Attracting and developing young talent was central of several meetings on the first day of the FIS Congress ©FIS

United States Ski and Snowboard Association vice-president of communications Tom Kelly chaired a Public Relations and Mass Media Committee meeting at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Congress to discuss ways of keeping skiing and snowboarding in the public’s attention.

A total of 30 members were present for the Committee meeting, which took place on the opening day of the Congress at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach in Cancun, with the evolving digital landscape having been a key part of their discussions.

Their media strategy was viewed as key to the FIS Bring Children to the Snow programme, which is aimed at growing the number of children participating in snow sports, while they also debated how communication tools could be used to make people involved in winter sports be environmentally friendly.

“We are open to all areas of conversation,” said Kelly.

“Ultimately, we have to be ready to communicate about the themes that are important in the world of snow sports.

“Right now, we continually hear about digital media, climate change and trying to get the younger generation involved in snow sports.

“This is why we have these points on our agenda, the more we understand about what our member nations face, the better we can communicate and improve.”

Youth was also the focus of the FIS 16th Leader’s Seminar, which carried the theme of “Training for Youngsters”, as the governing body attempted to explore how National Ski Associations are educating coaches.

The Sub-Committee for Alpine World Cup examined the provisional calendars for the forthcoming seasons
The Sub-Committee for Alpine World Cup examined the provisional calendars for the forthcoming seasons ©Getty Images

Peter Lauppi, who leads education and research for Swiss Ski, was among those to lecture during the seminar, while workshops were held to discuss how to implement youth programmes for each of the FIS’ disciplines.

The fifth edition of the Ladies Seminar was also held, with President of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Ceil Folz and Elene Gaja, chair of the FIS Sub-Committee for Alpine Courses, among those to give presentations under the theme of “Women in the Ski Sport Industry”.

Two working groups on how to plan a career in sport and outlining the qualities which make women different in their roles from men took place as part of the seminar.

A meeting of the Sub-Committee for Alpine World Cup saw its members examine the provisional calendars for the men’s and women’s competitions up to the 2019 to 2020 season.

Changes are expected to be finalised by the Committee this week with the Alpine Combined World Cup in Kitzbühel, Austria, expected to be replaced on the schedule by Santa Caterina in Italy.

They are also set to discuss proposals from various National Ski Associations throughout the duration of this week’s Congress.