The first edition of the Conference on Motorcycle Sport Communication in Europe was officially kickstart on Saturday 22nd February at Hotel Mediterraneo in Riccione, aim to share and deepen experiences and methods of communication.
With the main goal of improving communication methods, the event offered a great chance to discuss the issues media professionals face when covering motorcycle sports. Participants learned new ways to improve media visibility and engage audiences through workshops, panel discussions, and networking.
The day began with presentations from the FIM, given by Damiano Zamana, FIM Deputy CEO and Operations Director; FIM Europe, presented by Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General; and FMI, introduced by President Giovanni Copioli.
Next, Communications Managers: Isabelle Larivière from FIM, Dalila Agrati from FIM Europe, and Francesco Dragonetti from FMI took the stage. Their speeches and discussions encouraged a conversation about the needs and opportunities for communication experts.
In the afternoon, the focus changed to AI and its impact on communication in motorsports.
They discussed the opportunities and risks from a photography perspective with Lorenzo Resta, a professional MXGP photographer, and from a journalism angle with Federico Porrozzi, Motosprint Director. Mattia Michelangeli and Manuel Tundis, who are experts in innovation and digital change, introduced and explained the AI topic further.
Attorney Alessio Santoriello, Head of the Italian Chapter of the Global LegalTech Hub, presented on the growing influence of AI in the workplace, including its legal aspects.
The exchange of skills and knowledge at the Conference has been very valuable. It brought together professionals from various backgrounds and regions, allowing participants to develop a more unified and progressive view on communication in motorcycle sports.
The success of this first conference shows how important effective communication is in motorcycle racing. Plans are in place to make this an annual event, promoting ongoing progress and teamwork within the industry.
Damiano Zamana, FIM Deputy CEO and Operations Director –“The initiative of FIM Europe to organise this first workshop goes in the direction of the FIM to be transparent and get closer to all the stakeholders within the motorcycling community. It has been a great opportunity to know better the FIM, FIM Europe and FMI on some topics that do not always reach the mainstream of communication but are fundamental for the organisation of the sport we love. Participation of important newspaper and digital communication managers shows the interest in a more transparent communication. Also, my thanks go to the representatives of the FMNs present to strengthen the communication community and the shared values of the FIM.”
Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General
“The pressing push to deal with issues related to technological development (AI) that proceeds at an exponential speed has forced us to hold this first Conference on Motorcycling Communication in Europe. The need to deal with AI was certainly not the only need. Also, the topics of the positioning of the Motorcycling Institutions within the international sports system, the description of their governance, their characteristic activities and the communication of the various entities operating in the motorcycling world (FMNs, specialised press, teams, fairs, circuits, etc.) needed to be presented and clarified. An audience of journalists and press officers representing printed, digital and social media from seven European countries marked the success of what will be just the first edition of an event that we hope will become annual.”
Giovanni Copioli, FMI President – “The conference was an excellent opportunity to share experiences and points of view with leading national and international players in communication. It was an appointment where FIM, FIM Europe and FMI showed their willingness to engage with journalists and press offices to contribute, all together, to the growth and development of motorcycling. I hope that in the years to come there will be other appointments of this kind because I believe they are fundamental in creating a network that helps to give visibility to our sport. I conclude by thanking the FIM and FIM Europe for organising this event in Italy and all the participants for providing excellent contributions.”