Why we merged our conference with One Zero

When Colm O'Mealoid and I started FECKK back in 2016, the idea was to create a fan engagement conference in Ireland. The reasons were twofold, both selfish. Firstly, we were fed up of traveling outside of Ireland to hear experts speak, while we also wanted to give our network the chance to come and see Kilkenny.

The conference was a success. It grew from 50 people in year one, to 175 by our final event 12 months ago. We brought some excellent speakers to Ireland. Scott McLeod (Head of Fan Engagement at Everton), Jeramie McPeek (then Phoenix Suns, Head of Brand), Kerry Keenan from Celtic, George Harborne from WBA who’s now a friend, and many more.

We wanted to create an experience based around networking and learning. Networking in sport is crucial. Clubs deal with people they know and trust. New products are great, but they want to know the people behind the product, and to work with those they have worked with before. FECKK was about building that trust, for us and for those that attended.

Working on the business development front for Sportego - having dinner and drinks with people you respected in the sports industry created a bond far greater than any email, or even an official trip to present could ever do.

However, running an event was expensive. More so then we ever imagined. It also was not our core business.

So when the chance came to merge with One Zero, we grabbed it. We arranged a meeting with John Burke and Ross O'Dwyer and the vision was immense. They wanted to build something big – a true international event based out of Dublin. Then we met Patrick Haslett, and his passion for this was the real selling point.

Patrick left his role as Commercial Director for Paralympics Ireland to lead the merger between One-Zero, the Irish Sponsorship Summit and the Fan Engagement Conference. He moved into the rocky world of starts up. Why? Simply put, he believed.

Patrick wants to develop the vision that John and Ross had. He understands the importance of the networking dream we had for FECKK, but above all he wants to create an internationally-celebrated industry event.

Patrick wants to build something amazing, in Ireland. Why Ireland?

The reason is simple, Ireland is leading the way in sportstech. Leading it, not following. StatSports, Orecco and Kitman Labs are all leading international companies with a common history - they were founded in Ireland. We’re a country of creatives and entrepreneurs, who also happen to be sports crazy. This is the perfect place to build an event which helps everyone attending experience the future of sport.

I have been amazed by the evolution of the offering we now have. One-Zero will feature five different stages: Main stage, Sponsorship, Fan Engagement, Broadcast & Media and SportsTech & Innovation. Each stage hosts content on the key discussion points these sectors currently face, and leading global speakers are joining us to engage in the various topics.

Alexandra Willis, the multi award-winning Head of Communications, Content and Digital at The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon) has just been added to the One-Zero 2019 line up, in addition to:

·      Heidi Browning, Chief Marketing Officer at NHL;

·      Mike Downey, Director of Sports Technology at Microsoft;

·      Swan Sit, VP of Global Digital Marketing at Nike;

·      Tim Orme, Head of Digital at Formula 1;

·      Julian Duncan, Chief Marketing Officer at Jacksonville Jaguars; and

·      Gareth Nettleton, VP Marketing at Strava.

·      Lee Walker, Managing Editor at Bleacher Report

These speakers are global innovators in the purest sense. They aren’t simply delivering on a global scale. They are single-handedly changing their industries, and we’re proud to bring them to Dublin.

A full list of confirmed speakers to date can be seen here

Not just speakers, but leaders.

We want you there, with us. Get your ticket now - https://one-zero.com/tickets/