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

Leading Through Constraint: CEO Decisions in a High-Pressure Environment
This closed-door roundtable gives DMO CEOs in the sports events and tourism industry a focused forum to exchange insights on how they are making high-stakes leadership decisions amid constrained budgets, workforce challenges, political scrutiny, and rising expectations around sports event impact.

Room: Kojo Kamau A
Facilitator: Kathy Nelson, Kansas City Sports Commission


One Destination, Two Voices: How Sports Commissions and DMOs Win Together
This closed-door roundtable is designed for Sports Commission CEOs to candidly explore how successful commissions partner, align, and co-lead with their destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to advance sports tourism, protect trust, and drive measurable results. As sports commissions grow in visibility, funding, and influence, the relationship with the DMO can become both critical and complex. This session creates space for CEOs to exchange real-world insight on how they navigate overlapping responsibilities, manage perception, avoid internal competition, and build alignment that benefits the destination, the community, and long-term event strategy. 

Room: Kojo Kamau B
Facilitator: Greg Fante, Louisville Sports Commission


Breaking Barriers, Taking Action: Accelerating Personal & Professional Growth
This interactive roundtable creates a peer-driven environment for VPs and Directors to explore the barriers that most often stall growth—whether internal, organizational, or industry-driven—and identify practical actions to move forward with greater confidence and intention. The focus is on ownership, mindset, visibility, and momentum, not generic career advice. 

Room: Gina Knee Room
Facilitator: Meaghan Hughes (Ann Arbor Sports Commission)