As the UK retail sector struggles with rising commodity prices and major household names announce administration, the British motorsport industry, worth £4.6 billion *, is reinforcing its credentials as a key sector, by unveiling plans for International Motorsport Business Week.
The week, which takes place on 9-15 January 2012, brings together a sequence of focused networking opportunities with major industry figures, through a series of symposiums, conferences and seminars centred on the business side of international motorsport. Key speakers to have featured previously at the event include Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone, ex-FIA President Max Mosley, and Lord Drayson, former UK Minister for Science & Innovation.
Initiatives such as the UKTI Business Exchange, a platform for one-to-one business meetings between international visitors and UK suppliers, offer figures within the industry the opportunity to make new contacts and talk to key decision-makers, as well as giving motorsport newcomers an in-road into this highly lucrative sector.
The week culminates with Autosport International, a dedicated trade show at the NEC Birmingham, UK, where businesses involved in the motorsport industry travel from across the globe to exhibit their latest products and meet both existing and potential clients. The show provides the perfect networking opportunity for those involved or aiming to get involved in the fast-paced industry, before it is opened to the public for two days, to offer race fans a behind the scenes look at the world of motorsport.
International Motorsport Business Week 2012 will combine business-focussed activities with seminars addressing topical issues in motorsport, such as safety and the environment. This includes the MIA's Low Carbon Racing Conference, Race Tech's World Motorsport Symposium for engineers and the Motorsport Safety Fund's world-renowned 'Watkins Lecture'.
International Motorsport Business Week - Programme of Events
9-10 January - Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium
11 January - MIA Low Carbon Racing Conference
12 January - MIA Business Awards Dinner
12-13 January - MIA Workshops
12-13 January - UKTI International Business Exchange (IBEX)
12-13 January - Autosport Engineering in association with Racecar Engineering
12-15 January - Autosport International
13 January - Motorsport Safety Fund Watkins Lecture
For more information on International Motorsport Business Week, please visit internationalmotorsportbusinessweek.com
INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT BUSINESS WEEK EVENTS
Autosport Engineering in association with Racecar Engineering
12-13 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
A dedicated two-day, trade-only 'show within a show' integrated within Autosport International, aimed at specialist suppliers to the motorsport and performance engineering sector. The show embraces the cross-over of technology from other industries and showcases new suppliers and manufacturing expertise, creating new business and networking opportunities.
Autosport International
12-15 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
As the world's largest motorsport show, Autosport International is the place to start the motorsport season. It covers all areas of the sport, both professional and grass roots, from Formula One all the way through to karting. The must-attend event incorporates two trade days, followed by two public days, catering for the industry and motorsport fans alike.
Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium
9-10 January 2012 - Oxford, UK
This event has become well established with delegates and speakers, as the only technical forum attended by many leading motorsport engineers and designers. The Symposium will open the 2012 week's activities on Monday 9 January and Tuesday 10 January and will again include a special networking Gala Awards dinner on the first evening.
MIA Low Carbon Racing Conference
11 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
The sixth MIA 'Low Carbon' Cleaner Racing Conference will take place on Wednesday 11 January at the NEC, preceding Autosport International's opening on Thursday 12 January. The conference provides an opportunity to listen to experts on alternative fuels, renewable energy and how lessons learned on the race track can benefit the wider automotive industry.
MIA Business Awards Dinner
12 January 2012 - NEC Birmingham
The MIA Business Awards Dinner recognises business excellence at all levels within the motorsport industry. Held on the evening of Thursday 12 January, to conclude the first day of Autosport International, the MIA Business Awards provide another valuable networking opportunity among leading companies from the motorsport industry and attracts over 500 international guests.
MIA Workshops
12-13 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
Each year on the first two days of Autosport International, the MIA offers a programme of free business workshops, which are open to MIA members and non-members alike.
UKTI International Business Exchange
12-13 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
The International Business Exchange (IBEX) is a match-making event consisting of
one-to-one meetings between international visitors and UK suppliers. Hosted by UK Trade & Investment, IBEX takes place in the International Business Lounge on the Thursday and Friday trade days of Autosport International.
Motorsport Safety Fund Watkins Lecture
13 January 2012 - NEC, Birmingham
The annual Watkins Lecture on motorsport safety issues has become an integral event at Autosport International and is primarily for the benefit of those directly involved in marshalling and safety in motorsport. Previous speakers have included Malcolm Wilson, Sir Jackie Stewart, Max Mosley, Niki Lauda, David Richards, Ross Brawn and Bernie Ecclestone. Attendees for 2011 included Christian Horner, Adrian Newey and Martin Brundle.
