Upcoming Events
2023 Game Changers Sports Summit: The Future of Sports, Technology, and Business in Arizona
Name:
2023 Game Changers Sports Summit: The Future of Sports, Technology, and Business in Arizona
Date:
November 14, 2023
Time:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM MST
Registration:
Sorry, public registration for this event has been closed.
Event Description:
2023 Game Changers Summit:
The Future of Sports, Technology, and Business in Arizona
November 14, 2023
This event will be Arizona’s first sports-specific business, technology, and innovation summit, celebrating the rise of Arizona’s professional sports entertainment sector, an emerging economic powerhouse that has captured worldwide attention and investment.
Attendees will include sports executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, athletes, and policy leaders. Together, we'll examine the impacts of sports on our economy and explore emerging trends in sports, especially performance and health, sports tech, venture capital, and sustainability
Highlights of the event include:
PROGRAM + SPEAKERS
9:30-10:00 am - Registration and Networking at Footprint Center Pavilion
10:00-10:20 am - Welcome & Opening Keynote
10:25-10:55 am - Session 1: Panel Discussion on The Sports Economy in Arizona
Provide a birds-eye view of the business of sports in Arizona, highlight the economic impact of the sports industry on the state, and share recommendations for building the sports economy. Featured Speakers:
● Bridget Binsbacher, Executive Director, Cactus League
● Jay Parry, CEO, NCAA Men’s Final Four Organizing
Committee
● Jim Rounds, President, Rounds Consulting Group
● Sandra Watson, CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority
11:00-11:30 am - Session 2: Fireside Chat on Sports, Business, and Leadership
Discuss why sports matter to communities, showcase sports as a convener across a broad and diverse set of fans, share leadership lessons from sports. Featured Speakers:
● Latasha Causey, CEO, NASCAR Phoenix Raceway
● Erik Moses, CEO and Executive Director, Fiesta Bowl
11:35-11:50 am - Game Changers: Sports Legacy Award, Honoring The Voice of the Suns, Al McCoy
Ft. Fireside Chat with Danny Seiden, President & CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
12:00-12:55 pm - Networking Lunch, Footprint Center VIP Lounge
1:00-1:35 pm - Session 3: Panel Discussion on Sports as a Beachhead into Healthcare
Overview of how the business of sports is paying off for Arizona companies and share insight on the next growth opportunities; briefly share success stories and highlight emerging trends. Featured Speakers:
● Lisa Mukavitz, VP Service Lines, Banner Health
● Steve Nash, Founder, BLOCK
● Dr. Robby Sikka, Founder and CEO, Sports Medicine
Analytics Research Team
● Ahron Cohen, Venture Partner, ADVANTAGE
1:40-2:15 pm - Session 4: Fireside Chat on Venture Capital and the Future of Sports
Discuss what investors are looking for, the capital landscape in Arizona, what business leaders should think about when considering getting involved with the business of sports. Featured Speakers:
● Jessica Pacheco, Managing Director, AZ-VC
● Dan Burns, Executive Chairman, EXOS and Co-Founder, Sonoran Founders Fund
● Xavier Gutierrez, President & CEO, Arizona Coyotes
2:20-2:55 pm - Session 5: Panel Discussion on How Sports are Driving a More Sustainable Future
Highlight the work of sustainability companies that have proven concept through sports partnerships, and discuss the broader implications for sustainability. Featured Speakers:
● Roger McClendon, Executive Director, Green Sports
Alliance
● Amilyn Pierce, VP, Arizona Diamondbacks
● Brad Wright, Advisor, Formula E
3:00-3:15 pm - Closing - Thank you + 2024 Preview
3:30-6:00 pm - ASU sponsored Networking Reception, Palomar Hotel
The Future of Sports, Technology, and Business in Arizona
November 14, 2023
This event will be Arizona’s first sports-specific business, technology, and innovation summit, celebrating the rise of Arizona’s professional sports entertainment sector, an emerging economic powerhouse that has captured worldwide attention and investment.
Attendees will include sports executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, athletes, and policy leaders. Together, we'll examine the impacts of sports on our economy and explore emerging trends in sports, especially performance and health, sports tech, venture capital, and sustainability
Highlights of the event include:
- Hosted at Footprint Center, programming will take place at the arena with VIP access to the event space
- Success insights from Arizona sports industry leaders and legends
- Release of the Arizona Sports Impact Study, highlighting Arizona’s sports ecosystem strengths and position for economic growth
- Networking with 300+ of Arizona’s premier sports professionals, legislators, and entrepreneurs
PROGRAM + SPEAKERS
9:30-10:00 am - Registration and Networking at Footprint Center Pavilion
10:00-10:20 am - Welcome & Opening Keynote
10:25-10:55 am - Session 1: Panel Discussion on The Sports Economy in Arizona
Provide a birds-eye view of the business of sports in Arizona, highlight the economic impact of the sports industry on the state, and share recommendations for building the sports economy. Featured Speakers:
● Bridget Binsbacher, Executive Director, Cactus League
● Jay Parry, CEO, NCAA Men’s Final Four Organizing
Committee
● Jim Rounds, President, Rounds Consulting Group
● Sandra Watson, CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority
11:00-11:30 am - Session 2: Fireside Chat on Sports, Business, and Leadership
Discuss why sports matter to communities, showcase sports as a convener across a broad and diverse set of fans, share leadership lessons from sports. Featured Speakers:
● Latasha Causey, CEO, NASCAR Phoenix Raceway
● Erik Moses, CEO and Executive Director, Fiesta Bowl
11:35-11:50 am - Game Changers: Sports Legacy Award, Honoring The Voice of the Suns, Al McCoy
Ft. Fireside Chat with Danny Seiden, President & CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
12:00-12:55 pm - Networking Lunch, Footprint Center VIP Lounge
1:00-1:35 pm - Session 3: Panel Discussion on Sports as a Beachhead into Healthcare
Overview of how the business of sports is paying off for Arizona companies and share insight on the next growth opportunities; briefly share success stories and highlight emerging trends. Featured Speakers:
● Lisa Mukavitz, VP Service Lines, Banner Health
● Steve Nash, Founder, BLOCK
● Dr. Robby Sikka, Founder and CEO, Sports Medicine
Analytics Research Team
● Ahron Cohen, Venture Partner, ADVANTAGE
1:40-2:15 pm - Session 4: Fireside Chat on Venture Capital and the Future of Sports
Discuss what investors are looking for, the capital landscape in Arizona, what business leaders should think about when considering getting involved with the business of sports. Featured Speakers:
● Jessica Pacheco, Managing Director, AZ-VC
● Dan Burns, Executive Chairman, EXOS and Co-Founder, Sonoran Founders Fund
● Xavier Gutierrez, President & CEO, Arizona Coyotes
2:20-2:55 pm - Session 5: Panel Discussion on How Sports are Driving a More Sustainable Future
Highlight the work of sustainability companies that have proven concept through sports partnerships, and discuss the broader implications for sustainability. Featured Speakers:
● Roger McClendon, Executive Director, Green Sports
Alliance
● Amilyn Pierce, VP, Arizona Diamondbacks
● Brad Wright, Advisor, Formula E
3:00-3:15 pm - Closing - Thank you + 2024 Preview
3:30-6:00 pm - ASU sponsored Networking Reception, Palomar Hotel
