World Sailing have invited cities to bid to stage their Annual Conferences in 2017 and 2018 ©World Sailing

World Sailing have invited cities to bid for the right to host the governing body’s Annual Conference in 2017 and 2018.

Billed as the most important gathering of World Sailing’s decision makers, the conference is held over a seven-day period in the first full week of November each year.

Over 400 delegates will be expected to attend the conferences, which will see the strategy of sailing reviewed and discussed.

World Sailing claim that the conference will see delegates plan for the future and make key decisions to drive the sport forward, as well as sharing best practices and generating new ideas.

The World Sailing Annual General Meeting will be held at the conference, along with the governing body’s forum, gala dinner and the World Sailor of the Year Awards.

"World Sailing's Annual Conference offers host cities the chance to partner with an ambitious, leading Olympic sports federation,” said Andy Hunt, World Sailing chief executive.

“By hosting the most influential people in the sport, it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the host city as well as sailing within the nation through traditional and social media coverage.

"In addition, the Annual Conference generates significant economic impact through local and tourist spend and creates a platform for promotional and sponsorship opportunities.”

Wider sailing issues will be discussed as well as the awarding of major events ©Getty Images
Wider sailing issues will be discussed as well as the awarding of major events ©Getty Images

Candidates are required to submit their initial bids to World Sailing by August 1, with their management then due to review the bids before the board of directors shortlist their recommendations.

Site visits of the shortlisted cities are then due to completed by World Sailing’s head of operations during September.

Shortlisted cities will be invited to make a five-minute presentation at their 2016 General Assembly in Barcelona, before delegates vote to decide on the 2017 and 2018 hosts.

The Spanish city was announced as the host of this year’s conference during April, with the event due to be held at the Hotel Renaissance from November 4 to 13.

World Sailing President Carlo Croce has already confirmed he will seek re-election at the conference, with nobody having yet come forward to challenge to Italian.

The selection of a European city prompted Abu Dhabi to withdraw from staging the 2016 Sailing World Cup Final, having been overlooked to stage the confernece.

Melbourne was selected as the replacement hosts of this year’s Sailing World Cup Final in April.