Posted on

FIFA introducing World Cup Fan Fest events for Qatar 2022 and could see London bid to stage its own

FIFA has launched 'Fan Fests' for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

FIFA has launched ‘Fan Fests’ around the world for the 2022 Qatar World Cup to make the tournament more accessible for football fans.

The competition, lasting a little less than a month from October-November this winter, will take place in the remote Middle Eastern peninsula. 

And global football’s governing body FIFA is introducing fan parks outside the host country for the first time, to allow supporters to drink in the World Cup experience outside Qatar – and London could bid to host its own.

FIFA has launched 'Fan Fests' for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

FIFA has launched ‘Fan Fests’ for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

If London does secure its own venue, it would be competing with the hugely popular Winter Wonderland in the city centre around the same time. 

Officially licensed Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then. 

There were 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the competition’s last edition, in Russia in 2018, and the previous four World Cups have seen 40million visitors across five continents.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: ‘To support our mission to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, we are thrilled to introduce a new vision for the entertainment experience surrounding future FIFA World Cup events.

Official Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then, with 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the last edition, in Russia in 2018

Official Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then, with 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the last edition, in Russia in 2018

‘The FIFA Fan Festival provides an incredible opportunity for fans to come together beyond the stadiums and the on-pitch action and experience football in new and unique ways. 

‘We are truly excited about the future of the FIFA Fan Festival and the enhanced entertainment offerings that will bring fans and partners alike closer to both men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, as well as global football culture.’

The fan parks at the Euro 2020 tournament, held across 11 countries in Europe, were largely successful, and the demand for tickets to the fan park in Hyde Park, London for the 2018 World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia was massive.

Qatar, a smaller country by area than Vanuatu, the Falkland Islands and Moldova , will only host one fan park, a ‘reimagined’ space in Al Bidda Park in Doha, with the capital city’s skyline in the background.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (pictured) called the fan parks a 'new vision for the entertainment experience' in order to 'make football truly global, accessible and inclusive'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (pictured) called the fan parks a ‘new vision for the entertainment experience’ in order to ‘make football truly global, accessible and inclusive’

It will feature live broadcasts of every match on giant screen, concerts with top global music artists, a food court with ‘local cuisine and international delicacies’, matches with FIFA Legends, gaming stations and an official FIFA store.

The country is inaccessible compared to previous editions of the World Cup, with costs expected to be high.

If an England fan travels return from London, follow the Three Lions’ to the final (if they get there) and attend all eight matches along the way, sit in the cheapest seats and stay in the least expensive accommodation, the Football Supporters’ Association has calculated you will part with £5,000, before you pay for any food and drink.

However, this has to be caveated with the fact tickets sales have been strong, with nearly 2.5million sold so far.

FIFA will be offering fans a chance to camp at the World Cup in tents costing £350 per night

FIFA will be offering fans a chance to camp at the World Cup in tents costing £350 per night

Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi added: ‘It will be the centrepiece of our FIFA World Cup – the first to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world. 

‘When fans arrive in November, they should expect a warm welcome, amazing football and a large number of entertainment options. We look forward to welcoming the world in just over 70 days.’

The Fan Fest will appear at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, for the first time.

In July, FIFA unveiled a ‘tent city’ offering accommodation for the World Cup, which will cost supporters £350 per night as part of a ‘fan village’ camping experience. The tournament, at the time of writing, will take place in 75 days. 

Posted on

Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off introducing new events to combat rising costs

Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off introducing new events to combat rising costs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – This year, the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off will run from Saturday Sept. 3 to Monday Sept. 5 in Memorial Park with brand new events.

An event called “balloons, bites, and brews” will be offered on the field at Memorial Park during Saturday and Sunday afternoon. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., there will be discounted items from vendors and a beer garden. There is also a 5k run being offered on Sunday, Sept. 4, and registration for that event is open now. Lastly, the event now provides an exclusive opportunity called “The Lift Off Lounge”. This provides the public with the chance to buy a $115 ticket that allows them access to the sponsors’ tent and includes food, drinks and VIP parking.

Labor Day Lift Off is an event free to the public, but this has become harder to sustain amidst rising costs.

“It’s one of the very few balloon events that’s for United States if not the world. And it’s been very well supported by the city of Colorado Springs and our committee, however the rising costs just overall for everybody and everybody’s daily life, it’s taking a toll on the event,” says Scott Appelman, Managing Partner of Hot Apple Productions. “There’s a lot that goes into this you know, obviously we have to host the 75 balloons that are going to be here so we have propane, hotels, hospitality, pilot packs to get everyone up here.”

Appelman cites these rising costs as a primary reason for the new events this year.

“We’re trying to add more products that will help drive revenue for the event, to help sustain this event on the long-term, so we can make sure that we’re keeping it the way that it’s been for the last 46 years,” Appelman states.

Labor Day Lift Off will also see the return of some balloon shape favorites, as Yoda and Darth Vader will be set to the skies again this year. New balloon shapes will also be introduced, including a pig named “Crispy Bacon”.

An estimated $9.4 million impact on the local economy for 2022 is expected for this year’s Labor Day Lift Off in Colorado Springs. That’s an estimated $2.5 million more than 2019 – which was the best year for the Labor Day Lift Off.

Copyright 2022 KKTV. All rights reserved.

Posted on

Introducing Skift Meetings: Embracing the New Future of Business Events

Introducing Skift Meetings: Embracing the New Future of Business Events

Skift Take

Meetings & events is now the center of how companies and industries create culture, and we’re embracing the future of business events — with our latest adventure: Skift Meetings.

I have some exciting news to share: Today we’re relaunching and rebranding EventMB into Skift Meetings.

That’s right, the best event industry coverage is about to get even better. Don’t worry, we’ll still be producing all the editorial content you know and love, with continued focus on tech and innovation in a larger sense across the whole meetings and events sector — just under a new name, with even more coverage opportunities.

Many of you may remember when we acquired EventMB (formerly Event Manager Blog) back in 2019. A trusted news source for global meeting planners since 2007, we knew it would be the perfect addition to our Skift portfolio — and boy were we right.

Now you may be wondering why this change now. Let us explain … starting with the new Skift Meetings tagline: Embracing The Future of Business Events.

In the last three years alone, we’ve hosted over 80,000 attendees at 26 webinars and events, created 27 reports downloaded by 88,000 professionals, written over 500 original stories, and so much more. Our lean-but-mean team, headed up by Miguel Neves, has enthusiastically shown folks how to navigate the ever-changing event planning landscape, in the midst of a global pandemic — now more trusted than ever before.

We are entering a new era of business. An era where meetings, events, technology and travel all play a central role in defining and instilling organizational — and indeed industry — culture. An era where innovation and adaptability is more important than ever. An era sure to be filled with uncertainty where we must find new ways to thrive, regardless of the challenges that lie ahead.

Evolving into Skift Meetings empowers and emboldens us to inform, intrigue and inspire the meeting professionals who will lead the way in defining corporate culture and leading organizational change, AND draw on larger Skift resources on editorial, research, marketing, sales, tech and more, to enable all of the above. In addition to more coverage beyond event tech into innovations across design, planning, venues, destinations and more, we are planning on adding more original research for the business events sector.

We will continue to nurture our relationships with all industry players, from planners, designers and strategists to destination marketers, venue leaders and event tech vendors. Everyone who is involved in delivering inspirational gatherings will continue to find valuable editorial on our site.

We hope you’re as excited as we are as we help event professionals embrace this exciting present and coming future of business events world we all love.

Click here to see the new Skift Meetings website.

We can’t do this alone, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know any feedback. 

If you have any questions or comments, please email me directly at [email protected]

Rafat Ali
Founder & CEO, Skift

Posted on

Introducing the Neighbourhood Led Action Plan Guide – Community Virtuals

Introducing the Neighbourhood Led Action Plan Guide - Community Virtuals

Meet us online for our Community Virtuals lunch & learn program. Topics are centered around ideas to help build strong, resilient neighbourhoods, including personal connections within communities. 

Introducing the Neighbourhood Led Action Plan Guide – Wednesday, February 16, noon-1:30

We know you have lots of great ideas for improving your neighbourhood, but how do you get organized and work out your priorities? The City’s Neighbourhood Team has designed a guidebook to help you create your own resident-led action plan.

Join us for this session as we introduce the guide and show you how it can further community development in your neighbourhood.

Register for your FREE ticket and learn more here.

Info: neighbourhoods@victoria.ca