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 Xavier Becker
Associate Director, Venues & Event Delivery
IOC
Xavier graduated from Rouen Graduate Business School in 1994. After 7 years in the pharmaceuticals industry (including 5 in Poland) and then 3 years running his own wine merchant
business, Xavier joined the Major International Sporting Events industry late 2003 on the occasion of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games when he became the Project Director for a major
international Overlay Contractor.
After 10 years working for that company as Managing Director of one of the Business Units, Project Director and then Director of Major International Projects & Events from
late 2006 with projects all over the globe, Xavier joined the International Olympic Committee in July 2013 to fulfil the newly created position of Head of Venues, Infrastructure
& Services.
In this role, Xavier has overseen the organising committees of all Winter and Summer Olympic Games since 2014, overseeing the planning and delivery of infrastructure and services.
Recently he was appointed Associate Director, Venues & Event Delivery of the Olympic Games Department.
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 Stefan Klos
Managing Director
PROPROJEKT Planungsmanagement & Projektberatung GmbH
PROPROJEKT is an owner-managed, fully independent project management consultancy with a focus on strategic and planning advice as well as coordination of application
processes for major sport events. The core competencies include focused demand assessments and profitability analyses, advice on complicated procurement procedures, and
overarching project management. Stefan’s topic will be: „From beauty contest to targeted dialogue. Latest trends in planning and bidding for major sport events."
Stefan Klos is Civil Engineer and Urban Planner and has studied in Karlsruhe and New Delhi. In 2001 he joined the strategic consultancy company PROPROJEKT based in Frankfurt am
Main, Germany. Since 2006 he is acting as CEO and Managing Director. PROPROJEKT is one of the leading agencies worldwide for planning and bidding for major sports events such as
Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA Football World Cups and World Expos.
The latest successful projects are the Bids for the Special Olympics 2023 in Berlin and the UEFA European Championship 2024 in Germany. Stefan Klos has been personally involved in
bidding for 5 Olympic Games and 3 Football World cups and is advisor to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the implementation of Agenda 2020.
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 Lisette van der Plas
COO
Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games
Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia with the Rhine-Ruhr region will host around 10,000 athletes and officials from 170 countries at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World
University Games from 16 to 27 July 2025. The athletes compete in 18 sports in Bochum, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Mühlheim an der Ruhr. When developing the overall concept,
special importance was attached to sustainable solutions. Lisette, together with Neele Koch, Senior Manager Sports and Competition will outline the concept and talk about the
challenges of this ambitious project.
Lisette van der Plas started her professional career in the Hotel business to become first the Commercial Director of the Steigenberger Gruppe and Manager at Clipper Hotel in
Dresden. She entered into the event business in 2000 as Commercial Director at Jack Morton Worldwide and was Managing Director for about 10 years at Maison van den Boer, a
renowned event catering business in Hamburg and Shanghai. 2011 she then joined Sodexo Services, a global event and company caterer as the area manager at the Messe Köln to take
responsibility for the whole catering business of Messe Köln as well as for special events for Sodexo Group in Germany. Not only did she manage the largest key account in Germany
but also introduced and implemented a new delivery package to the group including facility management services.
Before joining Rhine-Ruhr 2025, she took a role as Key Account Manager at Eurest Deutschland GmbH, who is the largest catering company in Germany and belongs to the international
Compass Group.
Lisette just joined the management team of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 as the new Chief Operating Officer.
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 Daniel A. Rupf
Managing Director
2024 UCI Road & Para-Cycling World Championships Zurich
The 2024 UCI Road and Para-Cycling Road World Championships, will cast a spell over the city and canton of Zurich, Switzerland. For the first time ever, the road races of
para-cyclists are fully integrated into the event and an integral part of the cycling world championships. Consequently, the winners of more than 60 different races will all cross
the same finishing line in the very heart of the city of Zurich. Daniel will talk about the ambitious concept which creates a series of political, organisational and logistical
challenges, as well as from an event overlay and temporary construction point of view.
Daniel A. Rupf – a former Swiss professional football player – earned in parallel to his sporting career his Masters of Business Administration, Law and Psychology degrees at
Zurich University, Switzerland, with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Economics Hiroshima, Japan.
Today, he is owing his own consultancy agency and is the Managing Director for the 2024 UCI Road & Para-Cycling World Championships Zurich. Besides, he is consulting different
sports events, marketing or legacy programs and has been in the sport and event management business for over 25 years. He was serving FIFA as its Director of Competitions and Head
of World Cup events and has been engaged since in seven consecutive FIFA World Cups TM, always in a leading key function. He further served as the Director/Official Delegate for
the UEFA EURO 2008 Host City Zurich, was in charge for planning and running a pavilion during World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and acted as an executive director/consultant for various
major events and event agencies. He has an extensive bidding experience, being the lead consultant for the three successful Russian Bids for the 2018 FIFA World CupTM, the UEFA
EURO 2020 or the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2021. Furthermore, he is lecturing Sports Event Management for the CIES University Network and is a guest professor at the Sorbonne
University Abu Dhabi with his own Module for Sports Event Management.
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 Thomas B. Staunton
MAICDE, CEO
SoldOut Events
Thomas will provide insights into the Australian event industry, with a particular focus on the "Green and Gold" runway of global events that will take place in Australia
leading into Brisbane 2032. Emphasizing the significance of local business practices, cultural and operational nuances, the role of various stakeholders and the necessity of
responsible event management. Sharing a deep understanding of the growth and future of the industry in Australia, and best approach to building business operations, which will
enhance opportunities to capitalize on the industry's potential and navigate the dynamic nature of this market.
Thomas is the CEO of internationally acclaimed agency, SoldOut Events, and is a Board Director of Meetings & Events Australia with more than 15 years' experience advising and
delivering the largest major events across Australia, including for multiple Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, World Cup's and Championships, globally televised cultural
events, top tier partner programs and brand activations etc.
Having lived and worked in Europe for Private Family Offices in the Ultra High Net Worth sector, Thomas offers a unique perspective, bridging the gap between European and
Australian Business, and Ultra-Premium to mass participation events. Hence, over the course of Thomas' career, he has overseen, managed and delivered projects from immersive
community activations, to major international events broadcast live to millions of viewers, and creating money-can't-buy exclusive experiences around the world.
Thomas' recent experience includes programs such as the Event Agency of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Festival for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Australia), the
FIFA World Cup 2022 Live Sites (Australia), Sydney WorldPride 2023, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Thomas has also held senior management roles across State and Commonwealth Government public sector programs, is consistently called upon as an executive advisor to government
agencies, delivering strategic leadership on policy, governance and large-scale projects. Thomas was shortlisted for appointment to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games
inaugural Legacy Committee.
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 Jeremy Troughton
Director Onshore Operations
37th America’s Cup Barcelona 2024
The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, and was first competed for in 1851. Today it is still a battle between nations raced on yachts, competing
head-to-head, with the prestige of winning still the only prize! The event takes place in the Autumn of 2024, and will be returning to Europe for the first time in over 13 years –
with an event period lasting well over 2 months, with the iconic city of Barcelona providing the backdrop. The overlay challenges, with the event starting soon after the Olympic
closing ceremony in Paris is clear, but how do you create a stadium on the water?
Jeremy Troughton has worked on many major events around the world, on both the supplier and organiser side, and is currently heading up the On-shore event operations for the
America’s Cup in Barcelona. Jeremy started out as a professional sailor, and still holds the record for the youngest person to skipper a crew around the world against the winds
and currents. Since then Jeremy has been involved in a range of full overlay events, and in his role as Operations Director, took the Volvo Ocean Race to Asia and Russia for the
first time, working with local teams to deliver the level of infrastructure and facilities required around the world.
Post the Volvo Ocean Race, Jeremy had a few years in the overlay supply world, working on projects in Delhi 2010, London 2012 and Sochi 2014, before getting back into event
operations, delivering full overlay events for the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth. Jeremy is currently overseeing all the event operations for the America’s Cup in
Barcelona, along with his day job in event logistics!
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 Patricia Yagüe
Head of Sustainability for the EMEA
Live Nation
Live Nation Entertainment, the world's leading live entertainment company launched their Environmental Sustainability Charter in 2019 to unify and accelerate the work done
to date across the company on climate change and resource efficiency. Green Nation, Live Nation's global sustainability coalition was tasked with implementing the Charter across
the organization. Patricia has led Green Nation in EMEA since its launch. She will provide an overview about the program and the direction, adding case studies from
EMEA.
Patricia is responsible for developing and implementing a sustainability program across Europe, Middle East, and Africa to incorporate sustainability across business operations
and achieve the targets set out on Live Nation's Environmental Sustainability Charter on climate change and resource efficiency.
Before joining Live Nation, she worked as carbon analyst and researcher for think-tanks and consultancy firms setting up corporate and national natural capital accounts,
conducting research on climate change law and the role of public institutions in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and evaluating and monitoring the
carbon performance of public-traded companies. She holds a master's degree in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics.
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 Sachiko Yoshimura
Director General, Momentum Fostering Bureau
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
The World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, from April 13th to October 13th, 2025. Sachiko will talk about the master plan, the theme and concept of the
World expo 2025. Also, she will be providing information of the main schedule, the logistics, and infrastructure, as well as about the current status of the construction market
and other conditions and business environment in Japan. And last but not least, she will explain how international contractors can register, and what they need to
prepare.
Sachiko was appointed as the Director General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, in September 2022. She is conducting a global communication team, and her
responsibility is to raise global interest in to the 2025 Word Exposition, by planning and implementing promotional events and campaigns and building strong relationships with the
global media.
Prior to her current position she has working experience in JETRO, a Japanese Government Agency under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that promotes trade and
investment between Japan and other countries.
In JETRO, she has worked in various departments overseeing international trade fairs, supervising and operating international conferences.
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 Hans-Joachim Gossow
CEO
International World Games Association
Joachim Gossow, based in Duisburg, Germany, has assumed responsibility for the International World Games Association (IWGA) since 2010. From 2006 to 2009, he was involved in the
further development of the multi-sport event as Sports Director, having previously (2002- 2006) successfully taken on his task as General Manager Sport of the Local Organizing
Committee in Duisburg, Germany, Host of The World Games 2005.
Before that, he had been appointed as an Officer for Physical Education of Duisburg in 1988. From 1999 till 2006 he served in the position as Deputy Chief of Duisburg Sports
Department. Within the scope of his responsibilities, he worked in executive positions in the organization of the FISU World University Games 1989 – Soccer Championship 1995,
German Trimm-Festival 1995.
Joachim Gossow studied at the DSHS Koeln (German University of Physical Education and Sports of Cologne) sports science (Certified Sports Scientist) and was a professional
handball player, coach and instructor in Germany. In April 2022, he was elected President of the Duisburg Sports Organisation of which he is Board Member since 2013. He has taken
on this task on an honorary basis.
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 Guillaume Felli
Deputy CEO
International World Games Association
Guillaume, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, serves as Deputy CEO of the International World Games Association (IWGA), focusing on further enhancing the efficiency of delivering The
World Games and implementing innovative operational processes in line with the IWGA’s vision and mission: Excellence, Sustainability, and Inclusiveness.
Before February 2022, when he joined the IWGA team, Guillaume Felli worked for the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) where he was the General Secretary from 2016 to 2021 and
played a significant role in bringing the DanceSport discipline of Breaking (Break-dance) into the medal program of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
He graduated from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (SUI) in 2007 and moved to the US to work for a major actor in the sport’s hospitality industry: Jet Set Sports. As a business unit
director, he delivered high-end hospitality programs for TOP sponsors and Fortune 500 companies over 5 Olympic Games and 2 FIFA World Cups.
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 James Middling
Global Sector Leader Built Environment
Mott MacDonald
James Middling is responsible for Mott MacDonald’s global Built Environment sector, which healthcare facilities, higher education, sport & events, aviation buildings and
transit/metro buildings alongside all other global buildings practices that combined contain over 3,000 professional staff.
He has a proven record of successfully delivering innovative and practical financial and engineering solutions to complex sports projects. Often working with clubs and sports
bodies to develop innovative revenue-based design solutions and financing solutions to deliver sports infrastructure that are successful in terms of revenue, fan experience, elite
sport and community engagement.
James has been involved in many international sports projects and has led the design for major entertainment and sports venues such as the 2019 Indian Ocean Games, Mauritius, 2018
Jakarta Asian Games velodrome, London 2012 Olympic Shooting Venue, Casement Park Stadium, Perth Arena and the Maze Stadium in Belfast, and he has also led Technical Review teams
for several 2012 Olympic Games venues, Leeds Arena and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
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 John Tweardy
Managing Partner
Deloitte Sports and Major Events Practice
John Tweardy is the Managing Partner for Deloitte's Sports & Major Events Practice and co-leader for our global Olympic and Paralympic partnership. A trusted IT and business
advisor with over 23 years of experience, John brings a big-picture understanding of the business dynamics that drive—and, increasingly, are driven by—disruptive technologies.
John is leading the team that will transform the largest, most operationally complex events in the world and inspire a new generation of leaders to create positive change through
sport. He is a recognized leader in business-led technology strategy and as a Deloitte Senior Technology Fellow, John helps clients reimagine business models, aligning innovative
technology initiatives to drive exponential value through continuous reinvention.
John's extensive background advising clients on business-led technology strategy, digital twin, metaverse, and innovation gives him a strong understanding of how powerful results
can be achieved through taking a digital-first approach to transformation.
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