International Volleyball Federation President, Ruben Acosta Hernandez, says “you can never structure a sporting organisation enough to meet the demanding needs of an ever changing sport environment.” He however suggests that “you can employ professionals to ensure that the roles in the organisation are handled in a serious way so there is credibility.”

Acosta writes in his book, Managing Sport Organisations (2002) also added that “working conditions must be available for the right people who should be highly motivated and well organised.”

As the Business of Sport, two-day conference comes up on May 5 to 6, it is imperative that people in and those who plan to become a part of the multi-billion dollar industry understand the key areas of sport management which can

• Be of economic value
• Be a career option
• Serve to enhance the sport industry in Jamaica.

Some of the topics to be discussed will give participants an opportunity to get a clearer picture from the experts who will be presenting.

Carole Beckford & Associates along with partners Samuda and Johnson (Strategic Corporate Interventions) have partnered to host this international conference aimed at

• Promoting Jamaica as sporting destination
• Aiming towards the creation of a centre of excellence for sport and entertainment
• Awareness and education of key stakeholders on the value of the sport industry

The team has been able to attract several professionals in the business and they are presenting at the two-day event in Kingston.

Steve Wyche from NFL TV and Ato Boldon (ESPN) are two key presenters on the Media panel along with Jamaicans Cliff Hughes and Alston Stewart, both local media owners; they will look at Media Applications in the promotion of Sport.

Lisa Bell – EXIM Bank, Gary Peart – Mayberry Investment, Claude Duncan – JAMPRO and Horace Madison – international financial consultant will look at how to package sport for financial support and explore the investment opportunities available.

On day one, lunch time speaker Keachea Dixon, Gordon, Dixon and Company, will look at – Managing Your Image on the Social Media Platform: Striking a Balance between Openness and Legal Concerns.

The other areas of interest will come from Academia, Marketing, Intellectual Property, Event Planning, Management and Policy.

The target is for 200 paid participants aiming at students, sport industry players, marketing executives to include sponsorship managers and people who are just curious about the Business of Sport.

Registration can be done here on the website and the conference fee is US$150/J$12,750. There is a corporate fee of $10,000 per person for five or more persons.

Sponsors who have come on board for the inaugural event are: Jamaica Tourist Board, FLOW Jamaica, Gordon, Dixon and Company, National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Pegasus, Wisynco (WATA), Jamaica Observer, EXIM Bank, JAMPRO, Brand Warriors, Locker Room Sports, Mona School of Business, Samuda and Johnson.