Rugby means serious business nowadays, with attendances, finances and participation reaching new highs, which is the very essence behind the creation of Rugby Expo, the world’s first conference and exhibition dedicated to rugby.

Rugby Expo will allow all the power brokers of the game worldwide – administrators, sponsors, other clubs, companies providing services to the rugby community – to gather under one roof and discuss all aspects of rugby, and to plan further progress in the future.

“Rugby Expo is an innovative and potentially highly significant project. The concept is well-timed as British sport, in particular Rugby Union, continues its exciting journey of development,” said John Steele, CEO of UK Sport.

The key themes for the inaugural event are: Professionalism – building closer links between rugby and business, with a shared commitment to success; Grass Roots – attracting and nurturing talent, and supporting development of the game through the ranks; and Developing Nations – enabling growing rugby nations to establish viable financial structures, so rugby can develop as a genuinely global sport.

Rugby Expo has attracted a host of big names in the Rugby industry, with Brian O’Driscoll, Tim Horan and Jonathan Davies among the Ambassadors.

Damian Hopley, Chief Executive, PRA & Chairman IRPA; Ian McGeechan, Director of Rugby, London Wasps and Head Coach, British and Irish Lions; and Jon Varney, Commercial Director, Premier Rugby will be speaking at the event.

With all these leading figures in attendance along with decision makers from companies such as Highland Spring, HSBC and PUMA, Rugby Expo promises to be a progressive event for rugby, driving continual commercial and financial growth of the game across the globe.

Rugby Expo 08 starts this Monday, November 17–18 in London, at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. For more information please visit www.rugbyexpo.com.