New Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Michael Downey will be a guest panelist at the inaugural Tennis Summit in April.
Downey, who started his new role as head of British Tennis on January 6, has agreed to take part in a question and answer session discussing the state of the sport in this country.
In what is hoped will become an annual event, the British tennis industry will come together on April 9 in an event organised and hosted by TIA UK.
As representatives of the governing body unite with other British tennis stakeholders to discuss the repercussions of Andy Murray’s 2013 Wimbledon victory, it is fitting that the event will be held on London’s Olympic Park, a place synonymous with the buzzword “legacy”.
John Bushell, managing director of Sports Marketing Surveys INC will kick off the 2014 Tennis Summit with a presentation on the State of British Tennis before a question and answer session with the panel.
The panel will consist of Downey, Prince CEO Mike Ballardie, TIA UK chairman Steve Matthews and SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association) CEO Chris Trickey, while new LTA president Cathie Sabin will attend as a special guest.
“I am delighted that the Tennis Industry Association is hosting this landmark event,” said Brett Watson, Executive Director of TIA UK. “It gives us a unique opportunity to bring together all the major stakeholders in British tennis, to review where we are and to begin to develop a truly “joined-up” approach to moving participation and the tennis economy forward.
“There is little doubt that this will become a key fixture in the tennis calendar in future years.”
The 2014 Tennis Summit coincides with new parts of the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park reopening for the first time since the 2012 Games. The Aquatics Centre will open its doors on March 1, while from April 5 the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, with two viewing platrforms will be open to visitors.
A freshly landscaped stretch spanning from the Aquatics Centre in the south past the Orbit to the velopark in the north of the park will also be opened on April 5.
The Tennis Summit is open to TIA members and non-members. Space is limited to 100 places and tickets are available from Gilly English.
Earlybird rates are available for those who sign up before March 1. TIA UK members can purchase tickets for £35+VAT before March 1, and £45+VAT thereafter. Tickets for non-members are available at a discounted rate of £45+VAT and £55+VAT after March 1.
What: The 2014 Tennis Summit
When: Wednesday, 9th April 2014. 5pm for 6:30 start
Where: Holiday Inn, 10a Chestnut Plaza, Montfitchet Road, Olympic Park, London, E20 1GL
For more information, or to book your ticket, email Gilly English