Join dynamic, small-group conversations on trending topics. Share insights, ask questions, and learn from your peers in an interactive format.

From Visitors to Voters: Why Sports Tourism is the Most Powerful Advocacy Tool a DMO Has
This closed-door CEO roundtable challenges traditional approaches to destination advocacy and reframes sports tourism as one of the most effective tools DMOs have to build trust, relevance, and support with residents and elected leaders alike. 

While visitor spending and bed tax remain essential metrics, they often fail to resonate with residents who want to see how tourism improves their daily lives. Sports tourism offers a different, and often more compelling, advocacy story: one rooted in community facilities, youth access, quality of life, and long-term infrastructure investments that residents actually use. 

In this candid CEO discussion, participants will explore how leading DMOs are elevating sports tourism from an event strategy to a resident-first advocacy platform, aligning tourism outcomes with community benefit, political support, and sustainable destination growth.

Room: Kojo Kamau A
Facilitator: David Gilbert, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission


Managing Risk at the Top
This closed-door roundtable brings together Sports Commission and Rights Holder CEOs to exchange insight on how executive leaders are identifying, prioritizing, and managing risk in today’s sports events and tourism environment. Rather than focusing on event-day logistics, the discussion centers on enterprise-level risk—including reputational, financial, political, safety, legal, and partnership risk—and how CEOs make decisions under uncertainty while protecting long-term organizational credibility. 

Room: Kojo Kamau B
Facilitator: Matthew Libber, Maryland SoccerPlex


Leading Teams Through Complexity
This interactive roundtable creates space for VPs and Directors to explore how effective leaders navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, rapid change, and heightened expectations—while keeping teams aligned, motivated, and resilient. The focus is on leadership mindset, decision-making, communication, and team dynamics in complex environments common to sports events and tourism. 

Room: Gina Knee Room
Facilitator: Jerrine Lee, Richmond Region Tourism


Student Enrichment Group Roundtable
Facilitated roundtable session for student enrichment group, led by industry professionals.

Room: Amy Kimpton Board Room