The Scottish FA will host its inaugural Convention at Hampden Park tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd December) with a star-studded line-up of guest speakers providing insights across the whole spectrum of football.

Hosted by BBC Scotland’s experienced broadcaster, Richard Gordon, the Scottish FA Convention 2014 is a knowledge and information sharing platform for the members, sponsors and partners of Scottish football’s governing body.

It is part of a proposed modernisation of the Scottish FA Council, with members voting at next year’s Annual Meeting for a more modern, dynamic and representative format; one of the last remaining recommendations of the Henry McLeish Review of Scottish Football.

Confirmed speakers include Barry Hearn, Chairman of the hugely successful Matchroom Sport, who will discuss the global success of his boxing, darts and snooker divisions. Helmut Sandrock, General Secretary of the Deutsche Fussball Bund [German FA] will present on the journey to becoming world champions.

Joe McLean and James Hichens of Accountancy firm Grant Thornton will explore Scottish football’s future while Alex Stone, Social Media Manager at world football’s governing body, FIFA, will tell the story of the first fully connected World Cup in Brazil last summer.

Scotland National Coach Gordon Strachan will close the event with a Q&A on the team’s progress approaching the midway point of the European Qualifiers.

There will also be fascinating workshops on maximising sponsorship investment and an exclusive look behind the scenes at the Scottish FA’s Judicial Panel process.

Stewart Regan, the Scottish FA’s Chief Executive, will introduce the event and update the audience on the Scottish FA’s strategic plan, Scotland United: A 2020 Vision. He believes the Convention is an essential next step in the ongoing development of the game.

He said: “I am proud to host our members and invited guests from across the whole spectrum of Scottish football: member clubs, affiliated bodies, boards, council and staff and, of course, the wider football family.

“I am also excited by the stature and breadth of speakers we have managed to attract to the national stadium, ensuring there will be something for everyone regardless of club, position and budget.

“The Convention is intended to become an annual event shaped by our members for the benefit of our members. The programme is intended to look at the key areas of the Scottish FA’s strategic plan, Scotland United: A 2020 Vision, with presentations from experts in the field in the areas of Performance, Strong Quality Growth, Growing Football’s Finances and Leading the Game.

“It will be thought-provoking and idea-generating. We are committed to our ongoing programme of investment at all levels of the game, and equally committed to modernising and innovating off the field.

“This journey must be done together, with the assistance and support of all our members and the Convention is another step in the direction towards a prosperous future for Scottish football.”