The Leisure Sports Industry, a new rising industry of China strongly backed by governments at all levels as well as by many experts and scholars, will be one of the pillar industries of the Chinese national economy in the future. As one of the first groups of historical and cultural cities, Shaoxing is also an important textile industry center in China, and attaches great importance to the development of leisure sports industry. On the occasion of the first Sleemon Shaoxing International Marathon, the Shaoxing International Leisure Sports Industry Forum was held on the 9 November 2017.
The Forum focused on the topics of the leisure sports industry and city development. Experts and scholars from Great Britain, Spain, France, Australia and China, together with governmental officials and entrepreneurs in Zhejiang Province, discussed on the development trends of leisure sports industry. The keynote speaker was Derek Casey, former WLO Chairman, with a presentation on “Leisure: its role in city development”. Cristina Ortega, WLO COO, delivered a presentation on “The role of leisure in a city’s transformation: the case of Bilbao”, and Lijun Jane Zhou, WLO Board member, chaired different sessions.
The Forum was an opportunity for close communication and cooperation among governments at all levels, the academic community and the industry, for all actors to work together for the future of the leisure sports industry.
The Forum was hosted by the Sports Bureau of Zhejiang Province and Shaoxing People’s Municipal Government, and organized by Shaoxing Sports Bureau, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang Sports Industry Association and People’s Government of Keqiao District. Co-organizers were Chenghe Sports Culture Development Co., LTD., Textile and Clothing College of Shaoxing University and Education and Sports Bureau of Keqiao District.
