CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on the recent launch of its new Global Sport Leadership Advisory Group, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII) has formed an innovative partnership with global sport and development initiative Beyond Sport.
Beyond Sport is a global organization that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive social change across the world. This unique collaboration will be on display as Heidrick & Struggles lends its experience and insight to the second annual Beyond Sport Summit and Awards, taking place in 2010 in Chicago, September 29-30.
"Heidrick & Struggles has long recognized the role leadership and innovation play in creating meaningful social change. This is why we are proud to join Beyond Sport in recognizing leaders who have used sport to improve the lives of people in profound ways," says Joe Bailey, Managing Partner, Global Sport Leadership Advisory Group.
As part of the Summit, Heidrick & Struggles will be the presenting sponsor of the Leadership in Sport Award, one of the flagship Beyond Sport Award categories that recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated such skills in the face of significant social challenges.
Heidrick & Struggles' Chief Executive Officer Kevin Kelly will present this prestigious award during the climactic final day of the Beyond Sport Summit.
"This Award has already developed a strong heritage in the form of the 2009 recipient Kofi Annan who, through his efforts at the UN, acknowledged the power of sport as real, serious and consequential. This year's winner will again reflect the power of dynamic leadership and innovation to create and sustain positive change," says Kevin Kelly.
In addition to the Leadership in Sport Award, Heidrick & Struggles will host a leadership workshop and breakfast on the eve of the Summit for representatives from the 34 nominated projects named on the Beyond Sport Awards short list.
During this session, these independent initiatives will mix with an array of specially invited senior executives from corporate companies allowing them to take home tangible insights to help their projects grow and become sustainable in the future.
This convergence of the knowledge base of the private sector with the challenging needs of the social entrepreneurs working at the forefront of sport and development sits at the heart of the Beyond Sport proposition and presents a perfect synergy between the global initiative and Heidrick & Struggles.
Designed to recognize and reward the best sport and development projects from across the world on an annual basis, the Beyond Sport Awards incorporates 13 categories covering the entire sporting spectrum of health, social inclusion, corporate and social responsibility, and philanthropy.
Now in its second year, the Awards has attracted entries from over 400 projects, further extending the reach of this initiative to over 115 countries and territories.
The winners of the Awards will be announced at the Beyond Sport Summit - a unique event designed to celebrate, promote and drive forward the use of sport as a tool for positive social change. It collides those who use sport as a vehicle to create social impact, with influencers from the world of business, government and federations whose attitudes and decisions can have substantial impact.
The 2010 event already boasts an impressive line-up of speakers including Olympic legends Michael Johnson, Frank Fredericks, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Ian Thorpe; HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan; former South African soccer captain Lucas Radebe; and US Senator and former Presidential Candidate Bill Bradley.
Beyond Sport is also represented by a host of high profile Ambassadors, all who bring unique experiences and visions to the initiative. Chaired by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, they also include Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012; New York Yankees baseball star Derek Jeter; and IOC Executive Board Member Nawal El Moutawakel, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Morocco.
For further information and to see the full Summit schedule, visit www.beyondsport.org
Notes for Editors:
Beyond Sport is a global organisation that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive social change across the world.
We do this primarily in three ways...
Beyond Sport Awards
The Beyond Sport Awards programme provides support worth $1 million annually to projects across the world that use sport to address issues within their communities. The Beyond Sport Awards 2010 were open for entries from January to April with more than 400 projects entering this year's Awards.
Beyond Sport Summit
The Summit is an annual event that brings together the best sport-led social innovators with influential, global leaders to address sport's role in driving positive social change. The Beyond Sport Summit 2010 will be held September 29-30 in Chicago.
Beyond Sport World
Beyond Sport World is an online networking platform that allows any organisation across the globe involved in sport and development to promote their activities and connect. Visit www.beyondsportworld.org.
About Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., (Nasdaq:HSII) is the leadership advisory firm providing senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including succession planning, executive assessment and development, talent retention management, transition consulting for newly appointed executives, and M&A human capital integration consulting. For almost 60 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles' leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.
For more information on the Global Sport Leadership Advisory Group, visit: http://www.heidrick.com/ExecutiveSearch/Industry/ConsumerMarkets/Pages/GlobalSportLeadershipAdvisoryGroup.aspx.