The European Fencing Confederation invites federation press officers, organising committees, clubs and everyone interested in the development of fencing to join two upcoming online webinars dedicated to communication and artificial intelligence.
The webinars will take place on 25 and 26 September and will focus on practical tools, new approaches and ideas that can help strengthen the way fencing is communicated across Europe.
The initiative will be introduced by Vincenzo De Bartolomeo, president of the EFC Marketing and Promotion commission. Communication and engagement aligns with the FIE strategy and addresses one of the key performance indicators of the IOC. These webinars should be seen as an opportunity not only to share practical knowledge, but also to open a wider conversation within the fencing community in Europe and Beyond.
Communication as a Tool to Growth
In presenting the initiative, De Bartolomeo underlines that communication in sport should go far beyond reporting results.
Its role should also be to support the economic and social development of national federations, strengthen relationships with sponsors and media, engage existing participants and bring fencing closer to people who are not yet part of the sport.
The objective of the webinars is therefore not simply to teach communication techniques. Instead, they aim to bring together national federations, competition organisers, clubs and other stakeholders to exchange experience and contribute to building stronger, more coherent and more continuous communication across European Fencing.
As De Bartolomeo summarises the challenge, “fencing has to jump its own fence.”
The values and stories of the sport need to reach beyond the piste. Athletes, coaches and other key figures can become ambassadors for fencing, while competitions can be presented not only as sporting contests but as genuine events capable of attracting the attention of local communities and wider audiences.
Building Stronger Fencing Communication
The first webinar, “Building Stronger Fencing Communication,” will take place on 25 September from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM CET and will be led by Erika Kirpu, EFC Press Officer.
The session will explore how federations, organising committees and clubs can communicate their activities more effectively, build stronger stories around athletes and competitions and create content capable of engaging audiences beyond the traditional fencing community.
Practical examples and experiences from within the fencing environment will be used to examine how communication can become more consistent, recognisable and effective throughout the season.
The session will also encourage discussion and exchange between participants, with communication professionals from national federations invited to contribute their own experience and perspectives.
The Power of AI
The second webinar, “The Power of AI,” will take place on 26 September from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CET and will be led by Alessandro Noto, EFC Senior Advisor, Digital & Marketing.
Artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities for organisations of every size. For fencing, it can become a powerful tool for creating more engaging content, supporting communication teams and helping even smaller federations increase the impact of their work.
The webinar will introduce participants to this rapidly developing field and explore both the opportunities offered by AI and the risks that need to be understood when using these technologies.
The focus will remain practical: how AI can support the day-to-day work of federations, clubs and organisers while helping fencing communicate in a more creative and effective way.
An Open Invitation to Fencing
Both webinars are primarily designed for national federation press officers, organising committees and fencing clubs, but participation is open to everyone interested in communication, digital development and the wider world of fencing.
Coaches, athletes, officials, event organisers and other members of the fencing community are equally welcome to participate.
By bringing together experience from across Europe, the EFC hopes the webinars will become not only learning sessions but also a platform for discussion, collaboration and new ideas about how fencing can strengthen its presence and tell its stories more effectively.
Register for the Webinars
Registration is now open to everyone interested in taking part.
Participants can register for the webinars via the following link:
The European Fencing Confederation invites the fencing community to join Vincenzo De Bartolomeo, Erika Kirpu and Alessandro Noto on 25 and 26 September and become part of the conversation about how communication, storytelling and new technologies can help our sport reach further.
