2nd AIMS MARATHON SYMPOSIUM IN MARATHON TOWN, GREECE – organized by AIMS, IAAF, Marathon Town & SEGAS

As it is been already announced, AIMS, IAAF, Marathon Town and SEGAS (the Greek National Athletics Federation) will organize the “2nd AIMS Marathon Symposium”, on Saturday, 8 November 2008 (on the eve of the annual Athens Classic Marathon), at the venue of the historic start of the Athens Classic Marathon, in Marathon-Athens, Greece.

The theme of this year’s Symposium is “Adding Value to your Marathon” and the Organizing Committee has secured prominent speakers from around the world in order to address the participating Marathon Organizers and Race Directors, AIMS and IAAF officers and representatives, renowned former or still-active marathon runners, marathon cities’ representatives and media representatives.

An updated Detailed Sessions Schedule of the Symposium is attached and important figures of the marathon, sport and business world are included in the set of the main speakers.  Jeff Galloway, Author-Coach, Carlo Capalbo, Race Director of Prague Marathon, Patrick Maitrot, Commercial Director Partnerships, Eurosport, Bob Ramsak, International Journalist and Nick Rusling, Managing Director of IMG Mass Participation Sport have already confirmed their presence as main speakers.

The aim of this annual international event is to encourage close co-operation and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest which will assist organisers in their constant efforts to improve their races.  The organisers of the Symposium offer hospitality to attendees within the above categories (one person per Marathon race) which would include lodging (full board accommodation and local transportation), in Marathon Town.  More than 20 Marathons have been registered so far for this year’s Symposium which is expected to gather more than 40 Marathon organizers.

The organisers have already sent out all information necessary concerning the registration procedure which will be able to take place through the Athens Classic Marathon web site (www.athensclassicmarathon.gr).  Information about the Symposium could be also found in the websites of AIMS (www.aimsworldrunning.org), IAAF (www.iaaf.org) and Marathon Town (www.marathon.gr).

2nd AIMS MARATHON SYMPOSIUM 2008
“Adding Value to your Marathon”
8 November 2008

Symposium Detailed Sessions Program – V3 –21  Sept. ‘08
Transport to the Symposium Venue (8:30-8:50)

SYMPOSIUM OPENING SESSION (9:00-9:20)

Welcome (2’ each):    

1. Mr. Spyros Zagaris, Mayor of Marathon Municipality
2. Mr. Vasilis Sevastis, President of SEGAS
Greetings (3’ each):    

3. Mr. Lamine Diack, President of IAAF (not confirmed)
4. Mr. Hiroaki Chosa, President of AIMS

5. Mr. Athanasios Nakos, Deputy Minister for the Interior, Public
Administration and Decentralization

1ST SESSION (9:20-10:35): “The needs of the runners and the services of the event”

Main Presentations:    1. “What are the important needs of today’s runners and how to be served by a
(15’ each)     Marathon organization”  Jeff Galloway, Author-Coach

2. “The management & marketing mix of a successful Marathon event. The usefulness of the parallel events”
Carlo Capalbo, Race Director of Prague Marathon

1st round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (15’)
Presentations by a Special Guest – Case Studies by Marathon Organizers (15’)
2nd round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (15’)

Transport to the Opening Ceremony Venue (10:40-10:50)

ATHENS CLASSIC MARATHON OPENING CEREMONIES (11:00-12:30)

Transport to Marathon Museum for Lunch & Return to Symposium Venue (12:40-14:15)

2ND SESSION (14:45-16:15):    “Maximizing the media awareness of your event-race”

Main Speakers:    1. “The Marathon event from the Television point of view”
(15’ each)    Patrick Maitrot, Commercial Director Partnerships, Eurosport

2. “Local & international Media: You must be ready for them!”
Bob Ramsak, International Journalist

1st round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (20’)
Presentations by a Special Guest – Case Studies by Marathon Organizers (15’)
2nd round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (20’)

Coffee Break (16:15-16:45)

3RD SESSION (16:45-18:15): “The important role of the supporting organizations”

Main Speakers:    1. “The role of the State, the City and the local communities on supporting the
(15’ each)    organization of a Marathon event”
Mayor of a City organizing an international  Marathon race (to be announced)

2. “How to attract sponsors and set a successful sponsorship program”
Nick Rusling, Managing Director, IMG Mass Participation Sport

1st round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (20’)
Presentation by a Special Guest – Case Studies by Marathon Organizers (15’)
2nd round of discussion amongst the panelists and the audience (20’)

CLOSING SESSION (18:15-18:30)

Summary:    1. Mr. Paco Borao, Vice President of AIMS
(3’ each)    2. Mr. Sean Wallace-Jones, IAAF Senior Manager Road Running

Thank you Note:    3. Mr. Spyros Zagaris, Mayor of Marathon Municipality
(2’ each)    4. Mr. Kostas Panagopoulos, President of Athens Classic Marathon

Closing Statement:    5. Mr. Horst Milde, Chairman of AIMS Marathon Symposium O.C.

Cocktail (18:30-19:00) (at the Symposium Venue)
Transport to the Hotel (19:10-19:30)
Transport to the Dinner Place (20:15-21:00)
Dinner (21:00-23:30)