By Helen Tan - Events and Projects Officer, the Sport and Recreation Alliance.
Each year, the Sport and Recreation Alliance hosts a leadership convention, which attracts chairs and CEOs from our member organisations, the NGBs of sport and County Sports Partnerships. This year’s event, held on 16 and 17 November, will focus on ‘Building High Performance’, and features keynotes and workshops designed to enable attendees to take time out and reflect on how their organisation is currently performing and what the next steps are to even greater levels of performance. Delegates cover the breadth of our membership, but find that there are common difficulties and situations for them to discuss and seek solutions to, and the quality of the networking is always highlighted as a positive in the feedback!
We try and find speakers that will bring different areas of expertise and knowledge to the event, and this year’s are no exception. On day one alone, Sir Keith Mills, inventor of Air Miles and the Nectar Card will be outlining how the business sector will be planning for the next decade; Jennie Price will outline Sport England’s vision for delivering participation increases; and a senior sport business figure will highlight where sport can improve its commercial output. Day one ends with a dinner and networking drinks where conversations and discussions are always lively.
Day two kicks off with Shane Logan, CEO of Ulster Rugby and previously MD of Coca Cola in Russia, outlining how he has created a high performance which flows throughout his organisation. Workshops then see delegates faced with tough choices as to whether to focus on high performing boards, leading an organisation, cascading high performance through networks or evaluating boards. We always try and finish with a speaker who will send delegates off with a spring in their step and we think Roy Hodgson is the man for the job this year. Roy has an undeniable record of achievement- something that isn’t always acknowledged, but taking Switzerland to third in the world rankings is an incredible feat of leadership. And taking on the West Brom job means he isn’t scared of a challenge….
We hope to welcome you to the Forest of Arden Marriott, alongside your peers, to what promises to be a memorable convention. To book your place please visit the 2011 Leadership Convention page.
