By ALEX KOTLER

For the second time in two weeks, Football Partnerships delivered a top-level event without a hitch.

KICKOFF: ATLANTA, held at STATS on Marietta Street downtown, featured presentations by Steve Bellis, Commercial Director at KickWorldwide, Jill Robbins, Executive Director at Soccer in the Streets and Alex Kotler, Founder of Football Partnerships.

The evening also provided the opportunity for soccer industry professionals to meet, mingle and learn within one of the city’s premier sporting venues.

“We enjoyed an important evening meeting others in the business of soccer and were thoroughly enthralled by the tales of Steve Bellis from KickWorldwide,” commented delegate David Bash, Founder at Techno Soccer Ventures. “As a soccer-entrepreneur, I recommend that you attend the next KICKOFF in your area and help support this grass roots effort to unify the business of soccer.”

Among the delegates in attendance were representatives from The Atlanta Beat, Red Bull North America, Georgia Soccer, Georgia Soccer Park, Insignia Promo and more.

Following a period of informal networking, complemented by refreshments, guest presenter Steve Bellis shared the insightful and, at times, humorous story of his experience as Commercial Director at English League 1 side Stockport County FC and how he brought the club to China’s uncharted western provinces, garnering crowds that dwarfed those at matches played in Beijing and Shanghai by the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona FC.

Later, he discussed his newest project, reality television program Soccer Prince, which awards the winning participants apprenticeships at English Premier League football clubs. Soccer Prince has been viewed by over 130 million people in China.

Listen to Mr. Bellis’ presentation from KICKOFF: ATLANTA via the Football Partnerships podcast.

“Football Partnerships is providing a much-needed forum for soccer industry professionals to build relationships and explore commercial opportunities,” said Alex Kotler, Founder of Football Partnerships. “Bringing together the industry’s decision-makers within a comfortable and welcoming environment – and providing educational and entertaining programming – is what Football Partnerships’ KICKOFF events are all about.”

Partners for KICKOFF: ATLANTA included The Georgian Terrace Hotel, Autograph Signs, Todo Alemán and Soccer Wholesale.

Next on the schedule for Football Partnerships is the 76er Mixer, a top-level networking breakfast at the 2010 NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event is free for all NSCAA Convention exhibitors and is $15 for Football Partnerships members, the latter of which enjoy a complimentary day pass to the exhibition and seminars.

Register for the 76er Mixer

Download the partnership/exhibition opportunity presentation