Motorsport conference plans for future

The aim of the event is to tackle the issues that are likely to have an impact on motorsport around the world, ranging from restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship to how car manufacturers get value for money from investing in the sport.

"We have consulted the key industry leaders to develop a programme which will challenge some of the most controversial issues in motorsport," said SportBusiness Group's editorial director Kevin Roberts. "Given our experience of organising our own conferences and also those on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, SportBusiness Group is most certainly the best placed organisation to facilitate this event."

The conference is to take place over two days at the Sea Club in Monte Carlo on December 13-14 and underlines the growing importance of the motorsport industry and the role it has to play in global commerce.

With the world's car manufacturers investing millions in the sport and the number of employees working in the industry growing each year, according to former F1 and Champ Car driver Mark Blundell, it is important to ensure its future is safe.

"Despite many successes, the technological, media and marketing challenges facing motorsport mean the industry needs to work more closely together than ever to understand and shape the future," said Blundell. "Manufacturers and broadcasters, governing bodies and marketing companies, all have the potential to take the sport forward.

"But if communications fail, the sport could find itself splintering and in danger of falling behind in the race for the hearts of sports fans. That's why I'm delighted that motorsport is getting its first ever dedicated Motor Conference in Monaco."