Some 150 entries and nominations were received including some of the most successful and inspirational figures in the sports business, nominated in the newly introduced Outstanding Contribution category. Nominees shortlisted in this category are Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, FIFA President Sepp Blatter Gilbert Felli of the International Olympic Committee, Franz Beckenbauer who masterminded the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, former European PGA boss Ken Schofield and the IOC's Jean-Claude Killy.
“We are delighted by the response as we have long recognised the importance of the work carried out by those who plan and deliver the events which are the lifeblood of sport,” said Phil Savage, publishing director of SportBusiness Group, the event’s title sponsors.
A panel of judges meets on October 10 to select Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards winners in 10 categories. The judges include: Jim Brown, Executive Director - Competitions, FIFA, Sir Craig Reedie, Member, Olympic Programme Commission, Dr Irvin Khoza, Chairman, FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive, The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Campbell Jamieson, Commercial Manager, International Cricket Council and Rob Holt, Chief Executive, Ryder Cup Wales.
Also new for 2008 are categories covering the best and most effective use of technology in sports event management and presentation and an award designed tor recognise the best contribution made by an individual city to the success of an event.
The range of projects entered for the awards was simply staggering, according to Nigel Rushman, executive chairman of organisers Rushmans. “With around 150 to choose from, stage one judges had an extremely difficult task to select fewer than 50 for the shortlist. I would like to thank every company and individual who entered and wish them every success for the future, even if they don’t win an award this time around,” he said.
The shortlist reflects the current dynamism of the sports market with nominations for Indian Premier League cricket, the FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships, the Wimbledon Championships, The Breeders Cup, the F1 Grand Prix of Europe, Rugby World Cup 2007 and Euro 2008, as well as the Olympic Games.
Kevin Roberts, editorial director of Sportbusiness Group and one of the hosts for the Ceremony, believes the Awards will go from strength to strength,
“The growth in the number of nominations together with the breadth and quality of entries suggests that the industry is becoming more aware of the prestige associated with being shortlisted for an award.
“We look forward to welcoming the industry to London. It promises to be a great evening, a real celebration and a chance to meet the people who make events happen and a lot of fun.”
SPORTBUSINESS EVENT MANAGEMENT AWARDS SHORTLIST
CEREMONIES
NOMINEE EVENT
ALEM Beijing Olympics 2008
Creative Technology Beijing Olympics, 2008
EVENT LOOK
ERC Heineken Cup Final, Cardiff
International Cricket Council ICC Twenty20, South Africa
IMG Rugby World Cup 2007
Infront Sports China Basketball
St Petersburg Open Sports Marketing World Fencing Championships
World Swimming Championships Ltd FINA World Swimming Championships ( 25m)
EVENT MARKETING
Horsepower Royal Windsor Horse Show
IMG Indian Premier League
Premier Rugby Guinness Premiership Final
Network BBDO ICC Twenty20
Ascot Racecourse Royal Ascot
Manchester City Council World Sport 08 Campaign
EVENT OVERLAY/ FACILITIES
Croatian Ski Federation Audi FIS World Cup
GL Events Hong Kong venues, Beijing Olympics
HOK Sport Venue Event The Breeders Cup
Losberger GmbH Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games
Nussli ( Schweiz) AG F1 Grand Prix of Europe,
AsiaPromote Ventures KL Grand Prix Show jumping
EVENT SERVICES
OBS Beijing Olympic Games
HBS New media delivery, French League1 football
Infostrada Rugby World Cup 2007
Gallowglass World Swimming Champs, Manchester
Lighting Direction SARL World Swimming Champs, Manchester
Morris Gooding Accessibility Consulting Beijing Paralympic Games
Procon Beijing Olympic Games
EVENT TECHNOLOGY
Creative Technology Beijing 2008
UEFA Media Technologies Euro 2008
Atos Origin Beijing 2008
HBS Six Nations 3-D Coverage
Hawk-Eye Wimbledon
Satyam FIFA Preliminary Draw
HOSPITALITY
Letherby & Christopher Cheltenham Festival
Mango Coca Cola at Euro 2008
Keith Prowse Wimbledon 2008
Rugby Travel & Hospitality Rugby World Cup 2007
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Bernie Ecclestone
Franz Beckenbauer
Sepp Blatter
Gilbert Felli
Jean-Claude Killy
Ken Schofield
SECURITY
Firewalker Events Aston Villa
G4S Wimbledon 2008
Showsec City of Manchester Stadium
SPORTBUSINESS SPORTS CITY AWARD
Melbourne F1 Grand Prix
Berlin FIFA World Cup 2006
Manchester 2008 Programme
Moscow UEFA Champions League Final
New York Lake Placid
Doha Tennis, Athletics, MotoGP
The SportBusiness Awards are the networking and social centrepiece of two industry events to be held at the same venue, the Novotel, St Pancras, London. The Sports Management Conference on November 12 brings together some of the most influential figures in sports event planning and execution to discuss the role and structure of events major events in the 21st century , while the Sports Security Summit, to be staged on November 13, is the ultimate meeting place for security professionals operating in and around sports.