The future-focused conference will tie-in with the academy being chosen as the national start and finish venue for the glamorous Round Britain 2012 (RB12) - dubbed Britain's biggest multi-faceted land, sea and air event, whose concept originated as far back as the early 1900s.

The conference will centre, due to be held next Wednesday (October 20), on the future of Weymouth and Portland as a key international hub for high quality sports events and the business potential that can be unlocked for Dorset through understanding past and present business case studies and proposals.

Among the delegates will be representatives from The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and Sir Keith Mills of TEAMORIGIN.

Sir Keith, deputy chairman of London 2012, said: "With the start of the Olympic Games in little under two years' time, it is very positive to see so much activity already in full flow at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

"It is vitally important that some key members of the UK sailing fraternity are travelling to the conference where we will spend time proactively sharing business insights.

"This initiative will be extremely rewarding to the future of the academy as it looks towards hosting a range of major international sailing."

Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, said: "The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games gives Weymouth and Portland an opportunity to showcase sailing to new audiences and give the sport a platform for growth.

"Hosting a successful Games can help leave a real legacy for the area, boost the local economy and encourage international sailing events to come to Dorset in the future.

"The yachting conference can help develop those legacy plans and I hope the delegates have a productive and successful meeting."