These world soccer dignitaries will gather for SoccerEx conference at Marlins Park
Miami will be the epicenter of the soccer world Thursday and Friday as many of the sport’s dignitaries and decision makers from 40 nations gather at Marlins Park for SoccerEx, a global soccer networking convention.
Among the expected 1,400 attendees are representatives from FIFA, Major League Soccer, U.S. Soccer, CONCACAF, La Liga, NWSL, Liga MX, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, River Plate, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Speakers include U.S. Soccer president and Miami Beach resident Carlos Cordeiro, MLS commissioner Don Garber, Inter Miami co-owner and managing partner Jorge Mas, CONCACAF president/FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, Liga Mx president Enrique Bonilla, La Liga president Javier Tebas, former U.S. national team star Landon Donovan, and Relevent Executive Chairman Charlie Stillitano and Relevent CEO Daniel Sillman.
The panels will be moderated by broadcasters such as Alexi Lalas, Kay Murray, Alejandro Berry and Lindsay Casinelli.
SoccerEx speakers and panels will address topics ranging from the international and domestic growth of the sport, league expansion, the United bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, women’s soccer, the 2019 Women’s World Cup, youth soccer development, television rights, eSports, and stadium technology.
Delegates will discuss how to better commercialize women’s soccer, the benefits of a collaboration between MLS and Mexico’s LigaMX, achieving social impact through soccer on a global scale, La Liga’s growing global reach (including a potential regular-season match at Hard Rock Stadium between Barcelona and Girona), and grassroots soccer in America.
Mas’ session is titled: “Inter Miami CF — A Community Galvanized by Soccer.” Mas and his ownership group, which includes soccer icon David Beckham, last week won approval from City of Miami voters to negotiate a deal to build Freedom Park at the current site of Melreese Golf Course adjacent to Miami International Airport. The Miami team is scheduled to begin play in 2020 at a temporary site and move into its own stadium in 2021.
The event also includes an exhibition showcasing the latest in cutting-edge soccer technology, business, and performance.
“As a proud organization based in Miami, CONCACAF is thrilled to welcome SoccerEx USA to a first-class sports and tourism destination,” said CONCACF General Secretary Philippe Moggio. “Hosting this industry platform on home soil will draw key stakeholders and experts for a productive discussion on the business of football and to explore core areas ... including the access to more opportunities to grow the game within our region and throughout the world.”
SoccerEx USA is sponsored by the London Football Exchange, a global soccer club stock exchange and marketplace and hosted in partnership with General American Capital Partners, whose CEO is Miami-based Joe DaGrosa.
The conference is not open to the public. It is open only to delegates who are involved in the soccer industry and have been approved through a registration process.
This story was originally published November 14, 2018 at 4:16 PM.