Robin Austermann is Bundesliga Americas Executive Vice President, leading the marketing and sales of broadcast rights across the region.nnSince the formation of Bundesliga Americas in September 2024, Robin has been responsible for defining and integrating the Bundesliga’s commercial strategy, curating the league’s offering to suit each respective market. In order to maximize this approach, Robin also works hand-in-hand with rights holders to ensure the best possible broadcast experience for fans, including the implementation of the Bundesliga’s latest technological and broadcast offerings.nnRobin has more than 10 years of experience in the sports media business, having held various positions within the DFL Group, winter sports and German media. He is trained in Sports Management and Communication, including a master's degree at the German Sport University Cologne and the WHU General Management Program.

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Qiava Martinez, Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer, is entering her 17th season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Qiava is responsible for leading and managing all sales and customer retention efforts for the Raiders through monetizing corporate partnerships, suites, premium and season ticket sales. During the relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, Qiava was a fundamental part of the sales strategy for PSL, Suite, and Loge Seat sales. Qiava began her career with the Raiders in 2008 as an Inside Sales Ticket Representative and was later promoted to Director of Group Sales and Fundraising for 3 years. Before being named SVP, Chief Sales Officer, Qiava served as the Vice President of Premium Service & Guest Experience. She was recently selected as a member of the prestigious Sports Business Journal Game Changers Class of 2024, an elite group of women in the industry who are leaders and mentors to other women in sports business. Prior to her career in professional sports, Qiava was the owner and publisher of Culture Magazine, an outlet used by teenaged writers to express their life experiences. She also served as Executive Director for Youth Achieving Destiny, an organization that served underprivileged youth through teaching entrepreneurship training and development. Qiava recently published her first book, “Sports Dream”, encouraging children to follow their passion, regardless of the challenges they may face. Qiava earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix, Bay Area Chapter. She and her husband Jonathan reside in Henderson, NV, with their daughter, Harper.

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Mitch is co-founder of Teamworks, the Operating System for Sports™, powering 7,000+ sports teams and military organizations worldwide. A Duke University alumnus, Mitch helped expand Teamworks from a collegiate-focused platform to a global powerhouse backed by $400 million in total funding—including a $235 million Series F round valuing Teamworks at over $1 billion—and strengthened by strategic acquisitions such as INFLCR, ARMS Software, Smartabase, and Zelus Analytics. After spearheading Teamworks’ international launch in Europe, Mitch returned to the U.S. and now focuses his efforts on coaching Teamworks executives and sportstech founders, advising teams, leagues, and companies across elite sport, and investing in the future of sport, human performance, and human wellbeing. Mitch leads Teamworks’ Advisory Board and serves on the boards of HEADCHECK Health, Monarc, and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh.

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A veteran of digital transformations, Abhijit Shome has spent two decades at the intersection of digital strategy, marketing and technology. Having led marketing innovation teams at global brands like Mastercard to reshaping omnichannel approaches at Macy’s, he has consistently delivered measurable results through innovation and meticulous execution that has helped him positively impact the business and financial objectives of companies worldwide. An expert in AI/ML-driven marketing and MarTech stacks, Shome helps organizations navigate the evolving digital landscape to drive loyalty and brand affection in a data-first world, and currently serves as a Vice President at Major League Soccer where he oversees all efforts involving marketing and advertising technology.

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Sameer Ahuja is the President of New York-based GameChanger, a DICK’S Sporting Goods youth sports technology company. He also serves as senior vice president for DICK’S Sporting Goods and is an advisor to Marquee Ventures, an early-stage fund that spun out of the Chicago Cubs. Sameer’s professional narrative is focused on “preparing today’s youth to lead tomorrow.” He brings 20 years of experience as a Founder, CEO, or COO of high-growth technology businesses from startup to late-stage in multiple industries. Sameer co-founded an interactive sports attraction, founded a quant hedge fund, and built a fintech company. Sameer has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Columbia University. He lives in Scarsdale, New York with his wife and two daughters.

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Julie Haddon is a marketing and media powerhouse with a track record of building iconic brands and driving growth across sports, entertainment, and tech. As the first Chief Marketing Officer of the NWSL, she led all commercial functions and helped transform the league into a major sports property—launching breakthrough campaigns, forging partnerships with top global brands, and securing a historic $240M media rights deal. Previously, she was SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL, where she led award-winning campaigns for the Super Bowl and NFL Draft and launched NFL Pride. Haddon has also driven marketing innovation at DreamWorks, eBay, Zynga, Twitter, and SoFi, and currently serves on the boards of FuboTV and TOCA Football.

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Gene is the Senior Vice President of Event Marketing & Ticketing at TKO, overseeing large-scale ticketing, sales, and event operations. With over 15 years in the sports industry, Gene specializes in event management, developing strategic processes, anticipating event-day scenarios, and ensuring seamless, high-quality fan experiences. Known for his collaborative approach, he excels at forging partnerships, optimizing internal workflows, and creating innovative strategies that drive growth and revenue. His forward-thinking mindset consistently elevates customer service and operational excellence standards across events.

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Keia Cole is the Chief Digital Officer at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE), leading digital, technology, and analytics for the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, Long Island Nets.nBefore joining BSE, Keia held a number of roles across technology and customer experience at MassMutual, a global life insurance and investments company. Most notably, Keia was the Head of Digital Experience, leading a team focused on driving MassMutual’s digital transformation efforts, including the design and development of modern technology solutions for customers, financial professionals, and employees. With a passion for innovation and developing teams, Keia created MassMutual’s digital research and development rotational program, which provided employees with opportunities to work on emerging technology to gain new skills. Keia served as an executive advisor to the Young Professional and African-American Business Resource Groups and a member of the MassMutual Foundation Board of Trustees.nBefore joining MassMutual, Keia was associate general counsel and later chief of staff to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education. As chief of staff, she was a member of the Senior Executive Service, responsible for providing strategic direction for the Department of Education’s financial, technology, human capital, and risk management operations.nKeia was also a litigation attorney at the New York law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, a law clerk to the Honorable Lewis A. Kaplan of the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York, and a financial analyst in Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division. Keia is a graduate of Harvard University and earned a JD/MBA from Stanford University.

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Julia Martensen is an innovation officer, strategic advisor, and keynote speaker focused on helping organizations operate and compete in an increasingly technology-driven world. She works with executives to turn AI, data, and automation into scalable strategies that improve decision-making, performance, and organizational resilience. Known for combining future foresight with hands-on execution, Julia helps leaders move beyond experimentation to build the structures, capabilities, and operating models required to lead at scale. Her work bridges strategy and reality—where technology becomes a true differentiator in complex, high-stakes environments.

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Mike Buckley is the CEO, Co-Owner, and Strategist for the United States SailGP Team. Born and raised on Cape Cod, MA, Buckley was introduced to sailing by chance rather than design. Raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, sports became both an outlet and a foundation for discipline, resilience, and drive. His competitive spirit first flourished at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, where he joined the sailing team. What started as an unexpected extracurricular pursuit quickly grew into a defining passion that shaped his personal and professional trajectory. From high school waters to global competition, Buckley’s career ascended quickly. He went on to become a 2-time world champion sailor, competing at the highest levels of the sport and earning recognition for his strategic sharpness and relentless competitiveness. His experience across international racing circuits provided not only athletic success but also an insider’s understanding of the opportunities and shortcomings of sailing as a spectator sport. In November 2023, Buckley and tech entrepreneur Ryan McKillen led the acquisition of the U.S. SailGP Team, marking a historic moment for professional sailing.nAs CEO, Buckley has built one of the most diverse and high-profile ownership groups in the sport’s history, with investors including Issa Rae, DeAndre Hopkins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Avenue Capital Group’s Marc Lasry and Carolyn Tisch Blodgett’s Next 3. This groundbreaking roster underscores his vision: to align sailing with culture, entertainment, and mainstream sport in a way never done before. Buckley is vocal about his mission to transform the U.S. SailGP Team into the most culturally relevant sailing franchise in the world. His leadership is centered on broadening the sport’s reach, making it more accessible to new audiences, and blending sailing with music, fashion, media, and sustainability. He is committed to breaking down barriers of elitism that have historically defined sailing, positioning SailGP as a sport which reflects diversity, creativity, and innovation. By doing so, Buckley aims to ensure the U.S. SailGP Team becomes not only a force on the water but also a cultural touchpoint beyond it. Buckley resides in New York City with his wife, Jane, and two children.

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Meghan is a Co-Founder/CEO of Stathletes, a hockey data and analytics company. Stathletes provides industry leading hockey insights in over 22 leagues worldwide and has scaled to the highest professional levels across North America and Europe. Meghan is also a Data Scientist in Residence at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. She was featured on the insert cover of the Hockey News’ Top 100 of Power and Influence in 2019. She is on the board of advisors of US Integrity in the sports betting space. Meghan has a weekly segment for FanDuel on TSN called “Strength in Numbers”. She has appeared in the last two NHL Drafts as an analyst on the panel for ESPN.

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Keith D’Amelio, PhD, is the founder of Heretic Performance, where he partners with professional teams, leagues, companies, and investors to build high-performance systems that create competitive advantage and enterprise value. He currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer for the New York Liberty, advising management on performance strategy and organizational innovation and advises the NBA Players Association on wearable technology, biomechanics, and league-wide implementation strategy. Over the past 20+ years, he has worked for and advised organizations across global sport including Nike, where he was Director of Athlete Performance for 13 years and helped shape company-wide strategy for athlete performance, readiness, and product innovation, as well in championship environments in the NBA, WNBA, NFL, EPL, and the NCAA. He works directly with ownership groups, management teams, and CEOs to turn performance into measurable, repeatable, and scalable value.

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Sepi Motamedi leads marketing for live media and sports at NVIDIA, where she works with broadcasters, sports organizations, and technology partners to bring AI into every stage of live production. She champions real-time AI, accelerated computing, and cloud-native platforms to enable new levels of speed, scale, and creativity in live content. Through close collaboration with partners and media companies across the ecosystem, she advances the next generation of AI-driven production, distribution, and fan engagement.

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Jason Andrea is an accomplished sports business executive with over a decade of leadership in corporate partnerships, ticketing, and revenue growth strategy. He currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for the Las Vegas Aces, where he has been a part of a organization that has transformed their revenue landscape, growing partnership revenue to compete against the best in the sport and having a sold-out venue for all games in 2024, 2025, and hopefully 2026!n nBefore joining the Aces, Jason was Director of Corporate Partnerships at Elevate Sports Ventures, where he was a member of a team that secured major naming rights and jersey deals across MLS and the NBA. He previously held leadership roles with the Anaheim Ducks, the Tiger Woods Foundation, and the Oakland Raiders, consistently delivering impactful long-term strategic partnerships.n nJason holds an MBA in Marketing and a BA in Leadership and Management with a concentration in Sports Business from Rider University. Known for his ability to scale operations, build meaningful relationships, and deliver impactful business outcomes, Jason is a results-driven leader with deep experience navigating the intersection of sports, business, and brand partnerships.

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Anna is the Co-Founder of Boston’s NWSL team, launching in March 2026. Since sourcing the franchise in 2022, she has spearheaded the development of a purpose-built stadium and secured TJ Maxx in one of the most valuable sponsorship deals in women’s sports history.nA seasoned investor, Anna co-founded XFactor Ventures, which manages a global portfolio of over 100 companies. Through her investment vehicle, Legacy Sports Holdings, she also holds stakes in Pop-A-Shot Entertainment Group and the Women’s Professional Baseball League. Her entrepreneurial track record includes founding and exiting both Dough Collective (acquired by IMC) and Fashion Project (acquired by U5).nAnna holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Eureka College, where she serves as a Trustee. She sits on the boards of Intramotev, MelodyArc, and Distillery Labs, and is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, and The Athletic.

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David Lane is the CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets, part of the Sports Illustrated family of companies. He brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience building and scaling innovative products in highly competitive markets. David launched Sports Illustrated Tickets in 2021 as a leading live-events marketplace, beginning with a global secondary market featuring more than $2.5 billion in inventory and over 50 million tickets across sports, concerts and theater. The company’s portfolio has since expanded to include a best-in-class primary blockchain ticketing platform powered by the Avalanche blockchain and, through acquisition, North America’s largest ticket asset trader, leveraging 20 years of proprietary data to help partners buy and sell inventory across the world’s top marketplaces. Together with one of the most iconic and trusted brands in sports, these capabilities enhance the fan experience and create a rapidly accelerating competitive advantage. Sports Illustrated Tickets continues to grow through acquisitions and partnerships with the NFL, MLB, MLS, European football clubs, and the 25,000-seat Sports Illustrated Stadium in the New York City metro area. Previously, David held executive roles at FanDuel, OUTFRONT Media, and TouchTunes, and is a founder of digital media companies with multiple patents in wireless multimedia transmission.[11:59 PM]

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Ben is an entrepreneur, media exec, journalist, and author. In April 2024, he became publisher, CEO and co-owner of The Daily Beast in a strategic partnership with Joanna Coles, former head of content at Hearst, and Barry Diller, chairman of IAC and founder of The Beast.nnMost recently, Sherwood was the founder and CEO of MOJO, a venture-backed tech and media platform on a mission to make youth sports fun, easy and accessible for everyone. The company partnered with the greatest leagues and teams, including the NBA, MLB, NFL FLAG, MLS and FC Barcelona, and its high-quality instructional content has helped more than five million families in all 50 states and 178 countries.nnIn December 2023, MOJO was acquired by TeamSnap, the #1 youth sports tech platform has 30 million registered users and two million daily active users. Sherwood now serves on the TeamSnap board.nnIn his previous life, he was co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney ABC Television Group where he oversaw the company’s global television business, including the ABC network and owned stations, with 12,000 employees, $12.5 billion in revenue and 25,000 hours of original programming per year.nnBefore that, he served as president of ABC News, leading the organization to #1 in the ratings, every major award in broadcast journalism, record profitability, and groundbreaking partnerships with Univision and Yahoo!

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Ben is an entrepreneur, media exec, journalist, and author. In April 2024, he became publisher, CEO and co-owner of The Daily Beast in a strategic partnership with Joanna Coles, former head of content at Hearst, and Barry Diller, chairman of IAC and founder of The Beast.nnMost recently, Sherwood was the founder and CEO of MOJO, a venture-backed tech and media platform on a mission to make youth sports fun, easy and accessible for everyone. The company partnered with the greatest leagues and teams, including the NBA, MLB, NFL FLAG, MLS and FC Barcelona, and its high-quality instructional content has helped more than five million families in all 50 states and 178 countries.nnIn December 2023, MOJO was acquired by TeamSnap, the #1 youth sports tech platform has 30 million registered users and two million daily active users. Sherwood now serves on the TeamSnap board.nnIn his previous life, he was co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney ABC Television Group where he oversaw the company’s global television business, including the ABC network and owned stations, with 12,000 employees, $12.5 billion in revenue and 25,000 hours of original programming per year.nnBefore that, he served as president of ABC News, leading the organization to #1 in the ratings, every major award in broadcast journalism, record profitability, and groundbreaking partnerships with Univision and Yahoo!

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Marc Kohn is an innovative thought leader with 15+ years of success in digital and linear video content creation. His philosophy is to always put the audience first, not the brand, which still seems to be unconventional. He truly believes in listening to his audience, including all of their diverse opinions and thoughts and making sure they are heard. He always likes to shine a light on the underdog and make the quietest voice in the room heard the loudest.nnKohn is currently the President, Content & Media at Overtime, with 115MM+ global followers and 3 billion video views a month.nnPreviously, Kohn was at Barstool Sports where he served as Head of Programming and Strategy. He also was the Senior Director of Video Programming and Live events at Bleacher Report where he led content development, sales pitching, video production and more.nnKohn graduated from SUNY Oswego with a bachelor’s degree in television broadcasting and mass media.

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Peter Frintzilas is the CEO of TeamSnap and a seasoned technology executive with 20+ years of experience driving growth and innovation in vertical software and platform technology companies. He has played a pivotal role in leading over $3.5 billion in public and private company M&A transactions – most notably as Senior Vice President at Intralinks, a $400M+ global FinTech provider, where he led Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, and was the GM of its $70M+ Banking & Securities global business.nnPrior to joining TeamSnap, Peter served as an Executive Partner at Waud Capital Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm. There, he focused on vertical software investments and architected the firm’s investment thesis in Youth Sports Technology.nnPeter is a passionate advocate for federal and state investment in sport-based youth development programs, having helped to unlock more than $50 million in funding over the past few years in partnership with various non-profits. He is a mentor in the TechStars SportsTech Incubator and an advisor to multiple high-growth startups. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern, a BS from Syracuse University, and an Executive Certificate from MIT Sloan.  On weekends, you can find him on the sidelines coaching his three young boys across the rinks and fields of Southern Connecticut, where he and his wife make their home.

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Melissa Pine is the Vice President, WTA 125 Operations, overseeing the global growth and development of over 50 events. As the first female Tournament Director of the WTA Finals and former Vice President of Asia Pacific, she led the most successful WTA Finals in history, including a record attendance of 168,273 over the 10-day sport entertainment event and unprecedented broadcast and digital reach.nnPine also launched the WTA Future Stars junior development program, expanding it from a regional program to a global one across 26 countries. She created and standardized out-of-competition programming, adding grassroots value to WTA events while integrating with the organization’s global business strategies.nnPine’s journey began as a competitive tennis player, becoming a Provincial and Atlantic Champion and National Junior Semifinalist. She received a full scholarship to Washington State University, where she was a two-time All-American Scholar Athlete and played at the No. 1 position in both singles and doubles. After completing her MBA, she started her sports business career with the USTA before joining the WTA. She is committed to giving back, stating, “Tennis has provided me with so many opportunities...I feel a personal responsibility to help other young girls and boys to reach their goals and live a positive life through sport.”

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Lori Nelson-Kraft is the senior vice president of corporate affairs for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP). In this role, she oversees communications, government affairs, and community engagement.nBefore joining the LVGP, she served five years as senior vice president of communications for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and 14 years as vice president of corporate communications for Station Casinos.nMs. Nelson-Kraft currently serves as a Board Trustee for the Vegas Chamber of Commerce and as the President of the Leadership Foundation. She also proudly serves on the board of directors for Noah’s Animal House, a full-service pet shelter located next door and in partnership with The Shade Tree Shelter in Southern Nevada and with the Domestic Violence Resource Center in Northern Nevada in support of victims of domestic violence.nMs. Nelson-Kraft has loved living in Southern Nevada for three decades after growing up in Detroit, Michigan, and graduating from Eastern Michigan University.

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With nearly 25 years of leadership experience in international cricket, Grave is responsible for overseeing all aspects of MLC’s operations, including league expansion, team development, and strategic partnerships, aiming to strengthen MLC’s position as the premier professional cricket league in the United States. Prior to joining MLC, Grave served as the CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI) for seven years, where he was instrumental in enhancing governance, fostering a high-performance culture, and maximizing commercial and cricketing opportunities. He also held the position of CEO for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted with the U.S. Before his tenure at CWI, Grave spent a decade as the Commercial Director at the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) in England and began his career at Surrey County Cricket Club at the Oval in London.

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Asia is a trailblazer redefining how fans connect and how venues come alive through cutting-edge intelligence and immersive technology. An ex-athlete and former professional cricket player, and a champion for women in tech and sports, passionate to deliver game-changing solutions for the world’s leading sports organizations. Realizes bold ideas and a vision that pushes the boundaries of the sports experience!

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Burkhardt von Wagner is one of Europe’s leading professionals in sports business partnerships, venuencommercialization, and integrated fan experience strategies. As Director Corporate Partnerships for the SAPnGarden and the Red Bulls, he plays a pivotal role in shaping one of Europe’s most technologically advancednand culturally relevant sports venues.nIn his role, Burkhardt positions the SAP Garden as a true technology hub and a multi-layered ecosystem thatnserves diverse audiences—from elite athletes and global brands to grassroots athletes, esports communities,nand millions of fans. His work is guided by the belief that a modern sports arena is no longer just a venue—it isna living platform for experiences, engagement, and long-term emotional connection.nBurkhardt shares forward-thinking perspectives on how technology-enabled arenas become emotionalnpowerhouses, transforming fan behavior, partnership models, and the future of live sports. And he achieves allnof this powered by the unrivaled energy and innovation spirit of Red Bull.

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David Muoser is the Managing Director of Kings League in the US, leading the property’s expansion into the market and launch of both Kings and Queens Leagues. David previously helped to launch Kings League in Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, and the Middle East as Strategy & Business Development Director. Prior to Kings League, David worked in leadership roles at the NBA League Office in the TMBO and Global Strategy departments, at Cabot golf & hospitality in corporate development, and at LEK Consulting. He holds a BA from Duke University and MBA from Harvard and is based in NYC.

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As Chief Technology Officer for Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and BMO Stadium,nChristian Lau drives the innovation agenda that has redefined how fans experience livensports and entertainment. He leads the organization’s technical vision with a clearnmission: use technology to remove friction, elevate every touchpoint, and createnunforgettable, additive experiences for guests.nUnder his leadership, LAFC has become a benchmark for innovation in the sportsnindustry—recognized as one of the most tech-forward clubs and venues in the U.S.nLau’s strategic foresight has attracted world-class technology partnerships, transformingnBMO Stadium into a living lab for next-generation solutions.nFrom pioneering biometric age verification and NFC ticketing to launching autonomousnretail experiences, Lau has helped bring breakthrough concepts from idea tonreality—setting new global standards for arenas, stadiums, and large-scale venues. Hisnwork doesn’t just shape the future of fan engagement; it accelerates it.

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Kelsey Bannister is a seasoned executive in professional sports with over 16 years of industry experience. She currently serves as the Vice President of Sales and Service with Legends Global, leading the A's Las Vegas Ballpark project, which is set to open in 2028. In this role, she oversees a team of future leaders responsible for selling all premium seating and suites in the new ballpark.nBefore the A’s, Kelsey launched Eleven11 Consulting, advising professional sports organizations on elevating fan experience, increasing revenue, and refining premium services offerings. She was instrumental in the opening of the Kansas City Current’s (NWSL) new stadium, the first purpose-built stadium for women’s soccer in the US, and helped launch the inaugural season of the new LOVB professional women’s volleyball league. Additionally, her innovative leadership was key to launching the first-ever Formula 1 race in Las Vegas as VP of Ticketing.n nHer prior roles also include Vice President of Premium Sales and Service for the Milwaukee Bucks/Fiserv Forum and Vice President of Premium Client Services for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment in Denver, CO. In both roles, she led revenue and retention strategies across all premium spaces, generating substantial year-over-year (YoY) growth. Her experience across the NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, MLB, NWSL, and Formula 1 provides a unique and instrumental perspective as Major League Baseball arrives in Las Vegas.nOriginally from Lubbock, Texas, Kelsey holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management and a B.B.A degree in Marketing from Baylor University (Waco, Texas). She was also a Division I Athlete for the Baylor Bears Volleyball Team. Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys traveling the world, trying delicious food with her husband, Justin, and spending time with their dog, Toby.

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Ben Schreiner is a dynamic technology leader and keynote speaker who serves as Head of AI and Modern Data Strategy Business Development at AWS. With his unique blend of enterprise technology, startup, and financial services experience, Ben brings practical insights to complex digital transformation challenges. He is known for his ability to bridge the gap between technical concepts and business outcomes, making him a sought-after speaker on topics including AI implementation, cloud migration, and digital innovation.nAs a certified AI practitioner and strategic advisor, Ben has helped numerous organizations navigate their technology transformation journeys. His speaking engagements focus on practical applications of emerging technologies, change management, and the human side of digital transformation. Ben combines his extensive experience with an engaging presentation style that makes complex technical concepts accessible to diverse audiences. His talks are particularly valuable for organizations looking to understand how to leverage AI and cloud technologies while managing organizational change effectively.

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Serving as CEO of The Snow League is Omer Atesmen, serial entrepreneur who has successfully built and sold businesses in sports, technology and advertising. Atesmen worked with White previously developing educational sports content at The Skills, and is a former Stanford engineer, Kellogg MBA and management consultant at Boston Consulting Group. Atesmen previously worked with Shaun White developing sports educational content at The Skills and fell in love with the idea of helping Shaun build the league.nLaunched in June 2024, The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing. Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Shaun White, Season One featur es a four-event global format boasting a $2.5 million season purse, with athletes competing to earn points to determine the overall champions. The season kicked off at Buttermilk in Aspen Snowmass (March 7–8, 2025), headed next to Yunding Snow Park, China (Dec. 4–6, 2025), where 16 of the world’s top freeskiers joined the roster at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games venue. The League returns to Aspen (Feb. 26–28, 2026) and concludes at LAAX, Switzerland (March 19–21, 2026), where the first-ever Snow League World Champions will be crowned.

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Greg Nelson has been instrumental in Hudl’s growth into a global market leader. Over his 15-year tenure with the company, he helped Hudl expand from serving 250 athletic programs to more than 230,000 teams worldwide.nAs Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hudl’s Competitive Business Unit, Greg leads the company’s Competitive Business Unit. His strategic vision has driven innovation and market expansion, including into amateur club sports and the new Hudl Fan business line, which engages communities and supporters through ticketing, livestreaming and automated highlights.nGreg joined Hudl in 2010 as a QA in the support department. In 2014, he moved to the product team full-time as the second product manager, overseeing Hudl’s transformation from a high school football video software to the world’s leading provider of cloud-based technology for the sports industry. He helped to launch key products like Hudl’s playbook, AI-powered reports for opponent predictions, Hudl Recruit and Hudl Assist for football, which now provides data for every high school and college game in the U.S.nGreg remains a driving force in Hudl’s senior leadership, continuously pushing for innovation in sports technology.

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Cassidy is the Vice President of Volleyball for Athletes Unlimited. She was a founding member of Athletes Unlimited’s professional volleyball league, competed in the first two seasons, and served as Chairperson of the Player Executive Committee. Lichtman is a former member of the USA Volleyball Women’s National Team and was an All-American and Academic All-American at Stanford. She is also the founder of P/ATH, an organization that harnesses the power of professional athletes to teach the next generation skills around empathy, equity, and empowerment. Lichtman previously worked at shift7 with former Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Megan Smith, on projects focusing on inclusion and economic inequality. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for USA Volleyball and was named one of AdWeek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports in 2022.

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Edward Khoury is the Chief Technology Officer of Jump, where he leads the company’s technology vision and execution, helping professional sports and live entertainment organizations leverage software, data, and artificial intelligence to drive measurable impact. He oversees engineering and AI strategy, building scalable platforms that power fan engagement, operational efficiency, and innovation for team and league partners. His work sits at the intersection of technology leadership and SportsTech innovation, shaping how teams connect with fans, optimize operations, and unlock new value in an increasingly digital sports landscape.

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J.J. Gottsch was named the inaugural CEO and General Manager of the Austin Gamblers in March 2022. Leading both business and team operations, he has guided the organization to unmatched success in the PBR Team Series over its first four seasons. On the dirt, Gottsch oversees all team operations and roster management, including draft selections, trades, and free agent acquisitions, building the league’s most successful team, which has won more games and regular season championships than any other team. Off the dirt, Gottsch has elevated the PBR and Gamblers brand domestically and internationally, notably through an annual training trip to Brazil, where the team participates in the prestigious PBR Brazil Americana event, the “Festa do Peão de Americana.” His leadership has positioned the Gamblers as the league leader in several categories, including corporate sponsorship revenue and social media following among the ten teams. Gottsch brought the Gamblers and PBR to Austin’s Moody Center as its first sports tenant, with the venue, located on the University of Texas campus, earning Pollstar’s “Venue of the Year” award in its inaugural year. He secured key partnerships with Austin-based industry leaders Dell Technologies and YETI, further strengthening the team’s business success.

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Darshan Kaler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tradable Bits, the leading engagement platform powering data-driven fan experiences across sports and live entertainment. Darshan is driving the company’s next frontier of innovation in AI and LLM-powered technology, making fan engagement smarter, faster, and more effective for partners across music and sports. Hundreds of organisations worldwide rely on Tradable Bits including sports partners in the AFL, NBA, NFL, NRL, NHL, and MLS.

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Sebastian is the President of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft, a non-profit organization that helps the sports industry leverage the latest technologies to become a digital and sustainable businesses. The GSIC is the largest international sports tech ecosystem with a network of 26.000+ industry execs, 1500 startups and 450+ premium members in 65+ countries, and has supported 250+ sports entities in their digital transformation, reimagining fan experiences, smart stadiums and sports performance. He is a mentor and biz angel of startups and scale-ups. Sebastian currently leads global partnerships between Microsoft and Fortune 500 organizations to reimagine their businesses.nnWith 27 years at Microsoft, Sebastian has held numerous leadership and board roles across Latin America, Europe, and Worldwide. Industrial Engineer and MBA in Buenos Aires, he has specialized in “digital marketing”, “the business of sports, media and entertainment”, and “product innovation” at Harvard Business School, as well as “business sustainability management” at the University of Cambridge. He participates in advisory boards and is a guest speaker at universities and industry conferences.

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Aadit Parikh is an Investment Director at Sony Ventures, operating the Sony Innovation Fund (SIF). SIF has approximately $500M in assets under management, and Aadit covers the Entertainment (Sports) and Enterprise ecosystems. He works closely with Sony’s business units to drive both strategic and financial value from early-stage technology investments.nnAadit approaches entertainment investments with a focus on how technology is reshaping sports and live entertainment. He led SIF’s investments in SportsVisio, an AI and computer vision platform automating stat tracking and highlights for athletes and leagues, and Tixr, a next-generation ticketing and experiential commerce platform powering 700+ partners across sports, festivals, and venues globally. Both reflect a broader thesis that technology should enhance every touchpoint of the fan and athlete experience.nnPrior to Sony Ventures, Aadit held roles in M&A consulting at Deloitte, private equity at Portfolio Advisors, and investment banking at Sonenshine Partners, spanning tech and media transactions. He holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BS in Finance & Accounting from NYU Stern.

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Kandi Conda is a Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, Sports Brand Agent, Global Speaker, 7xn& Author. Kandi "KC" is the First African American Woman to Own/Manage a Women’snProfessional Basketball Team (WBA, Chicago Twisters)nnConda is the CEO of Athletes Who Give (Non-Profit) and also the CEO of Life AfternSports and a sports app founder. Conda is the current President of WISE-LAS Vegasn(Women in Sports & Events). She curates, consults and collaborates with many highnprofile events for athletes, teams and sports organizations in Las Vegas such as thenAces Foundation, the Las Vegas Ignite G-league, celeb athletes youth organizationsnand schools. Conda provides ala-carte Branding & Social Media Strategies for Events,nEntrepreneurs, Entertainers, Authors, Athletes & Celebrities. She previously worked fornthe Chicago Bulls Late Night Basketball program for almost 6 years where she honednher sports programming skills. Conda has just published the first book in her 6 booknSports IQ series; “When She Hoops”, The Game, Grind & Goats of Women'snBasketball”. She has been inducted into the African American Hall of Fame, thenKansas City Archives Hall of Fame, Honored by Naismith Hall of Fame (July 1998,nSpringfield, MA) and she has been invited for inclusion in the Women’s Basketball Hallnof Fame.nnConda is a regular speaker at events and conferences such as the West Coast SportsnConference, SEIcon and ESSLV/UNLV and many more. She has recently just receivedn“Woman to Watch” Award by Nevada Business Magazine, a Lifetime AchievementnAward from President Biden, an award from the Thrill Women’s Professional Volleyballnteam and the West Coast Conference Women Who Inspire series. Conda is currentlynan Honorary Base Commander at Nellis AFB working directly with military personnelnand their families. She received an award and was honored by the Afro Awards in Dec.nn2022, for her work in Sports Philanthropy and Women’s sports. She is also a graduatenof Southern Illinois University and belongs to several professional organizations. Condanhas served on many military boards and organizations and is also an Air Force Veteran.nIn May of 2024, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the UnitednGraduate College and Seminary Intl.

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Andrew is the CEO of Profluence Capital. He is also the founder of Profluence, a premium community for builders in sports which has garnered over 150,000 social media followers and 200 million impressions. Profluence’s agency arm has had the opportunity to build over a dozen sports media brands. He is also a founding member of the private syndicate group, DraftDay, where they source equity opportunities for professional athletes. Andrew graduated from Boston University with a B.S.B.A. concentrating in finance. He was also a captain of the Terriers D1 basketball team and a Patriot League Champion.

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Robert Davari is a visionary entrepreneur and dynamic leader, serving as CEO of Santa Monica–based Tixr, a global technology company he cofounded in 2013 to modernize ticketing and live event commerce. Known for his innovation, strategic clarity, and passion for live events, Davari has been recognized as a Billboard Touring Power Player, one of SPIN’s Most Influential People in Music, a UCLA Bruin Business 100 exceptional alumni entrepreneur, and one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Tixr has grown into a global powerhouse with a reputation for creative, industry-shaping solutions. Today, Tixr powers more than 700 leading live entertainment brands in 40 countries with its platform built for unified live event commerce and sales beyond tickets.

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Mustafa Ghouse is the Founding General Partner of Centre Court Capital (CCC), India’s first dedicated venture capital fund focused on the sports and gaming ecosystem. With over a decade of experience leading JSW Sports and pioneering key initiatives in Indian sports, he recognized a critical gap—early-stage founders in this sector lacked dedicated capital and the operational expertise needed to scale. CCC was created to bridge this gap, combining investment with hands-on support to accelerate growth in a rapidly evolving industry.nPrior to launching CCC, Mustafa was the founding CEO of JSW Sports, here he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern sports landscape. He pearheaded the development of the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), a first-of-its-kind high-performance training centre that has nurtured multiple Olympic medalists. Under his leadership, JSW Sports strategically invested in and operated franchises across major leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Super League (ISL), Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Women’s Premier League (WPL), and SA20. His ability to anticipate and act on emerging trends has consistently placed him at the forefront of sports development in India.

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Brian Davison is a seasoned sports industry executive, entrepreneur, and global strategist with a track record of building brands, signing elite talent, and driving impactful partnerships in the sports business.nnHe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sports Business Ventures (SBV), a multi-faceted sports business platform dedicated to connecting, educating, and elevating professionals across all levels of the sports industry. SBV operates across two core areas. On the career side, the platform supports professionals at every stage, from aspiring students to seasoned executives, through executive search, talent placement, curated job access, mentorship, career strategy, and community-driven programming. SBV also partners with teams, leagues, universities, and athletic departments to strengthen talent pipelines and create clear pathways into the business of sports.nnOn the strategic advisory side, SBV works with sports tech companies, brands, agencies, and athlete-led organizations on business development, talent strategy, and growth initiatives designed to scale impact and long-term value.nnAcross both individuals and institutions, SBV operates at the intersection of talent, leadership, and opportunity, connecting people, organizations, and ideas that shape the future of sports.nnSBV serves not only college students and young professionals but also mid-career professionals, executives, and athletes transitioning into business careers. Its industry-leading Coaching Program is utilized by SMU, VCU, Michigan, Arizona State University, University of New Haven, Samford, Bucknell, and other universities, while its recruitment services and consulting arm partner with sports organizations worldwide.nnBrian was previously the Vice President of Basketball Development and Affairs for the Milwaukee Bucks. In this role, he oversaw the Player Development department and managed the growth, career strategy, and off-court initiatives of Bucks players. While with the Bucks, he was a member of the 2021 NBA Championship Team.nnAt Nike, Brian held several leadership roles across retail, product creation, sales, and marketing within the U.S. and internationally. He oversaw endorsement deals with NBA athletes and team sponsorships for Nike Basketball and the Jordan Brand, collaborating with the league to enhance brand alignment, drive business growth, and tell athletes' stories. His dedication to shaping athletes' global strategies played a crucial role in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey at Nike, leading the international launch of the Freak 1 and key brand initiatives.nnDuring his time at Nike and Jordan Brand, Brian was responsible for signing:n• • Nike Basketball: DeMar DeRozan, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Darius Garland, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon (Rookie of the Year), Lauri Markkanen, and more!n• • Jordan Brand: Worked on building the footwear business, promo footwear strategy, and outfitting elite athletes and NCAA programs such as Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, North Carolina, Georgetown, Michigan, and Marquette.nnAt HEIR, Brian expanded his athlete marketing impact by signing Anthony Edwards, Tyler Herro, Bennedict Mathurin, Lonzo Ball, Tyrese Proctor, and others. He leveraged content and product innovation to tell athlete stories in new, engaging ways.nnBefore his corporate career, Brian played basketball at UNC Asheville and Brevard College. He was part of the 2003 Big South Championship team, which made history by winning UNC Asheville’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game before facing #1-seeded Texas in the next round. After playing, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach at Brevard College before launching his career at Nike.nnBrian is deeply committed to giving back to the sports community and sits on the board for Brevard College, Arizona State University’s Sports Business Department, and Pascal Siakam’s non-profit, PS43.nnHe holds a B.A. in Sports Management and Marketing from Brevard College and an M.B.A. in Sports Business from Saint Leo University. He resides in Phoenix, AZ, with his wife and three children.

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Robert Angarita is the co-founder of BallerTV, a sports technology and media company that has spent the past decade live streaming and recording youth sports events nationwide. Most recently, BallerTV launched BallerCam, a direct-to-consumer AI sports camera built specifically for parents and coaches to capture the long tail of youth sports.nnRobert has co-founded and exited multiple startups over more than 25 years. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. Robert is also a father of two boys and a youth soccer coach, giving him firsthand insight into both the challenges and magic of youth sports.

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Ben Simpson is a global leader in elite sports performance, innovation strategy, and organizational transformation. He currently serves as Director of Special Projects & Sports Innovation at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he helps shape how one of the world’s most progressive football clubs integrates science, technology, and culture across its performance and medical operations.

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Dylan Robbins is the Founder and CEO of Lucra, the leading provider of white-label gamification software. Lucra enables entertainment, hospitality, fitness, and consumer brands to embed peer-to-peer challenges, group play, and social tournaments directly into their digital experiences—while seamlessly managing payments, compliance, and risk.nSince its launch in 2020, Lucra has become the connective layer for social competition across industries, powering engagement for partners including Dave & Buster’s, Puttshack, and Backyard Baseball. In 2024, the company was named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies list, recognizing its role in creating a new category of enterprise gamification. To date, Dylan has raised more than $25M from leading investors such as 7GC, SeventySix Capital, and ARK Invest, alongside strategic backers including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Marc Lasry, John Isner, Zach Ertz, and Emmanuel Sanders.nEarlier in his career, Dylan worked in leveraged finance at Goldman Sachs and as an analyst at AQR Capital Management. He earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA in economics from Duke University.nA serial entrepreneur, Dylan also co-founded Lifetime Vintage (acquired in 2023) and Verre Vert, a sustainable wine packaging startup. He mentors early-stage founders through Fulcrum Venture Accelerator, advising on product development, go-to-market strategy, and category creation.

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As Parrot Analytics’ U.S. Partnership Executive, Finberg has over 30 years of expertise workingnfor Media & Entertainment companies. Finberg has launched campaigns for major andnindependent distributors worldwide handling theatrical, home media, television, digital,nlicensing & merchandising for product and lifestyle brands.nDoug has worked for companies including Marvel Studios, MGM Studios, Universal Pictures,nDreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures, Saban Brands, and NATPE. He has his own consultantnfirm, Backpocket Solutions Inc., producing TV content and (previously) worked with clients vianFinberg Worldwide.nWorking with streaming platforms, theaters, networks, retailers, media outlets and start-ups,nFinberg intimately understands building, scaling and evergreen lifecycles. Having traveled thenworld marketing motion pictures and television content, Finberg has brought to life films andnfranchises including THE AVENGERS, IRON MAN 2, THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA, SHREK,nMADAGASCAR, POWER RANGERS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE RING, MEET THE FOCKERS, amongncountless others. Finberg was a Series 7 & 66 Securities & Exchange Commission U.S. federalnlicense holder after working at Merrill Lynch. During his early career, Finberg worked in retail,nbroadcast radio and accumulated producing experience and began as an intern at LucasFilm.

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Stephen Denton is the CEO of Opendorse and a serial entrepreneur with four successful exits and a track record of building high-growth organizations. Before Opendorse, he was CEO of Ware2Go, a UPS company, leading it through rapid growth and acquisition. A Shepherd University graduate with degrees in Business and Marketing, he previously served as President & CRO of Collective[i], an AI-driven sales platform, and the GM & VP of Marketing Solutions at eBay, where he integrated nine acquisitions into a global marketing leader. Denton is also a pioneer in affiliate marketing solutions during his time at LinkShare, acquired by Rakuten, and he serves as an advisor, board member, and community leader in both personal and professional capacities.

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Gregory is the Managing Partner & CEO of Drake Star, a leading tech-focused investment bank, where he oversees the firm’s global operations and leads its international M&A and private equity efforts. A seasoned investment banker, Gregory has advised on complex cross-border transactions across the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets. He’s been recognized with the 2021 Global M&A Leadership Award, the 2016 M&A Advisor Leadership Award, and is a Hall of Fame inductee at The M&A Advisor for his impact on international dealmaking. Beyond Drake Star, Gregory serves as an Advisor at the Harvard Innovation Labs, Non-Executive Chairman of the Investment Committee at Da Vinci Capital, a Non-Executive Board Member of a prominent emerging markets hedge fund, and a Senior Advisor to MEP Capital. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and contributes regularly to Bloomberg, Forbes, Reuters, and other leading financial media. Prior to Drake Star, Gregory co-founded Renaissance Capital and The Sputnik Funds, and began his career at Credit Suisse First Boston and Salomon Brothers. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Iris is the Managing Director at GSIC powered by Microsoft, driving innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the global sports-tech ecosystem. Since 2015, she has cultivated a network of nearly 200 companies and institutions, fostering collaborations that shape the future of sports. Iris was recognized among Spain’s Top 100 Women Leaders and named one of the country's most influential women in sports by Metadeporte magazine. She also received the Outstanding Woman of Excellence award from the Women's Economic Forum. Iris actively champions female leadership and diversity in sports.

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Gorka Llort is the Director of Digital Business at MotoGP, leading the development and execution of the company’s digital strategy for Dorna Sports. With a career spanning over a decade dedicated to MotoGP’s digital evolution, he built the entire Digital Business area in 2020. Gorka’s focus is on maximizing the user experience and sales conversion across all digital channels. He evolved his role from managing social media and content strategy to driving growth through innovation and technology. He is passionate about turning digital products into powerful tools for storytelling, engagement, and unlocking commercial opportunities for the company and the championship’s stakeholders. His primary objective is to bring the excitement of MotoGP closer to fans worldwide.

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Masa is Co-Founder and CEO of Uplift Labs, an AI-powered movement intelligence platform delivering lab-grade 3D motion capture and analytics via iPhone and iPad to optimize human performance and health. Uplift is used by over 60 professional sports teams and leagues, NCAA programs, sports academies, and healthcare providers. Previously, Masa served as President of Tesla Japan, where he led the launch and market expansion of the Model S, and as Director of Education at Apple Japan, where he spearheaded the introduction of iPad into the education sector. Earlier as Country Manager, he led the growth of LEGO Education’s robotics platform in Japan. Masa holds a BA in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and teaches entrepreneurship through Stanford’s Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE).

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Marc Riccio is the CEO of USA Lacrosse, a 425,000-member governing body for the sport in the U.S. A former collegiate player at Hofstra, Riccio brings expertise in media, fan engagement, and sports business operations. Under his leadership, the organization has focused on growth, participant experience, and national team excellence, while generating record revenue to support the game.nSince starting in August 2021, Riccio has overseen a post-pandemic rebound, achieving record membership in the 7-9 age segment. USA Lacrosse has expanded its national program to 14 teams, which currently hold top-two rankings globally. During his tenure, the U.S. has won five World Lacrosse championships and one World Games title. Furthermore, USA Lacrosse was recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2023 and is on the path to becoming an official National Governing Body.nRiccio’s professional background includes 17 years with the NFL’s New York Jets and seven years in sports strategy and organizational change. A Canandaigua, N.Y. native and high school All-American, he is inducted into the Canandaigua Academy and Upstate Lacrosse Halls of Fame. Riccio holds a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University, plus an M.B.A. and B.A. from Hofstra University, and is a member of the New York State Bar.

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Juan serves as Director of the GSIC Powered by Microsoft Testing Lab, leading a pioneering center that evaluates advanced technologies for health, sport, and entertainment worldwide. Previously, he spent nearly ten years driving LALIGA’s strategic expansion as Delegate in key markets across Northern Europe and the Middle East, and held strategic roles at Oxford Business Group in APAC, the Spanish Foreign Investment Agency in Africa, as well as board positions in different Nordic innovation and sports focused hubs or VCs.nnHe founded and co-chairs the sports investment committee at EBAN (European Business Angel Network) and has assessed or advised hundreds of start-ups as a mentor and jury member. A published researcher with Harvard Business School (LALIGA case study), featured in outlets such as Forbes and the BBC and having served as a mentor in Techstars US SportsTech Accelerator, Juan brings truly global expertise spanning Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas—bridging global sports organizations, investors, and sports tech companies.

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Mohit Pareek, CFA, is an award-winning investment banker with over 15 years of experience specializing in tech M&A and corporate finance advisory, with a particular focus on sports and digital media transactions. Based in Drake Star’s Los Angeles office, he has established himself as a leading advisor in the industry, successfully guiding numerous high-profile M&A and financing deals in sports tech, gaming, esports, and broader digital media.nnSome of the most notable transactions in which Mohit played a key role include the sale of Spiketrap to Reddit, FreshPlanet/SongPop to Vivendi/Gameloft, Echtra Games to Zynga/Take-Two, Nura to Denon/Sound United, Slightly Mad Studios to Codemasters, nWay to Animoca, Firefly Studios to Devolver Digital, Wildworks to Nazara, Lightstream to Xsolla, Tastypill to Azur Games, EyeEm to NewValue, Avira to Investcorp, and AvaFin to Capitec Bank, as well as financing for Cinder by Animoca. His strategic insight and execution excellence have consistently delivered exceptional value for clients across the globe.nnRecently, Mohit was honored with The Americas Rising Star Award at the 15th Annual Americas & Global M&A Atlas Awards. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and is often quoted by tier-1 media publications as an expert in his coverage areas. Mohit is also the lead author of the Drake Star Global Sports Tech Report and co-author of the Drake Star Global Gaming Report. These reports are published quarterly, covered extensively by major media publications, and highly followed by the wider venture capital, private equity, and founder ecosystems.nMohit holds an MBA from IBS Mumbai and is a CFA Charterholder, credentials that underscore his rigorous analytical and financial acumen. His contributions continue to drive innovation and growth in the M&A space.

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Amir Gelman is WSC Sports' VP, Marketing and GTM and General Manager in the Americas, leading the company's strategic initiatives, go-to market approach, and collaboration with the biggest sports entities such as ESPN, NBA, Amazon, and many more.nnBefore joining WSC Sports, Amir was the Director of Business Development at Lemonade Inc., leading the company's strategic partnership, and a former venture capitalist focusing on early-stage startups.nnHe has an extensive background in business, sales, and strategic partnership development for innovative and market-disrupting products.

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Javier Altamirano is the Global Head of Startups at Sportradar, based out of Minneapolis, MN. In the past two years, Javier has spearheaded a transformative initiative by establishing the Futures Hub, Sportradar’s pioneering Venture Client unit dedicated to sports tech.nUnder his leadership, the Futures Hub has already delivered an impressive impact in the millions of USD. His team has meticulously assessed over 494 startups, curating over 104 for Sportradar units to review and select for potential strategic collaborations, effectively turning cutting-edge concepts into tangible realities for the business. This work is a natural extension of his core focus: coaching, mentoring, and collaborating with innovative companies to bring their big ideas in sports and tech to fruition. Javier is also an advisor and investor at The Collectiv, a Sports-Tech fund backed by Mercury Fund and volunteers since 2022 a Board Member of The Minnesota Twins Community Fund.nJavier joined Sportradar in 2016 as a Director of Federation Services, based in Switzerland. Prior to his tenure at Sportradar, he served as Head of Media for World Rowing, where he helped successfully delivering media center, mixed zone operations, and press conferences for the 2016 Rio Olympics.nJavier holds a Masters of Advanced Studies from the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) in Switzerland and is certified by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).

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Brian Mirakian is a leader in design innovation for Populous, serving on the Americas Regional Board and driving the firm’s expertise in brand activation, esports, and live performance. Focused on future-forward innovation and immersive user experiences, he creates value for clients by elevating brands across the live entertainment and hospitality sectors. His notable projects include Comcast's G4 Studios, T-Mobile Arena, Fiserv Forum, and the groundbreaking Qiddiya City Esports Arena.nnMirakian also spearheads development strategies for Ryman Hospitality and Universal Music Group’s North American expansion. His award-winning work has been featured in The New York Times and Forbes, involving collaborations with the NFL, NBA, and global brands like adidas and Pepsi. A prominent public speaker and six-time SXSW veteran, he is a leading voice on futurism and transformative design.

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Phil Andrews is the Chief Executive Officer of USA Fencing, the National Governing Body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States.nSince assuming the role in 2022, Andrews has led a period of historic growth, cultural transformation and commercial expansion across the organization.nHe founded and built USA Fencing’s modern sponsorship and partnerships program from the ground up, growing it to more than $10 million in active partnerships—a scale considered virtually unheard of among U.S. National Governing Bodies. That commercial momentum has helped fuel nearly 20% membership growth, expanded access initiatives and increased national visibility for the sport.nA recognized leader in access and inclusion, Andrews launched initiatives including a national equipment refurbishment program, the GRACE financial-assistance program, Women’s Mentorship programming and Cultural Community Forums. His work earned the 2023 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Large NGB Diversity & Inclusion Award.nPreviously, Andrews served nearly a decade as CEO of USA Weightlifting, where he led a comprehensive organizational turnaround, and later took on interim crisis leadership of the International Weightlifting Federation, gaining international recognition for advancing governance reform and sports integrity.nBorn in England and holding triple citizenship (United Kingdom, United States and Canada), Andrews lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and young daughter.

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Wayne Kimmel is a sports tech venture capitalist, entrepreneur, podcast host, and author. He is the Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital, the venture capital company he founded in 1999 that invests in sports, media and entertainment companies.nnThe Sports Business Journal named Kimmel a Sports Tech Power Player, Insider named him a Top Sports Venture Capitalist and was awarded the Most Admired CEO award from the Philadelphia Business Journal.nnKimmel was an investor in VSiN, the sports betting media network (sold to DraftKings), Vigtory, an innovative sports betting tech platform (sold to FuboTV), C360, the pylon cam company (sold to Cosm), SeamlessWeb (sold to Aramark and now public as GrubHub), Take Care Health Systems (sold to Walgreens and became their healthcare clinics), and NutriSystem. He has also sold companies to Intel, IBM, and Yahoo.nnKimmel also hosts the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, a podcast featuring the industry’s top entrepreneurs, athletes, and thought leaders.nnKimmel is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and the Delaware Law School. He is passionate about innovating the asset class of sports and working to make the world a better place.

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With over 20 years of experience in sports, Jeff has become a trailblazer in planning and executing major events that define the industry. His leadership roles at PGA Headquarters and across iconic PGA of America events, including the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, and Ryder Cup, underscore his impact. Recognized as the 2016 Sportsperson of the Year by the Star Tribune for his transformative work as the Ryder Cup Director in Minnesota, Jeff continued to support the game as Executive Director of the Minnesota PGA.nnToday, Jeff channels his passion for sports and technology by leading innovation initiatives at Indiana Sports Corp—the nation's most storied sports commission—while driving Indiana's ambitious vision to become an international hub for the sports tech industry.nnAn Indianapolis native, Jeff earned a degree in Sports Marketing & Management from Indiana University and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business & Technology.

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Patrick Carroll currently serves as the Managing Director of Digital Technology at NASCAR, where he spearheads the digital technology strategy and leads the NASCAR Digital Technology team. Carroll has dedicated his career to crafting fan-facing digital products, ensuring that every innovation not only meets but exceeds industry standards. Under his guidance, his team continuously strives to transform digital interactions by focusing on fan and user experiences through state-of-the-art technology solutions.

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Brian Hough is the co-founder and CEO of PressBox, who are building the first verticalized content platform that empowers organizations to create highly-personalized, multi-modal content at scale. Our technology powers some of the largest names in sports, delivering dynamic experiences to fans across broadcast, web, social, audio, and video. Brian has over 20 years of experience as an Engineering and Product leader across sports, user-generated content, and direct-to-consumer, including leading the team behind Bleacher Report’s personalization and publishing technology.

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Rohn is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience as a founder and mentor to multiple startups, after starting his career as a management consultant at KPMG. He currently operates in two roles: as Founder & Managing Director of Berlin-based SportsTechX, the leading market intelligence company for sports innovation & investment; and as Investment Director at Match Ventures, a prominent European SportsTech VC. A regular speaker at industry conferences, Rohn also serves as a mentor and judge at startup accelerators and competitions, and guest lecturer at various Sports MBA programs.

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Alyssa is a senior reporter for Morning Brew who’s covered sports marketing for three years, with a particular interest in brand investment in women’s sports. Prior to that, she wrote about media and advertising at Business Insider and was a data journalist for Morning Consult. She started her career covering crime and breaking news for the Boston Globe and the Virginian-Pilot.

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David Steele serves as the Director of Texas and Plug and Play Tech Center’s Sportstech vertical in Frisco, Texas, where he leads one of the nation’s most dynamic innovation platforms at the intersection of sports, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this role, he oversees corporate engagement, startup acceleration, and strategic ecosystem development for global brands, professional sports organizations, and early-stage ventures.nDavid’s journey through the sports industry is both deep and diverse. He has held leadership positions including Vice President of Sales, Senior Director of Business Development, and Texas High School Football Coach—roles that have sharpened his ability to build high-performing teams, cultivate strategic partnerships, and drive measurable outcomes in competitive environments. His leadership was pivotal in launching "Origin," a 6,000-square-foot innovation hub at The Star in Frisco, now a destination for startups and global partners such as the Dallas Cowboys, New Balance, and Gatorade.nA champion of both human performance and business performance, David combines technical knowledge with market insight. He holds an MBA in Sports Business from the University of Oregon’s prestigious Warsaw Sports Business Center, with an additional focus in Advanced Strategy & Leadership. He also earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University.nDavid’s passion for innovation is matched by his commitment to community. He actively mentors young entrepreneurs, advises educational institutions, and plays a key role in positioning Frisco as a global hub for sportstech and human potential. Whether he’s working with startups or guiding Fortune 500 partners, David Steele continues to elevate the future of sport and innovation in Texas and beyond.

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Aaron Holland is Co-Founder and CEO of Attend, a ticketing and fan-data platform that helps sports teams, venues, and entertainment organizations launch and scale modern ticketing programs. Attend’s technology powers solutions for over 100 partners globally, making live events more accessible—especially for younger fans—while driving measurable conversion and incremental revenue across major leagues and live entertainment organizations. Aaron leads Attend’s product and go-to-market strategy and is focused on building an AI-first platform that improves acquisition, personalization, fraud revention, and operational efficiency at scale.

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Jason is the Founder and CEO of SportsVisio. He has grown and sold multiple multi-million dollar companies. After earning a BS in Computer Engineering and an MS in Electrical Engineering, Jason became a project manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He then went on to found, and later sell, Siege Technologies. Prior to starting SportsVisio, he was General Partner at 10x Ventures. He’s an avid basketball player, enjoying the men’s leagues around his home in New Hampshire.

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Trevor Purvis is an accomplished leader in ticket operations, specializing in technological innovations and customer experience solutions for the Houston Astros. As the Director of Ticket Operations - Technology & Solutions, Trevor oversees all aspects of baseball ticketing operations, emphasizing the enhancement of customer engagement and revenue generation.nWith a robust expertise in digital transformation, Trevor spearheaded the shift of the Houston Astros' ticketing from a primarily physical box office to a nearly fully digital platform. Under his leadership,n digital ticket entry skyrocketed from 8% in 2015 to an impressive 99.5% in 2024. In 2025, shifted to Biometric enhancements to the fan experience with over 30% engagement in year 1. His strategic focus on consumer messaging, web assets, and the integrationn of artificial intelligence has significantly improved communication with fans and streamlined internal processes.nTrevor is adept at identifying and integrating third-party vendor solutions that elevate ticket sales efficiency and service functionality, markedly enhancing online and game day experiences for customers.n His innovative approach to in-game engagement uses cutting-edge technology and vendor collaborations to identify attendees, offering them tailored experiences that add value to their visit and bolster overall satisfaction.nThrough his strategic vision and technological acumen, Trevor continues to set new standards in ticket operations, making the Houston Astros a leader in fan experience and technological integration in the sports industry.

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Danny Cortenraede is a serial entrepreneur and investor based in Los Angeles, CA. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of InStudio Ventures, an investment firm with a strong focus on sports, technology, and media companies as well as leagues, clubs, and federations (for major and emerging sports). As a seasoned entrepreneur (5X founder) and investor, Cortenraede has built several successful companies on a global scale in recent years. He earned his Executive MBA from Harvard Business School. Besides this, Danny is a General Partner at LEAD (Legacy of Adidas), founded by the grandchildren of Adi Dassler, the founder of Adidas. Danny’s venture firms have invested in more than 70 companies, including, Boardroom (leading investor and Board Member), Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s media company, TMRW Sports (Tiger Woods), and Religion of Sports, an award-winning media company founded by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra, among many others. Over the last 20+ years, Danny has built strong personal and professional relationships with global investors, UHNWIs, family offices, and the world’s top athletes. He is committed to driving innovation and inclusion in the future of sports.

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Sameer Gupta is a serial entrepreneur who attended the M&T Program at the University of Pennsylvania/Wharton. Sameer is a Co-Founder at Evenplay, BettorView, SimpleC, The h.wood Group, RivalMe, and Golfstream.nnSameer specializes in Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence, founded the Weiss Tech House at Penn and Harvard-Westlake Venture.

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Dr. Christopher P. Cain is a PGA Master Professional and nationally recognized leader in golf management education, sport research, and professional governance. A member of the PGA of America since 1999, serving as District Director representing the Southwest and Pacific Northwest Sections on the PGA of America National Board of Directors and the PGA Foundation Board.nA graduate of Penn State’s PGA University (B.S., 1998) and Recreation, Tourism Management program (M.S., 2004), Cain spent 13 years in the club industry across public, resort, and private facilities, holding assistant, teaching, and head professional roles. His early industry leadership informs his academic and governance work today. In 2004, Cain relocated to UNLV to lead its PGA University Program. Under his direction, the program has expanded its national profile through academic innovation, industry partnerships, and applied research. He also directs the Dwaine Knight Center for Golf Management and leads golf performance research within UNLV’s Sport Research and Innovation Initiative. His work integrates sport science, analytics, consumer behavior, and leadership to advance both student development and industry performance.nnCain earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from UNLV in 2013, with emphasis in leadership and finance. His research examines sport management competencies, golf biomechanics and performance, consumer behavior, and organizational leadership. He has authored numerous academic and trade publications, delivered more than 100 invited presentations, and helped secure several million dollars in scholarships, grants, contracts, and programmatic funding to support golf management education and research infrastructure.nHis service to the PGA of America spans chapter, section, and national leadership. He began serving the Southern Nevada Chapter in 2004 and became Past President in 2013. He served two terms on the Southwest Section Board of Directors and chaired multiple committees. At the national level, he has served as Adjunct Faculty Member (instructing more than 1,450 apprentices), member of the PGA University Accreditation Team, President of the PGA University Executive Association, member of the National Education Committee, and participant on multiple national task forces. He currently serves as Chair of the PGA National University Committee and as a member of the National Membership Engagement Committee. He is also a long-standing member of the PGA Magazine National Advisory Board and the PGA Speaker’s Bureau, where he has educated several thousand PGA professionals. Cain’s teaching spans undergraduate and graduate coursework in leadership, organizational behavior, customer experience, and facility management within the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality. He is the author of Golf’s Rebirth: Rapidly Evolving Applications in Hospitality and Sport Management (Kendall Hunt), a textbook examining the evolving business and career pathways within the modern golf industry.nnA nationally recognized educator and mentor, Cain has been named a national finalist for the PGA’s Professional Development Award and the PGA’s Mentorship Award, in addition to receiving multiple Section and Chapter honors, including Professional of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award. His career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing the profession, strengthening governance, and elevating the future of golf through education, research, and service.

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Scott is a co-founder of Profluence, a venture fund built around media and community, connecting and empowering sports industry innovators. With deep roots in sports, Scott helped launch the University of South Alabama’s football program in 2009, where he played for five years. He then transitioned into the sports-tech space with startup CaptainU, which was later acquired by Stack Sports, a venture backed by Jerry Jones. Known as a natural connector and versatile entrepreneur, Scott excels at bringing talented people together to create meaningful opportunities and growth across the sports ecosystem.

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Courtney Jeffries is a recovering sports executive-turned-start-up founder & CEO. She spent 15+ years in sports between the Oakland Raiders, Pac-12 Conference, and Madison Square Garden as VP of Retention for the Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty, and ran the Rangers P&L. She later joined Satisfi Labs, as head of sales, and eventually became its COO. She is now the founder and CEO of VRTL - a Fan Engagement Operating System designed for teams and brands to own their digital channel for greater revenues and data. She played D1 softball for the University of Washington, holds a Master's in Sport Management (USF), is a member of the Business of Diversity in Sports and Entertainment committee (NSF), and an Advisory Board Member for Minorities in Sports.

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As CEO of Boundaries North, Rahul is helping shape the future of Canadian cricket by working at the intersection of sport, commercial rights, and technology. Boundaries North holds the exclusive commercial rights to Canada’s Men’s and Women’s National Cricket Teams and is focused on building a global media footprint, unlocking major brand partnerships, building stadiums, and accelerating cricket’s growth within Canada’s sporting ecosystem. This growth is reflected in national partnerships with brands like TD, Coca-Cola, No Frills and Maple Leaf Foods via sponsorship of Cricket Canada. This has signalled increasing brand investment in the sport and its rapidly expanding fan base. Boundaries North has also executed partnerships across major 'mainstream' North American sports and music properties.

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With over 19 years of experience in international cricket, Eddie is a leading strategist driving the sport’s commercial growth across global markets. He is Managing Director at NYZ Consulting, where he leads strategy for Kingsmen Sports Enterprises, and Strategic Advisor at Profluence Capital, advising on sports tech, investment, and growth. He also sits on the board of Wisden, helping guide its evolution into a modern global media platform.nEddie previously worked for the ICC, co-launched Cricket All-Stars in the U.S., and supported the early U.S. expansion of Major League Cricket and the Caribbean Premier League. His work focuses on unlocking value at the intersection of sport and technology with a laser focus on cricket.

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Christine Maddela is a lifelong storyteller and veteran broadcast journalist whose career sits at the intersection of journalism, sports, and live entertainment. She is the founder and CEO of Storyville RD, the only woman-owned production company contracted by the NFL, delivering high-impact content and media coaching for some of the world’s most recognizable sports and entertainment brands.nStoryville RD works with premier clients including Live Nation, AEG, the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, Jennifer Lopez, Allegiant Stadium, MGM Resorts International, and Insight Global supporting everything from major live events to brand storytelling and internal communications.nBefore launching Storyville RD, Christine worked as a news anchor, reporter, and national correspondent in major markets across the country. Her work has earned multiple Regional Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow®, and National Press Photographers Association Awards.

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Erika L. Morrison is a dynamic and strategic Technical Transformation Leader with over two decades of gaming experience driving operational excellence, modernizing enterprise support ecosystems, and leading high-performing teams. As the Support Systems Technical Transformation Manager at Light & Wonder, Erika spearheads global CRM modernization efforts, including the enterprise-wide rollout of Salesforce for over 400 users, the implementation of governance frameworks, and the optimization of data integrity and executive reporting. She is recognized for her ability to unify teams, streamline complex workflows, and develop scalable processes that enhance customer relationships and drive business performance.nWith a career spanning engineering leadership, software support, and major organizational change initiatives, Erika excels at shaping transformation roadmaps, optimizing incident and case management operations, and enhancing cross‑functional alignment across diverse teams. She brings deep technical expertise in Salesforce, Siebel CRM, business intelligence, and enterprise systems architecture, paired with a reputation for clear communication, effective coaching, and inspiring leadership.nBeyond her professional accomplishments, Erika is a passionate community advocate and dedicated mentor. She serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including Girls on the Run, WISE Las Vegas, Athletes Who Give, Fight for Life, and the Winslow Township Youth Association. She has coached youth track and field, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and champions inclusion and culture through her leadership within employee resource groups.n Driven by purpose, service, and the empowerment of others, she brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and community heart to every team and organization she supports.

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Alex Kopilow is an award-winning sponsorship marketer who has launched and led digital partnership programs for NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. He’s the founder of Sponcon Sports, a digital consultancy trusted by more than 3,500 industry professionals through its weekly newsletter on sponsored content strategy. Alex works directly with professional sports teams, leagues, and brands to uncover undervalued digital inventory and install the systems, workflows, and valuation logic needed to turn digital into a reliable, scalable revenue engine.

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Taylor is the Vice President of Promoter Relations in the Americas for F1 Experiences at QuintEvents, where he manages promoter relationships and oversees business development for F1 Experiences events. Previously, he served as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, playing a pivotal role in developing the core team and sales strategy for the 2023 F1 event. Before his work in motorsports, Taylor spent over nine years with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, notably as Director of Strategy and Business Development, where he led revenue initiatives and provided data-driven analysis during the team's relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Business from the University of Redlands and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

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Joe is a Cannes Lions Award-winning Innovation Consultant with FutureSport Co. He helps best in breed emerging tech start ups and enterprises connect and activate award-winning campaigns, products and experiences with the biggest brands in Sport. He was Head of Fan Innovation at City Football Group. Prior to that, he was in-house in Product and BD roles at Hawk-Eye Sony Sports during their hyper-growth phase. He has just relocated to the United States in the Tampa Bay area.

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