With the Soccerex Americas Forum now less than a month away, Soccerex is delighted to confirm that there will be an industry leading debate on sport tourism on the opening morning of the forum, taking place on 21st and 22nd October at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) in Barbados.

Sport tourism is one of the Americas’ fastest growing sectors with the region’s unique ability to offer a combination of word class facilities, a hospitable climate and a rich sporting culture. With a number of business opportunities arising as a result of sport tourism and the holding of sporting tournaments, the discussion will involve a selection of tourism specialists, event organisers and rights holders offering a review of how the commercial impact of sport tourism is having an effect on local and national economies.

One man with great experience in the world of sport tourism is Ricardo Trade the CEO of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee.  Trade will be providing his unique professional insight into the industry during the talk and reflecting on the effects sport tourism has had on the Brazilian economy following its hosting of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Joining Mr. Trade will be Pedro Trengrouse a consultant for the Rio de Janeiro Sports & Tourism State Secretary.  Trengrouse has previously held positions at Flamengo and on FIFA World Cup committees and will bring some fantastic experience to a discussion that will address the expansive commercial opportunities in the industry.

In addition to Mr. Trade and Mr. Trengrouse, Soccerex is honoured to confirm that the Hon, Stephen Lashley the Minister of Culture, Sports & Youth for Barbados will also be speaking on the panel.  Lashley has been instrumental in the implementation of a number of events and partnerships specifically designed to boost visitor arrivals in the sporting and cultural markets. In recent years Barbados has become somewhat of a hot spot for major sporting destination after launching partnerships with Chelsea and Liverpool, the official tourism partner, as well as earning the right to host the Race of Champions event coming up in December.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie commented: “Given the increase in the number of teams touring in the Americas this debate will undoubtedly focus on growing commercial opportunities across the continent. We are delighted to be holding our 2014 Americas Forum in Barbados and very excited that Ricardo, Pedro and Richard will be bringing their breadth of knowledge and commercial expertise to what promises to be a brilliant couple of days.”

Trengrouse, Trade and Sealy will be two of a number of industry leaders speaking at the Americas Forum with high profile names such as CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Costa Rica FA President Eduardo Li, MLS Medical Coordinator John Gallucci and Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins joining former Manchester United and England legend Bryan Robson amongst many others.