It was FA Cup final night in London, but at the first social event of this year's INMA World Congress, the focus was on Liverpool FC, not the protagonists in the cup tie.
Some 189 metres up in the city's BT Tower - with Wembley Stadium, where Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1, in the distant view - INMA president Mark Challinor shared his personal soccer passion, waving scarves and leading reception guests instead in the Anfield anthem of 'You'll never walk alone'.
And while Boston Globe boss John Henry - who owns the UK soccer club - was missing from the gathering, there was no shortage of the newsmedia industry's global leaders present.
The private reception in the former revolving restaurant of the 50-year-old telecommunications tower followed two days of study tours and some of the US-headquartered group's regional board meetings. Some delegates have already visited leading media and technology sites including The Drum, Mashable, Car Throttle, BuzzFeed, Trinity Mirror, news agency Reuters, News UK, the Financial Times, and Telegraph Media Group.
Tomorrow will deliver fast-paced 'brainsnacks' and a Google News Lab masterclass for conference attendees, more meetings and the 'jewel' of the social programme, a visit to the Tower of London... complete with Beefeaters and a showing of the Crown Jewels.
For those lucky enough to get in, that is. Apparently the builders of the 938-year-old Tower failed to anticipate 21st century building regulations and the fire code has meant that some delegates (including your scribe) and INMA staff aren't expecting to get in.
Some consolation may be the better city views the night before. Henry VIII - who built the residential area at the Tower of London and had two of his wives executed there - didn't include a revolving restaurant in his plans either.
A busy programme of plenary sessions opens on Monday with 'media visionary' and author Leonard Brody, and McKinsey & Company partner Patrick Behar among openers, and a mobile-themed late morning presenting Ericsson president and chief executive Hans Vestberg, Condé Nast digital head Wil Harris, Debby Krenek of Newsday and VG mobile development manager Padraic Woods.
Timing is everything, and lunch comes before data, with the afternoon delivering speakers from Politika and The Economist, with sessions on paywalls and videos concluding an intense day.
Congress sessions continue on Tuesday, with the concluding highlight the INMA awards dinner being held at the Victoria and Albert museum, where Asia Pacific entries already nominated are tipped to be among the honours.
INMA has also arranged two seminars at The Guardian - on membership and building communities, and the social and mobile themed 'Responding to the new pathways to news'.
Pictured: INMA president Mark Challinor shares his passion for Liverpool FC with fellow fans and board members
On our homepage: Challinor and INMA executive director Earl Wilkinson against a backdrop of the London cityscape
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