This year’s Soccerex Global Convention will feature a new, interactive zone within the exhibition hall which will showcase best practice in the use of football as a tool for social development around the world.

Designed to provoke fresh thinking around sustainability in the football industry, and innovative marketing solutions for brands, the Corporate Social Opportunity (CSO) zone will combine exhibition pods, presentations and physical activations to bring together a mix of rights holders, NGOs and social initiatives that reflect a range of topics and causes from all corners of the globe.

The zone will be delivered in partnership with Terre des Hommes (TdH) and supported by Soccerex CSR partners Back in Football.  TdH is a child rights organisation active in 68 countries.  It runs a campaign, www.childrenwin.org, on the positive and negative effects on children of major sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympic Games. Back in Football are positioned as a medium between corporate and community in the football industry; creating and managing foundations for professional footballers and providing a channel for funds to go back into the game of football at community level.

Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said: “The new Corporate Social Opportunity zone will be a great addition to an already thriving exhibition hall. Soccerex is always looking to highlight the social issues affecting football and the CSO Zone will allow us to devote more time and space to such an important and diverse area within the industry. In Terre Des Hommes and Back in Football we have two partners who are fully committed to ensuring football is fulfilling its social commitment to the world.”

“As the World’s largest football business event, the Soccerex Global Convention is an ideal place for TdH to engage, debate and network with global leaders in the business of football.  For the love of the game and for the respect of the rights of children we call for an increased joint work to mitigate the risks and enhance the positive effects for children of Major Sporting Events” said Ignacio Packer, Secretary General of the Terre des Hommes International Federation.

The Convention kicks off with the Football Festival on 6-7th September, with the Conference starting on Monday 8th September. A packed international exhibition and a programme of networking and social events complete the schedule for what is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading football business event.