Connecting European Ambitions in Sport & Entertainment

EPSI and TWIST are pleased to invite their members and partners to the Annual Conference 2021. The event will take place from 23 to 26 November, both physically – at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) – and virtually through several business-oriented online sessions.

We will focus on open innovation, smart specialisation, smart venues, broadcasting and other topics related to sport and innovation. Join us and take the opportunity to meet inspiring guests and stakeholders during pitches, conferences, round tables and matchmaking activities.

Report of the Event

Live Sport & Entertainment the “new order” of the Smart Media Industry – a collaboration by European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI) and TWIST (Technologies from Wallonia for Image, Sound and Text) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – will in November 2021 explore the new realities of the media sector (turned into a smart media sector) that need to be addressed according to a triple approach based on Live sport & Entertainment contents, innovative technologies in relation to media such as digitalisation and new technologies in the sports ecosystem, and new business models (impact on business, sports equipment, media broadcasting, infrastructure manufacturing innovation process, e-sports, big data & digital in sports), funding innovation in 21st century sports, sports innovation and the future of the human-technology interface! 

It will explore how innovation can be achieved in order to keep up with the continuous quest for performance improvement, fan engagements, comfort, how stimulation of active lifestyle can provide business chances, how public authorities can contribute to the innovation ecosystem in the sports sector and aims to support and develop small and medium sized enterprises (SME) setting up in the sport / media sector to achieve innovation in their product and service offerings and provide them with new opportunities for the establishment of joint strategic projects, partnerships and business opportunities.

The “Connecting European ambitions in Sport & entertainment” Conference in Collaboration with  Enterprise Europe Network will also feature business matchmaking activities (Sport Innovation & Match) powered by the Enterprise Europe Network  – also known as business ‘speed dating’ – bringing together businesses and other organisations looking for partners to take their commercial development and business projects forward. In the past, these matchmaking events have proven to be very successful and enable participants to share their partnership offers or requests and schedule meetings in advance through the B2Match tool. Moreover additional brokerage events will be organised in break-out sessions aimed at kick-starting European projects that will ultimately respond to the numerous call for proposals published by the European Union in the many EU financial programs such as : ERASMUS + / HORIZON EUROPE / COSME / LIFE / INTERREG / and many more.   

To conclude, this year’s annual conference will equally feature social as well as sports events so as to enhance interactions between participants in a ludic, enjoyable and exciting manner.

KEY INFORMATION

Open Innovation, Smart Specialisation, Smart venues, Smart events New Live events, Broadcasting, fan engagement / experience, Digitalisation of sports (Exergaming, 5G, E-Sport, Data and AI, virtual & augmented reality, satellite connectivity), Smart Vital Cities,      Green deal, Sustainability are some of the keywords this EPSI -TWIST annual conference will be focusing on.

  • Dates: 23 -26 November 2021 
  • Venue: Belgium – Wallonia Region -Circuit of SPA Francorchamp – Rte du Circuit 55, 4970 Stavelot, Belgium (approximately 1,30 hour away from Brussels).
  • The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a motor-racing circuit located in Stavelot, Belgium. It is the current venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, hosting its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985.

Creativity has no limits and in the sports ecosystem, innovation is constant, whether it is to improve the performance of athletes themselves, the stimulation of a healthy and active lifestyle or the fan experience. Media and Entertainment are, at the same time, key pillars for the sport ecosystem. Investments in media innovation are increasing day by day in order to make sport events be available to the highest number of people. Attendants and fans are not anymore passive viewers, but engaged primary actors of the sport ecosystem.

That’s why Sport, Media and Entertainment are neighbouring and intertwined sectors. And if there is something they all have in common, it is technology.

What kind of technologies can be included in smart venues? What are the latest developments in broadcasting live events and how can these reach people and build communities? What is the role that digitalisation of sport can play in Smart Vital Cities? What is the impact of new phenomena like exergaming, 5G, and e-post on the sport ecosystem?

Live Sport & Entertainment is becoming the “new order” of the Smart Media Industry as a response to the digital transformation of the media industry which has impacted the production, distribution and reception modes of media content. Advertisers and the media have been forced to adapt to modern listening habits, where consumers watch what they want, when they want and where they want.

  • Live Sport / e-sport : Broadcasting reaching out to people /Building communities/SportsTech
    • Smart Venue : performance monitoring, media coverage, data management, fan experience and connectivity, security
    • Smart City : mobility, event management and logistics, communication, security, Sport & entertainment in cities
    • Speech to text / text to Speech (application for disabilities)
    • Activating employers / employees. innovative approaches for vitality @work:  
    • Smart sport tourism
    • Gamification in sports Exergaming / E-Sport (AR/VR)
    • Digitalisation of sports/measuring sport performance
    • Data as driver for innovation in sport and active healthy lifestyle
    • Business acceleration in sports and healthy active lifestyle    
    • Sport talent recognition and development
    • Image compression techniques
  • Why to participate?

    • Showcase your most favourable products and projects
    • Meet face-to-face new partners and customers
    • Initiate cross-border contacts and cooperation
    • Find new commercial/technological/research partners
    • Present, discuss and develop new projects

          The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

          Rte du Circuit 55, 4970 Stavelot, Belgium

          The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a motor-racing circuit located in Stavelot, Belgium. It is the current venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, hosting its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985.

          Spa also hosts several other international events including the 24 Hours of Spa, the World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and the TCR Spa 500. It is also home to the Uniroyal Fun Cup 25 Hours of Spa, one of the longest motor races in the world.

          More information : https://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en