The Conference, taking place at the Renaissance Fira Hotel, is billed as a "central meeting point where the strategy of sailing is reviewed, discussed and celebrated".

A theme of "Our Sustainable Future" has been unveiled in order to focus on the future of the sport, as well as the world's oceans.

Up to 700 delegates will attend the annual event.

These will include representatives from international class associations, member national authorities and Committee members, as well as "leading sailors, event organisers, boat manufacturers and observers".

They will discuss more than 90 submissions proposing change to existing World Sailing policies, regulations and rules, as well as introducing new ones. 

Expert committees will then put their recommendations and opinions forward to Council, the final decision making body of World Sailing, where they will either be approved, rejected or deferred at a meeting scheduled for November 11 and 12.

Another area for discussion involves the International Olympic Committee's Agenda 2020 proposals to consider new events which reflect "gender equity, innovation and the possibility of showcase events".

The future of Paralympic sailing will also feature after it was removed from the programme for the next edition of the Games in Tokyo in 2020.

Para-sailing is the subject of one of three "open forums" also scheduled - with the other two tackling the themes of sustainability and the commercial strategy of the sport.

World Sailor of the Year awards will also be announced. 

The Presidential election is then scheduled for November 13.

Croce, whose manifesto is entitled A New Era for World Sailing, has received nominations from 45 Member Associations.