The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced substantial changes in recent decades. One of these major changes has been the increase in the share of the service sector in the region’s gross domestic product, from around 50 percent at the end of the eighties to over 60 percent in the last few years. Additionally, these economies have become more integrated in the world economy as a result of the so-called globalization process. Integration has gone beyond economics and now includes cultural integration as well. Among other areas, sports and recreation have become an important and dynamic component of the service sector in the region. In the new integrated economy, sports events such as the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup are among those with the largest global audiences. Transnational companies now support national and individual sports teams in many different areas of the world. Also, the transfer of athletes among professional teams in different countries has become a relatively common practice. In summary, sports have become an increasingly global business.
Soccer is the most popular sport in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its relevance goes beyond a physical activity. As IDB President Enrique Iglesias once said "soccer is a sport with multiple dimensions. It offers opportunities for investment because of its economic return, and it is also a sport whose popularity transcends the limits of social class, race, religion, gender, and education level. That is why soccer is an important instrument for regional development and integration." Recognizing the importance of the economic and social impact of soccer, the IDB, in association with former Brazilian Sports Minister and soccer star Pelé, sponsored a seminar on "The Future of Soccer Business in the Americas", which took place in Washington, D.C., on 5 May 2000. As follow-up to that event, another seminar will be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting to deepen the discussion and further analyze the current and future status of soccer as a commercial activity with economic impact for the region.
The seminar will serve as a forum to those interested in sports, especially soccer, as a vehicle for economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The seminar will focus on the sport’s current and potential direct and indirect economic impacts of soccer in the region, and discuss the role and the necessary conditions to increase private investment in this industry.
The seminar is designed to attract people from a large range of interests related to sports in general and soccer in particular such as academics, government officials, journalists, representatives of soccer teams and federations, investors and other businesses associated with the sport.
Contact: Sheila Martins - sheilas@iadb.org
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8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Registration of Participants – Sheraton Hotel
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9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Enrique V. Iglesias, President, Inter-American Development Bank
Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Pelé
Arturo Salah, Director, Instituto Nacional de Deporte, Chile
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9:45 a.m.-10:25 a.m.
Session I: Sports as a Means for Economic and Social Development
IDB Views
Paulo Paiva, Vice President for Planning and Administration, Inter-American Development Bank
Comparative Analysis between Europe and South America
Miguel Angel Arrigoni, Managing Partner, Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance
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10:25 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Break
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10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Session II: Opportunities and Challenges
Moderator:
Helio Viana, President, Pelé Sports & Marketing
Infrastructure:
Raj Valluri, Principal, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc., HOK Sports
Marketing:
Roberto Muller, President & CEO, Muller Sports Group
Media:
Jacques Kremer, President, Pan American Sports Network
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1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Working luncheon sponsored by MasterCard International (by invitation only)
Keynote Speaker
Ivan Zamorano Zamora, Soccer Player
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2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Session III: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Views from the Private Sector
Moderator:
Demetris Papageorgiou, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Rubicon Capital Investments, LLC
Speakers:
José Hawilla, President, Traffic Marketing Esportivo
Robert A. Degenhardt, President, The Ellerbe Becket Company
Views from the Public Sector
Speakers:
Jaime Trobo, Minister of Sports and Youth, Uruguay
Arturo Salah, Director, Instituto Nacional de Deporte, Chile
Carlos Carmo Andrade Melles, Minister of Sports and Tourism, Brazil
Marcelo O. Garrafo – Secretary of Sports and Recreation, Ministry of Social Development and Environment, Argentina
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4:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Break
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4:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Session IV: Wrap up
Helio Viana, President, Pelé Sports & Marketing
Demetris Papageorgiou, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Rubicon Capital Investments, LLC
Jaime Trobo, Minister of Sports and Youth from Uruguay
Paulo Paiva, Vice President for Planning and Administration, Inter-American Development Bank
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