Redaccion
The Summer University of Lanzarote kicked off its first special edition in 2025 at Marina Innova Hub in Arrecife this Thursday, with a program dedicated to analyzing the impact of sports events on tourist destinations and their contribution to the economic, social, and sustainable development of the territories.
The opening ceremony was attended by the rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lluis Serra, who praised the island and the University School of Tourism of Lanzarote for reviving an «inspiring and necessary event to connect knowledge and territory.» Also present was the Minister of Universities of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín, who celebrated the resumption of such inspiring and valuable conferences for our community after eleven years.
On the other hand, the Minister of Education of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Ascensión Toledo, highlighted «the human team of the School of Tourism, with Eva Crespo at the helm, and the high level of the speakers who accompany us these two days of learning that will continue to consolidate Lanzarote as a reference.»
The director of the University School of Tourism of Lanzarote, Eva Crespo, expressed her gratitude to the entire team and congratulated the coordinator of the conferences, Juan Antonio Carreño, as well as highlighting the support of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, with Héctor Fernández as CEO, emphasizing the commitment of the Summer University to the academic training of the young people of the island. «This is a lively university open to the territory,» she concluded.
The inaugural presentation was given by Kenneth Gasque, a key figure in the sports history of Lanzarote and founder of the Ironman on the island. Gasque moved the audience with a message based on passion as the driving force behind major sports projects, recounting the creation of the Ironman Lanzarote as «a celebration born of the enthusiasm and will to overcome of those who believe that nothing is impossible.» Despite his illness, Gasque assured that he still has «great ideas for the sports development of Lanzarote.»
Following the opening, presentations were held by: María Martín Padrón (Lanzarote Sports Destination), who analyzed the economic, social, and touristic impact of sports events in Lanzarote; Fernando González (Arista Eventos), who shared the success story of The North Face Transgrancanaria as an example of how an event can become a destination brand; and Juan Antonio Carreño (University School of Tourism of Lanzarote), who addressed the value of sports events beyond their economic and touristic return.
After the coffee break and networking session, presentations continued with Néstor Rodríguez (Alisios Sociosport Management), on sports events as an economic and social engine in non-tourist areas; Antonio Pérez (Insular Sports Institute of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria), who presented the 2030 World Cup as an example of a mass sports event, and Pablo González (Top Time Events), with a presentation on key aspects in the management and direction of sports events.
In the afternoon, there will be a practical session on how to organize a sports event, conducted by Evensport (Association of Sports Event Organizers of the Canary Islands).
The Summer University of Lanzarote continues tomorrow, Friday, July 4th, with an intense day that includes three roundtable discussions on sustainability, health, economy, challenges, and opportunities of sports events, and the closing presentation by the humorist and graduate in Physical Education, Kike Pérez.
FRIDAY, JULY 4th PROGRAM
9:30 – 10:30 Roundtable: Environmental, social, and heritage impact of sports event organization
Moderated by Néstor Rodríguez (Alisios Sociosport Management).
Samuel Martín Morera (Councilor for the Environment of the Cabildo de Lanzarote)
Héctor Fernández Manchado (CEO SPEL)
José Juan Lorenzo (Manager of Promotur)
María José Morales García (University School of Tourism of Lanzarote)
Kevin Camacho García (SICAN Management and Projects)
10:30 – 11:30 Roundtable: Sports events as a driver of health, social, and economic benefits
Moderated by Pablo González (Top Time Events).
Ángel Sabroso (Deputy Minister of Physical Activity and Sports, Government of the Canary Islands)
Juan Monzón (Sports Councilor of the Cabildo de Lanzarote)
Domingo Lorenzo Cuyas (Tías City Council)
María Nieves Estévez (Manager of the Maspalomas Gran Canaria Consortium)
Nereida Cañado (University School of Tourism of Lanzarote)
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break and networking
12:00 – 13:00 Roundtable: Challenges and opportunities of sports events
Moderated by Wendy Cruz (Arista Events).
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Martínez (Director General of Planning, Training, and Tourism Promotion, Government of the Canary Islands)
Manuel Gómez Padilla (Manager of IDECO, Cabildo de Tenerife)
Paula Martín Capuccio (Ocean Lava Triathlon)
Noemí Rodríguez (President of ACAGEDE)
Fernando González (CEO Arista Events)
13:00 – 13:30 Closing presentation: Sports events as a formula to make local participants and visitors happy. Speaker: Kike Pérez, graduate in Physical Education and humorist.
FUENTE
