Best Sports Business Events for 2023

January 12, 2023

It doesn’t matter which kind of sports business you operate, or how long you’ve been running it: there’s always something new to learn and always new opportunities to take advantage of.

The phrase ‘knowledge is power’ is particularly relevant here. After all, if you don’t know about something that might change your business or operations for the better, you can’t do anything about it. Gaining that knowledge nowadays often comes from the internet or social media, but there’s still plenty of value and insights that can come from talking to people face-to-face.

This is just one of the many reasons why sports business events remain so popular, even in an increasingly digitised world. In this blog, we’ll highlight why you should find the time to attend some events in 2023, and some of the best ones to sign up for, in the UK and beyond.

Why should you attend sports business events?

Sports business events are the places where people come together, connections are made and deals are done. If you’re trying to make contact with a particular supplier, or have a business proposition to put to someone, then these events are the perfect opportunity to meet up with them and get their undivided attention. Getting in touch with them in advance through LinkedIn and suggesting a meeting at your chosen event is the best strategy for getting a foot in the door with the high-flyers.

If an event is focused on your particular industry or specialism, then it’s also a good chance to explore new trends and markets, and see what your competitors are up to. This can give you plenty of food for thought around how you can make changes and improvements within your own enterprise.

And at a more basic level, many events give you the chance to arrange supply deals or to buy goods and services at more preferential rates, helping you save money and improve your potential profitability.

Which are the best events to look out for in 2023?

There are sports business events taking place all over the UK, and all over the world, right through the year. Some are major conferences that look at the sports and leisure industry as a whole, while others focus on more specific niches and business areas. There are far too many for us to list here, so we’ve picked out five coming up this year that you may find particularly interesting:

Get a quote for your business

We provide Public Liability Insurance to a range of small business types including Personal Trainers, Sports Coaches, Gyms and more. Get a quote online now!

GET A QUOTE

National Outdoor Expo

Outdoor sports combine so many different disciplines that there is plenty to see and do at the National Outdoor Expo, which takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on 18-19 March. The weekend event features all the latest technology, events and trends across the outdoor sector, from paddleboarding and hiking through to open-water swimming and bushcraft. There will also be a range of star speakers sharing their experiences, helping you gain inspiration for taking your business forward in the future.

ISC London

The International Sports Convention will be hosted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 22-23 March, and is one of the biggest sports networking events in the world. Bringing together major players across sports education, events and media, it’s the perfect chance to gauge where the sports industry as a whole is heading in the future. As well as seeing the latest innovations and understanding sponsorship trends, you’ll have the opportunity to substantially expand your contact network if you want to take your own business to the next level.

National Cycling Show

Cycling is as popular in Britain as it’s ever been, from road cyclists and mountain bikers, through commuters and leisure riding, to internet–enabled exercise bikes at home. The National Cycling Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 17-18 June is the place to explore the current state of play in UK cycling across that entire spectrum. You’ll be able to try new products as well as just looking at them, and check out the latest tech developments that will act as the big business opportunities in the months and years ahead.

LISTEX Luxury Live

Attending an event all about winter sport on 14 June may seem a little odd. But if you want to make the most of the 2023/24 snowsports season, then a visit to central London for LISTEX Luxury Live is a must. It’s an exclusive trade event that brings together some of the biggest names in the UK winter sport and ski tourism industry, ideal for making connections and doing deals. You’ll also get the chance to see what market leaders are doing to drive their businesses forward, and gain insights you can then apply yourself.

SPOBIS

Describing itself as the biggest sports business event in Europe, SPOBIS takes place on 31 May and 1 June in the German city of Dusseldorf. It brings together more than 4000 attendees, over 1500 countries and in excess of 200 speakers from across the European sports landscape. Not only is it an excellent chance to broaden your contact network, but you’ll also be able to get an international perspective on business ideas that you may not otherwise get in the UK.

Get sports business insurance with Protectivity

Whatever your plans for your sports business in 2023, make sure you’re covered for every eventuality with good-quality insurance cover.

At Protectivity, we have years of experience insuring every kind of sports business, from large organisations with huge workforces, to small personal training and gym operations. Combining Personal Accident, Professional Indemnity, Equipment Cover and insurance if you employ staff, you can grow your business with confidence. Find out more about our specialist sports business insurance and competitive rates here.

Related Blogs

Best Sports Business Podcasts

There are so many sports business podcasts to choose from, that it would be impossible to list them all here. Discover the best ten we recommend.

What is Sports Business Management?

Our blog covers all the basics, from qualifications to the types of job that will generate the highest income.

Naming a Martial Arts Business

In a time when the fitness industry is dominated by giants, it is more important than ever for health and fitness clubs to partake in marketing activities.