2025 SCHEDULE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
7:00-9:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Yaamava' Club by San Manuel, Crypto.com Arena
Enter at the Star Plaza VIP Entrance
Welcome Remarks
Katie Pandolfo, General Manager, Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena and Beyond: Building the Future of Live Entertainment with AEG’s Dan Beckerman
Dan Beckerman, President & CEO, AEG
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
Tour of newly renovated arena areas
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
5th floor, Intercontinental Downtown L.A.
7:30 - 8:45 AM
AXS DRIVE Breakfast
SBJ CONNECT
Hosted by
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Registration
Hosted by
8:45 AM
Welcome, Opening Remarks and Attendee Meet & Greet
Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
Bryan Perez, President & CEO, AXS
9:00 AM
Full Court Vision: Steve Ballmer on Building Bold, Thinking Bigger
Steve Ballmer, Chairman, L.A. Clippers & Intuit Dome; Former CEO, Microsoft
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:30 AM
Navigating the New Era of Ticketing – Strategy, Tech & the Fan Journey
Mason Donley, Head, Sports & Subscriptions, AXS
Todd Glickman, Chief Revenue & Business Officer, Comcast Spectacor
Brian Norman, Executive Vice President, Ticketing & Premium Hospitality, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Jonathan Tillman, Executive Vice President, Team Marketing & Business Operations, NBA
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:00 AM
Eventellect Emerging Executives Recognition
10:10 AM
Networking Break
Hosted by
10:45 AM
Turning Attendance into Intelligence: BI in the Sports Ticketing Ecosystem
Megan Bell, Senior Vice President, Consumer Revenue & Insights, L.A. Chargers
Ashton Mullinix, Senior Vice President, Consumer Revenue & Analytics, Detroit Lions
Jason Sinnarajah, COO, K.C. Royals
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
11:15 AM
Unlocking Value in Mixed-Use Real Estate: Turning Venues into Vibrant Districts
David Adelman, Partner, HBSE; Founder, Darco Capital
Jon Fascitelli, Founder & Chairman, Seregh
Todd Goldstein, CRO, AEG
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
11:45 AM
Lunch
Level 5 - Wilshire 3
Hosted by
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions
1:00 PM
Wilshire 1
The Next Generation of Ticket Distribution
Royce Cohen, Senior Vice President, Business Strategy, L.A. Dodgers
Jon Katz, Chief Commercial Officer, Victory Live
Sam Sherman, CEO, Automatiq
Betty Tran, President, FEVO
Guest Moderator: Carey Carson, Senior Vice President, Sponsorships, AXS
Wilshire 2
Industry Insights - Beyond the Dashboard: Building Trust Between Data Teams and Business Leaders
Ryan Bishara, Executive Vice President, Revenue & Strategy, LAFC
Corey Ruff, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Analytics, Chief of Staff, Chicago Bears
Adam Grow, Executive Vice President, Two Circles
Moderator: Dan Kaufman, Managing Director, Sports Technology, Sports Business Journal
1:30 PM
Wilshire 1
The Strategy and Monetization Around Ultra-Premium Experiences
Joel Adams, Senior Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service, Arizona Cardinals
Ed Horne, COO, On Location
Michelle Roguso, Senior Vice President, Hospitality, CAA Brand Consulting
Mino Solomon, Vice President, Ticket Sales & Operations, Inter Miami CF
Moderator: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
Wilshire 2
Transforming Venue Operations Through Technology Leadership
Erik Jones, Vice President, Technology, Arizona Cardinals
David Long, Vice President, Digital & Innovation, Portland Trail Blazers
Michael Sciortino, Senior Vice President, General Manager, UBS Arena
Sean True, Vice President, Enterprise Technology, Oak View Group
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
2:00 PM
Networking Break
Hosted by
2:30 PM
Facilities Module: Transforming the Venue Experience
Elevating the Experience Inside Capital One Arena
Jim Van Stone, President, Business Operations & Chief Commercial Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Centennial Yards is Revitalizing the Heart of Downtown Atlanta
Brian McGowan, President, Centennial Yards Company
OCVIBE: Unveiling A $5 Billion Vision for Entertainment & Hospitality in Anaheim
Bill Foltz, CEO, OC Sports & Entertainment
Moderator: Austin Karp, Sports Media Reporter, Sports Business Journal
3:45 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted by
4:15 PM
Depart the Intercontinental Downtown for Intuit Dome
4:45 PM
Arrive for Evening at Intuit Dome
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Hosted by
5:00 PM
Fan-First Innovation, Operational Excellence and Live Entertainment Strategy
Gillian Zucker, CEO, Halo Sports & Entertainment; President, Business Operations, L.A. Clippers, Intuit Dome & Kia Forum
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:20 PM
Intuit Dome Built to Wow: Perspectives from Five Venue Partners
Michael Arnold, Senior Vice President, CAA ICON
Nicolas Ávila, CEO Media, Entertainment, Sports & Hospitality AI Studio, Globant
Bill Hanway, Executive Vice President, Global Sports & Social Infrastructure Leader, AECOM
Luke Tingle, Project Executive, Daktronics
Justin Wood, Principal, Sports Practice Director, Dimensional Innovations
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
5:45 PM
Intuit Dome Tour
6:45 PM
Reception
Hosted by
8:30 PM
Event concludes at Intuit Dome, buses depart for the hotel
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
8:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM
The View from the Top: Strategy, Leadership, and the Road Ahead
Larry Baer, President & CEO, San Francisco Giants
Tom Braun, President, Business Operations & COO, L.A. Galaxy
Derrick Hall, President, CEO & General Partner, Arizona Diamondbacks
Karen Leetzow, President, Chicago Stars FC
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
9:35 AM
Managing a Diverse Sports Portfolio: Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy
Dan August, Executive Vice President, Consumer Revenue & Strategy, L.A. Rams
Kevin Demoff, President, Team & Media Operations, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment; President, L.A. Rams
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
10:05 AM
Industry Insights - The Digital Playbook: Inside the Tech That's Driving LAFC Fandom
Christian Lau, Chief Technology Officer, LAFC & BMO Stadium
Guest Moderator: Layna Carnicom, Senior Director, Customer Success, Everi
10:25 AM
Networking Break
11:00 - 12:10 PM
Concurrent Sessions
11:00 AM
Wilshire 1
Smarter Plays: Leveraging AI and Fan Data for Game-Changing Business Decisions
Jim Caruso, Chief Innovation Officer, Elevate
Matthew Jafarian, Executive Vice President, Business Strategy, Miami Heat; Co-Founder, 601 Analytics
Moderator: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
Wilshire 2
Industry Insights - Play to Win: Building Profitable Fan Loyalty Through Gamification and Meaningful Rewards
Ilana Leykekhman, Head, Strategy, Loyalty Product & Growth, Oracle
11:35 AM
Wilshire 1
Precision in Partnership: Data-Fueled Sponsorship Strategy
Ryan Balogh, Senior Director, Corporate Partnership Account Management & Activation, Chicago Cubs
Phil Libby, Director, Corporate Partnership Sales, AMB Sports & Entertainment
Micah Kamla, Senior Director, Business Intelligence & Innovation, Houston Rockets
Guest Moderator: Greg Krug, Vice President, Property Consulting, Navigate
Wilshire 2
How to Build Deeper Fan Connections through Loyalty Programs
Donald Baal, Managing Director, Product Marketing, NASCAR
Oscar Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Head, Technology, N.Y. Mets
Magali Valiente, Senior Manager, Innovation & Digital Strategy, St. Louis Blues
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
12:15 PM
Lunch
Level 5 - Wilshire 3
Hosted by
1:30 PM
Sport-tainment: Using Analytics to Curate the Ultimate Mixed-Use District
Sumit Arora, Vice President, Strategy & Analytics, MLSE
Mathew Focht, Founding Managing Partner, EMERGING
Eric Nordness, Managing Principal, Marquee Development
Moderator: Bret McCormick, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
2:00 PM
Inside the Dodgers: Building a Championship Brand On and Off the Field
Stan Kasten, CEO & President, L.A. Dodgers
Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President & CMO, L.A. Dodgers
Moderator: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
2:30 PM
Industry Insights - Smart Technology for Multi-Event Venues: Honeywell and Charlotte Hornets
Ronnie Bryant, Chief Information Officer, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
Kirk Rabius, Sports & Entertainment Leader, Honeywell
Guest Moderator: Dani Stern, Senior Director, Product Management, Honeywell
2:50 PM
Networking Break
3:10 PM
Revenue Playmakers: Driving the Next Wave of Growth
Jason Andrea, CRO, Las Vegas Aces
John Beaven, CRO, Golden State Warriors
Laura Flynn, CRO, Angel City FC
Moderator: Chris Smith, Staff Writer, Sports Business Journal
3:40 PM
Driving Commercial Success for the L.A. 28 Olympic Games
John Slusher, CEO, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties
Moderator: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
4:10 PM
Industry Insights - Unlocking Executive Productivity: How Sports Leaders Are Using AI to Win Back Their Day
Jake Burns, Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
John MacCarter, Senior Vice President, Finance, Strategy & Analytics, New York Jets
Guest Moderator: Shripal Shah, Chief Digital Officer, Next League
4:30 PM
The 10 Top Trends at AXS DRIVE Abe Madkour is Watching
5:00 PM
Networking Reception
Hosted by
6:00 PM
Depart for Dodger Stadium
6:30 PM
Arrive at Dodger Stadium
7:10 PM
