative between the public, private and academic sectors, which aims to promote innovation in the sports industry, creating an ecosystem composed by nearly 200 companies and institutions that generate synergies and value projects in the sector. Eduardo coordinates the Sport Thinkers for Real Sociedad smart stadium project.

• 

  David Manica

  Principal, MANICA Architecture, USA

  David believes in stunning design and innovative functionality as the path to successful buildings.
  In his 25 years designing large public assembly facilities, David has forged a vision for some of the world’s highest-profile stadium, arena and convention projects totalling over $15bn in construction.
  His comprehensive experience spans all phases of project development. He values a collaborative approach to design that successfully solves all of his clients’ needs related to aesthetics, program, budget, function and schedule.  David’s passionate commitment and dedication to balancing the complicated needs of his clients have earned him lasting relationships with them all.

• 

  Lisa Knights

  Chief of Media, Ashton Gate Stadium, UK

  Lisa Knights is an experienced broadcaster and crisis communications expert with more than fifteen years working in television news and sport. As an anchor for Sky, BBC and ITN, Lisa covered many major international stories including three Olympic Games.

  In 2014 she left Sky to take up the communications director role at Bristol Sport, looking after the media for its associated clubs (including Bristol City and Bristol Rugby) and the two-year, £45m redevelopment of Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium, which was completed in 2016. Lisa has overseen the development of the stadium’s broadcast facility including its matchday content on the in-bowl big screens and bi-weekly sports programme Bristol Sport TV.

• 

  Debbie Power

  Associate Director, KSS, UK

  Debbie is a major creative force at KSS with extensive sports and hospitality experience. Debbie leads the creative interior design team on a number of KSS’ high profile sports venue projects including Anfield Stadium, Twickenham Stadium and Amex Community Stadium.
  She believes in the practice ethos of understanding client values as the means of generating ideas, and is a strong team player who enjoys collaboration with architectural colleagues, brand consultants, contractors and suppliers.
  Her natural sense of style, attention to detail and ability to communicate her ideas means she is widely respected by clients and consultants alike.

• 

  Matthew Birchall

  Global Sports Sector Director, BuroHappold, UK

  Matthew is highly experienced in both sports and entertainment venues, and has worked and led the engineering for some of the world’s most iconic and commercially successful stadia. His stadia projects include the original 2012 London Olympic Stadium and subsequent transformation of the stadium into its current multi-use configuration, and the Fisht Stadium in Sochi that hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics and which will become a key venue at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Matthew’s portfolio of stadium projects includes Everton, Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. Plus, experience of venues for motorsport, horse racing, golf, cricket, rugby, and Canadian and American football. An industry recognised expert, Matthew is a Partner of BuroHappold Engineering and is their Global Sports and Entertainment Sector leader.

• 

  Ian Nuttall

  Founder and CEO, TheStadiumBusiness/TheStadiumBusiness News

  Ian Nuttall is the owner and founder of TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Summit, presented by his Xperiology events business. His working life began in sports hospitality events management (including Formula 1, horse racing and Wimbledon) before pursuing an award-winning career in B2B magazine publishing. He has co-launched and edited numerous business titles (ranging from energy and industrial processes through to airport design and Intelligent Transportation Systems).

  He has also founded many of the sports sector’s most respected publications and news sources – most recently TheStadiumBusiness News, delivering the all the latest Stadium Business news, blogs, videos, and up-to-the-minute media coverage from all the leading voices in the Stadium Business industry, all in one place. In addition to his ongoing commitments as a sports business writer and speaker, Ian provides highly-valued, specialist consultancy to the sports and entertainment venue sector.

Who will be there

• Sponsors
• Partners
• Attendees

What are people saying?

Thank you for a great conference, which gave us several potential suppliers for our new stadium

Janus Khyl Director, FC Helsingor

You get people from all over the world; architects from Brazil or the states, owners from clubs in Europe and design experts and project teams... and it’s absolutely fantastic

Daniel Gidney Chief Executive, Lancashire County Cricket Club, UK

My colleague and I agreed it was one of the slickest, most professional events we have ever attended, well done to you and your team.

Jason Maher Director, Condy Lofthouse Architects

A fantastic couple of days. wonderfully organised. Slick and professional. A week later, people are still saying how good it was.

Patrick Donoghue Sales Director, Ferco Seating

We’d heard good things about this conference so we thought we would just give it a go... we’re very pleased we did and we're definitely going to attend the show next year

Gordon Bolton Managing Director, Bleep, UK

The team was superb in introducing me to key stakeholders. Without doubt the best customer service I have ever experienced at an event

David Morris Director, CryoAction