Vanessa Baum elected Chairwoman of the Thuringian Conference of Sports Authorities

Vanessa Baum is the new chairwoman of the Thuringian Conference of Sports Authorities. She was unanimously elected at the most recent meeting in Gera. Baum succeeds Jens Batschkus from Erfurt, who will continue to be involved in the extended board. Christina Haensel from Weimar was appointed as her deputy, while Sybille Linke from the Ilm district office is secretary.

Vanessa Baum has been working in the field of sport since 2013 and has been a sports officer for the city of Jena since 2019. In this role, she is involved in sports development planning, has implemented the fitness trails in Jena, initiated Sport in the Park, supervised the Smart Beach Tour and the Host Town program in Jena as part of the Special Olympics World Games, set up social media communication and carried out a lot of networking work with sports clubs. She is currently preparing for the start of the top-class cycling race "Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour" in Jena on June 25.

Representing the interests of all those involved in organized and non-organized sport

The Thuringian Conference of Sports Authorities represents the interests of all employees who are responsible for managing and developing organized and non-organized sport. In Thuringia, these employees work in cities, municipalities and districts, but also in businesses and companies with municipal involvement that promote sport or operate sports facilities or swimming pools. Among other things, the board works with the ministry and the municipal umbrella organizations, organizes annual conferences, promotes professional training in the field of sport and the exchange of professional experience. Vanessa Baum will carry out this task on a voluntary basis, but as part of her professional activities.

At the handover of office, Vanessa Baum thanked her predecessor in particular for his commitment. He had managed the company's fortunes over the past few years with great professional expertise. She also thanked the other members of the Board of Directors, who were always on hand with advice and support. "I am very pleased that a large part of the old Board is now also part of the new one," said Baum. The exchange of ideas and the network of colleagues responsible for sport in Thuringia are very important to Vanessa Baum.

Tackling challenging issues together

"Sport is also undergoing permanent change and it will be a matter of making its potential heard," says Baum about the challenges. One of her goals is to expand communication with the Ministry of Sport and the State Sports Association. "I also think it's important that we work together to tackle challenging issues such as the investment and renovation backlog at sports facilities and digitalization issues."

Jena's Head of Sports Benjamin Koppe welcomes the election of Vanessa Baum as the new Chairwoman of the Thuringian Conference of Sports Authorities: "As Sports Commissioner for the City of Jena, Ms. Baum has always driven forward the sporting development of our city with great commitment and vision. Her new role is not only a personal honor for her, but also a significant gain for Jena. With her expertise and passion for sport, she will undoubtedly raise inter-municipal exchange on sports issues to a new level. Above all, her good networking work is now paying off and Jena is gaining a strong voice in the Thuringian sports landscape."